Lyndon Johnson & The Great Society

Lyndon B. Johnson “There are no problems we cannot solve together, and very few that we can solve by ourselves.”

Election of 1964 Lyndon B. JohnsonBarry Goldwater

Johnson & Humphrey Win Carried 61% of the Popular Vote, 44 states + DC, and 486 Electoral Votes

The Johnson Years

The Great Society Lyndon Johnson and the Great Society

Goals of the Great Society “So I want to talk to you today about three places where we begin to build the Great Society: in our cities, in our countryside, and in our classrooms. ” 1.Reduce Poverty 2.Improve Education 3.Improve the Environment

The War on Poverty Tax Reduction Act Reduce taxes to encourage spending and stimulate growth Economic Opportunity Act Created various programs, such as youth organizations and programs to assist the impoverished with preschool education, to help fight the war on poverty. Medical Care Act Created Medicare (medical assistance to citizens 65+) and Medicaid (extension of health insurance to those on welfare.) Appalachian Regional Development Act Targeted economically depressed areas to provide aid for various aspects of living (ex: West Virginia).

One of every three Appalachians lived in poverty. Per capita income was 23 percent lower than the U.S. average. High unemployment and harsh living conditions had, in the 1950s, forced more than 2 million Appalachians to leave their homes and seek work in other regions.

The Environment Clean Air Act Amendment Established emission standards for new vehicles. Wilderness Preservation Act Set aside over 9 million acres for the preservation and growth of forest lands.

Education Elementary & Secondary Education Act Directed federal money towards public schools to enhance libraries, special education, and more. National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities Formed to assist and financially support artists, painters, musicians, and more.

Was the Great Society envisioned by President Johnson a success or a failure? Question.

Success of the Great Society Medicare & Medicaid still exist… Education expanded (if not improved…) Environmental preservation expanded… 17 Trillion Dollars Spent Poverty in 1965? 14% Poverty in 2012? 16%