Lyndon B. Johnson Great Society
Background LBJ was a teacher at a segregated school for Mexican Americans Senator Joined Kennedy’s ticket when he lost Democratic nomination in 1960 Took office when Kennedy was assassinated in 1963
Civil Rights Act of 1964 Outlawed discrimination in voting, education, and public accommodations Hospitals, restaurants, theaters, and other public places Equal Employment Opportunity Commission- fought discrimination in hiring processes Title VII- prohibited discrimination on the basis of sex
War on Poverty Economic Opportunity Act- created the Job Corps to train young men and women between 16 and 21 in work skill to get better jobs Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA)- sent American volunteers into poor American communities Head Start- provided play groups, day care, ad activities for underprivileged children to prepare for school
Election of 1964 Johnson v. Barry Goldwater Goldwater wanted to reduce federal government and cut spending and taxes Johnson won more than 60% of popular vote Democrats won both houses of Congress
Great Society
Healthcare Medicare- provided healthcare to elderly Medicaid- provided basic medical services to poor and disabled that were not a part of the Social Security system
Education Elementary and Secondary Education Act- gave funds to poor communities to build libraries, learning centers, language laboratories, and services
Environment Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring discussed the damage done by chemical fertilizers and pesticides Ralph Nader’s Unsafe at Any Speed addressed passenger safety Water Quality Act and Clean Water Restoration Act- improved water and air standards in the US National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act- established safety standards for vehicles
Immigration Immigration and Nationality Act of altered America’s quota system Many immigrants came from all parts of the world
The Warren Court
Led by Chief Justice, Earl Warren The most liberal in history Baker v. Carr - “one man, one vote” approved reapportionment of voting districts Mapp v. Ohio- illegally obtained evidence could not be used in court Gideon v. Wainwright - all accused had right to lawyer Escobedo v. Illinois - every accused had to be offered access to lawyer before questioning Miranda v. Arizona- accused had to be informed of Fifth and Sixth Amendment rights Engel v. Vitale- public schools could not require students to recite prayer Abington v. Schempp- Bible reading in public schools violated First Amendment