On November 22, 1963, President John Fitzgerald Kennedy was assassinated. The
unexpected death of the president left the American citizens in shock. In need of stability, the next president Lyndon B. Johnson was sworn in. Johnson’s determination to carry on John F. Kennedy’s legacies fueled his desires to combat poverty, to offer healthcare, and to expand social reforms of the New Deal which helped shape his idea of the “Great Society.”
In President Johnson’s State of the Union message, he pledged, “This administration today, here and now, declares unconditional war on poverty in America.” The newfound president quickly signed the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964, which aimed at the origin of American poverty. Former president, JFK,
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had the same intentions of the Great Society, which were to fund education and provide health insurance. In accordance with Kennedy’s belief, Johnson also believed that a budget deficit was essential to improve the economy. He also cut government spending. Lyndon Johnson’s vision for America was influenced by his early on lifestyle. Growing up in an impoverished area of Texas, he understood the agony of poverty. His family struggled financially, so Johnson went on to pursue a teaching career. Comparable to him, he witnessed the grim poverty amongst his students. As the new president, he was determined to expand Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal. In 1964, statistics show that just below half of the senior citizen population had little to no medical insurance. In turn, this caused the elderly to be driven into poverty. Johnson created Medicaid and Medicare to lift the elderly, poor, and disabled out of impoverishment. Medicare was and still is a substantial change to the elder community. This coverage was described as “the biggest management job since the invasion of Normandy.” (PBS) The assassination of Kennedy was the jumpstart of the Great Society. On November 22, 1963, Lyndon B. Johnson took the presidential oath and was sworn into office. In his Commencement Address at the University of Michigan, he said, “Men come together in cities in order to live, but they remain together in order to live the good life. It is harder to live the good life in American cities today.” (Aristotle) Thus, he collaborated with John Gardner. Gardner was sworn in as the secretary of health, education, and welfare. Gardner launched Medicare, which provided health insurance for all people 65 and older. He joined President Johnson not only as a cabinet member, but also as the engineer of his Great Society. During this time, the president and Gardner worked to pass the Civil Rights Act, which President Kennedy intended to pass, to insure that the federal funds were not distributed discriminatorily. Together they had success and helped multitudes of Americans. During this time, author Michael Harrington wrote the book The Other America: Poverty in the United States. His book focused national attention on the millions of Americans still in poverty. Harrington’s work is credited as the spark of Lyndon B. Johnson’s war on poverty. As a result of the national attention, President Johnson signed multiple legislations.
One in particular which provided funds for education. He signed the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. The act provided $1.3 billion in aid to poor schools, special education programs and Head Starts. The Head Start program was designed to help disadvantaged students. These impoverished schools also received assistance such as volunteer teaching. The next initiative that Johnson took to improve schools was the Child Nutrition Act of 1966, which added breakfasts to the school lunch program. His addition of Medicare and Medicaid played a significant role in the establishment of the Great Society. In addition of helping the elderly with his $6.5 billion Medicare bill, Medicaid was created to provided medical care to the poor and disabled. With this in effect, the disabled would now be eligible to receive benefits after incompetency. Children of deceased, retired or disabled workers would also be able to collect insurance benefits until the age of 22 if they are enrolled in school. Medical insurance is said to bring “the light of hope and realization” to Americans. (Johnson) He created the Department of Housing and Urban Development, which established the Housing Act. The Housing Act issued funds to construct low income housing, including rent subsidies. Because of the success from the Great Society, the deficit decreased. In turn, the Gross National Product rose. Unexpectedly, …show more content…
President Johnson inherited a problem, the Vietnam War. In hopes of ending communism, he insisted on aiding the military to prevent a North Vietnamese victory. Along with funding his domestic agenda, the two issues placed an immense strain on the economy. Although many applauded this “war on poverty,” some also discredited it by claiming that too much was being spent on the poor. The critics believe that Johnson’s plan made “unrealistic promises to eliminate poverty.” They also attacked the program for being “inefficient and too costly.” (Newman) Fifty-two years later, America still deals with aspects that the Great Society created. The Food Stamp Act created food stamps, which helps the underprivileged afford food. Medicare and Medicaid also still exist and are more helpful to society now more than ever. The government continues to fund education, and poverty in America decreased. Between the 1960’s and 1970’s, the number of Americans living in impoverished areas was cut in half. Unfortunately after funding the Vietnam War and the war on poverty simultaneously, the economy still suffers as a consequence of programs initiated during the Great Society. (Higgs) Lyndon B.
