Lyndon B. Johnson: The Great Society APUSH Chapter 38

1. Lyndon B. Johnson: The Great SocietyAPUSH Chapter 38 Essential Questions: What were the 3 major issues of LBJ’s presidency? What was the importance of Lyndon Johnson’s Great Society, including the establishment of Medicare?

2. The demand for reform helped create a new awareness of social problems, especially on matters of civil rights and the effects of poverty LBJ in the White House

3. LBJ’s ambition and drive were legendary He entered politics in 1937 as a “New Dealer” He caught the eye of FDR as a spokesman for farmers of his district He was a master of party politics and maneuvering and rose to Senate majority leader in 1955 Became President in 1963 LBJ’s Path to Power

4. His ability to achieve legislative results had captured JFK’s attention as well Johnson’s congressional connections and his Southern Protestant background convinced Kennedy to make LBJ his running mate This helped Kennedy win states in the south

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8. Johnson urged Congress to pass the civil rights and tax-cut bills that Kennedy had sent to Capitol Hill The tax-cuts spurred economic growth The Civil Rights Act of 1964 made it illegal to discriminate based on race, religion, national origin, and sex The Domestic Agenda

9. The War on Poverty Spirit p. 475 • Johnson declared an “unconditional war on poverty in America” • Congress enacted the Economic Opportunity Act (EOA) • The Job Corps Youth Training Program • VISTA: Volunteers in Service to America • Project Head Start, an education program for underprivileged preschoolers • The Community Action Program, which encouraged poor people to participate in public-works programs

10. Republicans nominate Barry Goldwater of Arizona Barry Goldwater believed the federal government had no business trying to right social and economic wrongs such as poverty, discrimination, and lack of opportunity Most Americans sided with LBJ Election of 1964

11. Election of 1964

12. Election of 1964 • Goldwater had also frightened many Americans by suggesting he may use nuclear weapons on Cuba and North Vietnam • LBJ won in a landslide • Democrats also gained more control in Congress • LBJ could launch his domestic reform program, The Great Society with high confidence

13. Johnson summed up his vision for America in a phrase: The Great Society In a speech he outlined a legislative program (Great Society) that would end poverty and racial injustice He would also try to create a higher standard of living for everyone Building the Great Society

14. Passed bills increasing funding for education; the first major federal aid package for education in the nation’s history LBJ created Medicare and Medicaid Created the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Medicare: give low-cost medical insurance to Americans age 65 years and up Medicaid: extends health care insurance to people on welfare. The Great Society

15. Impact of the Great Society • The Great Society and the Warren Court changed the United States • People disagree on whether the U.S. was better or worse afterwards • The massive tax cut spurred the economy, but funding the Great Society along with the Vietnam War led to increased deficits

16. There was a conservative backlash Ronald Reagan swept to victory in the race for governor of California The increase in Communist forces in Vietnam began to overshadow the Great Society Four years after the election, Johnson, who ran on a peace ticket, would be labeled a “hawk” for supporting one of the most divisive wars in recent U.S. History Backlash

17. The Supreme Court under Chief Justice Earl Warren encouraged the expansion of individual rights in the U.S. This started with Brown v. B.O.E. Limited censorship Stated free speech included allowing students to wear black armbands to protest the war (Tinker v Des Moines) Tinker v Des Moines - 1969 The Warren Court

18. The Warren Court also greatly expanded the rights of people accused of crimes. Earl Warren  Illegally seized evidence couldn’t be used in court Required criminal courts to provide free legal counsel (Gideon v. Wainwright) Right to a lawyer during questioning People must be read their Miranda rights before questioning (Miranda v. Arizona - 1966) The Warren Court EQ: How did the Warren Court expand the individual rights of American citizens?