The Presidential Story Of...
Lyndon B. Johnson
Early Presidency
After John F. Kennedy was Assassinated Lyndon B. Johnson, being vice president, took over. Johnson then reoccurs in the Presidential Election of 1964 as the Democratic candidate. Barry Goldwater is the Republican candidate. Johnson won the popular vote with 61.1% (mainly because of his association with former president Kennedy's popularity) while Goldwater lacked support of the people.
Old Guides The New
The New President Johnson tried to follow in his successors footsteps. Lyndon B. Johnson passed the Civil Rights' Bill (which Kennedy promised to pass). The Civil Rights' Bill ended segregation in public places by eliminating all discrimination that is based on race, gender and employment. Johnson also passed the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 which created opportunity for those who were in poverty. Also the Volunteers In American Service helped those get trained who were illiterate and unemployed. President Johnson wanted campaigned to end poverty, therefore creating a "Great Society". Johnson also signs the Voting Rights' Act. The Voting Rights' Act guaranteed the African Americans the right to vote. It made restrictions that were designed to prevent blacks from voting illegal.
24th Amendment
In 1962 the 24th Amendment was passed by the House. It stated that poll tax as a voting requirement was outlawed in federal elections. The vote ended with 295 to 86. Virginia, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, and Texas however maintained the poll taxes which affected the majority of African Americans. On January 23, 1964 the 24th Amendment became part of the Constitution when South Dakota ratified it.
Tonkin Gulf Resolution
This resolution gave President Johnson the power to Communism in Eastern Asia. After communist aggression began in South Vietnam President Johnson decided that the U.S. military should directly get involved. On August 2, 1964 the Northern Vietnamese launched a torpedo at an American destroyer, this made Johnson react with another destroyer in the Gulf of Tonkin. Yet again the destroyer was attacked and Johnson called on Congress to pass the Gulf Of Tonkin Resolution which gave Johnson the right to take necessary measures to end aggression against the U.S. Johnson began to bomb North Vietnam to end the spreading Communism in 1965.
"The Year That Rocked America"
The year 1968 is considered a watershed year because so much change happened in the world. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated along with Robert F. Kennedy. People also began to realize that the Vietnam War was far from being over. Many Americans had already died and troops were still being sent. The American government made it seem as if America won ,but really the war was still going on. Movements began. The Chicano movement , a Mexican American movement which fought for Latino rights' in America. The gay movement which fought to end the discrimination against gays. so much change occurred in America ,some for the best others for the worst.
Martin Luther King Jr.
Died April 4, 1964
Vietnamese War
Didn't end until 1975
Chicano Movement
Discrimination still occurs today