Presidency of Lyndon B. Johnson

The Presidency of Lyndon B. Johnson began on November 22, 1963, following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, and ended on January 20, 1969. Johnson, a Democrat from Texas, served as the 36th President of the United States. His presidency is noted for significant legislative achievements in civil rights, health care, and education.

Domestic Policy

Great Society

Johnson's domestic policy agenda, known as the Great Society, aimed to eliminate poverty and racial injustice. Key components included the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and the establishment of Medicare and Medicaid.

Civil Rights

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was a landmark piece of legislation that outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. It ended unequal application of voter registration requirements and racial segregation in schools, at the workplace, and by facilities that served the general public.

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 aimed to overcome legal barriers at the state and local levels that prevented African Americans from exercising their right to vote under the 15th Amendment.

War on Poverty

Johnson declared a "War on Poverty" and introduced programs such as Head Start, Job Corps, and Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA). These initiatives were part of the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964.

Foreign Policy

Vietnam War

Johnson's presidency was heavily marked by the Vietnam War. He escalated U.S. involvement following the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, which granted him the authority to assist any Southeast Asian country whose government was considered to be jeopardized by "communist aggression."

Latin America

Johnson continued the policies of the Alliance for Progress, which aimed to establish economic cooperation between the U.S. and Latin America. He also intervened in the Dominican Republic in 1965 to prevent what he believed was a communist takeover.

Legacy

Johnson's presidency is often evaluated in terms of his domestic achievements and the controversy surrounding the Vietnam War. His efforts in civil rights and social programs have had a lasting impact on American society.

See also

• Assassination of John F. Kennedy
• 1964 United States presidential election
• 1968 United States presidential election

External links

• Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum