Liberalism in the 1960s: The Great Society

I. Introduction

II. Background on Johnson

A. Early Political Career

B. Vice President

C. Personality

D. Master Politician

III. Great Society Programs

A. Philosophy

B. Civil Rights

1. C. R. Act 1964, V.R. Act 1965

- moral commitment & political strategy

2. Affirmative Action

- his rationale

- 1966 exec order; 1967 – sex added; 1968 – “specific goals & timetables”

C. War on Poverty

- speech

- fed gov’t responsibility to help those on the bottom

1. Office of Economic Opportunity

- Job Corps, VISTA, Upward Bound, Low income housing programs

2. Community Action Programs (CAPs)

- philosophy

- controversy

3. Food Stamps

4. Appalachian Regional Development Act

5. Raised Minimum Wage

6. Tax cut

D. Medical Care

1. Medicare

2. Medicaid

E. Education

1. Elementary & Secondary Education Act of 1965

2. Higher Education Act of 1965

3. Headstart

F. Urban Renewal

- Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD); Model Cities program

- Mass transit

G. Immigration

- The Immigration Act of 1965

H. The Arts

- National Endowment for the Arts, National Endowment for the Humanities

I. The Environment and the Consumer

- Cigarette Labeling and Advertising Act 1965, Wilderness Act 1964, Water Quality Act 1965, Clean Waters Restoration Act 1966, Air Quality Act 1967, Fair Packaging and Safety Act 1966, Automobile Safety Act 1966

IV. Evaluation of the Great Society

A. Impact

B. Positives

C. Supporters

D. Negatives and Criticism (from the Right & Left)

1. Promises, Promises

2. Big Government

3. Guns AND Butter?

- Deficit & tax increase

4. Break-Up of New Deal Coalition