7.01 The Great Society

What Was the Tone of Lyndon B. Johnson's Presidency?

Popular culture supported the idea that Americans were living "the good life" in the 1950s and early 1960s. True, the poverty rate had declined in the 1950s. However, more than one fifth of all Americans still lived below the poverty level in 1960—about 40 million people. They suffered higher rates of disease and malnutrition. Many were children, migrant laborers, or the elderly. They often did not have access to health care, adequate housing, or regular income. They lived in cities as well as rural areas and a disproportionate number were African-American. Conditions worsened in inner cities as wealthy whites moved to the suburbs to escape the crowding, a phenomenon known as "white flight." Lyndon B. Johnson was a Texas-born Democrat who began his political career during President Roosevelt's New Deal era, running a state agency focused on education and jobs for young people. As vice president to John F. Kennedy, he saw the president's efforts in social reform largely fail because of the lack of congressional support especially from Southerners. Lacking Kennedy's charm, Johnson nevertheless had a tougher, more persuasive image that would help the nation heal and adjust to the transition of power following President Kennedy's assassination. He had a plan to continue and expand the late president's agenda that would address the growing American unrest and discontent. In 1964, President Johnson pushed for Kennedy's reforms and campaigned for the presidential election. He shared his vision for the United States, the Great Society, in a speech to university students in Michigan. Johnson described a future where the federal government would work with local governments and leaders to end poverty and ensure equal rights for all Americans. His vision was that federal dollars could correct many social issues. What this really did was increase the size of government, helping many people to reinforce their belief that the government is the solution to society's problems. Bible-believers know that sin is the core issue that must be dealt with by every person within a society.

1966 Model Cities Act

The Model Cities program set up the Department of Housing and Urban Development. It provided funding to chosen "model cities" to clear away run-down areas, build better housing and recreational facilities, and create mass transportation systems.

1966 Truth in Packaging Act

The Truth in Packaging Act expanded federal government rules on labeling for consumer goods. It required packages to carry labels listing the product's identity, name and address of the manufacturer, and the quantity of product contained in the package. The legislation has been changed and expanded since. Now many product packages must include nutrition information and lists of ingredients.

Which of the following Great Society programs was considered a major victory of civil rights legislation?

The Voting Rights Act is considered a major success in civil rights legislation. It ended the use of literacy tests to determine voter qualification and sent federal examiners to the South to register qualified voters. The law helped many African Americans vote for the first time in Southern states.

1965 Omnibus Housing Act

This act appropriated, or set aside, budget funds for low- and middle- income housing. It also gave assistance to low-income families for rent payments. Later, in 1968, the Fair Housing Act banned discrimination in the sale or renting of housing. This meant that a landowner could not rent apartments only to white families.

1965 Elementary and Secondary Education Act

This act was the first in the nation's history to provide federal funding directly to schools. The funding provided textbooks, library books, materials, and special needs education resources to schools for kindergarten through twelfth grade. Congress has reauthorized the legislation continuously since, though with many changes over the years to the requirements and how the programs are funded. An addition in 1967, which is still debated today, was funding for bilingual education programs—instruction that includes both English and a student's native language.

migrant laborers:

a worker who moves from place to place seeking work, usually referring to movement according to the seasons in farming work

desegregation:

ending the customary or enforced separation of ethical or racial groups in public places

poverty rate:

the portion of a population living below an official level of income determined to be necessary for meeting basic needs

Before and After the Great Society

Before // After About 20%, or 40 million, living in poverty (1960) // About 12%, or 24 million, living in poverty (1969) Infant mortality (deaths of children under age five) barely declining (1950—1965) // Infant mortality falls by one-third (1965-1975) About 20% of the poor had never seen a doctor (pre—1965) // About 8% of the poor had never seen a doctor (1970) About 20% of American families lack indoor plumbing (1960) // About 11% of American families lack indoor plumbing (1970) Income of African American families significantly behind whites and unemployment rates higher // The median income (income level at the midpoint between those earning the most and those earning the least) of African American families rose by 53% and unemployment rate falls by over a third(1960s) About 55% of African Americans living in poverty (1960) // About 27% of African Americans living in poverty (1968)

Ending poverty and racial discrimination were the

Ending poverty and racial discrimination were the two main goals of the Great Society. According to President Johnson, both had to be addressed before his vision of strong communities with shared values could be realized. Statistics show that progress was made in both areas as a result of Great Society programs.

