Kennedy's New Frontier and Johnson's Great Society
Core Concepts
Analyze the ambitious domestic agendas of Presidents Kennedy and Johnson, including the "War on Poverty," major social welfare programs like Medicare and Medicaid, and their lasting impact on American society.
Kennedy's New Frontier and Johnson's Great Society
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What was the name of President John F. Kennedy's domestic program?
Kennedy's domestic program was called the "New Frontier." It aimed to increase federal aid for education, provide health insurance for the elderly (a precursor to Medicare), and invest in the space program and national defense.
What was the purpose of the Peace Corps, established by JFK?
The Peace Corps is a volunteer program that sends young Americans abroad to assist developing nations with projects in areas like education, health, and agriculture. It was intended to promote goodwill and serve as a tool of Cold War "soft power."
What was the name of President Lyndon B. Johnson's domestic agenda, and what was its primary goal?
LBJ's agenda was called the "Great Society." Its main goals were the elimination of poverty and racial injustice in the United States. It was the most ambitious expansion of federal social programs since the New Deal.
What was the "War on Poverty"?
The "War on Poverty" was the centerpiece of Johnson's Great Society. It comprised a set of economic and welfare measures aimed at reducing the national poverty rate. The Economic Opportunity Act of \(1964\) created programs to address these issues.
What is Medicare?
Established in \(1965\) as part of the Great Society, Medicare is a federal health insurance program for Americans aged \(65\) and older, as well as for some younger people with disabilities.
What is Medicaid?
Also created in \(1965\), Medicaid is a joint federal and state program that provides health coverage to low-income individuals and families.
What is the purpose of the Head Start program?
Launched in \(1965\) as part of the War on Poverty, Head Start is a federal program that provides comprehensive early childhood education, health, nutrition, and parent involvement services to low-income children and their families.
How did the Immigration and Nationality Act of \(1965\) change U.S. immigration policy?
This act abolished the national origins quota system that had been in place since the \(1920s\). It replaced it with a new system that prioritized skilled workers and family reunification, leading to a dramatic shift in immigration from Latin America and Asia.
What two new cabinet departments were created under the Great Society?
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) was created to oversee federal housing programs, and the Department of Transportation (DOT) was established to coordinate national transportation policy.
What factors ultimately limited the success and funding of the Great Society programs?
The escalating cost of the Vietnam War drained federal funds and political attention away from domestic programs. Additionally, conservative backlash and concerns about the size and effectiveness of the federal government limited the long-term expansion of the Great Society.
