america and the great society

• When was John F. Kennedy elected president?

  1960
• What were Kennedy's ambitious plans focused on?

  Poverty, education, and health
• What did Kennedy describe as being on the edge of a 'new frontier'?

  America's opportunity and dramatic change
• What problems did Kennedy aim to tackle?

  Inequality, poverty, ill health, and poor education
• How did Kennedy want Americans to respond to his vision for the country?

  By working together to improve the country
• What were the successes of Kennedy's civil rights policies?

  • More government jobs for African Americans
  • Challenged discriminatory politicians
  • Created the Commission on Equal Employment Opportunity (CEEO)
• What was a significant limitation of the CEEO created by Kennedy?

  It only protected current federal employees
• What did Kennedy introduce to improve housing and infrastructure?

  Nearly $5 billion in loans
• What was blocked by Congress regarding Kennedy's health policies?

  Plans for Medicare
• What was a requirement for taking out loans to improve houses?

  Affordability of repayments
• What did Kennedy do to address poverty?

  Cut taxes and increased minimum wage
• What was the effect of increased minimum wage under Kennedy?

  Helped those with jobs, not the unemployed
• What program did Kennedy establish for young people?

  The Peace Corps
• Who took over the presidency after Kennedy's assassination?

  Lyndon B. Johnson
• What was Johnson's program called that aimed to continue Kennedy's work?

  The 'Great Society'
• What were the key pieces of legislation introduced by Johnson for poverty?

  • Economic Opportunity Act (1964)
  • Food Stamp Act (1964)
  • Job Corps and Community Action Program
• What were the key education acts passed under Johnson?

  • Elementary and Secondary Education Act
  • Higher Education Act (1965)
  • Head Start Program
• What health and housing acts were established under Johnson?

  • Social Security Act (1965)
  • Housing and Urban Development Act (1965)
  • Medicare and Medicaid
• How did Johnson's approach differ from Kennedy's regarding political opposition?

  Johnson was more confrontational and assertive
• How many major bills were passed by the end of Johnson's presidency?

  226 out of 252
• What was the impact of Johnson's presidency on government spending for education and health?

  It trebled between 1964 and 1967
• What was the percentage of African Americans living in poverty by the end of Johnson's presidency?

  27%
• What were some criticisms of the Great Society programs?

  Some viewed them as government handouts
• What overshadowed Johnson's social policies during his presidency?

  The Vietnam War
• What was the status of women in the 1960s compared to men?

  Women were not treated equally
• What did feminist movements in the 1960s fight for?

  Women's equality and anti-discrimination laws
• What significant report did the PCSW publish in 1963?

  • Found women earned less than men
  • Women faced job discrimination
  • Limited access to education and maternity leave
• What did the Equal Pay Act of 1963 establish?

  Equal pay for equal work
• What did the National Organisation of Women (NOW) aim to achieve?

  Women's equality and rights
• What was the outcome of Roe vs Wade in 1973?

  Women had the right to legal abortion
• What was the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) intended to do?

  Give women equal rights with men
• Why did the ERA fail to become law?

  Not enough state support due to opposition
• What were the main impacts of feminist movements in the 1960s and early 1970s?

  • Increased awareness of women's rights
  • Legal changes like the Equal Pay Act
  • Formation of organizations like NOW