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Political Party: Democrat Terms of Office: November 22, 1963 – January 20, 1969 Vice President: Hubert H. Humphrey
 * Lyndon B. Johnson** (August 27, 1908 – January 22, 1973)

Lyndon B. Johnson became president after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, and was elected the following year as president. For his great, impacting advancements in social reform but for his initiation of the violent and confusing Vietnam War, Lyndon B. Johnson deserves a “B” for his presidency.

After becoming president, as a result of the assassination of J.F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson promised to continue J.F. Kennedy’s policies. He dismissed few people from JFK’s cabinet and used his persistence to get bills that Kennedy supported passed in Congress. He managed to get Kennedy’s Civil Rights Bill passed by the creation of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Kennedy’s stalled tax bill was also pushed through Congress with Johnson’s “War on Poverty” proposal. Johnson was a dedicated liberal and was a huge supporter of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal program, so in the 1964 election campaign, Johnson took a great liberal platform. He wanted social reform that would help people and he wanted to begin limited retaliatory attacks against North Korea. Johnson succeeded in these goals. Inspired by Roosevelt’s New Deal, Johnson created the Great Society Program. Its purpose was to improve all of America. It strove for perfection; a country of peace and happiness. Under the Great Society Program, strides were made in the war on poverty, civil rights legislation, medical care, environmental protection, and consumerism. Numerous Acts were passed to improve lives during the Johnson Administration. Johnson surpassed his goal of limited war against North Vietnam. The bulk of the Vietnam War occurred during his presidency. Although America never officially declared war, the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution can be considered the start of the war. In March of 1965, “Operation Rolling Thunder” was fully launched with no thoughts of limited warfare.

During Lyndon B. Johnson’s presidency, the majority in Congress was Democrat. This provided for a great relationship between president and Congress, since Johnson was also Democrat. Johnson and Congress agreed often, allowing for plenty of bills to pass. In 1964, the Economic Opportunity Act was passed, creating the Office of Economic Opportunity to administer and fund multiple antipoverty programs. These programs provided education and jobs for the underprivileged along with other help for poverty-stricken areas. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 made discrimination in employment as well as in public buildings, such as hotels, illegal. It also authorized attorney generals to start desegregation suits. More Acts protecting the rights of all people were created from there, helping people like Martin Luther King, Jr. Medicare and Medicaid were created in 1965, under the Social Security system, to provide hospital and medical benefits for the poor and old. Acts were also passed to help the environment, such as the Clean Air Act of 1965 and the Clean Water Restoration Act of 1966. Acts like the National Traffic Safety Act of 1966 and the Wholesome Meat Act 0f 1967 were also passed to protect people on a daily basis.

The most positive outcomes of Johnson’s presidency were his civil rights acts. These acts worked to protect the rights of all people, not just some. They helped African Americans during a time of segregation, race riots, and struggle. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 made discrimination in employment and public facilities illegal. It also approved the initiation of desegregation suits by attorney generals. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 authorized the federal government to promote voter registration and made discriminatory literacy tests illegal. The Civil Rights Act of 1968 outlawed discrimination in the sale and rental of housing and made federal criminal penalties for civil rights violators more severe. All of these acts aided the work of African Americans like Martin Luther King, Jr.

The most negative aspect of Johnson’s presidency was the Vietnam War. This was a war between communist North Vietnam and pro-western South Vietnam. America became involved to protect ideas of democracy when North Vietnam tried to force their communist ideology on South Vietnam. The Vietnam War became very costly and violent, with numerous American casualties due to guerilla warfare in an unfamiliar setting. Over 100,000 casualties had occurred by 1968. The American public was left angered and confused because the purpose and significance of the fighting was never explained to them. Citizens just wanted out of the war. They chanted phrases like “Hell no, we won’t go” and “Hey, hey, LBJ, how many kids did you kill today?” during large anti-war protests. Johnson retaliated by violating rights and ordering the sabotage of peace groups. However, after the constant demand of ending the war by the public, Johnson did start to pull America out of the war. The Vietnam War cost Johnson the support of the American people and a chance to run again in the 1968 presidential elections.

Johnson’s Great Society Program had a great impact on future generations. Many acts were passed under it. Its purpose was to try to perfect America. It was an endeavor to make America better. Johnson wanted all people to be calm, happy, and peaceful. Although this is an unlikely probability, Johnson tried his best to make it happen with his Great Social Program. Acts for the war on poverty, civil rights, medical assistance, environmental protection, and consumerism were passed under this program. Everyone, in some way, was affected by these monumental acts. These acts are still in effect today, proving the significance of them.

Lyndon B. Johnson affected America in various ways. His many acts under his Great Society Program helped all people in at least one way. He significantly improved the lives of African Americans and the poor. However, the initiation of the Vietnam War, and stubbornly staying in it without explanation while the American public protested for its end, was an extremely negative aspect of Johnson’s presidency. The Vietnam War ordeal makes Lyndon B. Johnson deserve a “B” for his presidency in spite of his great achievements in social reform.


 * Sources:**

DeGregorio, William A. //The Complete Book of U.S. Presidents//. Fort Lee, N.J: Barricade Books, 2005. Print.

"Lyndon Johnson's "Great Society"." //UShistory.org//. Web. 17 Dec. 2009. <[]>.

"Vietnam War History." Web. 17 Dec. 2009. .