Topic 10 - 1960s America and the Great Society Flashcards
What was President Kennedy’s “New Frontier”?
Kennedy’s aim and attempt to reduce poverty in America.
Give three examples of social reforms which were approved by Congress under President Kennedy.
- Unemployment benefits were extended.
- More aid was given to poorer cities to improve housing and transportation.
- The programmes which provided electricity to rural areas were expanded.
After Kennedy’s assassination in 1963, how did President Johnson respond to Kennedy’s vision of America (the “New Frontier”)?
President Johnson aimed to continue the work Kennedy had started, introducing further social reforms in order to improve American society.
What was President Johnson’s “Great Society”?
The “Great Society” was Johnson’s vision and programme to tackle the problems of poverty and racial inequality in America.
Identify three problems President Johnson wanted to fix in his “Great Society”.
- Unemployment.
- Bad housing.
- Inadequate medical care.
What was the name of the law President Johnson introduced in 1964 which provided training to disadvantaged young people (aged 16 to 21), and recruited volunteers to work and teach in poorer, low-income areas?
The Economic Opportunity Act (1964)
How did the Economic Opportunity Act (1964) help poorer people in America?
The Act provided training to disadvantaged young people aged 16 to 21 years to give them more opportunities to work.
The Act recruited volunteers to work and teach in poorer, low-income areas to help overcome poverty in these areas.
What were the names of the measures introduced by President Johnson in 1965 which provided medical care for the poor and elderly?
Medicare and Medicaid
How did Medicare and Medicaid (set up from 1965) help American people?
Medicare → Provided medical insurance for the over-65s.
Medicaid → Provided hospital care for the poor.
What was the name of the law introduced in 1964 which improved housing in America?
The Development Act
How did the Development Act (1964) improve housing in America?
Money was provided for replacing inner-city slums with new homes.
Name three problems President Johnson faced in creating his “Great Society”.
- Opposition from Republicans
- The Vietnam War was going on at the same time
- Many poor African-Americans still lived in sub-standard housing
Why did Republicans oppose President Johnson’s “Great Society”?
The “Great Society” went against their ideas “laissez-faire” and “rugged individualism” because the government was actively spending money to improve the lives of the American people. Republicans believed that the government should not interfere, and that people should be responsible for helping themselves.
Why did the Vietnam War cause problems for President Johnson’s “Great Society”?
The government was spending vast sums of money on the Vietnam War ($173 billion altogether) → less money was available to spend on creating a “Great Society” and overcoming unemployment, bad housing and inadequate medical care.
