HIST 2112Great Society: Postwar Liberalism’s High Water Mark- Lyndon Bays Johnsono Mid 1960so Legacy of New Deal is still aliveo Era of Liberal Consensuso Argument over a big and active government Whether we should have it or noto Liberalism Government should use its power to its fullest extento 1970s – results in a new political erao This is the golden era of postwar liberalismo Becomes president in November of 1963 JFK assassinationo Becomes reelected on his own the next year Landslide victoryo From rural Texas – born August 27, 1908 Poverty is very well known to him Believes poor and rich should have equal starting lineo Father, Sam, was a state legislature Democrats Sat in on his dad’s state legislature meetings Picked up on his father’s activist temperamento Studied to be a teacher Had to work his way through schoolo Fired from Cleeburgo Goes to work for the New Dealo Runs for Congress in 1937 when his predecessor dies Already had experience in DCo Meets FDRo Runs for Senator in 1941 Loseso Joins the navy instead Desk job One combat job in a bombero Runs for Senate again in 1948 Wins Back to DCo ‘Middle of the Road’ liberalo Becomes Senate majority leadero 1960 – becomes JFK’s vice president Did it to put his foot in the door for Presidento Johnson was able to run for President in 1964 and 1968 The rest of JFK’s term does not count as one of hiso ‘The Great Society’ Almost like a New Deal People were confused, not in a depression Johnson wants to help the poor in the midst of plenty- Poverty and lack of opportunity- Everyone deserves their hand at the prosperity- It was the government’s duty to provide that Revive of Progressivism First move- Cut taxes- GNP – Gross National Producto Up 10%- Personal Income o Up 15%- Average growtho 4.5% a year Second move- Have to deal with African Americans and the Civil Rights movemento Right thing to doo Other benefits- The Civil Rights Act of 1964- The Voting Rights Act of 1965 Vista Program- Precursor to Teach for America Community Action Programs- A board of people that would decide how the money should be spent- Controversialo Resistance from local governments Medicare Critics to the Great Society- Conservatives claimed it was wasteful- Having money doesn’t mean we should waste it- Treating symptoms instead of illnesses Criticisms are so severe he decides not to run for president in
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