Do Now 1.) What type of document is this? 2.) What is the message of this speech? 3.) What kind of programs do you think President Johnson would support, based on this document?

Johnson’s “Great Society”

Johnson’s Great Society Benchmark: SS.912.A.7.13 – Analyze the attempts to extend New Deal legislation through the Great Society and the successes and failures of the programs to promote social & economic stability Essential Question: How did President Lyndon B. Johnson and his Great Society programs change the outlook of American society?

JFK SHOT TO DEATH As the motorcade approached the Texas Book Depository, shots rang out JFK was shot in the neck and then the head His car was rushed to a nearby hospital where doctors frantically tried to revive him President Kennedy was dead (11/22/63)

The Plot Thickens The Birth of a Conspiracy Lee Harvey Oswald had connections with Russia and supported the revolution in Cuba Arrested 80 minutes after the assassination Evidence found at the Book Repository, where he shot Kennedy Oswald shot by Jack Ruby, 2 days later

Lyndon B. Johnson Lyndon B. Johnson, Kennedy’s Vice President, would take over for Kennedy. Only 5 days after Kennedy’s death, Johnson made a speech to the American public saying he would continue on with JFK’s plans. He came up with a new term for the new America called the Great Society.

Great Society Programs Questions Which of these programs have you heard of before? Which programs do you think have been successful? How would you measure whether these programs were successful or not? How is the Great Society like FDR’s New Deal? How is it different?

Johnson’s Great Society Programs

Video Questions Great Society Video Clip According to the video clip, what types of programs did Lyndon B. Johnson support? According to the video clip, was the Great Society a success or failure?

“New Frontier” Ideas President Kennedy’s domestic program called The New Frontier was an extension of FDR’s New Deal and Truman’s Fair Deal. Lowered taxes and fought inflation while battling big businesses such as the steel industry who were raising prices despite the fact that they promised not to Increased funding for public schools by passing new bills such as the Vocational Education Bill Expanded unemployment and welfare to fight poverty in the South and in big cities Area Redevelopment Act encouraged businesses to move into economically depressed areas by spending $400 million in loans and grants The Housing Act dedicated $5 billion for urban renewal Raised minimum wage to $1.25 extending it to more than 3 million workers Created the Peace Corps which sent volunteers to assist developing third world nations

New Frontier Goals Provide medical care for elderly Rebuild urban areas Education (focusing on Math & Science) Bolster national defense Increase international aid Expand space program

Great Society Activity Directions Read each article within your group Fill out the questions in the graphic organizer that pertains to that specific article Compare/contrast the opinions of the two authors then write a paragraph that clearly states which author you find to be more convincing after filling out the graphic org. Remember to evaluate each author’s opinion but also remember to look at the facts There is no wrong or right but you must make your argument valid with support from the text

Downfall of Johnson’s Presidency Even with all the good things Johnson was attempting to do, his government spending was out of hand. The midterm elections of 1966 allowed the Republicans to gain seats in both houses of Congress—which slowed down Johnson’s legislative program. The Vietnam War was part of the problem because it was eating up $20 billion a year.

Journal Entry Write a minimum of 1 paragraph response to the following question: “How did President Johnson and his Great Society programs change the outlook of American society? “