36TH PRESIDENT Lyndon Baines Johnson
Background Grew up in a small town - Johnson City, Texas No electricity, no school system, no oil, no wealth Father, Sam, had a “passion” for politics - 6 term member of TX legislature. (A very honest politician) In the NAVY - a hero?? LBJ’s first job - teacher & principal at all-Mexican elementary school. Later - teaches and coaches debate at Sam Houston High
Early Political Career Elected to US House of Representatives Main programs: rural electrification, public works, Became FDR’s “man in Texas” Lost Senate race in his opponent “found” some votes Took leave of absence in 1941 to fight in World War II – awarded the silver star. Elected to Senate in new campaign strategy - the helicopter!
Senator Lyndon Johnson Becomes a millionaire - radio & TV Youngest Majority Leader in 1954: “Program with a Heart” - expanded social security, tax breaks, aid to economically depressed. Sponsors NDEA: “Nat’l Defense Education Act” as a response to Sputnik Sponsors Civil Rights Act of 1960
The Presidency Fi First lady: Claudia Alta “Lady Bird” Taylor LBJ inaugurated on Air Force 1, Nov. 22, 1963 Issues: Civil Rights, Vietnam VP: Hubert H. Humphrey “Landslide Lyndon” defeats AuH20 in ‘64 - LBJ wins popular vote 61% to 38% (Electoral: )
The Great Society Michael Harrington’s The Other America Despite rising affluence, between million are trapped in “a culture of poverty” “This administration today, here and now, declares unconditional war on poverty in America.” -LBJ Key Programs Job Corps Project Head Start Upward Bound
Voting Rights Act of 1965
Presidential Programs Civil Rights Act of 1964 : Bans discrimination in Employment THE GREAT SOCIETY (Liberalism) Wilderness Preservation Act, Elementary & Secondary Education Act, Higher Education Act Medicare/Medicaid Voting Rights Act Omnibus Housing Act (Creation of HUD) Nat’l Foundation for Arts & Humanities Clean Water Act Nat’l Traffic & Motor Safety Act (Dept. of Transportation) Minimum Wage Increase
Evaluating the Great Society Most ambitious and comprehensive set of domestic programs since the New Deal Key successes: Head Start Medicaid/Medicare Federal funding for education Voting Rights Notable failures Local politicians angered Confusion (“It’s like we … launched a half-dozen rockets at once.” -R. Sargent Shriver, head of Office of Economic Opportunity) Didn’t help rural poverty, help reduce migration to northern cities, or families headed by women The Shadow of Vietnam
Post-Presidency