Question

7. What were the purposes and strategies of President Johnson’s Great Society and War on Poverty programs?

8. How did the Vietnam War transform American politics and culture?  How did the war cause controversy at home and abroad?

Answer 1

7. The Great Society has been an ambitious collection of policy proposals, policies and programs led by President Lyndon B. Johnson with the key objectives of addressing poverty, decreasing crime, removing inequality and improving the environment. In May 1964, during a speech at the University of Michigan, President Lyndon B. Johnson laid out his vision for a "better society." Johnson set in motion his Great Society, the biggest social change program in modern history, with his eye on re-election that year.

In March 1964, during a special letter to Congress Johnson launched the Office of Economic Opportunity and the Economic Opportunity Act. He had hoped to help the poor break the cycle of poverty by helping them learn job skills, further their education and find jobs. To do this, he established a Work Corps for 100,000 underprivileged men. Half would be focused on environmental programs and the other half would seek training and expertise in special career training centres. Medicare and Medicaid became law after Johnson became President and Democrats gained control of Congress in 1964. Medicare covered hospital and specialist expenses for the eligible elderly; Medicaid covered healthcare costs for those seeking government cash assistance. Both services acted as safety nets for the most disadvantaged of those in America.

8. a. American participation in the war had come through hidden alliances and political establishment decisions, without any clear public discussion b. Antiwar Movement : i. Young men burn their draft cards or move to Canada to avoid fighting in what they perceived as an unfair war ii. Protesters from Antiwar rally outside the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC c. Definition of freedom applied to cultural independence - youth who reject their elders' beliefs and actions, rejection of acceptable norms of clothing/language/sexual behavior/drug use i. Treated market place fulfillment