Lyndon Johnson and the American Dream: A Legacy of Progress and Inequality

Lyndon Johnson was a complex and controversial figure who left a lasting impact on American history. His ambitious Great Society programs aimed to eliminate poverty and racial injustice, but they also contributed to rising inflation and social unrest. Johnson's legacy is a mixed one, but he remains a significant figure in the ongoing struggle for a more just and equitable society.

Lyndon Johnson and the American Dream

by Doris Kearns Goodwin

4.2 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	5076 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	361 pages
Lending	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported

FREE

The Early Years

Lyndon Baines Johnson was born on August 27, 1908, in Stonewall, Texas. His father was a farmer and state legislator, and his mother was a schoolteacher. Johnson grew up in poverty, but he was ambitious and determined to make something of his life. He attended Southwest Texas State Teachers College and then taught school for several years.

In 1937, Johnson was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. He quickly rose through the ranks and became a powerful figure in the Democratic Party. In 1960, he was elected vice president under John F. Kennedy.

The Great Society

After Kennedy's assassination in 1963, Johnson became president. He immediately launched an ambitious agenda, known as the Great Society, which aimed to eliminate poverty and racial injustice. The Great Society included a wide range of programs, such as Medicare, Medicaid, Head Start, and the Voting Rights Act.

The Great Society was a major legislative achievement, but it also had unintended consequences. The programs were expensive, and they contributed to rising inflation. In addition, the Great Society did not address the underlying causes of poverty and racial injustice. As a result, many of the problems that Johnson sought to solve remain with us today.

The Vietnam War

In addition to the Great Society, Johnson also oversaw the escalation of the Vietnam War. The war was deeply unpopular, and it further eroded public support for Johnson. In 1968, Johnson decided not to seek re-election. He left office in January 1969, a broken and defeated man.

Legacy

Lyndon Johnson's legacy is a mixed one. He was a great orator and a skilled politician, but he was also a flawed and complex man. His Great Society programs were a major achievement, but they also contributed to rising inflation and social unrest. The Vietnam War was a major foreign policy blunder that cost the lives of thousands of Americans. Johnson's legacy is still debated today, but there is no doubt that he was one of the most consequential presidents in American history.

Suggested Reading

• The Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library and Museum
• The Miller Center: Lyndon B. Johnson
• PBS American Experience: The Great Society

Lyndon Johnson and the American Dream

by Doris Kearns Goodwin

4.2 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	5076 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	361 pages
Lending	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported

FREE