March 10, 2014
1. Notes: 28.3- LBJ’s Great Society
2. 28.3 Guided Reading Questions- Due
Tomorrow
3. Unit VII Exam is TOMORROW! (Chapter 28,
Sections 1,2,3)
Chapter 28
Section 3
The Great
Society
Johnson Takes the Reins
LBJ was sworn in hours
after Kennedy was
assassinated and promised
to fulfill many of Kennedy’s
goals.
26 years of Congressional
experience before
becoming President @ 55.
He was a very skilled
politician.
War on Poverty
VISTA
Great Society
A War on Poverty
Johnson grew up poor in Texas
and made the fight poverty in
America a priority; declared a
War on Poverty.
Called for federal government to
train the unemployed, educate
the uneducated and provide
healthcare.
VISTA-a domestic version of the
Peace Corps; Americans working
as humanitarian helpers for
Americans.
Election
of
1964
Democrat: Lyndon B.
Johnson.
Republican-Barry Goldwater
(Sen. AZ)
Goldwater believed
problems such as poverty
and racism should not be
handled by the federal
government, but by states.
Goldwater was a strong
conservative and
aggressive anti-communist.
Many thought he was too
aggressive in time of
nuclear war.
LBJ had the legacy of
Kennedy on his side and
won in a landslide.
The Great Society
Great Society:
Johnson’s vision of
a equal America.
Intended to raise
the quality of life for
all Americans and
end poverty and
racial injustice
across America.
The Great
Society
Between 1965-1968, 60 major programs were
passed.
Medicare (Medical Care for the Aged) Provides
hospital insurance for those over age of 65.
Medicaid provides Medical and health
assistance for poor Americans.
Great Society
LBJ believed healthcare and education
were key elements to ending poverty.
1965, Congress passed Elementary and
Secondary Education Act which
increased funding to schools in poorer
areas.
School supplies, libraries, adult education,
etc.
Legacy
- Great Society did not
change the lives of all
Americans, but did
improve lives of many.
- Poverty rate changed
from 22% in the
1960’s to 12% in the
1970’s.
- But it did continue
process of expanding
government &
increasing its
authority.