Lyndon B. Johnson's term as president of the United States (1963-1969) began and ended in controversy. Thrust into office immediately following the assassination of John F. Kennedy, Johnson immediately attempted to advance a liberal agenda that would serve as a fitting testament to his slain predecessor, as well as promoting his own enormous political ambitions. Yet Johnson left office just over six years later a broken man. While he had achieved some considerable success in enacting legislation to improve the lot of many ordinary Americans - African-Americans, women, the poor - by building what he called the 'Great Society', Johnson's dreams foundered over his policies in Vietnam. In making a military commitment in Southeast Asia in 1964 and 1965, Johnson appeared to have compromised his domestic policy principles and therefore the driving force of his presidency. By the time Johnson made the decision not to run for a full second term in 1968, his vision of America as a land of opportunity for all, regardless of background, race or gender was rapidly fading as the American people turned against him and his government, and many of them even came out in open revolt.
This module aims to give students a deep understanding of the Johnson presidency through an examination of his personal background in Texas, his political education in Washington, DC, and his approach to holding the very highest office. It does not aim to take a revisionist view of the Johnson administration, except insofar as it interrogates assumptions about its successes and failures, but rather it tries to understand why President Johnson (and those around him) developed certain policy positions, and how and why they enacted them as they did. Ultimately, the module intends for students to come to a critical yet balanced assessment of the Johnson presidency, through a chronological and thematic approach.
This module aims to give students a deep understanding of the Johnson presidency through an examination of his personal background in Texas, his political education in Washington, DC, and his approach to holding the very highest office. It does not aim to take a revisionist view of the Johnson administration, except insofar as it interrogates assumptions about its successes and failures, but rather it tries to understand why President Johnson (and those around him) developed certain policy positions, and how and why they enacted them as they did. Ultimately, the module intends for students to come to a critical yet balanced assessment of the Johnson presidency, through a chronological and thematic approach.