How Did Lyndon B Johnson Make The Great Society

Never before in American history was there a President whose previous job titles included cotton picker. That is until Lyndon Baines Johnson ascended to the highest office in the country because of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. He worked in the cotton fields as a young boy and such an experience influenced his political agenda when he was elected President. Much has been said about Johnson as a ruthless politician. Even more has been said about his relationship with the Kennedy family. In contrast, less has been said about his genuine empathy for the poor, uneducated and discriminated against. President Johnson’s empathy was revealed by the legislation he fought for during his administration. In order to understand Johnson’s need to create the Great Society, one must understand Johnson …show more content…
Thus was the case with President Lyndon B. Johnson. Research has shown the 36th President of the United States of America to be a very complex man. He was the only President to secretly tape his conversations. Haunted by the discrimination he suffered as a youth, he never really allowed others to get to know him. He was driven by a desire to make a difference. Failure was a constant fear. The unpopular Vietnam War overshadowed the good he accomplished. His legacy meant everything to him and history would not be kind to him if the war was lost. President Lyndon B. Johnson died January 22, 1973, as the war was about to come to a bloody end. However, his domestic programs have had a long lasting positive impact. More students have access to quality education, in 2009 due to high minority turnout, a Black man was elected President of The United States and the elderly have access to health care through Medicare. Yes, Lyndon B. Johnson were the son of Samuel and Rebekah Johnson and the husband of Claudia Taylor (Lady Bird) but most importantly he tried to be a