LBJ Takes Office On November 22, 1963 LBJ takes office after
JFK is murdered LBJ - Assured the American people that America was
going to keep moving forward "A nation stunned, shaken to its very
heart, had to be reassured that the government was not in a state
of paralysisthat the business of the United States would proceed. I
knew that not only the nation but the whole world would be
anxiously following every move I made - watching, judging,
weighing, balancingit 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." -
quoted in Lyndon Johnson and the American Dream
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Johnsons 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
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Passing JFKs 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 - 26yrs. experience in Congress helped him push through several
bills
Slide 5
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
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Lyndon JohnsonBarry Goldwater
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The Great Society LBJ Day 2
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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
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Great Society PROGRAMS HEALTH CARE 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? Between '65 and '68, more
than 60 programs were passed
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Great Society PROGRAMS EDUCATION 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.
LBJ was a school teacher in a poor area for 2 years
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Great Society PROGRAMS Poverty & Immigration 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 Fighting the War
on Poverty
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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 Urban Development Project Head Start 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
Slide 14
Important Questions to Consider Questions????? NYT wrote on
LBJs Programs 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? "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 Presidential pen.
Slide 15
Consumer and Environmental Protection War on Poverty
EducationHealth & Welfare 1-Medicare 2-Medicaid 3-Child
Nutrition Act 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 Labeling
Act 1- Office of Economic Opportunity 2-Housing and Urban
Development 3- Demonstration Cities and metropolitan Act