Johnson sponsored the largest reform since the New Deal. (Independence) The impact of this agenda, which was designed to uplift Americans, is currently undisputed and controversial. Today, these programs remain contestable. Supporters of the Great Society claim that without this plan, Americans would still live in poverty. As opposed to their belief, the opposing side claims that the plan for social reform was misguided and placed too much authority in the government’s hands. The opposers believed that instead of helping poor families, the antipoverty programs weakened the less fortunate. The families that were built on welfare became more dependent on government aid rather than jobs. Many political leaders still tussle with how to combat the issues of poverty, healthcare and education. Overall, this program established permanent health care, combated poverty and provided more than $1 billion to improve education. President Johnson, along with supporters, worked hard to achieve the goals of the Great Society. Quoted from the Speech at the University of Michigan, he said, “Your imagination, your initiative, and your indignation will determine whether we build a society where progress is the servant of our needs, or a society where old values and new visions are buried under unbridled [unrestrained] growth. For in your time we have the opportunity to move not only toward the rich society and the powerful society, but upward toward the Great
Society.”
Johnson led America in a time of many social movements, and the power of the Civil Rights Movement only added to the importance of passing the Civil Rights Act as soon as possible. Now that the inequality and injustice of minorities was brought to attention, Johnson had the power and motivation to put the Great Society reforms into action, which Democrats had been working towards since President Roosevelt and his New Deal programs. Reagan, however, was president during a time of greed. Reagan came into office during a poor time for the economy, and the upper and middle class Americans were more upset about their taxes being spent on poor Americans through welfare programs. There was also concern for people taking advantage of these programs. Reagan reflected these views and used his views on deregulation of businesses and tax cuts to benefit his supporters in the wealthy portion of Americans. With the passing of several laws benefitting minorities in America, social movements had faded from public view while America’s unrest had subsided, and Reagan didn’t need to have a strong support of civil rights. When the economy eventually rebounded due to Reagan’s economic policies, the success of wealthy businessmen brought about even more greed as the small portion of upper class Americans showed enjoyed luxuries and reaped the benefits of less social
Both presidents were launched into situations in which they were unprepared. Johnson was unexpectedly catapulted into the presidency after the assassination of John F. Kennedy. Bush also was launched into an unexpected war on terrorism after the terrorist attacks of September 11th.
Johnson was put into office as the 36th president of the United States after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in November of 1963, his first task was one close to his heart, which was to alleviate poverty and create what he called a “Great Society” for all Americans. This is where Medicare and the Head Start program came from which led to better healthcare, education, urban renewal, conservation and civil rights. Despite his amazing achievements at home in the US, he was also known very well for his failure to lead the nation out of the devastation of the Vietnam War which was travesty from 1954 to 1975. It was after this that he decided not to run for office again and he quietly retired to his ranch in Texas in January of 1969 (History.com Staff.
During Johnson’s presidency, the federal government significantly extended its domestic responsibilities in attempt to transform the nation to what Johnson called the “Great Society,” in which poverty and racial intolerance ceased to exist. A previously unsurpassed amount of legislation was passed during this time; numerous laws were passed to protect the environment, keep consumers safe, reduce unfairness in education, improve housing in urban areas, provide more assistance to the elderly with health care, and other policies to improve welfare. Johnson called for a “War on Poverty,” and directed more funds to help the poor; government spending towards the poor increased from six billion in 1964 to twenty-four and a half billion dollars in 1968. Not only did Johnson improve the American economy and greatly reduce poverty, but he also advocated for racial equality; he managed to get Congress to pass the Civil Rights Act of 1964, making segregation illegal in public accommodations/institutions. He also enacted the Voting Rights Act of 1965, prohibiting literacy tests in areas in which the amount of voters was under a certain number, which forced many southern states to allow more blacks to vote. As a result of his presidency, the poor and minorities enjoyed significant benefits from the more favorable legislations and more successful American legislation.
When Lyndon B. Johnson succeeded the presidency after John F. Kennedy's assassination he spoke of his vision of a Great Society in America. This Great Society included "an end to poverty and racial injustice," and also was intended to turn America into a place where kids can enhance their mind, broaden their talents, and people could restore their connection with the environment. In order to reach his goal, LBJ enacted numerous proposals involving taxes, civil rights, poverty, and much more. For the most part Johnson did an excellent job on delivering his promises, but international affairs threatened the Great Society and although LBJ won the presidency in a landslide victory in 1964, by 1966 he and the Supreme Court began to face serious criticism.
This book follows Johnsons political career, from a eager hard-working congressional secretary to the landslide victor of the 1964 presidential election. It discusses his "liberal" political views, It seems as though Johnson thought he could help the American people single-handedly and he seemed determined to do it. Johnson is He is praised for his vast legislative record and his stand on poverty and eventually, civil rights. He is criticized for his methods and
In his presidential acceptance speech in 1932, Franklin D. Roosevelt addressed to the citizens of the United States, “I pledge you, I pledge myself, to a new deal for the American people.” The New Deal, beginning in 1933, was a series of federal programs designed to provide relief, recovery, and reform to the fragile nation. The U.S. had been both economically and psychologically buffeted by the Great Depression. Many citizens looked up to FDR and his New Deal for help. However, there is much skepticism and controversy on whether these work projects significantly abated the dangerously high employment rates and pulled the U.S. out of the Great Depression. The New Deal was a bad deal for America because it only provided opportunities for a few and required too much government spending.