Which of the following is most responsible for the end of the Great Society?

Increasing involvement in Vietnam. The growing involvement in the Vietnam conflict forced President Johnson to redirect funds away from Great Society programs. Lack of funding for the programs contributed to their demise. The Civil Rights Movement worked in tandem with the Great Society, as equal rights was one of the president's goals. President Johnson was known for his persuasive ability and he enjoyed the support of the majority of the public and Congress in the first few years of the Great Society. While President Kennedy had his own plans for improving the country, his assassination is what led to Johnson's presidency and the Great Society.

What Impact Did Great Society Programs Have on Americans?

Of course, at the time the Great Society programs were passed, it is true that several New Deal programs still existed. Yet, we can compare statistics about the American population from about 1960, long after New Deal programs were in place, with those in the years following implementation of Great Society programs. For example, rates of infant mortality, deaths of children age five and less, fell dramatically after health and nutrition programs were begun under the Great Society. These programs need to be evaluated against the principles of God's Word, His guidelines for the proper role of government, churches, and families, and the long-term effects these programs have had on society. Some would say that while the Great Society did dramatically reduce the poverty rate of Americans, it also created a welfare state causing many US citizens to look to government as the chief provider of their basic needs.

What Were the Great Society Programs?

President Johnson was most active in domestic policy between the years 1964-1966. His agenda was the largest set of social welfare programs since Roosevelt's New Deal. While the New Deal was born during an economic crisis that affected most Americans, the Great Society arose during a time of relative prosperity (though not for all). In FDR's time many Americans began to see the federal government as responsible for security—that the people's basic needs are met. Today, more Americans rely upon the provision of the federal government. Conservatives continue to argue that the primary focus of the government should be to protect its people, not provide for them. Liberals believe that government should absolutely provide for its people. We are also seeing the problems with massive government spending that has plunged us into heavy debt. A key biblical passage that discusses government is in the first part of Romans 13. Protection/justice is mentioned. Taxes are mentioned. And though the Bible does not specifically describe each aspect of government in verses 1-7, it is interesting that in verse 8 a warning is issued against debt.Take a look at the following slideshow to see how Lyndon Johnson viewed the role of government. President Johnson, or LBJ, saw the Great Society as fulfilling goals unmet in the years since the New Deal. He had the same focus on experimentation and basic security, yet went further. LBJ believed the New Deal did not properly address the root causes of poverty, including education access and racial inequality. The Great Society expanded on New Deal programs that still operated and created new programs that exist to the present day. Several of his programs addressed education and employment, 2 key factors in alleviating poverty. "Poverty must not be a bar to learning, and learning must offer an escape from poverty."

What Was The Great Society?

President Johnson's goals of ending poverty and injustice were just the first steps toward creating the Great Society. Once these issues were corrected, the country would become a place where people connected with nature and protected the environment. Americans would work together to improve communities and focus on the quality of life. As he completed Kennedy's term of office, President Johnson managed to push a major tax cut and civil rights legislation through Congress, measures that Kennedy had proposed the year before. In the summer of 1964 Johnson declared "war on poverty in America" and signed his Economic Opportunity Act. The act created several programs aimed at education and employment. Johnson's campaign speeches promised greater changes to come if he was elected president. It was a very liberal vision, one that saw the federal government as responsible for securing and improving Americans' well-being. Not all Americans supported his ideas. The Republican Party chose Barry Goldwater of Arizona to run against Johnson. Goldwater was very conservative. He argued for the end of several New Deal-era policies, as opposed to expanding them as Johnson promised. Goldwater and other conservatives thought Johnson's Great Society could put limits on Americans' freedoms. Goldwater's supporters wanted focused and conclusive action in Vietnam and Cuba. They also opposed civil rights policy changes. In the end, Johnson's success in legislation and the media's portrayal of Goldwater as a man who would not be afraid to use nuclear weapons helped Johnson win the 1964 election with 61% of the vote.

1965 Immigration Act

Some historians say the 1965 Immigration Act deserves more attention. They believe it is an important piece of legislation that has been overshadowed by the civil rights efforts of the decade. The law ended the system of quotas for immigrants based on national origins set in 1924, which limited how many people could become residents from certain parts of the world. During the time it was in place, most immigrants came from Europe. After 1965, the number of immigrants from Asia, Central, and South America increased.

