Module 10

Presidential Politics and the Rise of Liberalism

  1. John F. Kennedy (1961-1963)—Democrat
    1. 1960 Election, narrowly defeats Nixon as opponent, but loses out to Republican Congress which creates stalemate on legislation and political ideology
    2. New Frontier: idea of new generation, wanted expansion of the economy (#1 priority) and social welfare programs, social justice also but more limited. Accomplished little in the way of liberal reforms partly due to Congressional opposition, but most concerned with Cold War problems and foreign policy.
    3. Notable successes were support efforts to improve employment equality for women, fiscal policy to stimulate the economy (Keynesian theories to infuse with government spending and deficits), NASA space funding, Peace Corps,
    4. Best contribution: strengthening the executive office and retrieving iconography of the Presidency. Due to limited term in office (2yrs 10 mos), hard to evaluate his contribution overall–more so by his martyrdom than through his actual implementation.
  2. Lyndon B. Johnson (1963-1968)–Democrat
    1. takes over Presidency when JFK assassinated on November 22, 1963, many lacked confidence in him (as they had with Truman when FDR died) but he proved a strong and very able leader, used momentum from JFK’s death to get legislation passed (symbolic gesture to fallen hero)
    2. bulldog Texan, intimidating 6’4″, about 210 lbs–booming voice, much political sway in Congress, not afraid to use coercion to achieve ends
    3. Great Society: liberal reform at its zenith, proposed sweeping changes in government to cut taxes, promote civil rights legislation, and establish programs to declare war on poverty
      1. Five Themes:
        1. Racial Equality, (Civil Rights movement, Civil Rights Acts ’64 and ’65)
        2. War on Poverty,
          1. Equal Opportunity Act (1965)–try to provide jobs and training for the poor
            • through Job Corps (failed) , VISTA, Upward Bound,
            • Head Start, Legal Service Program (most help for poor)
          2. Innovative element were Community Action Agencies that organized communities for social action, threatened to become new political force that challenged those in power
          3. Medical Care Act: provided for Medicare (health insurance and hospital care for elderly) and Medicaid (health insurance for indigent and poor, especially welfare recipients and children)
        3. Educational Opportunity,
          1. Elementary and Secondary School Act: federal aid for lower grades, promoted science and technology training
          2. Higher Education Act: promoted college and graduate programs with federal funding for research and tuition
        4. Environmental Protection,
          1. reforms for cleaner air, less waste
        5. Urban Revitalization (clean neighborhoods, public parks, promote local business).
        6. Other parts of the Great Society movement moved forward legislation such as the Motor Vehicle Safety Act (a big effort by Ralph Nader), Truth in Packaging Act, Immigration Act
      2. All have some negative things in common: (1) They cost MONEY! LBJ thought funds would continue to come from unparalleled prosperity of US economy, sort of a never ending cash-cow. (2) Created huge bureaucracy and intermediaries–no direct aid to poor (3) lessens impact of the highminded and equalizing ideas presented; “hand-out mentality” emerged versus previous ideals of “a hand-up” (remember Carnegie’s Gospel of Wealth?) which has a negative long term impact for recipients and donating agencies (unequal relationship) which undermines self-confidence and independence
      3. While many of his goals were achieved, at what cost and sense of dependency? Millions on welfare and poor relief lost a sense of identity and achievement for overcoming struggle–short term benefits, long term erosion of self-esteem, respect, and self-sufficiency. Even though this was a genuine effort to alleviate suffering and provide equal opportunity, it did not address the root problem, maldistribution of income (a by-product of capitalism) resulting in poverty.
      4. Greatest contribution: took on poverty as a national issue, made real efforts to achieve change even though there were mixed results, and manipulated a partisan Congress to pass legislation

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