LBJ's Presidency and Key Events from 1964-1968

ELECTION OF 1964

Candidates:

  • Democrats: Lyndon B. Johnson (LBJ) and Hubert Humphrey

  • Republicans: Barry Goldwater (Arizona)

Goldwater's stance: "Extremism in defense of liberty is no vice"; he rejected moderate positions, positioning himself as a staunch conservative opposed to the New Deal policies.

Election Results:

  • Electoral Vote Total: 538

    • Johnson (Democratic) received 374 electoral votes, securing a dominant victory partially due to the public’s support following President Kennedy's assassination.

    • Goldwater (Republican) received 186 electoral votes, marking one of the largest defeats for a Republican candidate.

Popular Vote:

  • Total: 70,640,289

    • Johnson: 43.1%

    • Goldwater: 26%

Johnson's campaign focused on the Great Society agenda, promoting a message of hope and progress.

THE GREAT SOCIETY

Overview:

  • Launched by LBJ in 1965, aimed at eliminating poverty and racial injustice, a response to the civil rights movement.

  • Emphasized the federal government's role in addressing social issues.

Key Components:

  • Health Initiatives:

    • Medicare: Established to provide healthcare for individuals over 65, ensuring that older Americans had access to necessary medical services.

    • Medicaid: Created as a safety net for low-income individuals and families, extending health coverage to those in need.

  • Education Reform:

    • Funding of $1.5 billion through significant legislation like the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (1965) and the Higher Education Act (1965), aimed at improving educational access and quality across the nation.

  • Civil Rights:

    • Introduction of Affirmative Action programs designed to address historical inequalities and support marginalized communities.

    • Passage of the Civil Rights Act (1968) and the Voting Rights Act (1965), which aimed to increase voter registration, particularly in Southern states, and combat discrimination.

    • Events such as Freedom Summer, the Selma to Montgomery March, and the Bloody Sunday Massacre were pivotal moments that highlighted the struggle for voting rights and pushed the legislative changes forward.

  • War on Poverty:

    • Established the Office of Economic Opportunity with a budget of $1 billion, introducing programs like Job Corps, which provided job training for young people, and VISTA, which focused on community service.

  • Environmental and Consumer Protection:

    • Implementation of the Water Quality Act and Air Pollution Standards to improve public health.

    • Consumer safety laws such as the Auto Safety Bill (1966) and enhancing meat inspection acts highlighted a growing focus on consumer rights and protection.

LBJ FOREIGN POLICY

Major focus on Vietnam and shaping U.S. foreign policies in various global regions.

  • Vietnam War:

    • Escalation of military commitment highlighted by the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution after the August 2, 1964 incident involving U.S.S. Maddox, which Congress used to justify increased military involvement.

    • Escalation efforts included Operation Rolling Thunder, aimed at bombing North Vietnam, and troop increases leading to a peak of 543,000 U.S. troops in Vietnam by 1968.

    • This military involvement spurred significant anti-war sentiment in the U.S., contributing to widespread protests and societal divisions.

  • US-Soviet Relations:

    • Strived for peaceful coexistence and negotiated treaties such as the Outer Space Treaty and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, reflecting a period of cautious diplomacy during the Cold War.

  • Latin America:

    • Involvement in the Dominican Republic during a civil conflict and the support for a U.S.-backed coup in April 1965, demonstrating the U.S.'s commitment to anti-communism in the region.

ELECTION OF 1968

Context:

  • The Democratic field included LBJ, Eugene McCarthy (who advocated for a withdrawal from Vietnam, earning the "Dove" label), and Robert Kennedy, creating a divided party amid growing anti-war sentiment.

  • The Tet Offensive occurred on January 31, 1968, significantly impacting public perception of the Vietnam War and increasing pressures on LBJ.

Results:

  • Hubert Humphrey (Democrat), who sought to continue LBJ's legacy, faced criticism for the Vietnam War and initially struggled to distinguish his platform.

  • Richard Nixon (Republican) wins with his promise of Vietnamization, which aimed to reduce U.S. involvement by training South Vietnamese forces, and along with George Wallace of the American Independent Party, he capitalized on civil unrest and disenchanted voters.

Voter Response:

  • Political unrest and rioting following the assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr. (April 4, 1968) and Robert Kennedy (June 5, 1968), which deepened national divisions.

  • The Chicago Democratic National Convention became a pivotal moment of violence and protests, reflecting the anti-war sentiment and youth activism of the era.