Key Historical Context

• Lyndon B. Johnson (LBJ) inherited the presidency after JFK's assassination in 1963.

• Background: LBJ was known as a moderate Southerner from Texas.

• Political Climate: Democrats had significant control in Congress, enabling Johnson to pass extensive legislation.

Legislative Achievements

• LBJ had considerable success in his legislative agenda compared to previous presidents, focusing on social reforms known as the Great Society.

  • Revenue Act: Cut taxes by $11.5 billion.

  • Housing Support: Government subsidized rent exceeding 25% of income.

  • Immigration Reforms (1965): Removed race/national origin quotas, reflecting changing attitudes towards diversity.

Focus Areas of the Great Society

• War on Poverty: Launched an unconditional campaign against poverty.

  • Economic Opportunity Act: Created the Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO) to provide education and vocational training.

  • Community Action Programs: Empowered communities to address their needs through local initiatives.

    • Funding Issues: OEO funds were often inadequate, making it hard to combat local political interests.

• Education: Expanded federal aid through the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and the Higher Education Act, focusing on the needs of low-income families.

  • These acts helped provide textbooks and funds for educational improvements, targeting children’s education as a crucial route out of poverty.

• Healthcare Initiatives: Established programs like Medicare and Medicaid.

  • Medicare provided hospital expense coverage for those 65 and over, significantly increasing healthcare access for the elderly (17.7 million enrolled by 1967).

  • Medicaid assisted poor individuals with medical expenses, regardless of age.

Civil Rights Legislation

• LBJ advanced civil rights by signing a comprehensive Civil Rights Act (1964) prohibiting racial discrimination in public accommodations.

  • Empowered the Justice Department to enforce civil rights laws and included voting protections.

• Passed the Voting Rights Act (1965) following MLK's activism, specifically addressing barriers to black voter registration, especially in the South.

Feminism and Social Movements

• The feminist movement, influenced by writings like Betty Friedan's The Feminine Mystique, began advocating for women's rights, positioning individualism against traditional roles.

  • National Organization for Women (NOW) was formed, focusing on equal rights and anti-discrimination.

  • This movement leveraged the civil rights struggle, promoting egalitarian principles.

  • Radicals and reformers emerged within feminism, with radical feminists advocating for more profound societal changes and consciousness-raising sessions.

Black Power Movement

• The Black Power movement, spearheaded by figures like Stokely Carmichael, sought self-determination and cultural identity rather than integration.

  • Significant unrest occurred in urban areas as communities protested police brutality and systemic racism, culminating in major riots from 1964-67.

Vietnam War and Public Opinion

• Johnson escalated the Vietnam War without Congressional approval, based on the belief it was essential to stop the spread of communism.

  • Gulf of Tonkin Incident: Johnson used this event to justify broader military action in Vietnam, misleading Congress and the public.

  • Military Strategy: The war effort included extensive bombing campaigns but struggled due to high casualties and limited territorial gains.

  • By 1968, public support for the war began to decline as anti-war sentiments grew among college students and intellectuals.

Political and Social Turmoil Ending Johnson's Era

• The 1968 Democratic National Convention was marred by protests and violence reflecting the deep societal divisions.

• Key political events included the assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert Kennedy.

• Richard Nixon won the presidency by emphasizing law and order and hinting at a plan to exit the Vietnam War, gaining traction in a polarized America.