Haynes HST 122 LBJ and Nixon

LBJ’s “Great Society” (Domestic Policy)

• Economic Opportunity Act: Aimed to eliminate poverty through various programs.
• Medicare and Medicaid: Established healthcare programs for the elderly and those on low income.
• Housing and Urban Development: Initiative for improving urban development and housing facilities.
• Immigration Act of 1965: Reformed immigration policy to attract skilled immigrants and reflect societal changes.
• Election of 1964: LBJ won a landslide victory against Barry Goldwater, a pivotal moment in his domestic agenda.

Vietnam War Background

• Role of LBJ: Johnson escalated U.S. involvement in Vietnam following his predecessor’s policies.
• Tonkin Gulf Resolution (August 1964): Passed by Congress, leading to increased military presence after attacks on U.S. ships.
• Escalation in 1965: Initiated larger troop deployments and military operations.
• Attack on Pleiku: A significant incident that led to the start of extensive U.S. military action.
• Operation Rolling Thunder: An intense bombing campaign targeting North Vietnam.
• Search and Destroy Missions: A military strategy used to eliminate Viet Cong forces.

Geographic Context of Vietnam War

• Conflict Zones: Major areas included North and South Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia.
• Key Locations: Vientiane, Hanoi, Gulf of Tonkin, Haiphong.
• Supply Lines: Ho Chi Minh trail as a major artery for North Vietnamese support.

Opposition to the Vietnam War

• Description of Soldiers: Young Americans drafted into military service faced immense challenges and opposition at home.
• Role of Television: Media brought the war into homes, influencing public perception.
• University Campuses: Sites of significant anti-war protests and political activism, leading to broader societal movements.
• Students for a Democratic Society (SDS): Vocal group advocating against the war.
• Counterculture Movement: Emergence of the “Hippie” culture as a form of peaceful protest and rejection of traditional norms.

Significant Events in 1968

• Tet Offensive (January): Major attack by North Vietnamese forces that shifted public opinion.
• LBJ's Announcement: Johnson declared he wouldn’t seek re-election in March due to the war's unpopularity.
• Assassinations: Martin Luther King Jr. (April) and Robert Kennedy (June) significantly impacted social movements.
• Election of 1968: Richard Nixon versus Hubert Humphrey, with public sentiment heavily influenced by the war's events.

Vietnam Policy Evolution

• Policy of Withdrawal: Nixon's approach of gradually reducing U.S. troop numbers under the banner of Vietnamization.
• Expanded Air War: Increased bombing campaigns in Cambodia raised public outcry.
• My Lai Massacre (1968): Uncovered brutality intensified anti-war sentiment.
• Kent State Riot (1970): Protest against the war led to tragic violence, further galvanizing opposition.
• Pentagon Papers (1971): Released by Daniel Ellsberg, revealed government deception regarding the Vietnam War.
• US Withdrawal: Final troop withdrawal by March 1973 following the Christmas Bombings (1972).

Politics of Identity

• Women’s Movement: Critically driven by events such as the publication of Betty Friedan’s The Feminine Mystique.
• Cesar Chavez and Mexican Americans: Advocacy for farm workers' rights and broader social justice.
• American Indian Movement (AIM): Focused on Native American rights and representation.
• Stonewall Riots (1969): Landmark event in the LGBTQ rights movement.

Nixon’s Foreign and Domestic Policy

• Recognition of China (1972): Historic visit to open diplomatic relations.
• Soviet Relations: Pursued policy of détente leading to the Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty (SALT).
• Middle East Diplomacy: Nixon's shuttle diplomacy aimed at peace in the region.
• Domestic Highlights: Achievements included landing on the Moon in 1969, establishment of the EPA, and handling of the Watergate scandal (1972-1974).
• Gerald Ford: Became president in 1974 following Nixon's resignation.