8.9 The Great Society

LEARNING OBJECTIVE 1: Explain the causes and effects of continuing policy debates about the role of the federal govenrment over time.

LEARNING OBJECTIVE 2: Explain the contributions and changes in immigration patterns over time.

INTRODUCTION

  • Lyndon Johnson took presidental oath after JFK assassination

    • Johnson a skilled politician

      - started career as a Roosevelt Democrat

      - was determined to expand social reforms of the New Deal

      - his program was called “Great Society”

THE WAR ON POVERTY

  • Micheal Harrington focused national attention to poverty

    • The Other America (1962)

      - inspired Johnson to declare “war on poverty”

    • Officer of Economic Opportunity (OEO)

      - antipoverty agency with a billion dollar budget

      - sponsered numerous self-help programs for poor

      - Education,Job Corps,literacy programs, legal services

      - allowed poor antipoverty programs in their own communties

THE ELECTION OF 1964

  • Democrats nominated Johnson & Hubert Humphrey

    • Both went into election with liberal agenda

      - Johnson won (Democrats controlled both houses)

      - Democrats in position to pass reforms proposed by Truman

  • Republicans nominated Barry Goldwater

    • Wanted to end welfare state (included TVA & social security)

      - Democrats pictured Goldwater as dangerous

      - Goldwater’s campaign energized young & new conservatives

GREAT SOCIETY REFORMS

  • Johnson passed several new programs with lasting effects

    • Food Stamp Act (1964)

      - expanded federal program to help low-income buy food

    • National Foundation on Arts & Humanities (1965)

      - provided federal funding for arts and for creative projects

    • Medicare (1965)

      - provided health insurance for all people 65 and older

    • Medicaid (1965)

      - provided funds to states for medical care of poor/disabled

    • Elementary & Secondary Education Act (1965)

      - provided federal funds to poor districts & special ed programs

    • Higher Education Act (1965)

      - provided federal scholarships for postsecondary education

    • Immigration Act (1965)

      - abolished discriminatory quotas based on national origins

    • Child Nutrition Act (1965)

      - added breakfast to school lunch programs

  • Johnson established 2 new cabinet departments:

    • Department of Transportation (DOT)

    • Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD)

  • Congress added several additions

    • Inceased funding for:

      - mass transit, public housing, rent subsides, crime prevention

    • Unsafe at Any Speed (1965)

      - written by Ralph Nader

      - convince congress to pass automobile industry regulations

      - saved thousands of lives

    • Silent Spring (1962)

      - written by Rachel Carson

      - passed clean air & water laws

    • Federal parks & wilderness areas were expanded

      - Lady Bird Johnson premoted Beautify America campaign

      - Highway beautification act (removed billboards on highways)

EVALUATING THE GREAT SOCIETY

  • Critics attacked Great Society as unrealistic promise

    • Defenders pointed out programs gave vitally needed assitance

      - Johnson ended up jeopardized his achievements w Vietnam (resulted in higher taxes & inflation)

CHANGES IN IMMIGRATION

  • Most immigrants had come from Europe & Canda (before 1960)

    • Dramatic shift was caused by refugees escaping Communism

      - Latin America (47%)

      - Asia (37%)

      - Europe & Canada (fewer than 13%)

    • Immigration Act of 1965

      - ended ethnic quota acts favoring Europeans legally

      - opened US to all immigrants gloablly (increase in immigrants)

UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS

  • Foreigners started entering the US illegally

    • Immigration Reform & Control Act of 1986

      - penealized employers for hiring illegal immigtants

      - pardoned undocumented immigrants at the same time

      - nation had lost control of its own borders

POLITICAL IMPACT OF THE GREAT SOCIETY

  • Great Society also included legislation against racial discrimination

    • Johnson predicted Democrats would lose support from South

      - Conservative resurgence was partly due to Great Soc