Johnson's Legacy Flashcards
1
Q
Why didn’t Johnson seek re-election?
A
Due to the unpopularity of Vietnam - by 1967 approval rating was 42%
2
Q
What happened to the Democratic Party?
A
Democratic Party split:
- Vice President Hubert Humphrey (pro-war, mainstream)
- Senator Eugene McCarthy (anti-war, popular with youth)
- Robert F. Kennedy (RFK) was assassinated in June 1968
3
Q
Who won the 1968 election?
A
Richard Nixon (Republican) won on a platform of “Law and Order” and ending the war
4
Q
What positive legacy does Johnson have?
A
- Expanded social programs
- Major civil rights advancements
- Medicare & Medicaid remain crucial today (today there are over 12.2 million Medicare-Medicaid enrollees)
5
Q
What negative legacy does Johnson have?
A
- Vietnam overshadowed domestic success
- Widened political divisions
- Failed to address racial and urban unrest effectively
