Question

What were some of the initiatives of the Great Society? Discuss examples of Great Society programs directed to address: a. the poverty of families, children and the elderly; b. racial discrimination and civil rights; and c. access to health care d. educational opportunity for various groups

Answer 1

Great Society was an ambitious set of the domestic program in the unites states by President Lyndon B. Johnson to eliminate poverty, racism, reducing crime, abolishing inequality, and improving the environment. Here are some of the initiatives taken for the great society.

(a) On Poverty of families, children and elderly

During a special message to Congress, he introduced the Office of Economic Opportunity and the Economic Opportunity Act and launched an "unconditional war on poverty". Created approx 100,000 jobs for disadvantaged men. With the help of the local government started a training program for 200,000 men and women. To tackle poverty within the community action programs were introduced. Funds were made available for the unemployed farmers. A special education scheme was introduced to provide better education and skill training in slum areas. Apart from this, many programs were introduced under the umbrella of the Great Society Program.

(B) Racial discrimination and civil rights.

One of the greatest successes of the Great Society was that it converted some of the civil rights movements into the law. Four civil rights acts were passed. The civil rights act of 1964 prohibits job discrimination and separation of public accommodation. In 1965, the Voting Rights Act was passed to assured minority registration and voting. Discriminatory test of literacy for the voting rights of African-Americans was suspended. Immigration and Nationality Service act of 1965 abolished national-origin quotas in immigration law.

(C) Access to healthcare

A number of improvements were made to improve healthcare. The Social Security Act of 1965 authorized Medicare. Medicare and Medicaid became laws. Each state started its own Medicaid while the federal Center for Medicare and Medicaid service used to minister the state-run programs. Funds were made available for the elder citizens. To identify health issues and monitor the healthcare system, The American Medical Association was set up.

(D) Education Opportunities for various groups

Francis Keppel, the commission of education introduced the Elementary and Secondary Education act in 1964. It ended a long-standing taboo by providing federal aid to public education. Grants of 1.1 billion dollars were provided to the states to facilitate children of low-income families. The Higher Education Facilities Act of 1963 was signed into law which authorized a large sum of funds for better education and infrastructure. The Higher Education Act of 1965 increased funds for universities to provide scholarships and educational loans. The Bilingual Act of 1965 offered money at district level to improve English with their local language.