The Great Society

1. The Great Society LBJ’s Presidency – 1960s

2. LBJ Takes Office "A nation stunned, shaken to its very heart, had to be reassured that the government was not in a state of paralysis…that the business of the United States would proceed. I knew that not only the nation but the whole world would be anxiously following every move I made - watching, judging, weighing, balancing…it was imperative that I grasp the reins of power and do so without delay. Any hesitation or wavering, any false step, any sign of self-doubt, could have been disastrous." - quoted in Lyndon Johnson and the American Dream • On November 22, 1963 – LBJ takes office after JFK is murdered • LBJ - Assured the American people that America was going to keep moving forward

3. Johnson’s leadership style • Born in the “hill country” of central Texas • Unlike Kennedy, Johnson had a rugged leadership style • Known for building consensus (or general agreement) among members of Congress, making him an effective leader. • 26 years experience in Congress

4. Passing JFK’s Anti-Poverty Bills • Economic Gap • The Other America – Michael Harrington -Poverty is hidden -Inspired: JFK, LBJ, Americans • Prosperous economy • Fed. Govt. could afford new program • LBJ - 26yrs. experience in Congress helped him push through several bills

5. War on Poverty • 1964 Economic Opportunity Act - establishing programs to create jobs and fighting poverty • Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO) to coordinate the new programs • Neighborhood Youth Corps – work/study programs • Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) – domestic Peace Corps

6. Election of 1964 Lyndon Johnson Barry Goldwater

8. The Great Society LBJ Day 2

9. The “Great Society” Vision for a perfect and equitable society (Utopia) FDR- New Deal CRM – gained momentum Strong Economy – could finance SPEECH AT UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN Outlined goals

10. Great Society – PROGRAMSHEALTH CARE Between '65 and '68, more than 60 programs were passed • Medicare – health insurance program funded through the social security system • Medicaid – financed health care for welfare recipients (poor) • Created “entitlements” • Costs = part of the US Budget • Obama Care?

11. Great Society – PROGRAMSEDUCATION LBJ was a school teacher in a poor area for 2 years • Upward Bound – college prep for poor • California Master Plan – • improve higher education facilities • ensure that all CA residents who graduate in the top percentages of their high school class would be able to attend a CA university.

12. Great Society – PROGRAMSPoverty & Immigration Fighting the “War on Poverty” • Department of Housing and Urban Development • Robert Weaver – secretary • “Model Cities” - authorized federal subsidies to many cities nationwide. • IMMIGRATION ACT OF 1965 – • changed the composition of American population • eliminated national origins system • widened the door for immigrants of all parts of Europe, Asia and Africa

13. Legacy of the “Great Society” Successes Improved millions of Americans' lives Sought to close the economic gap of America Some lasting programs: Medicare Medicaid Dept. of Transportation Dept. of Housing and Urban Development Project Head Start Failures LBJ was rushed to pass these bills, which grew very fast, and as a result, some problems arose: Managing Funding – Vietnam War Evaluating Entitlement Free Rider v. Invisible Hand

14. Important Questions to Consider Questions????? NYT wrote on LBJ’s Programs… How can the fed govt step in to help those who are economically disadvantaged? How much can govt help society without weakening the private sector? How much can people receive without losing motivation to provide for themselves? "The walls of the ghettos are not going to topple overnight, nor is it possible to wipe out the heritage of generations of social, economic, and educational deprivation by the stroke of a Presidential pen.”