10-4: Liberalism and Domestic Programs of the 1950s-1960s

Thematic Learning Objectives POL 1.0 Explain how and why political ideas, beliefs, institutions, party systems, and alignments have developed and changed. POL 2.0 Explain how popular movements, reform efforts, and activist groups have sought to change American society and institutions. POL 3.0 Explain how different beliefs about the federal government’s role in U.S. social and economic life have affected political debates and policies.

Key Concept New movements for civil rights and liberal efforts to expand the role of government generated a range of political and cultural responses.

Contemporary Ideologies Liberalism Government involvement in economy Higher taxes Equal opportunity for all Generally vote for Democrats Union members, minorities, young adults, single women Conservatism Limited role of government Lower taxes Individualism leads to economic growth Generally vote for Republicans Rural areas, white males, middle-aged

Truman (D), 1945-1953 Fair Deal Civil rights Enlargement of the New Deal Increased minimum wage Health insurance Federal aid to education Public housing Repeal of Taft-Hartley Act (workers rights) Coalition between Republicans and Southern Democrats limited Truman’s ability to achieve his goals

Eisenhower (R), 1953-1961 Conservative economic policy Basic features of the New Deal Lower taxes Controlling government spending Warnings about “military-industrial complex”

Election of 1960 JFK vs. Nixon Role of Catholicism Role of televised debates Results

Kennedy (D), 1961-1963 New Frontier Assassination Emphasis on addressing poverty Aid to education Urban renewal Medical care for elderly Lower taxes Coalition between Republicans and Southern Democrats limited Kennedy’s ability to achieve his goals Assassination

Johnson (D), 1963-1969 Great Society Goals Legislation Build of ideas of JFK Use the federal government to enhance social welfare End the cycle of poverty Legislation Civil Rights Act Voting Rights Act Medicare Medicaid

Johnson (D), 1963-1969 Great Society Legislation War on Poverty Economic Opportunity Act Job Corps Head Start Funding for the Arts Housing and Urban Development Rent supplements for low-income families Funding problems (Vietnam War)

Controversy over the “Safety net” President Barack Obama: “What President Johnson understood was that equality required more than the absence of oppression. It required the presence of economic opportunity. A decent job. Decent wages. Health care. Those too were civil rights worth fighting for.” Former Cabinet Member David Califano: “From 1963 when Lyndon Johnson took office until 1970 as the impact of his Great Society programs were felt, the portion of Americans living below the poverty line dropped from 22.2 percent to 12.6 percent, the most dramatic decline over such a brief period in this century.”

Controversy over the “Safety net” Historian Alan Brinkley: “The gap between the expansive intentions of the War on Poverty and its relatively modest achievements fueled later conservative arguments that government is not an appropriate vehicle for solving social problems.” Economist Thomas Sowell: “The black family, which had survived centuries of slavery and discrimination, began rapidly disintegrating in the liberal welfare state that subsidized unwed pregnancy and changed welfare from an emergency rescue to a way of life.”