Johnson and the Great Society (AQA GCSE History): Revision Notes
Johnson and the 'Great Society'
Background and Johnson's rise to power
Lyndon B. Johnson served as John F. Kennedy's vice-president before becoming president himself following Kennedy's tragic assassination in November 1963. Unlike Kennedy, who had only begun working on social reform, Johnson was determined to build upon these foundations and create what he called the 'Great Society' - an ambitious programme to transform American society.
Johnson brought a very different leadership style to the presidency compared to Kennedy. Where Kennedy had tried to win support through compromise and charm, Johnson was much more direct and forceful. As an experienced politician from Texas and a war veteran, he wasn't afraid to use intimidation tactics to get what he wanted. Standing at 1.95 metres tall, he would often use his physical presence to pressure other politicians into supporting his agenda.
Johnson's aims for the Great Society
Like Kennedy before him, Johnson wanted to tackle two major problems facing America: poverty and racial discrimination. However, Johnson believed that America had the potential to achieve much more if the country was willing to take decisive action. His vision was to help every American reach their full potential through government programmes and new legislation.
Taking over the presidency just a year before the 1964 election gave Johnson a unique advantage. His 'Great Society' ideas, combined with public sympathy following Kennedy's assassination, helped him win the election convincingly and gain the political support needed to push through major reforms.
Key legislation of the Great Society
Johnson's Great Society involved passing numerous important laws between 1964 and 1967. These can be organised into three main areas:
Tackling poverty
The fight against poverty was central to Johnson's vision. Several major pieces of legislation were introduced:
- Economic Opportunity Act (1964): This created new opportunities for Americans to escape poverty through education and job training
- Food Stamp Act (1964): This programme helped ensure that poor families could afford to buy food
- Job Corps: This provided free education and training to help people develop new skills for employment
- Community Action Program: This supported volunteer organisations working in low-income communities to help local people
- Food Stamp Program: This was expanded to feed more of America's poorest citizens
These poverty-focused programmes represented a comprehensive approach to addressing economic inequality. Rather than simply providing financial assistance, Johnson's legislation emphasised education, job training, and community support to help people achieve long-term economic independence.
Improving education
Education was seen as crucial for helping people escape poverty and achieve the American Dream:
- Elementary and Secondary Education Act (1965): This provided significant funding to public schools and universities to help them purchase better materials and resources
- Higher Education Act (1965): This made college education more accessible to ordinary Americans
- Head Start Program: This was established to ensure that the poorest children received proper education, nutrition, and other essential services from an early age
Health and housing reforms
Johnson also tackled healthcare and housing problems affecting millions of Americans:
- Social Security Act (1965): This was expanded to provide better support for elderly and disabled Americans
- Housing and Urban Development Act (1965): This increased funding for housing programmes and helped more people afford decent accommodation
- Medicare and Medicaid: These groundbreaking programmes provided health insurance for people over 65 (Medicare) and medical assistance for those on low incomes (Medicaid). They also helped elderly and disabled people pay their rent.
Medicare and Medicaid represented revolutionary changes to American healthcare. For the first time, the federal government took responsibility for ensuring that elderly Americans and those with low incomes could access medical care. These programmes remain cornerstones of the American social safety net today.
Johnson's achievements and legacy
By the end of Johnson's presidency, the Great Society had achieved remarkable results. The statistics speak for themselves: 226 out of 252 major bills had been successfully passed through Congress. Government spending on education and health had tripled between 1964 and 1967, while government aid to the poor had nearly tripled since 1960.
Impact on People's Lives:
The programmes had real impact on people's lives. Around one million people received retraining through new federal programmes, while two million children participated in the Head Start Programme. Most significantly, the percentage of African Americans living in poverty fell dramatically from 55% in 1960 to just 27% by the end of Johnson's presidency.
Criticisms and limitations
However, the Great Society also faced significant criticism and challenges. Many Americans weren't happy with Johnson's agenda, feeling that their taxes were being spent on what they saw as government handouts. Some believed the government shouldn't be so heavily involved in people's lives.
Limitations and Challenges:
By 1968, unemployment was beginning to rise and there were riots in major cities, suggesting that not all of America's social problems had been solved. Although Johnson's Great Society had lasting impact, many of its programmes were later reduced or cut entirely.
Perhaps most damaging to Johnson's legacy was the Vietnam War. His social policies were increasingly overshadowed by America's involvement in this conflict, which ultimately resulted in over 58,000 American deaths. Many people remember Johnson primarily as the president who took America into a war that proved both costly and unpopular.
Timeline of major events
- November 1963: Kennedy assassinated; Johnson becomes president
- 1964: Economic Opportunity Act and Food Stamp Act passed; Johnson wins presidential election
- 1965: Elementary and Secondary Education Act, Higher Education Act, Social Security Act, and Housing and Urban Development Act all passed; Medicare and Medicaid established
- 1964-1967: Period of intensive Great Society legislation
- 1968: Rising unemployment and urban riots; Johnson's presidency increasingly dominated by Vietnam War
Key Points to Remember:
- Johnson transformed Kennedy's early social reform ideas into the comprehensive 'Great Society' programme after becoming president following the 1963 assassination
- The Great Society focused on three main areas: fighting poverty, improving education, and reforming health and housing
- Major achievements included Medicare/Medicaid, the Head Start Programme, and reducing African American poverty rates from 55% to 27%
- By Johnson's presidency end, 226 out of 252 major bills had passed, and government spending on education and health had tripled
- Despite domestic successes, Johnson's legacy was ultimately overshadowed by the unpopular and costly Vietnam War, which caused over 58,000 American deaths