1
The “­Great Society” was the moniker given by President Lyndon B. Johnson to
his domestic legislative agenda. Although he modeled his program on President
Franklin D. Roo­se­velt’s New Deal, Johnson drew a distinction between Roo­ se ­
velt’s efforts and his, noting that his goal was to improve the quality of life enjoyed
by all Americans. To accomplish his mission, he greatly expanded the role of the
federal government into nearly ­every facet of life. ­Great Society legislation
delved into issues as far-­ranging as the beautification of landmarks in Washington,
D.C., civil rights, education, health care, housing, and poverty.
Despite Johnson’s assertions, his domestic agenda had its roots in the New Deal.
Through the New Deal, President Roo­ se ­ velt had expanded the role of the federal
government in providing social welfare programs for the American ­ people. The del-
uge of federal spending that resulted from the New Deal helped lift the United
States from the depths of the ­ Great Depression. Many liberals within the adminis-
tration and outside it wanted to expand the federal government’s responsibilities
even more, but ­those ambitions ­ were curtailed by the onset of World War II. Many
of the advocates remained in government in both the executive and legislative
branches and worked in the years intervening between the New Deal and the ­ Great
Society to continue what they viewed as the unfinished work of President Roo­ se ­ velt.
Following World War II, the United States entered an extremely prosperous
era. Through the G.I. Bill, many veterans ­were able to attend college. When they
graduated and entered the workforce, ­ there was an obvious increase in economic
production in a wide range of industries. Unfortunately, prosperity was not evident
in all parts of the country, inasmuch as the inequity of wealth distribution resulted
in deeply impoverished areas within the country. Many of ­ those pockets ­ were inhab-
ited by populations traditionally discriminated against, such as African Ameri-
cans, Hispanics, and Native Americans. What was shocking to the general populace
was the poverty in Appalachia, which was predominantly Caucasian. Predictably,
it was the poverty in Appalachia that was specifically targeted first by President
John F. Kennedy and subsequently by President Johnson.
Introduction
Previous Page Next Page