Domestic Policy Initiatives and Major Events in U.S. History under Presidents Johnson to Bush

Great Society: The overarching domestic policy initiative established by President Lyndon B. Johnson (LBJ).
- War on Poverty: Aimed at reducing poverty in the U.S.
- Job Corps Program: A national initiative to assist underprivileged individuals in obtaining work in various sectors.
  - Examples of sectors include firefighting and skilled trades (smith work).
- VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America): Another program aimed at helping less privileged individuals, akin to a domestic version of the Peace Corps.
- Food Stamps: Federal assistance program providing food assistance to those in need.
- Health Care Initiatives: Focused on extending health coverage through Medicare and Medicaid.
  - Medicare: Provides health insurance for individuals aged 65 and older.
  - Medicaid: Health coverage for people below the poverty line.

Civil Rights Legislation: Major legislative efforts during LBJ's presidency.
- Civil Rights Act of 1964: Legislation aimed at eliminating discrimination based on race, which effectively ended Jim Crow laws.
- Title VII: Prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. Enforcement through the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
- Voting Rights Act: Legislation ensuring fair voting access, particularly for Black citizens, addressing racially discriminatory practices.
- Introduction of measures ensuring representation, such as preventing gerrymandering based on race.
- Age Discrimination in Employment Act: Prohibits employment discrimination based on age (40 or older).
- Education Acts: Included the Primary and Secondary Education Act and funding for programs like Head Start that promote early childhood education and equitable access to quality education.

Environmental Movement: Gained momentum during the 1960s.
- Influenced by literature such as Rachel Carson's "Silent Spring", which highlighted environmental issues.
- Clean Air Act and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): Established to regulate and protect air quality and assess environmental health.
- Clean Water Act: Aimed at preventing water pollution.

Immigration Act of 1965: Abolished quotas that favored Northern European immigrants and promoted more equitable immigration policies.
Truth in Lending Act: Requires lenders to disclose credit terms and costs to borrowers.
Fair Packaging and Labeling Act: Enforces truthful labeling of consumer packages, including nutritional information.

Key Events:
- Pentagon Papers: Leaked documents revealing government misinformation regarding the Vietnam War.
- Gulf of Tonkin Incident: Prelude to full-scale U.S. involvement in Vietnam, leading to LBJ receiving a congressional resolution effectively granting him a 'blank check' for military action.
- Operation Rolling Thunder: Comprehensive bombing campaign against North Vietnam.
- Tet Offensive (1968): Major escalation in fighting during the Vietnamese New Year that shifted public opinion on the war.

Election of 1964: LBJ vs. Barry Goldwater, with LBJ's campaign emphasizing his commitment to civil rights and welfare initiatives.
Election of 1968: Following LBJ’s decision not to run due to Vietnam, the emergence of candidates like Hubert Humphrey and anti-war sentiments.
Election of 1972: Richard Nixon’s campaign emphasizing peace with honor in Vietnam, his approach to the Cold War, and the promise of economic improvements.

Women's Liberation Movement: Emerged during the 1960s as part of second-wave feminism.
- Focused on legal, social, and employment rights for women, advocating for equality.
- The Feminine Mystique by Betty Friedan catalyzed the movement, addressing women's roles in society.
- Title IX: Prohibits discrimination based on sex in federally funded education programs (initially focused on sports).

Watergate: Political scandal involving a break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters and subsequent cover-ups by the Nixon administration.
- Key figures included reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein.
- Resulted in Nixon's resignation in 1974 following the Supreme Court’s ruling that he had to release secret recording tapes.

Jimmy Carter: Entered office in 1976 focusing on human rights in foreign policy and initiatives to improve the economy.
- Department of Energy and Education: Created to handle energy crises and improve American educational standards and accessibility.
- Camp David Accords: Landmark peace agreement between Egypt and Israel facilitated by Carter.

Reaganomics: Economic policies focused on tax cuts, reducing government regulation, and deregulating industries.
Moral Majority and Social Conservatism: Rise of religious and conservative social movements during Reagan’s presidency.
Iran-Contra Affair: Scandal involving secret arms deals and funding Nicaraguan Contras despite congressional bans.

Gulf War (Operation Desert Storm): U.S.-led coalition to liberate Kuwait from Iraqi occupation, notable for live television coverage.
Election of 1992: Bill Clinton won against incumbent George H.W. Bush amid economic concerns and new political dynamics introduced by Ross Perot.
- Introduction of the term "the Great Sucking Sound" indicating job losses coinciding with NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement).
War on Terror: Initiated post-9/11 focusing on dismantling Al Qaeda and the Afghan war aimed at capturing Osama bin Laden.

Poverty Line: Legal threshold used to determine eligibility for government assistance programs.
Vietnamization: Nixon’s policy aimed to train South Vietnamese forces to assume greater combat roles and withdraw U.S. troops.
Axis of Evil: Refers to Iran, Iraq, and North Korea as described in George W. Bush's 2002 State of the Union address.