1964 Tax Reduction Act

Taxes on corporations and wealthy people are cut by 10 billion dollars, a proposal begun by President Kennedy. The purpose is to encourage businesses to increase employment and production. Some historians credit the policy with driving down unemployment, decreasing the federal debt, and increasing consumer spending.

1965 Voting Rights Act

The 1965 Voting Rights Act was another critical piece of civil rights legislation for African Americans. It ended the use of literacy tests as a qualification for voting. The law also gave the federal government the power to send "federal examiners" to the South to register people qualified to vote.

President's Johnson's Great Society is most often compared to

The Great Society is often compared to the New Deal because of the size and scope of the federal programs Congress and President Johnson created. The liberal Great Society vision actually expanded and went further than the New Deal. President Truman's Fair Deal did expand some New Deal programs but Congress blocked many of his efforts, especially as the Cold War grew. President Kennedy's New Frontier was not only smaller in scope but was largely blocked by Congress. President Johnson did pass some of Kennedy's measures, however. President Eisenhower followed a very moderate policy, cutting government spending in some places and increasing it in select others.

1966 Motor Vehicle Safety Act

The Motor Vehicle Safety Act created federal standards for automobile safety and tires.

1965 National Endowments for the Arts and Humanities

The National Endowments for the Arts and Humanities fund art and cultural projects. Today, the National Endowment for the Arts funds projects showing "artistic excellence" such as theatre productions. The National Endowment for the Humanities funds research and education in the humanities. It awards grants to cultural institutions like museums and colleges to continue the study of history, language, archaeology, and the like.

1964 Economic Opportunity Act

The first policy of the "War on Poverty," the EOA created several offices and programs. Project Head Start was a preschool program for low-income families. The Office of Economic Opportunity managed Job Corps, a program to train young adults in workplace skills, and VISTA, a volunteer program that would assist poor communities.

1965 Higher Education Act

This legislation set aside funds for scholarships and low-interest loans for underprivileged college students. It also supported college libraries and research departments.

What Happened to the Great Society?

Though the Great Society seemed to benefit many Americans, not everyone supported the programs. Some disagreed with the idea from the beginning, and interest in the programs declined as the decade progressed. The reality was that federal, state, and local agencies often did not work well together. Even more significant, as American involvement in Vietnam increased, money became a bigger issue. Johnson had to divert funding away from his anti-poverty programs to support the military. By 1966, attention to the domestic programs was falling. More Americans became focused on events in Vietnam and protests at home. Some Americans believed the anti-poverty programs were extensions of the civil rights policies. They thought that African Americans would be the main group to benefit from these programs. This further reduced support for Johnsons' legislation as the idea encouraged white conservatism. The New Deal under FDR enjoyed longer and broader support, but failed to deal directly with the issue of civil rights. Both the New Deal and Great Society programs faced criticism that they cost the taxpayers too much, put the government in debt, and benefited only a portion of Americans. Though Vietnam and conservatism overshadowed many of his Great Society programs, President Johnson's civil rights legislation endured. Many historians consider it his greatest achievement as president.

What Would Make the United States a "Great Society"?

When Lyndon Baines Johnson became president following Kennedy's assassination, he committed himself to bringing the former president's goals to fruition. As he began his campaign for the 1964 presidential election, he took that vision further. He described a "Great Society" that Americans and the federal government would achieve by working together. "The Great Society rests on abundance and liberty for all. It demands an end to poverty and racial injustice, to which we are totally committed in our time." Johnson's definition of a great nation does not exactly match God's view. Read Psalm 33:12 and Proverbs 14:34 to see what God views as successful attributes of a nation. To accomplish his goals, Johnson expanded U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War during the 1960s. At the same time, he also pursued domestic policies and programs to help create a Great Society. History usually remembers "LBJ" more for his role in Vietnam, though his expansion of social programs on the home front impacts Americans to this day.

social welfare programs:

a government initiative designed to protect citizens from economic risk and insecurity

liberal:

a political view favoring government action and spending to improve society and embracing of change

conservative:

a political view favoring limited government size and expenditures and caution in making changes

domestic policies:

laws and programs that affect people within a country

civil rights legislation:

legal protection for basic human rights and from discrimination of those rights based on physical or mental differences

federal debt:

the total amount of spending over budget of the national government over the years