LBJ' Great Society

Lyndon Baines Johnson created his ideal America, which he called the Great Society. He defined this phrase as a legislative program that would promote a higher standard of living, equal opportunity and create a richer quality of life for all. In 1965 LBJ introduced the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, which funded more than one billion dollars to schools to purchase textbooks and new materials. The Higher Education Act funded scholarships and low-interest loans for college students. Fighting poverty LBJ created the Tax Reduction Act stimulating growth by decreasing corporate and individual taxes. The Economic Opportunity Act created many programs like the Job Corpse, VISTA, and the Project Head Start to help end poverty in America. In 2964, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 ended discrimination in public accommodations, housing and jobs. The same year the Twenty-Fourth Amendment abolished the poll tax in federal elections. Helping the environment, LBJ introduced the Wilderness Preservation Act of 1965 to set aside over nine million acres for forestlands. Other Acts included the Water Quality Act of 1965, Clean Air Act Amendment of 1965 and Air Quality Act of 1967 all helping to clean up the environment and provide America with a cleaner and efficient life style. LBJ passed the Omnibus Housing Act of 1965 to provide money for low-income housing. In addition, in 1965 he also passed the Demonstration Cities and Metropolitan Area Redevelopment Act to fund slum rebuilding, mass transit, and other improvements for the more important cities. From 1964-1969 LBJ produced over 206 of his measures through congress with most of his measures passing. He helped America greatly change through his years as president and helped America become a more clean, efficient, and caring society.