Presidency of Lyndon B. Johnson

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The Presidency of Lyndon B. Johnson began on November 22, 1963, following the assassination of John F. Kennedy, and ended on January 20, 1969. Johnson, a Democrat, was the 36th President of the United States. His presidency is noted for significant legislative achievements, particularly in the areas of civil rights, social welfare, 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.

War on Poverty

The War on Poverty was a central part of Johnson's Great Society. Programs such as the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964, which created the Job Corps and Head Start, were designed to provide opportunities for education and employment.

Education

Johnson signed the Elementary and Secondary Education Act in 1965, which provided significant federal funding to public schools. The Higher Education Act of 1965 increased federal money given to universities, created scholarships, and provided low-interest loans for students.

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 in 1964. The war became increasingly unpopular, leading to widespread protests and contributing to Johnson's decision not to seek re-election in 1968.

Latin America

Johnson continued the Alliance for Progress, initiated by Kennedy, to foster economic cooperation between the U.S. and Latin America. He also intervened in the Dominican Civil War in 1965 to prevent what he perceived as a communist takeover.

Civil Rights

Johnson's administration made significant strides in civil rights. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. 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.

Legacy

Johnson's presidency is often evaluated in terms of his domestic achievements and the controversy surrounding the Vietnam War. His Great Society programs had a lasting impact on American society, particularly in the areas of civil rights, healthcare, and education.

Related Pages

• Lyndon B. Johnson
• Great Society
• Civil Rights Act of 1964
• Voting Rights Act of 1965
• Medicare
• Medicaid
• Vietnam War
• John F. Kennedy
• Richard Nixon

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