Lyndon B. Johnson Optimism Confindence Arrogance Hubris
Jan 02, 2016
Lyndon B. Johnson
Lyndon B. JohnsonOptimism Confindence ArroganceHubrisContrast between JFK and LBJJFK handsome and charismaticLBJ homely and awkward
JFK well spokenVulgar and crass
The LBJ to admireCompassionate: taught very poor Mexican-American children for a year. Became a defender of the poor
Ambitious: A true Texan- liked to talk, think and dream big
Ruthless: Bullied and intimidated to get his way
LBJ Treatment
LBJ to hateVulgar and rude: Was an expert curser
Vain: Gave Whitehouse visitors busts of himself (even the Pope!) Had over 500K pix taken of him while in W.H.
Ruthless: Bullied and intimidated to get his wayHistorical viewpoint of LBJEarned lasting respect (Civil Rights) & lasting animosity (Vietnam)
Rode coattails JFK into office but proved and excellent politician. Achieved more legislative success than any other pres. Except FDR ( who had 12 yrs)
JFK set the agenda LBJ carried it outWar on PovertyAmerica was in the mood for reformStrong econ. meant $ to spend on reform
Poverty was rediscovered in Appalachia
People trusted ideas of experts
People had faith in govt action The other America
Difficult dilemmas of povertyHow do we measure poverty? (the poor of the 1960s led far better lives than the poor of the 1930s, but in relative terms.
Who are the deserving or undeserving poor? (temporary v. permanent)
Why does poverty exist?
Achievements of War on PovertyHead Start and Job Corp were started, although many were never funded well
1960 poverty was @ 22%, by 1970 13% (were programs responsible??)
Still too many hoops for many poor to jump through
1964 Election: a landslide
Liberal Legislation 1965National Endowment for the Humanities
National Endowment for the Arts
Clean Air and Water Acts
Wilderness Protection Act
The Great SocietyA courageous legislative push to gain a better quality of life for all Americans especially the underservedVoting Rights Act
Immigration Act
Other ground breaking legislationFederal Aid to Education
Medicare and Medicaid medical insurance to poor and elderly Assessment of The Great SocietyMany lasting legislative achievements
Mixed results, too hasty or rushed
Some thought it did too little, others thought it increased govt too much
Raised expectations to an unachievable levelThey were optimists who reflected the confidence of most contemporary American liberal thought. Unlike radicals, they thought that most poor people needed only a helping hand to rise in life. Unlike conservatives, they had great faith that government could and should extend that hand. -James Paterson - HistorianLBJs Demise: Vietnam