Ryan+S.+-+LBJ+-+SP10

//August 27, 1908 - January 22, 1973 Democrat Presidential Terms: November 22, 1963 - January 20, 1969 (2 terms) Vice President: Hubert Humphrey VP Terms: 1965 - 1969 (2 Terms)//
 * Lyndon B. Johnson**

Even though he was basically thrown into office after the assassination of President Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson did a pretty good job as president. He made great steps toward equality with civil rights and moved the nation forward with his Great Society programs. Not only that, but he achieved JFK's goal of reaching the moon by the end of the decade. Unfortunately, struggles with the Vietnam War, a few cover-ups, and an inability to bend to the wants of America stop Johnson from achieving an A. Rather, he deserves a B.

Johnson wasn't elected into office and thus didn't have a huge list of goals. He did have a few however. He didn't want to change his policies based on the wants of the American people. He did this quite well, but it is was ended up declining his popularity. More than anything, LBJ accomplished Kennedy's goals. He expanded civil rights with the Civil Rights Act and funded NASA allowing us to reach the moon. Johnson wanted to improve America as a whole. He did this with the Great Society programs such as medicare, the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, and economic opportunity programs.

While LBJ was in office both houses of congress were a majority democrats. This worked in LBJ's favor and allowed him to pass much of his Great Society legislation, such as the Elementary and Secondary Education Act with forbid a national cirriculum and mandates a certain amount of funding for public schools. This is arguably the most important piece of Great Society legislation passed. The democrats also passed the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act. These prohibited discrimination in public facilities, invalidated the Jim Crow laws, and gave all people a right to vote. Johnson actually only vetoed 30 bills his entire presidency, which compared to the three presidents before Kennedy (Roosevelt, Truman, and Eisenhower) is an exceptional number.

The most important action made by Johnson's administration was the Great Society. The major parts to the Great Society were civil rights, poverty, education, and health care. Though it also improved transportation, protection of consumers, and the environment. Some of the most important legislation passed for the Great Society was the Civil Rights Act, the Economic Opportunity Act, the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, Medicare, and the National Security Act, as well as others. This mass of legislation passed vastly improved America socially, economically, and culturally. Although a few of the organizations formed by these acts have been dismantled over the year, for the most part the Great Society remains intact.

LBJ did have a massive blunder however, the Vietnam War. Knowing that the war was quite unpopular with the general masses, Johnson virtually avoid the subject of the war altogether. He essentially started the ground war in Vietnam and the Gulf of Tonkin resolution made the citizens uneasy. The shy away from the massive American casualties, LBJ used the "Domino Theory" to attempt to manipulate the American people into seeing things his way. Johnson also secretly began bombing in Cambodia and when word got out, Americans were enraged. The Vietnam War is probably the reason why Johnson wasn't reelected in 1968.

The decision which had the most effect on the future of America was the Great Society programs. Much of the administrations and organizations are still in existed, even if they have new names or have been altered. For example, No Child Left Behind is basically a newer version of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. Another long lasting piece of the Great Society is Medicare. Although it's being said that Medicare could run out, it has been added the elderly for years.

Johnson had a strong presidency during the beginning of his presidency. He helped the nation rebound from the death of JFK with the introduction of civil rights. His Great Society programs have helped Americans for decades and he helped us reach the moon (and eventually beyond). Sadly, near the end of his presidency his strength sloped downward due to the Vietnam War and it never recovered. For his time in office Lyndon B. Johnson deserves a B.


 * Work Cited**

"Lyndon Baines Johnson — Infoplease.com." //Infoplease: Encyclopedia, Almanac, Atlas, Biographies, Dictionary, Thesaurus. Free Online Reference, Research & Homework Help. — Infoplease.com//. Web. 21 May 2010. .

"Lyndon Baines Johnson, the 36th President of the United States." //Austin Website Design - Lone Star Internet//. Web. 21 May 2010. .

"Lyndon Johnson's "Great Society."" //Ushistory.org//. Web. 21 May 2010. .

"The Vietnam War, 1965-1968." //Southern Methodist University//. Web. 21 May 2010. .

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