Kyle+W.+-+LBJ+-+SP10

Lyndon B. Johnson Born: August 27, 1908 Died: January 22, 1973 Terms of Office: 1963 - 1969 Vice President: Hubert Humphrey Political Party: Democratic

President Johnson deserves a B grade for his efforts as America's leader. During President Johnson's presidency he had a deep concern for racial rights and equality. He also strove to improve the American society as a whole. Many beneficial acts were passed under his administration, improving the lives of Americans, especially the underprivileged and minorities. The Vietnam war is what degrades President Johnsons term, especially after the passing of the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution which escalated the war efforts in Vietnam. Overall the grade of a B is a fair one considering what he did for America while in office.

Presidnet Johnson was forced to take over the presidency upon Kennedy's assassination. President Johnson wanted to improve conditions through his "Great Society" movement. He felt he needed to improve the nations human rights effort. These goals were definitely accomplished by the passing legislature such as the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964, which created a number of programs beneficial to the underprivileged. Johnson's goal of changing civil rights which was seen in the Civil Rights Act of 1964 which barred discrimination in employment as well as public areas. Also Johnson passed the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which authorized the federal government to promote voter registration among blacks. As President, Johnson accomplished many of his goals and was an efficient President that deserves a B grade because of his contributions to civil rights.

Johnson enjoyed a democratic majority in the Senate as well as the House. Without the help of his party controlling congress, Johnson's Great Society would have seen trouble getting started and some of the advancing decisions he passed might not have happened if he didn't have a Congresional majority. Tons of legislation was passed through Congress. His relationship with them was magnificent.

President Johnson's best move as President was his actions in improving civil rights. He passed many acts that improved the rights of minorities and the elderly. Some of these include the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964, which created a number of programs beneficial to the underprivileged. Johnson's goal of changing civil rights which was seen in the Civil Rights Act of 1964 which barred discrimination in employment as well as public areas. Also Johnson passed the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which authorized the federal government to promote voter registration among blacks. These laws helped greatly improved the lives of many people and made America a better place to live overall.

The Vietnam War was the most negative action of President Johnson's presideny. After the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, Johnson used his "blank check" for the war, he immediately started Operation Rolling Thunder. While Johnson fully supported the war, many Americans were strongly opposed. Violent protests rose against the war, the most famous demonstrations being a March on the Pentagon in 1967, and a 125,000 person rally in New York. President Johnson promised many times that he would try to peacefully and effiecently end the war, but he failed to follow through on them most of the time. He simply continued to send in troops and prolonged the war. Even when defeat was coming President Johnson continued to throw money into the pit of Vietnam further angering the American public Overall, the Vietnam war proved to be a mistake. The loss of life was unbelieveable and the amount of money spent was the largest sum ever up to that point. The moral support for the war was nonexistant at home or abroad, making the war that much more difficult. Overall the situation in Vietnam was handled poorly and was an illmanaged operation.

President Johnson's most influential decision on future generations is the handling of the Vietnam war. The way the President Johnson handled the situation in Vietnam effected the whole nations attitude toward war. For the first time thousands of student groups were protesting the war effort. This marks one of the first organized student protests against the war. This spirit influenced future generations to protest the government and helped shape the face of the modern America. The decision of President Johnson to go to war in Vietnam helped influence the youth of America.

In conclusion President Johnson deserves the grade of a B. Although the end of President Johnson's term was hindered by the Vietnam war he was generally a good president. President Johnson helped pass much legislation that helped minorities and the elderly. President Johnson worked to help improve the American society as a whole The country was improved after his term as the President of the United States despite the war in Vietnam. Overall President Johnson deserves the grade of a B.

Works Cited 1945, Between. "The Vietnam War." //Digital History//. 20 May 2010. Web. 21 May 2010. <[]>.DeGregorio, William A. //The Complete Book of U.S. Presidents//. Fort Lee, NJ: Barricade, 2005. Print.Hull, Theodore J. "Statistical Information about Casualties of the Vietnam War." //National Archives and Records Administration//. Dec. 2002. Web. 20 May 2010. <[]>."Lyndon B. Johnson." //The White House//. Web. 21 May 2010. []. LBJ Library Archives Staff. "LBJ Biography." //Lyndon Baines Johnson Presidential Library & Museum//. University of Texas, n.d. Web. 17 May 2010. []