During the LBJ administration, Johnson was focused on ending the War on Poverty, the centerpiece of his presidency, and bringing justice to his fellow men and women. However, his pressing desire was to give the “Great Society a chance to grow and prosper! Johnson inherited the presidential seat after the death of John F. Kennedy. Immediately, Johnson was concentrated on establishing himself in the office of the Presidency, and to continue the legacy of JFK. Johnson quickly administered a group of domestic programs which he called the “Great Society”. Johnson’s vision for the Great Society drew on both his own primary identification with the New Deal (which he supported heavily) and his commitment to go beyond the achievement of FDR to create an America worthy of leadership in the twenty-first century. For America, this was the perfect time to build a Great Society. LBJ was confident that this was a time to prove that our material progress is only the foundation on which we will build a richer life in mind and spirit. He believed that the Great Society rested on an abu...
Lyndon B. Johnson, the 36th president of the United States, is not one of the most well-known presidents to have ever served in office, though he did do some good things during his presidency. The vice president’s journey to the presidency began after the assassination of the beloved president, John F. Kennedy. Before serving as president, he was the youngest Senator to ever serve as a majority leader and he sat in the House of Representatives. Although Johnson served two terms as president, he only ran in one election because of the death of Kennedy. However, the one election he ran in, he won in by a landslide (Ridings & Melver 231).
It was a traumatic and a crucial moment for a generation. In general, Kennedy’s New Frontier Program was triumphant in boosting the economy as well, as lining the way for several political, international and social reforms. The majority of Kennedy’s economic and social reforms were swiftly passed and implemented by Congress subsequent to his assassination by his own Vice-President and successor, Lyndon Baines Johnson--who quickly renamed Kennedy’s New Frontier “The Great Society.” Sadly, John Kennedy, himself did not live to see the majority of his New Frontier enacted. Kennedy had designed an ambitious legislative agenda for the preceding years of his term.
FDR’s goal for the New Deal was expressed in three words: Relief, Recovery, and Reform. This was the idea that the ND would hope to provide the relief from the poverty-stricken suffering during the Great Depression. Recovery planned to put the country back together and restore the market’s financial issues, the jobs or the people, and their confidence. Reform provided permanent programs to avoid another depression and to ensure citizens against an economic disaster. The Progressive Movement which targeted urban complications, there was a massive disparity between the wealthy and the poor and the goal was to bring equality into the nation. The movement aimed towards removing corruption and including American citizens into the political process. Additionally, to enforce the government to solve the social issues that were occurring in the late 1800’s and early 20th century, all while balancing impartial treatment into the economic
... to reorganize and redistribute. In his campaign speech, Roosevelt indicated that people’ living conditions were improved by hydroelectricity; he confidently said that people would continue to help for “the crippled, the blind, the unemployed, and the aged.”[ Richard Polenberg, The Era of Franklin D. Roosevelt 1933-1945, 55.] Roosevelt’ words showed that some of his goals were accomplished-- the TVA brought hydroelectricity which could be used to control floods; the Social Security Act provided welfare to people who needed helps. Roosevelt’s proposal about rights in An Economic Bill of Rights was a response to movement organized by people suffered from discrimination. Actually, people’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors were all important things which strongly affected the president. These three influential speeches exposed social changes at that time.
Johnson was very dedicated to build the Great Society for all Americans. He swept social programs in various aspects: education, medical care, civil rights, minority, public television, and food stamps. Johnson’s administration led a strong economic growth. In general, his wide-reaching domestic achievements improved millions of Americans’ lives. Johnson’s has fought hard toward his ambition and domestic advance. Johnson has lifted numbers of Americans out poverty, ensured them fundamental citizen rights, and provided basic health care. His vision in constructing the Great Society and ending poverty should go down in history as an honor along with his legacy.
The New Deal was established with the intention of improving lives, saving capitalism, and providing a degree of economic security. In 1935, President Roosevelt passed the Social Security Act which, according to Katznelson, Kesselman, and Draper, “offered pensions and unemployment compensation to qualified workers, provided public assistance to the elderly and the blind, and created a new national program for poor single mothers” (332). This act allowed states to set the benefit level for welfare programs, which was set quite low (Katznelson, Kesselman, & Draper, 331-334). The Great Society programs were established by Lyndon Johnson in 1964 when Johnson declared war on poverty. This would be the action that initiates the Great Society program.
Welfare is a public assistance program that provides at least a minimum amount of economic security to people whose incomes are insufficient to maintain an adequate standard of living. These programs generally include such benefits as financial aid to individuals, subsidized medical care, and stamps that are used to purchase food. The modern U.S. welfare system dates back to the Great Depression of the 1930’s. During the worst parts of the Depression, about one-fourth of the labor force was without work. More than two-thirds of all households would have been considered poor by today's standards. With a majority of the capable adult population experiencing severe financial misfortune, many Americans turned to the government for answers. In response, U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt led a social and economic reform movement attacking the Depression. Part of his newly enacted “New Deal” program was the Social Security Act, enacted by Congress in 1935. This act and established a number of social welfare programs, each designed to provide support for different segments of the population.