Johnson and the Great Society 1963-1968

Question 1

Economic reform

• The Office of Economic Opportunity and the Programme for Poverty

Answer 1

Set up schemes to help poor people in inner cities. It funded new education and community projects and provided loans for local schemes.

Question 2

Social reform

• The Elementary and Secondary Education Act

Answer 2

It provided the first major federal support for state education ever. Federal money was provided to try to ensure that standards of education in all states were equal.

Question 3

Opposition to the Great Society

Answer 3

Johnson was accused of overspending on welfare programmes with rapid increases in health spending in particular.

Question 4

Civil rights reform

• The Civil Rights Act of 1964

Answer 4

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 banned discrimination in public places, in federally assisted programmes and in employment.

Question 5

Civil rights reform

• The Voting Rights Act of 1965

Answer 5

It has appointed agents to ensure that voting procedures were carried out properly.

Question 6

Civil rights reform

• Supreme Court rulling

Answer 6

In 1967, the court declared all laws banning mixed race marriages were to be removed.

Question 7

Overall success

Answer 7

Johnson had done much for the poorer sections of American society, with 25 million given access to decent health care for the first time.

Question 8

Success for African Americas

Answer 8

The number of AA living below the poverty line fell by over 50%.