Bekah+A.+-+LJ+-+FA12

Lyndon Baines Johnson August 27, 1908 in Johnson City, Texas – January 22, 1973 in San Antonio, Texas Democrat November 3, 1964 – November 4, 1968 Vice President: Hubert Humphrey 1964-1968 Lyndon Johnson continued American legacies previously brought on during reconstruction and the slums and meat packaging industry reforms. He passed acts for the rights of blacks including the Voting Rights Act of 1964, which made literacy tests illegal, and the Civil Rights Act of 1965, which barred discrimination in employment in hotels, restaurants and other public facilities. Johnson’s Fair Packaging and Labeling Act of 1966 required packaging labels list the contents and quantity of the product. Poverty was fought with the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964, which put many programs into place to assist families in poverty. **Thesis** Lyndon Johnson deserves an A- for his actions as president. He assisted those in poverty, affected by discrimination and consumers, as he has wished. The only faults of his administration were the the growing race riots. Johnson wished to end poverty and racial injustice. He also advocated environmental protection and consumer safety. Johnson first attacked Poverty when he passed the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964. This act formed the Office of Economic Opportunity, which formed programs providing vocational training to youth, volunteers to teach and work in ghettos, opportunity for students to work through college, child day care, high school tutoring and legal aid to the poor. The fight against racial injustice began with the Civil Rights Acts of 1964, 1965 and 1968. These acts barred discrimination in employment, literacy tests and discrimination in the sale and rental of housing. Environmental protection was brought about with air and water quality acts. Legislation was also passed in regards to consumer safety with the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act of 1966 and the National Traffic Safety Act, which set mandatory safety standards for all cars. The Wholesale Meat Act of 1967 enforced meat inspection of all meat processing plants. Congress greatly trusted Johnson. During the Vietnam War they authorized him to “take all necessary measures to repel any armed attack against the forced of the United States and to prevent further aggression,” rather than just declare war. The declaration of war would require congress to authorize multiple actions whereas this statement would give Johnson free rein without Congress to check up on him. The Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 left the most positive outcome on the American people. This Act formed the Office of Economic Opportunity under director R. Shriver. His antipoverty programs included the Job Corps, which provided vocational residence to students between 16 and 21 years old. The Volunteers in Service to America were a Peace Corp of volunteers that worked and taught in ghettos. The Work-Study Program allowed students to work to pay their way through college. The Work-Experience Program gave child day care services to working households. The Community Action Program began services to tutor preschool and high school students, give legal aid to the poor and encourage elderly people to become foster parents. The civil rights movement provided the most negative outcome of Johnson’s presidency although it was unintended. The push for equal rights to all paved the way for organizations such as the Black Panthers. The Black Panthers advocated minority control of ghettos and armed rebellion against whites. Riots injured thousands of people, killed 100, and resulted in 12,000 arrests. A 5 day riot in Detroit resulted in hundreds of millions of dollars of damage. Medicare and Medicaid left the largest impact on future presidential administrations. Medicare provided hospital insurance and medical insurance to people over 65. Medicaid gave the poor hospital and medical benefits no matter their age. Medicare took money from the Social Security funds to pay for insurance. This may have caused worry that the funds of Social Security may become low if too many people over 65 receive medical insurance. America was better at the end of Johnson’s presidential term. He provided many reforms that assisted those in need such as the poor, ethnic and consumers. Johnson achieved progress towards all of his goals that were stated in his inaugural address. I am giving Lyndon Johnson an A- because of his great success in achieving his goals, but due to the draw back of his civil rights legislation.
 * Thematic Context**
 * Goals**
 * Congressional Relations**
 * Positive and Negative Outcomes**
 * Future Presidential Administrations**
 * Conclusion**