8.7 Lyndon Johnson’s Great Society Flashcards
(12 cards)
In what ways was the Great Society a continuity of previous policies?
An extension of and further implantation of FDR’s New Deal
What were the goals of the Great Society?
To abolish poverty
What were some acts created during Lyndon Johnson’s Great Society?
- The Offie of Economic Opportunity
- Medicare
- Medicaid program
- Abolished immigrant quotas
What was the Office of Economic Opportunity?
It created self-help programs such as literacy instruction and vocational training for impoverished Americans
Did the Office of Economic Opportunity have much success? What are the reasons why?
- No because the cycles of poverty were harder to break than Johnson anticipated
- The Vietnam War was sucking up all of the money
What was the Medicare Program?
Provided federally funded health insurance for people over 65
What was the Medicaid Program?
Provided federally funded health insurance for those in poverty
What were liberals united by during the Great Society?
The fight of communists abroad in Vietnam and that vigorous government intervention was necessary for improving society
What are some major decisions in the Warren Court that expanded the application of liberalism?
- Gideon V. Wainwright (1963): Attorneys offered to impoverished people
- Griswold V. Connecticut (1965): Birth Control is legal
- Engel V. Vitale (1962)
- Baker V Carr (1962)
What did Engel V Vitale rule in 1962?
Deemed school prayer unconstitutional as it violated the First Ammendment
What did Baker V Carr decide in 1962?
States must redraw their legislative districts so that they more accurately uphold voting rights
Why is the redrawing of districts important?
It ensures that different districts have similar population sizes so that districts aren’t unfairly distributed
