The Great Society Chapter 15 - Section 3

Overview With the assassination of President Kennedy, Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson is sworn into office, President Johnson had more experience in dealing with Congress and was able to get several of Kennedy's programs approved. After winning re-election, Johnson worked to get his social programs approved (Great Society Programs) focusing on Health, Welfare, Education, and Poverty approved. The effectiveness of these programs is often debated but they did improve the lives of many Americans.

LBJ Takes Office At 12:30pm cst - JFK was assassinated After JFk was pronounced dead at 1:30pm cst - LBJ & Kennedy family taken to airport By 2:30pm cst - LBJ - stood in the cabin of Air Force One (SAM 26000) and took the Oath of Office

Johnson's Public Statement “This is a sad time for all people. We have suffered a loss that cannot be weighed. For me, it is a deep personal tragedy. I know that the world shares the sorrow that Mrs. Kennedy and her family bear. I will do my best. That is all I can do. I ask for your help--and God's”. - LBJ

LBJ’s Experience Born and Raised in Texas 55 when he gained office of the President 26 years of Congressional experience / House of Reps. / U.S. Senator / Senator Majority Leader Served in the Navy during WWII

LBJ Leadership Style Impressive stature - very stern when he spoke Reputation as a man who got things done Getting things done = twisted arms/did favors/bargained/flattered/ & threatened Known as the “Johnson Treatment”

LBJ - War on poverty LBJ - Teacher in low income area before politics Believed a wealthy / powerful government should try to improve life of citizens “Unfortunately, many Americans live on the outskirts of hope, some because of their poverty, some because of their color, others because of both” Declared “War on Poverty”

LBJ - War on Poverty Summer 1964 - Congress passed “Economic Opportunity Act” - Created jobs / fought poverty Started “Office of Economic Opportunity” (OEO) to coordinate new programs “Neighborhood Youth Corps” - work study programs to help poor earn HS diploma / college degree VISTA - Volunteers in Service to America - put young people with skills to work in poor neighborhoods

Election of 1964 Republican opponent - Barry Goldwater (AZ) Very aggressive & outspoken / not well liked On Election Day - Johnson won re-election - won all states except six.

LBJ & Civil rights LBJ - Able to pass the “Civil Rights Act 1964” - barred discrimination Voting Rights Act 1965 - Ensured African Americans right to vote

The Great Society “Great Society” was Johnson’s vision for a more perfect and equitable society 1965 - 1969 = over 60 programs passed Most Significant: Medicare - medical insurance for elderly Medicaid - Fed. & State provided health insurance to low income families Project Head Start - Aide to children with disadvantaged circumstances

The Great Society Upward Bound – Designed to provide college preparation for low income teenagers Department of Housing & Urban Development - govt aide to rebuild housing for poor/disadvantaged Immigration reform Act 1965 - Strict Limits set - 170,000 Eastern Hemisphere & 120,000 - Western Hemisphere (Eliminated “National Origins Act) Opened America to more people than just Europe

Questions?????

Review 1. Name three major programs LBJ started Answer - Medicare - Medicaid - VISTA 2. LBJ’s style for twisting arms and threatening to get what he wanted was called_________ Answer - “Johnson Treatments” 3. What “ACT” barred discrimination of “Any Kind” Answer - Civil Rights Act of 1964 4. Where did LBJ take the oath of office? Answer - on Air Force One