How Successful Was President Johnsons GSP 1964-68 Flashcards
What was the main focus of Lyndon B. Johnson’s Great Society programme?
Civil rights, aiding the poor, and improving the economy
The Great Society aimed to address social issues and improve living standards.
When did President Lyndon B. Johnson deliver his speech outlining the Great Society programme?
22 May 1964
This speech was delivered to a packed audience at the University of Michigan.
What does Johnson suggest is necessary for society to be great?
Equality for every citizen, regardless of belief, race, or skin color
Johnson emphasized the importance of civil rights in his vision for a great society.
What historical event led to Lyndon B. Johnson becoming President?
The assassination of J. F. Kennedy
Johnson was Vice President before ascending to the presidency.
What significant economic program did Johnson reference in relation to his Great Society plans?
F. D. Roosevelt’s New Deal programme
The New Deal was aimed at recovering from the Great Depression.
What was one of Johnson’s goals in relation to poverty?
To wage a ‘war on poverty’
This phrase encapsulated his commitment to addressing economic disparities.
What year was pivotal for Johnson as it was a presidential election year?
1964
This year was crucial for Johnson’s ambitions as he sought the Democratic Party nomination.
True or False: Johnson believed the federal government had no role in changing US society and the economy.
False
Johnson believed in the federal government’s major role in social and economic transformation.
Fill in the blank: Johnson’s Great Society was seen as a continuation of _______.
Kennedy’s programme
Johnson aimed to fulfill the social and economic ambitions laid out by Kennedy.
What were three central themes of the Great Society according to Johnson’s speech?
- Civil rights
- Environmental protection
- Education reform
These themes highlighted the areas where Johnson sought to make significant improvements.
What does Johnson argue is necessary for young minds in the context of the Great Society?
They must be set free to explore thought and imagination
Education was a key component of Johnson’s vision for societal improvement.
According to Johnson, what must be addressed to build a Great Society?
The threats to air, water, and food
Johnson emphasized the importance of a healthy environment for societal wellbeing.
What was the aim of the new federal agency created under the Great Society programme?
To empower the poor
The agency was part of a broader strategy to address poverty and social inequality.
How did Johnson view the relationship between individuals and their context?
Individuals make choices based on their context
This perspective emphasizes the influence of societal attitudes and personal experiences on decision-making.
What was one of the most controversial aspects of the Great Society?
The Job Corps programme
This program aimed to provide job training for young people, but faced criticism for its implementation.
What was a significant statistic about wealth distribution in America during this period?
20% of Americans owned 80% of the wealth
This statistic highlights the economic disparity that the Great Society aimed to address.
What did Johnson believe should be the role of the federal government in his Great Society?
To bring about fundamental social and economic change
Johnson’s vision involved active government intervention to improve society.
What was the central feature of the War on Poverty?
The Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 was the central feature, aimed at coordinating efforts to eradicate poverty within the USA.
What did the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 create?
It created the Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO) to coordinate programs aimed at poverty eradication.
What was the purpose of Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA)?
VISTA provided people the opportunity to directly help the needy in the USA.
What was the goal of the Jobs Corps program?
The Jobs Corps aimed to improve the skills of unemployed inner-city youth.
What was the Appalachian Regional Development Act of 1965?
It allocated $1.1 billion to programs to raise the standard of living in the Appalachian mountain region.
How much did the War on Poverty cost?
$10 billion.
What was the impact of LBJ’s programs on poverty rates?
The number of families in poverty dropped from 40 million in 1959 to 28 million in 1968.
Who was Lyndon Baines Johnson?
Lyndon B. Johnson (LBJ) was a powerful politician who served as president after JFK’s assassination.
What significant action did LBJ take regarding Vietnam?
He decided to send ground troops to Vietnam in March 1965.
What was the role of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)?
HUD was established to implement LBJ’s policies on housing and urban renewal.
What was the Great Society programme announced by Johnson in 1964?
The Great Society programme aimed to eliminate poverty and racial injustice through various legislative acts.
What significant act was passed in 1965 to improve education?
The Elementary and Secondary Education Act aimed to provide federal funding to aid deprived children.
What was the purpose of the Economic Opportunity Act?
It aimed to invest in the skills and strength of the American people to combat poverty.
What did Johnson believe about raising the earnings of the poor?
He believed that raising the earnings of 10 million poor people by $1000 would add $14 billion to the national output.
What was the Head Start programme?
A programme that provided pre-school classes to benefit children from low-income families.
What was the significance of the Higher Education Act?
It provided loans for students to attend colleges and universities, expanding access to higher education.
What was Medicare and who did it serve?
Medicare was a federally administered program that provided health insurance primarily for the elderly.
What was the Civil Rights Act of 1964?
It outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.
What was the impact of the Watts Riots in 1965?
The riots highlighted racial tensions and issues of inequality in urban areas.
