History- A “Great society”

• Great Society


  Vision of Lyndon B. Johnson to end poverty and racial injustice
• Lyndon B. Johnson


  • Became president automatically when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated
  • Committed to continuing and developing the work of Kennedy
  • Wanted to create a 'Great Society'
• Johnson's approach to legislation

  1. Used wave of sympathy after Kennedy's death

  2. Persuaded Congress to get legislation passed as an experienced politician
• Measures in Johnson's vision of a Great Society

  • Poverty
  • Civil rights
  • Transportation
  • Urban renewal
  • Environment
  • Healthcare reform
  • Education reform
• Mandate


  Strong political authority given to Johnson after winning the 1964 election by a large margin
• Anti-poverty programme measures


  • 1964 Economic Opportunity Act
  • 1965 Housing and Urban Development Act
• Medicare


  Covered the cost of healthcare for the elderly if they qualified
• Medicaid


  Covered the cost of healthcare for people on low incomes and the unemployed
• Education reforms


  • Operation Head Start
  • 1965 Higher Education Act
  • 1965 Elementary and Secondary Education Act
• Johnson's presidency faced opposition due to America's involvement in the Vietnam War
• Vietnam War


  Costly and unpopular, with many student protests against the draft system
• Johnson's supporters claim he made America a better and fairer society