APUSH: Period 8, 1945-1980 - The Great Society, LBJ, Medicare, Medicaid, War on Poverty

Why This Matters

The Great Society, launched by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964, was a pivotal moment in American history, marking a significant shift in the nation's social and economic policies. This period, which spanned from 1964 to 1968, was a response to the civil rights movement and the growing awareness of poverty and inequality in the United States. The Great Society's focus on social welfare programs, such as Medicare and Medicaid, and the War on Poverty, reflects the AP theme of Politics and Power, highlighting the role of government in addressing social issues and the tension between individual rights and collective well-being.

Key Events & People

• Lyndon B. Johnson: Elected as Vice President in 1960, Johnson became President after John F. Kennedy's assassination in 1963 and launched the Great Society initiative in 1964.
• Medicare and Medicaid: Signed into law in 1965, these programs provided health insurance to seniors and low-income individuals, respectively.
• War on Poverty: Launched in 1964, this initiative aimed to reduce poverty and inequality through job training, education, and community development programs.
• Economic Opportunity Act: Signed in 1964, this act created the Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO) to oversee the War on Poverty and established programs such as Job Corps and Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA).
• Elementary and Secondary Education Act: Signed in 1965, this act provided federal funding for education and aimed to improve educational opportunities for disadvantaged students.
• Housing and Urban Development Act: Signed in 1965, this act created the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and provided funding for urban renewal and affordable housing.
• Robert F. Kennedy: As Attorney General and later Senator, Kennedy played a key role in shaping the Great Society's social welfare policies and advocating for civil rights.
• Martin Luther King Jr.: A prominent leader in the civil rights movement, King's advocacy for economic equality and social justice influenced the Great Society's focus on poverty and inequality.
• Daniel Patrick Moynihan: As Assistant Secretary of Labor, Moynihan's 1965 report "The Negro Family: The Case for National Action" highlighted the need for social welfare programs to address poverty and inequality.

Cause & Effect Chain

• Cause: The civil rights movement and growing awareness of poverty and inequality in the United States.
• Effect: The Great Society initiative, launched by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964.

• Long-term consequence: The establishment of social welfare programs such as Medicare and Medicaid, which have had a lasting impact on American healthcare and social policy.

• Cause: The Economic Opportunity Act of 1964.

• Effect: The creation of the Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO) and programs such as Job Corps and VISTA.

• Long-term consequence: The expansion of job training and education programs, which have helped to address poverty and inequality.

• Cause: The Housing and Urban Development Act of 1965.

• Effect: The creation of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and funding for urban renewal and affordable housing.
• Long-term consequence: The development of affordable housing and urban renewal programs, which have helped to address housing inequality.

Essential Vocabulary

• *Great Society*: A period of significant social and economic reform in the United States, launched by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964.
• *Medicare*: A health insurance program for seniors, signed into law in 1965.
• *Medicaid*: A health insurance program for low-income individuals, signed into law in 1965.
• *War on Poverty*: An initiative launched in 1964 to reduce poverty and inequality through job training, education, and community development programs.
• *Economic Opportunity Act*: A 1964 act that created the Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO) and established programs such as Job Corps and VISTA.
• *Elementary and Secondary Education Act*: A 1965 act that provided federal funding for education and aimed to improve educational opportunities for disadvantaged students.
• *Housing and Urban Development Act*: A 1965 act that created the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and provided funding for urban renewal and affordable housing.
• *Robert F. Kennedy*: A key figure in shaping the Great Society's social welfare policies and advocating for civil rights.
• *Martin Luther King Jr.*: A prominent leader in the civil rights movement, whose advocacy for economic equality and social justice influenced the Great Society's focus on poverty and inequality.
• *Daniel Patrick Moynihan*: An Assistant Secretary of Labor who wrote the influential report "The Negro Family: The Case for National Action" in 1965.

Common Student Mistakes

• What students often get wrong: Confusing the Great Society with the New Deal.
• Correction: The Great Society was a distinct period of social and economic reform, launched by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964, whereas the New Deal was a series of programs implemented by President Franklin D. Roosevelt during the Great Depression.
• What students often get wrong: Believing that the War on Poverty was a complete success.
• Correction: While the War on Poverty had some successes, it also faced significant challenges and criticisms, including the persistence of poverty and inequality in the United States.
• What students often get wrong: Thinking that Medicare and Medicaid were the only social welfare programs established during the Great Society.
• Correction: The Great Society also established programs such as the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and the Housing and Urban Development Act, which aimed to improve educational opportunities and address housing inequality.

DBQ / LEQ Connections

• Possible essay prompt: Analyze the role of the Great Society in addressing poverty and inequality in the United States. Be sure to include specific evidence from laws, speeches, and events.
  • Possible evidence: The Economic Opportunity Act of 1964, the War on Poverty, the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, and Martin Luther King Jr.'s advocacy for economic equality and social justice.
• Possible essay prompt: Evaluate the impact of the Great Society on American healthcare and social policy. Be sure to include specific evidence from laws, speeches, and events.
  • Possible evidence: The Medicare and Medicaid programs, the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1965, and Robert F. Kennedy's advocacy for social welfare policies.
• Possible essay prompt: Discuss the relationship between the Great Society and the civil rights movement. Be sure to include specific evidence from laws, speeches, and events.
  • Possible evidence: The Voting Rights Act of 1965, the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Martin Luther King Jr.'s advocacy for economic equality and social justice, and the role of Daniel Patrick Moynihan's report "The Negro Family: The Case for National Action" in shaping the Great Society's social welfare policies.

Quick Self?Check

1. What was the main goal of the War on Poverty?
   • Correct answer: To reduce poverty and inequality through job training, education, and community development programs.
   • Explanation: The War on Poverty was a key initiative of the Great Society, aimed at addressing poverty and inequality in the United States.
2. Which act created the Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO)?
   • Correct answer: The Economic Opportunity Act of 1964.
   • Explanation: The Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 created the OEO, which oversaw the War on Poverty and established programs such as Job Corps and VISTA.
3. What was the name of the report written by Daniel Patrick Moynihan in 1965?
   • Correct answer: "The Negro Family: The Case for National Action".
   • Explanation: Moynihan's report highlighted the need for social welfare programs to address poverty and inequality in the United States.

Last?Minute Cram Sheet

• The Great Society was launched by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964.
• Medicare and Medicaid were signed into law in 1965.
• The War on Poverty was launched in 1964.
• The Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 created the Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO).
• The Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 provided federal funding for education.
• The Housing and Urban Development Act of 1965 created the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
• Robert F. Kennedy was a key figure in shaping the Great Society's social welfare policies.
• Martin Luther King Jr. advocated for economic equality and social justice during the Great Society.
• Daniel Patrick Moynihan wrote the influential report "The Negro Family: The Case for National Action" in 1965.
• The Great Society had a lasting impact on American healthcare and social policy.