Unit 8: Topic 9 - The Great Society Flashcards
What was the Warren Commission?
Chaired by Chief Justice Earl Warren, the Warren Commission investigated the assassination of President Kennedy in Dallas, in November 1963.
The Commission concluded that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone, but the lax investigative techniques employed have promoted skepticism of the Warren Report and the government.
As part of his Great Society, President Johnson proposed Medicare and Medicaid. What did these new programs establish?
Medicare provided health insurance for those over age 65
Medicaid provided health insurance for the poor and disabled.
What is the significance of Michael Harrington’s book, The Other America (1962)?
Michael Harrington’s best-selling book on poverty, The Other America (1962), helped to focus national attention on the 40 million Americans still living in poverty.
Johnson responded by declaring in 1964 an “unconditional war on poverty.”
What was the Fair Housing Act?
As part of his Great Society program, Johnson had vowed to combat racial injustice.
In 1968, President Johnson signed into law the Fair Housing Act, which banned racial discrimination in the sale and renting of homes and apartments.
The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 abolished the immigration quotas of the 1920s. What was the effect of the Act?
Over the next decade there would be a sharp upsurge of immigrants from Mexico and Central America. Furthermore, hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese fleeing the war in Vietnam would use the opportunity to immigrate to the United States.
The Immigration and Nationality Act was one of a number of Great Society programs passed during President Johnson’s administration.
In the Warren Court, what was the significance of Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)?
Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)
Ruled that if a person is impoverished and cannot afford their own attorney in court, then the state must provide an attorney for them.
In the Warren Court, what was the significance of Griswold v. Connecticut (1965)?
Griswold v. Connecticut (1965)
Ruled that laws which forbade the use of birth of control were unconstitutional.
What is the Warren Court?
The term Warren Court refers to the U.S. Supreme Court as led by Chief Justice Earl Warren from October 5, 1953, to June 23, 1969.
As Chief Justice, Warren applied his political abilities to guide the court to reaching often controversial decisions that dramatically expanded civil rights and liberties, as well as judicial power.
For example, the Warren Court effectively ended racial segregation in U.S. public schools, expanded the constitutional rights of defendants, ensured equal representation in state legislatures, outlawed state-sponsored prayer in public schools, and paved the way for the legalization of abortion.
Other than Medicare and Medicaid, provide some examples of Great Society Programs.
Food Stamp Act (1964): Expanded the federal program to help poor people
buy food
National Foundation on the Arts and Humanities (1965): Provided federal funding for the arts and for creative and scholarly projects
Elementary and Secondary Education Act (1965): Provided federal funds to poor school districts; funds for special education programs; and funds to expand Head Start, an early childhood education program
Higher Education Act (1965): Provided federal scholarships for post-secondary education
Immigration Act (1965): Abolished discriminatory quotas based on national origins
Child Nutrition Act (1966): Added breakfasts to the school lunch program
What did Johnson nickname the set of domestic programs he championed?
Johnson’s programs were known as the Great Society, and were aimed at the elimination of poverty and racial injustice. It demonstrated the height of liberal policymaking in the post-World War II era.
As part of the Great Society, Johnson declared a War on Poverty, greatly expanding social welfare programs at a higher cost.
Which cabinet-level agency did President Johnson sign into law in 1965, to develop and execute policies on housing?
Housing and Urban Development (HUD), originally known as the House and Home Financing Agency.
HUD was responsible for building and administering government housing as part of President Johnson’s War on Poverty.
What was the Office of Economic Opportunity?
The Democratic Congress gave the president almost everything that he asked for by creating the Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO) and providing this antipoverty agency with a billion-dollar budget.
The OEO sponsored a wide variety of self-help programs for the poor, such as Head Start for preschoolers, the Job Corps for vocational education, literacy programs, and legal services.
