The Great Society 15.3 Notes

1. LBJ Takes Office  12:30 pm – JFK was assassinated  1:30 pm pronounced dead  Kennedy family and LBJ taken to airport  2:30 pm – LBJ stood in the cabin of Air Force One and took the Oath of Office  Jackie O. witnessed

2. LBJ’s Background  Born and raised in Texas  Impressive stature – stern when he spoke  Reputation as a man who got things done  twisted arms, did favors, bargained, flattered, threatened  Known as the “Johnson Treatment”

3. War on Poverty  Grew up relatively poor, taught in low-income area before political career  believed a wealthy and powerful gov’t should try to improve the life of its citizens  “Unfortunately, many Americans live on the outskirts of hope, some because of their poverty, some because of their color, others because of both.”  Declared a “War on Poverty”

 “Economic Opportunity Act” – created jobs and fought poverty  Started “Office of Economic Opportunity” (OEM) to coordinate new programs  VISTA – Volunteers in Service to America  domestic Peace Corps  today called Americorps

4. Civil Rights and LBJ  Civil Rights Act of 1964 – barred discrimination  Voting Rights Act 1965 – ensured African- Americans the right to vote

5. Great Society Programs  His vision for a more perfect and equitable society  Over 60 programs passed  Medicare – medical insurance for the elderly  Medicaid – Federal and state provided health insurance to low income families  Head Start – aid to children with disadvantaged circumstances

 Department of Housing and Urban Development  Immigration Reform Act – opened the U.S. to more people than just Europeans

Great Society Speech  With your elbow partner, summarize the societal problems that LBJ mentions in this speech that he wants to address with his Great Society programs.  You should be able to find at least 3  Here’s the big question: WAS THE GREAT SOCIETY SUCCESSFUL? Did it work? Was it worth it? Should the gov’t have such a large role in people’s lives?