What was the timeline of significant events in the Great Society programme?
Key events include the announcement in 1964, the passage of various acts from 1965 to 1968, and the Watts Riots in 1965.
What was the impact of preschool classes during the 1963-72 period?
Preschool classes benefited eight million children.
Encouraged children from low-income families to attend higher education.
What was the purpose of the Higher Education Act?
Aimed to strengthen the educational resources of colleges and universities and provide financial assistance to students.
Allowed many students to attend universities they could not have afforded otherwise.
What healthcare programs did Johnson introduce?
Medicare and Medicaid.
Medicare was for the elderly, while Medicaid was for the poor without medical cover.
What was Medicare and when was it introduced?
Medicare was introduced in 1965 and provided medical care for those 65 years old and above without health insurance.
In its first year, over 19 million Social Security recipients registered.
How was Medicaid financed and administered?
Medicaid was financed by both federal and state governments and administered by the states.
The quality of healthcare varied from state to state.
What significant civil rights legislation did Johnson pass?
The Civil Rights Act was passed in 1964, outlawing discrimination based on race, religion, or sex in public places.
This was the most important piece of civil rights legislation since the Civil War.
What challenges did JFK face regarding civil rights legislation?
JFK faced problems dealing with Congress, where he encountered a conservative coalition of southern Democrats and Republicans.
He was assassinated before his proposals could become law.
What was the significance of the Civil Rights Act?
It marked a milestone in American history by ending legal segregation and promoting civil equality for black Americans.
What was the purpose of the Attorney General’s powers under the Act?
The Attorney General was given the power to take legal action in federal courts against any violation of the Act.
What was a key demand of Martin Luther King and the civil rights movement?
Ending legal segregation in the USA.
What did the 24th Amendment achieve?
It outlawed the use of poll taxes at elections.
What was the impact of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 on voter registration in Mississippi?
Before the Act, only six percent of blacks were registered; after the Act, the figure rose to 60 percent.
What was the voter registration percentage for blacks in Alabama before and after the Voting Rights Act?
It was 18 percent before the Act and 54 percent after.
How did the Voting Rights Act affect voter registration in Virginia?
In Virginia, 44 percent of blacks were registered before the Act and only 43 percent after it was passed.
What were the voter registration figures for blacks in Florida before and after the Voting Rights Act?
It was 51 percent before the Act and 54 percent after.
What was the purpose of the Attorney General’s powers under the Act?
The Attorney General was given the power to take legal action in federal courts against any violation of the Act.
What was a key demand of Martin Luther King and the civil rights movement?
Ending legal segregation in the USA.
What did the 24th Amendment achieve?
It outlawed the use of poll taxes at elections.
What was the impact of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 on voter registration in Mississippi?
Before the Act, only six percent of blacks were registered; after the Act, the figure rose to 60 percent.
What was the voter registration percentage for blacks in Alabama before and after the Voting Rights Act?
It was 18 percent before the Act and 54 percent after.
How did the Voting Rights Act affect voter registration in Virginia?
In Virginia, 44 percent of blacks were registered before the Act and only 43 percent after it was passed.
What were the voter registration figures for blacks in Florida before and after the Voting Rights Act?
It was 51 percent before the Act and 54 percent after.
What landmark civil rights legislation was associated with Johnson’s administration?
The civil rights legislation of Johnson’s administration has been regarded as a landmark in aiding black Americans to gain civil rights.
What personal challenges did Johnson face during his presidency?
Johnson was personally and professionally depressed due to the Watts Riots of 1965 in Los Angeles and the rise of Black Power.
What was the Great Society programme?
The Great Society programme was a period of immense domestic reform from 1963 to 1969, during which 435 bills were submitted to Congress.
What was the economic impact of Johnson’s tax cuts in 1964?
Johnson’s 1964 tax cut of $10 billion encouraged economic growth, aided by a buoyant economy, with the Gross National Product increasing by seven percent in 1964.
What were some achievements of the Great Society programme?
The Great Society increased the number of students from low-income families able to attend college, reduced poverty levels, and ended legal discrimination against black Americans.
What issues remained unresolved despite the Great Society programme?
The Great Society programme did not solve key problems of inner cities, which were in decline due to the rise of suburbia, leading to issues like crime, drug-trafficking, and poverty.
What happened in the 1966 mid-term elections?
In the 1966 mid-term elections, the Democrats lost seats in both the House and Senate to the Republicans, indicating a drop in support for Great Society policies.
Why did LBJ announce he would not seek re-election in 1968?
LBJ announced he would not stand for re-election primarily due to the failure to win the war in Vietnam and the Great Society programme not achieving its ambitious aims.
What lesson did the Great Society programme teach about federal funding?
The Great Society programme demonstrated that massive federal funding might not be the best way to address social and economic problems; local efforts might be more effective.
