1. The great society
Chapter 24.3

2. Johnson Takes the Reins
Unlike Kennedy, Johnson had 26 years of experience in Congress
As a president, he knew how to work with Congress to get the legislation he wanted.
The book, The Other America, spoke about the 50 million Americans that lived in poverty in slums, Appalachia, the Deep South, and Native American reservations.
Helped lead to Johnson’s War on Poverty

3. War on poverty
Johnson chose to pursue an anti-poverty program as Kennedy had planned to do
Congress passed the Economic Opportunity Act proposed by Johnson
The act established 10 programs to tackle issues of economic hardship
including illiteracy and unemployment, and to help disadvantaged youth

4. The Great Society
Great Society legislation encompassed more than 60 programs
Johnson also pursued significant civil rights reforms: The Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibited discrimination in the workplace, schools, voter registration, and other areas. The Voting Rights Act of outlawed discriminatory voting practices.
Great Society legislation resulted in the establishment of the Department of Housing and Urban Development. The “Model Cities” program allocated federal funds to improve urban transportation, health care, housing, and policing.
Some Great Society programs, such as Medicare, Medicaid, and Head Start, continue today

6. Questions
How do you think the focus of Johnson’s programs—health and welfare, education, poverty, and consumer and environmental protection—might help promote a Great Society?
What issues or programs do you think would help create a Great Society? Why?
What were the successes of the Great Society? What were the failures?

7. The Great society video
ch?v=EClpFLDrK0g