Early Movements and The Great Society
“Politics goes beyond the art of the possible. It is the art of making possible what seems impossible.” – Lyndon B. Johnson
The best method of intervention when promoting a cause is providing governmental programs with abundant funding and a clear, strategic plan that actively, effectively fixes the problem at hand.
Specific Events
The seemingly opportune time for establishment of Johnson's programs and large support for Johnson's decisions in general allowed for hasty decisions and ambiguous plans which eventually led to the programs' downfall.
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Context
The Great Society’s vision was ambitious but made successful with strong social and political backing. However, other situations soon arose that drained the country’s resources and brought the Great Society’s fundamental flaws, such as lack of funding, unclear parameters and unsuccessful strategies, to light.
POLITICAL
Lyndon B. Johnson was sworn into office on November 22, 1963, the day of John F. Kennedy's assassination. Johnson not only wanted to level the racial playing field; he strived to better American citizens and their lives as a whole. Though ambitious as his goal was, the strong political support Johnson had at the time allowed him to make fast progress. Johnson was president in a time of strong democratic support in the house and Senate. His strong public backing also allowed him to more easily gain support for his Great Society programs. The term “Great Society” was coined at Lyndon B. Johnson’s University of Michigan commencement speech, where he explained the overall goal of his newly proposed programs to a roaring and enthused crowd. In a whirlwind of ambition, Johnson and his political party almost impulsively established multiple programs and even offices, such as the Office for Economic opportunity, to “elevate society”. The role of these programs as well as their financial backing, however, were never clearly outlined and remained ambiguous.
Lyndon B. Johnson was sworn into office on November 22, 1963, the day of John F. Kennedy's assassination. Johnson not only wanted to level the racial playing field; he strived to better American citizens and their lives as a whole. Though ambitious as his goal was, the strong political support Johnson had at the time allowed him to make fast progress. Johnson was president in a time of strong democratic support in the house and Senate. His strong public backing also allowed him to more easily gain support for his Great Society programs. The term “Great Society” was coined at Lyndon B. Johnson’s University of Michigan commencement speech, where he explained the overall goal of his newly proposed programs to a roaring and enthused crowd. In a whirlwind of ambition, Johnson and his political party almost impulsively established multiple programs and even offices, such as the Office for Economic opportunity, to “elevate society”. The role of these programs as well as their financial backing, however, were never clearly outlined and remained ambiguous.
SOCIAL
Though his ideas could have been considered unrealistic and his actions considered hasty, Johnson’s programs came at a time of public rebellion and racial unrest. An abundance of race riots began occurring in the country's major cities and incidents like the "Axe Handle Saturday", in which peaceful protesters were brutally attacked with no police intervention, showcased the clear and blatant problem of discrimination in America. Many of Johnson's proposed programs and legislature were passed quickly. The public’s optimism for a better future and drive to fight for minority rights led them to anticipate and believe in the benefits Johnson’s newly enacted programs would give them. Though some of Johnson's decisions, like the Civil Rights Act, were successful, many of Johnson's social reform programs were created by upper class privileged people in generally isolated communities, seeing as the majority of Johnson's political advisory as well as those in legislative authority at that time fit that demographic. These programs had systematic flaws due to their creators' general inexperience with racism and therefore ignorance in deciding these programs' parameters for solving societal problems.
Though his ideas could have been considered unrealistic and his actions considered hasty, Johnson’s programs came at a time of public rebellion and racial unrest. An abundance of race riots began occurring in the country's major cities and incidents like the "Axe Handle Saturday", in which peaceful protesters were brutally attacked with no police intervention, showcased the clear and blatant problem of discrimination in America. Many of Johnson's proposed programs and legislature were passed quickly. The public’s optimism for a better future and drive to fight for minority rights led them to anticipate and believe in the benefits Johnson’s newly enacted programs would give them. Though some of Johnson's decisions, like the Civil Rights Act, were successful, many of Johnson's social reform programs were created by upper class privileged people in generally isolated communities, seeing as the majority of Johnson's political advisory as well as those in legislative authority at that time fit that demographic. These programs had systematic flaws due to their creators' general inexperience with racism and therefore ignorance in deciding these programs' parameters for solving societal problems.
ECONOMIC
Johnson's programs were faring generally well until the war in Southeast Asia began to grow and depend on more of the country's resources. Since the majority of the already enacted programs did not have a clear financial reserve, the Vietnam war's financial demands made the toll on Johnson's programs much worse. Additionally, Johnson was facing increasing criticism regarding his decisions in the Vietnam war as well as their impacts on his programs. The public began to see fundamental flaws of programs, and as his presidency continued, people grew wary of his programs and became less willing to support them.
Johnson's programs were faring generally well until the war in Southeast Asia began to grow and depend on more of the country's resources. Since the majority of the already enacted programs did not have a clear financial reserve, the Vietnam war's financial demands made the toll on Johnson's programs much worse. Additionally, Johnson was facing increasing criticism regarding his decisions in the Vietnam war as well as their impacts on his programs. The public began to see fundamental flaws of programs, and as his presidency continued, people grew wary of his programs and became less willing to support them.