The Great Society LBJs Presidency 1960 s A
The Great Society LBJ’s Presidency – 1960 s
"A nation stunned, shaken to its very heart, had to be reassured that the government was not in a state of of takes office after JFK �paralysis…that On Novemberthe 22, business 1963 – LBJ the United States would proceed. I is murdered knew that not only the nation but �whole LBJ - world Assured thebe. American the would anxiouslypeople that America following every move moving I made - forward was going to keep watching, judging, weighing, balancing…it was imperative that I grasp the reins of power and do so without delay. Any hesitation or wavering, any false step, any sign of self-doubt, could have been disastrous. " LBJ Takes Office - quoted in Lyndon Johnson and the American Dream
Johnson’s leadership style �Born in the “hill country” of central Texas �Unlike Kennedy, Johnson had a rugged leadership style �Known for building consensus (or general agreement) among members of Congress, making him an effective leader. � 26 years experience in Congress
Passing JFK’s Anti-Poverty Bills �Economic Gap �The Other America – Michael Harrington -Poverty is hidden -Inspired: JFK, LBJ, Americans � Prosperous economy �Fed. Govt. could afford new program �LBJ - 26 yrs. experience in Congress helped him push through several bills
War on Poverty � 1964 Economic Opportunity Act - establishing programs to create jobs and fighting poverty �Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO) to coordinate the new programs �Neighborhood Youth Corps – work/study programs �Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) – domestic Peace Corps
Election of 1964 Lyndon Johnson Barry Goldwater
The Great Society LBJ Day 2
The “Great Society” Vision for a perfect and equitable society (Utopia) • FDR- New Deal • CRM – gained momentum • Strong Economy – could finance • SPEECH AT UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN • Outlined goals
Great Society – PROGRAMS HEALTH CARE Between '65 and '68, more than 60 programs were passed �Medicare – health insurance program funded through the social security system �Medicaid – financed health care for welfare recipients (poor) �Created “entitlements” �Costs = part of the US Budget �Obama Care?
Great Society – PROGRAMS EDUCATION LBJ was a school teacher in a poor area for 2 years �Upward Bound – college prep for poor �California Master Plan – �improve higher education facilities �ensure that all CA residents who graduate in the top percentages of their high school class would be able to attend a CA university.
Great Society – PROGRAMS Poverty & Immigration Fighting the “War on Poverty” �Department of Housing and Urban Development �Robert Weaver – secretary �“Model Cities” - authorized federal subsidies to many cities nationwide. �IMMIGRATION ACT OF 1965 – � changed the composition of American population �eliminated national origins system �widened the door for immigrants of all parts of Europe, Asia and Africa
Legacy of the “Great Society” Successes �Improved millions of Americans' lives �Sought to close the economic gap of America �Some lasting programs: �Medicare �Medicaid �Dept. of Transportation �Dept. of Housing and Failures �LBJ was rushed to pass these bills, which grew very fast, and as a result, some problems arose: �Managing �Funding – Vietnam War �Evaluating �Entitlement �Free Rider v. Invisible Hand
Important Questions to Consider Questions? ? ? � How can the fed govt step in to help those who are economically disadvantaged? � How much can govt help society without weakening the private sector? � How much can people receive without losing motivation to provide for themselves? NYT wrote on LBJ’s Programs… �"The walls of the ghettos are not going to topple overnight, nor is it possible to wipe out the heritage of generations of social, economic, and educational deprivation by the stroke of a
• Health & Welfare 1 -Medicare 2 -Medicaid 3 -Child Nutrition Act 1 - Office of Economic Opportunity 2 -Housing and Urban Development • War on Poverty 3 Demonstration Cities and metropolitan Act • Education 1 Elementary and Secondary Education Act 2 - Higher Education Act 3 - Project Head Start 1 Water Quality Act & Clean Air Acts 2 - Highway Safety Act 3 - Fair Packaging and • Consumer and Labeling Act Environmental Protection
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