1. Optimism Confindence Arrogance Hubris
Lyndon B. Johnson
Optimism
Confindence
Arrogance
Hubris

2. Contrast between JFK and LBJ
JFK handsome and charismatic
LBJ homely and awkward
JFK well spoken
Vulgar and crass

3. The LBJ to admire
Compassionate: taught very poor Mexican-American children for a year. Became a defender of the poor
Ambitious: A true Texan- liked to talk, think and dream big
Ruthless: Bullied and intimidated to get his way

4. LBJ Treatment

5. LBJ to hate Vulgar and rude: Was an expert curser
Vain: Gave Whitehouse visitors busts of himself (even the Pope!) Had over 500K pix taken of him while in W.H.
Ruthless: Bullied and intimidated to get his way

6. Historical viewpoint of LBJ
Earned lasting respect (Civil Rights) & lasting animosity (Vietnam)
Rode coattails JFK into office but proved and excellent politician. Achieved more legislative success than any other pres. Except FDR ( who had 12 yrs)
JFK set the agenda LBJ carried it out

7. “War on Poverty” America was in the mood for reform
Strong econ. meant $ to spend on reform
Poverty was rediscovered in Appalachia
People trusted ideas of experts
People had faith in govt action

8. The “other America”

9. Difficult dilemmas of poverty
How do we measure poverty? (the poor of the 1960s led far better lives than the poor of the 1930s, but in relative terms.
Who are the deserving or undeserving poor? (temporary v. permanent)
Why does poverty exist?

11. Achievements of War on Poverty
Head Start and Job Corp were started, although many were never funded well
1960 poverty 22%, by % (were programs responsible??)
Still too many hoops for many poor to jump through

12. 1964 Election: a landslide

13. Liberal Legislation 1965 National Endowment for the Humanities
National Endowment for the Arts
Clean Air and Water Acts
Wilderness Protection Act

14. “The Great Society”
A courageous legislative push to gain a better quality of life for all Americans especially the underserved

15. Voting Rights Act

16. Immigration Act 1965

18. Other ground breaking legislation
Federal Aid to Education
Medicare and Medicaid – medical insurance to poor and elderly

19. Assessment of “The Great Society”
Many lasting legislative achievements
Mixed results, too hasty or rushed
Some thought it did too little, others thought it increased govt too much
Raised expectations to an unachievable level

20. “They were optimists who reflected the confidence of most contemporary American liberal thought. Unlike radicals, they thought that most poor people needed only a helping hand to rise in life. Unlike conservatives, they had great faith that government could and should extend that hand. “
-James Paterson - Historian

21. LBJ’s Demise: Vietnam