LBJ & The Great Society

Lyndon Baines Johnson 36th President of US. Democrat 1908-1973 4th generation Texan, teaching degree, taught HS public speaking and debate in Houston. Entered politics in 1937 in House of Representatives, eventually winning a Senate seat and Senate majority leader in 1955. Idolized FDR, saw himself as spokesperson for small ranchers and struggling farmers. He was a political master, great at behind-the-scenes maneuvering. “LBJ treatment” JFK picked him as VP, which helped him in states in the South, especially Texas, which was a hard win for Democrats.

JFK to LBJ After JFK’s assassination, LBJ used his memory to get JFK’s programs passed: Feb 1964- tax reduction over $10 billion. Spurred economic growth and reduced budget deficit from $6 billion in 1964 to $4 billion in 1966. July 1964- Civil Rights Act War on Poverty– 1964 Economic Opportunity Act (EOA) $1 billion for youth programs, antipoverty measures, small-business loans, and job training. Project Head Start, educational program for underprivileged preschoolers Community Action Program, encouraged poor people to participate in public works programs http://www.history.com/topics/us-presidents/lyndon-b- johnson/videos

1964 Election LBJ (Democrat) vs. Barry Goldwater (Republican) Goldwater believed the government had no business trying to right social and economic wrongs like poverty, discrimination, and lack of opportunity. Most people at the time believed the opposite and thought the government should help to solve these problems. Goldwater scared people by suggesting the he might use nuclear weapons on Cuba and North Vietnam. LBJ commercial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDTBnsqxZ3k LBJ won by a landslide. 61% of popular vote and 486 electoral votes. Democrats also increased their majority in Congress. They didn’t need the Southern Dems (racists) in order to pass laws.

Building The Great Society May 1964 in a speech at U of M he summed up his vision for America: The Great Society. Johnson envisioned a legislative program that would create a higher standard of living, equal opportunity, and promote a richer quality of life for all. Like FDR, LBJ wanted to change America. By the time he left office in 1969 Congress passed 206 of his measures. Education “the key which can unlock the door to the Great Society” The Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965--$1 billion to help schools. First major federal aid package for education in the nation’s history.

Building The Great Society Healthcare Changed Social Security by establishing: Medicare: provides hospital insurance and low-cost medical insurance for people 65 and older Medicaid: extended health insurance to welfare recipients Housing Shifted the nation’s political power from rural to urban areas. Building 240,000 units of low-rent public housing and help low and middle income families pay for better private housing Established Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Immigration Immigration Act of 1965: opened the door for non-European immigrants to settle in US who once were not allowed because of quotas.

Building The Great Society The Environment Water Quality Act of 1965: required states to clean up rivers Johnson ordered the government to search out the worst chemical polluters—all of this helped to trigger the environmental movement in the US. Consumer Protection Congress passed major safety laws: Truth in packaging law that set standards for labeling consumer goods Ralph Nader, criticized the auto industry for ignoring safety concerns—helped to establish safety standards for cars and tires. Wholesome Meat Act of 1967 “Americans can feel a little safer in their homes, on the road, at the supermarket, and in the department store.” -LBJ

Warren Court Liberal reform swept through the Supreme Court in the 1960s, under Chief Justice Earl Warren. He took an activist stance on the leading issues of the day. Banned prayer in public schools and declared state-required loyalty oaths unconstitutional. Limited the power of communities to censor books and films and said that free speech included antiwar protests in schools. Rights of the Accused Many decisions greatly expanded the rights of people accused of crimes Mapp v. Ohio: evidence seized illegally couldn’t be used in court Gideon v. Wainwright: provide legal counsel for those that couldn’t afford it Escobedo v. Illinois: right to a lawyer during police questioning Miranda v. Arizona: all suspects must be read their rights before questioning.

Impact of Great Society No president in post-WWII extended power and reach of federal government more than LBJ War of Poverty did help: poor fell from 21% of population in 1962 to 11% in 1973. But many programs were quickly made and hard to accomplish The tax cut did spur the economy, but The Great Society was expensive and contributed to a growing budget deficit—a problem for years. A conservative backlash began to take shape as new Republican leaders began to grow in power-Ronald Reagan The increase in Communist forces in Vietnam began to overshadow the goals of the Great Society.