The Sixties 1960-1968 Essay

Ch. 25, The Sixties (1960-1968)

Q: What were the purposes and strategies of Johnson's Great Society programs?

Lyndon B. Johnson succeeded the presidency after John F. Kennedy's assassination he spoke of his vision in America, “as the Great Society” (Pg. 971). The Great Society was a set of domestic programs proposed or enacted in the United States on the initiative of President Lyndon B. Johnson. Two main goals of the Great Society social reforms were the elimination of poverty and of racial injustice. New major spending programs that addressed on issues such as civil rights, education, medical care, urban problems, and transportation were launched during this period. The Great Society in scope and sweep resembled the New Deal domestic agenda of Franklin D. Roosevelt, but differed sharply in types of programs enacted. The main goals and philosophies of the Great Society were to eradicate poverty, lessen inequality and broaden opportunities for the Americans. Furthermore, the Great Society, the government was given the responsibility to promote the general welfare, fulfill, and expand the New Deal agenda. Finally, the society aimed at lessening of inequality.

Q: How did the Vietnam War transform American politics and culture?

The Vietnam War undermined the Great Society of President Johnson since the Great Society’s purpose was to make the United States a better country by giving funds to schools, helping many people who were in poverty, and create more programs. This contradicts this concept because the US was involved in a war where many young men were taken to war. This caused many young teens to drop out of school. The Great Society was supposed to help America and with students dropping out of school and going to war just caused, “the Great Society torn families” (Pg. 984). Since the Great Society provided a variety of programs such as Medicare, Medicaid, head star, and other funding programs; the government had to use money for military funding. Money...