Presidential Decisions: #36 Lyndon B. Johnson (D-Tx)

Decision: Creating the Great Society program

Historical Circumstances (1/2): Democrat John F. Kennedy became president in 1960, under the promise of reform. But Kennedy was assassinated in ‘63. Vice-President Lyndon B. Johnson became president and was committed to enacting reform. Johnson’s domestic program was called the Great Society. He wanted to fix all of the problems in America with this ambitious reform program. Johnson’s domestic program was called the Great Society. He wanted to fix all of the problems in America with this ambitious reform program. One focus of the Great Society was the War on Poverty. Johnson pushed Congress to pass laws designed to help Americans living under the poverty line, by providing government assistance and educational opportunities. One focus of the Great Society was the War on Poverty. Johnson pushed Congress to pass laws designed to help Americans living under the poverty line, by providing government assistance and educational opportunities.

Historical Circumstances (2/2): LBJ was also committed to civil rights. Congress passed the Civil Rights Acts of 1964 and 1968, as well as the Voting Rights Act of All were federal attempts to end discrimination in the United States. LBJ was also committed to civil rights. Congress passed the Civil Rights Acts of 1964 and 1968, as well as the Voting Rights Act of All were federal attempts to end discrimination in the United States. Other programs were designed to improve education, the arts, environmental protection and increasing access to health care to improve the country’s standard of living. Other programs were designed to improve education, the arts, environmental protection and increasing access to health care to improve the country’s standard of living.

SPECIFIC long-term effects (1/1): LBJ’s Great Society improved lives of many Americans, although it didn’t fully realize its goals. These programs all cost money and required higher taxes. The Great Society tried to do so much, that funding for all of the initiatives couldn’t be sustained. These programs all cost money and required higher taxes. The Great Society tried to do so much, that funding for all of the initiatives couldn’t be sustained. The government's spending on the Vietnam Conflict also cut into the funding of Great Society programs. The government's spending on the Vietnam Conflict also cut into the funding of Great Society programs. Many of the programs were cut after Johnson decided not to run for re-election (because of his unpopularity due to Vietnam) and Republican Richard Nixon became president. Many of the programs were cut after Johnson decided not to run for re-election (because of his unpopularity due to Vietnam) and Republican Richard Nixon became president.