Standard and Objective Stand 1: American History Concept 9: Postwar United States PO 2: Describe aspects of American post-World War II domestic policy: e. social reforms Great Society and War on Poverty Students will comprehend the Great Society of LBJ by identifying the programs that were created.

Johnson Takes the Reins The Great Society Johnson Takes the Reins

Johnson snaps into action Just a few hours after Kennedy’s assassination, Lyndon B. Johnson was sworn into office on Air Force One Jackie Kennedy was still wearing the blood stained suit from earlier There is some controversy over how quickly LBJ took office, people seeing him as insensitive to Jackie

Build on Kennedy’s Legacy Shortly after Johnson took office he urged Congress to continue on with Kennedy’s legacy and work for the poor of America Although America was in a boom, there were many Americans who lived in poverty Mostly those who lived in hidden slums, Appalachia, the Deep South, and Native American reservations Johnson launched an antipoverty crusade

A Little about Johnson Although Johnson had similar beliefs to Kennedy, his style of leadership was quite different He spoke directly and convincingly He became president at age 55 and already had 26 years of congressional experience He had a reputation for a man that got things done He was able to build coalitions very successfully He was one of the most powerful and effective leaders in senate history Also, his wife’s name was Lady Bird

Declared War on poverty LBJ had grown up in hard times and he had been a teacher in a low-income area for a time He also knew that JFK had been trying to create antipoverty programs and create a civil rights bill This would give him support because the public would support the assassinated president’s programs “Unfortunately, many Americans live on the outskirts of hope – some because of their poverty, and some because of their color, and all too many because of both.”

Election of 1964 Very shortly after he gained office, LBJ was up for reelection The republican candidate running against him was Senator Barry Goldwater from Arizona Goldwater was known for his strong conservatism and said “Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice. Moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue.” This made people nervous because it seemed to aggressive for a nation on the verge of nuclear war Johnson won in a landslide

The Great Society After Johnson won the election he started work on his “Great Society” This created several important programs Medicare and Medicaid –For senior citizens and those living below the poverty line Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 gave millions of dollars to schools Project Head Start for created for disadvantaged children

Anti-discrimination The Civil Rights Act of 1964 barred many kinds of discrimination The Voting Rights Act of 1965 protected voters from discriminatory practices The immigration Act of 1965 ended the 1920s system of giving preference to Northern Europeans This allowed immigrants from all over the world to enter the U.S.