Lyndon B. Johnson Era 1963-1968

Kennedy’s Assassination November 22, 1963- Kennedy in Dallas for parade and speech During parade while riding in an open motorcade, Kennedy was shot in the throat and head – died that day Lee Harvey Oswald was arrested the same day for the murder The assassination rocked the nation

Warren Commission November 24, 1963- Oswald was murdered – sparked questions about JFK’s death – was there a conspiracy? Warren Commission: led by Chief Justice Earl Warren to investigate JFK’s death Lasted 10 months No conspiracy was found – Oswald and Ruby acted alone

Enter LBJ Hours after JFK was pronounced dead – Vice President, Lyndon B. Johnson was sworn in as President LBJ’s background: Texan Headed a New Deal agency State senator U.S. senator Majority leader in Senate

Johnson takes action Johnson continued on with Kennedy’s “New Frontier”, but with much greater success Was able to convince Congress to pass Kennedy’s legislation He paid heavy attention to what he termed, the War on Poverty Asked Congress to pass legislation that would aid the poverty stricken in America  they did Job programs, tax cuts, and civil rights

Johnson’s Great Society “We have the opportunity to move not only toward the rich society and the powerful society, but upward to the Great Society. The Great Society rests on abundance and liberty for all. It demands an end to poverty and racial injustice…” Johnson’s idea for a Great Society became the term for his domestic programs during his re-election campaign in 1964

Creating the Great Society Johnson was overwhelming elected President in 1964 with a victory of 486-52 Programs of the Great Society were intended to promote a better life: Education for children & poor Housing for poor Health care for elderly & poor Environment

Johnson’s Foreign Policy Johnson Doctrine: intervention to fight the spread of communism Intervened in Dominican Republic in 1965 to end a revolt Increased involvement in the Vietnam War (more on this tomorrow) By 1966- 385,000 troops were in Vietnam and $2.5 billion had already been spent