LBJ: The Great Society 1963-1968 Ch 29, pages 888-892

Essential Questions: What political path led LBJ to the White House? What were the goals of the Great Society? What were some of the major programs of the Great Society? What was the short term and long term impact of Great Society programs?

LBJ’s Path to Power Ran for Congress as a “New Dealer” in 1937 In 1948 moves to US Senate LBJ was a master of party politics and behind the scenes political maneuvering Helped the Civil Rights Act of 1957 to be passed JFK’s running mate in 1960 After JFK’s assassination LBJ urged Congress to pass the civil rights and tax-cut bills that JFK had sent to Congress

Tax Cut February 1964 tax reduction of over $10 billion passed into law Spurred economic growth…. People spent more More profit for business Increased tax revenues Lowered deficit from $6 billion to 4 billion It worked!!!!

“The Johnson Treatment” LBJ was the master of the Senate – could always get his bills passed

Johnson’s Agenda Early in 1964 LBJ had declared a War on Poverty In Aug. 1964 Congress passed the Economic Opportunity Act (EOA) which provided $1 billion for youth programs, antipoverty measures, small-business loans, and job training (EOA) created: Job Corps Youth Training Programs VISTA –Volunteers in Service to America Project Head Start – Ed. For underprivileged kids Community Action Programs (CAPS)

Johnson’s Vision for America The Great Society End poverty and racial injustice Higher standard of living and equal opportunity By end of presidency – enacted 206 measures

Johnson introduces Great Society “. . The Great Society rests on abundance and liberty for all. It demands an end to poverty and racial injustice, to which we are totally committed in our time. But that is just the beginning. . . "

LBJ launches The Great Society LBJ wanted to end poverty and racial injustice The Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 provided $1 billion in aid to help public and parochial schools Medicare provided low-cost health benefits to Americans 65 or older Medicaid extended health insurance to the poor or welfare recipients Department of Housing and Urban Development was established (HUD)240,000 low rent public houses, and $

The Great Society II The Immigration Act of 1965 opened the door for many non-European immigrants to settle in the US by ending the quotas of the 1920’s based on nationality The Water Quality Act of 1965 required states to clean up rivers, it resulted from Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring about pesticides, and spurred the environmental movement Congress established safety standards for cars as a result of Ralph Nadar’s Unsafe at Any Speed The Wholesome Meat Act of 1967 The Truth in Packaging Act of 1966

Other Great Society Programs The Higher Education Act of 1965 funded scholarships and low-interest loans for college students National Foundation for the Arts and the Humanities Act of 1965 was created to assistance to painters, musicians, actors, and other artists Corporation of Public Broadcasting 1967 The Voting Rights Act of 1965 The Highway Safety Act of 1966 The Air Quality Act of 1967

What was the impact of the Great Society? Activist era Increased the role of the federal government – criticized by Conservatives and Republicans “war on poverty” decreased poor from 21% in 1962 to 11% in 1973 Limited $ reached poor people due to complex programs that were tough to implement Disillusioned inner city residents rioted in protest Tax cut spurred economy Funding of Great Society increased deficit A Conservative backlash began to take shape (Reagan Gov. of CA 1966) Vietnam overshadowed the Great Society