POTUS

Lyndon B. Johnson (LBJ)

Overview

Lyndon B. Johnson, often referred to as LBJ, was the 36th United States President, serving from 1963 to 1969. A Democrat from Texas, he assumed the presidency after the assassination of John F. Kennedy. Johnson is best known for his “Great Society” domestic agenda, which aimed to eliminate poverty and racial injustice, and for escalating United States involvement in the Vietnam War.

Key Events and Associations

• Assumption of the Presidency (1963): Johnson became president following John F. Kennedy’s assassination in Texas. He was sworn in aboard Air Force One.
• Civil Rights Movement: Johnson played a pivotal role in advancing civil rights legislation.
• Vietnam War: The Vietnam War dominated Johnson’s presidency, leading to increasing anti-war sentiment and social division within the United States.

Important Legislation Signed

• Civil Rights Act of 1964: Outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. It ended segregation in public places and employment.
• Voting Rights Act of 1965: Eliminated discriminatory voting practices, such as literacy tests, that had been used to disenfranchise African Americans.
• Medicare and Medicaid: Established comprehensive health insurance programs for the elderly and low-income individuals.
• Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965: Provided federal funding to schools, emphasizing equal access to education and setting standards for educational excellence.
• Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965: Abolished the national origins quota system, leading to a more diverse immigrant population.
• EPA: While not a piece of legislation signed by LBJ, he created the council that led to the creation of the EPA and increased conversation around environmentalism

Groups and Affiliations

• Democrats: Johnson was a lifelong Democrat, serving in the House of Representatives and the Senate before becoming Vice President and then President.
• Senate Majority Leader: Prior to becoming Vice President, Johnson was a powerful Senate Majority Leader, known for his ability to build consensus and pass legislation.
• Southern Christian Leadership Conference: Although not a member, LBJ worked with groups like the Southern Christian Leadership Conference during the Civil Rights Movement

Impact on the Country

• Expansion of the Welfare State: The Great Society programs significantly expanded the role of the federal government in addressing social and economic problems.
• Advancement of Civil Rights: Johnson’s legislative achievements on civil rights had a transformative impact on American society, dismantling legal segregation and expanding voting rights.
• Increased Federal Spending: The Great Society and the Vietnam War led to a significant increase in federal spending, contributing to budget deficits and inflation.
• Social and Political Polarization: The Vietnam War caused deep divisions within American society, contributing to a loss of trust in government and increasing social unrest.
• Shift in Democratic Party: Johnson’s strong stance on civil rights alienated some white Democrats in the South, contributing to the rise of the Republican Party in that region.