History Lecture 15 The Great Society

What was Lyndon B. Johnson's vision for America in the 1960s?

A prosperous, just, and powerful nation focused on eliminating poverty and racial injustice.

What early career experience influenced Johnson's empathy towards the poor?

He worked as a teacher in a segregated 'Mexican school' in Cotulla, Texas.

How did Johnson's upbringing affect his understanding of poverty and racism?

His firsthand experience with poverty and discrimination led him to value education and government intervention.

What position did Johnson hold before becoming President?

He served as the Senate Majority Leader from 1948 to 1955.

What is 'The Johnson Treatment'?

Johnson's intense, face-to-face persuasion style, often invading personal space to achieve political goals.

What significant event led to Johnson assuming the presidency?

He became president after the assassination of JFK in 1963.

What was the goal of Johnson's War on Poverty?

To break the cycle of poverty for 35 million impoverished Americans through education and social programs.

What is the Head Start Program?

A program providing preschool education, meals, and support to low-income children and families.

What did the Higher Education Act of 1965 accomplish?

It provided college grants, low-interest loans, and work-study opportunities, making college more accessible.

What is Medicare?

A federal health insurance program for Americans aged 65 and older, established under the Social Security Act Amendments of 1965.

What is Medicaid?

A state-run health insurance program for low-income families, also created under the Social Security Act Amendments of 1965.

What was the impact of Medicare and Medicaid?

They dramatically reduced elder poverty and expanded healthcare access for millions.

What did the Wilderness Act of 1964 achieve?

It protected designated federal lands as wilderness zones to preserve natural beauty and prevent development.

What was the purpose of the Civil Rights Act of 1964?

To ban segregation in public accommodations and empower federal enforcement of civil rights laws.

What did the Voting Rights Act of 1965 accomplish?

It ended Jim Crow-era restrictions on voting and placed federal supervision over elections.

What was the significance of the Immigration Act of 1965?

It ended national origins quotas and opened U.S. immigration to Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

What was the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party (MFDP)?

An integrated political party that challenged segregationist Democrats and fought for voting rights.

Who was Fannie Lou Hamer?

A civil rights activist and MFDP leader who fought for voting rights despite facing violence and oppression.

What was the tension between Martin Luther King Jr. and Lyndon B. Johnson?

They initially collaborated but clashed over the Vietnam War after MLK's 1967 'Beyond Vietnam' speech.

What was the outcome of the 1964 Presidential Campaign?

Johnson won a landslide election against conservative Republican Barry Goldwater.

What was the significance of the Daisy Campaign Ad?

It highlighted Goldwater's perceived recklessness by showing a nuclear explosion after a child counts flower petals.

What was the legacy of the Great Society?

It expanded the definition of 'American' through economic and social reform, reducing poverty and advancing civil rights.