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The Great Society

Joseph Brown

Joseph Brown

6 min read

Next Topic - The African American Civil Rights Movement (1960s)
Study Guide Overview

This study guide covers the 1960s in AP US History, focusing on the assassination of JFK (including Lee Harvey Oswald, Jack Ruby, and the Warren Commission), LBJ's presidency (including his "Johnson treatment"), the War on Poverty (and the Office of Economic Opportunity with programs like Head Start and Job Corps), and the Great Society (including Medicare, Medicaid, and the Elementary and Secondary Education Act). It also provides practice questions and exam tips covering these key topics.

#AP US History: 1960s - A Night Before Review πŸš€

Hey there! Let's get you prepped and confident for your AP US History exam. We're focusing on the 1960s, a pivotal decade. Let's dive in!

# The Assassination of JFK πŸ’”

  • Date: November 22, 1963
  • Location: Dallas, Texas
  • Assassin: Lee Harvey Oswald
  • Key Events:
    • JFK's assassination during a motorcade.
    • Televised killing of Oswald by Jack Ruby.
    • Jackie Kennedy's composure at the state funeral.
    • Warren Commission report concluding Oswald acted alone.
Key Concept

The Warren Commission's findings were controversial, leading to numerous conspiracy theories. Remember that the commission concluded that Oswald acted alone.

# LBJ Takes the Reins πŸ’ͺ

  • Lyndon B. Johnson (LBJ):
    • Became president after JFK's assassination.
    • Known for his "Johnson treatment"β€”a legendary ability to use personal persuasion and get into the personal space of the person he pressured in order to reach his goals.
    • Had extensive experience in Congress (legislative aide, congressman, senator).
    • Lacked JFK's charm but was incredibly effective in Congress.
Quick Fact

LBJ's famous quote: β€œSon, they are all my helicopters.”

# The War on Poverty 🍽️

  • Background:
    • Inspired by The Other America, a book highlighting the 40 million Americans living in poverty.
  • LBJ's Response:
    • Declared an "unconditional war on poverty" in 1964. * Created the Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO) with a billion-dollar budget.
  • OEO Programs:
    • Head Start: Preschool education.
    • Job Corps: Vocational training.
    • Literacy programs and legal services.
Memory Aid

Think of the OEO as a "helping hand" organization, giving people the tools to lift themselves out of poverty. Head Start gives them a good start, Job Corps gives them skills for work, and literacy programs give them the ability to learn and grow.

# The Great Society 🌟

  • Overview:

    • LBJ's ambitious domestic policy program, inspired by FDR.
    • Aimed to end racial discrimination, eliminate poverty, and improve education.
    • Significantly increased liberalism and the belief in government's ability to achieve social goals.

    The Great Society programs are a major focus on the AP exam. Know the key programs and their goals.

  • Key Programs:

    ProgramDescription
    Medicare and MedicaidHealth insurance for Americans over 65 (Medicare) and for the poor (Medicaid) under the Social Security program.
    Elementary and Secondary Education ActOver $1 billion in federal aid to schools, with the largest portion going to districts with high percentages of impoverished students.
    Food Stamp ActExpanded the federal program to provide food assistance to low-income individuals and families.
    National Foundation of the Arts and HumanitiesFederal funding for arts, creative projects, and scholarly research.
    Higher Education ActFederal scholarships for college education.
    Child Nutrition ActAdded breakfast to the school lunch program.
Exam Tip

When discussing the Great Society, always link it back to the idea of expanding the role of government in addressing social issues. This is a key theme for the AP exam.

#Final Exam Focus 🎯

  • High-Priority Topics:
    • The impact of the JFK assassination on American society.
    • LBJ's political skills and the "Johnson treatment."
    • The goals and programs of the War on Poverty and the Great Society.
    • The expansion of government power and social welfare programs.
  • Common Question Types:
    • Multiple-choice questions on specific programs and their impacts.
    • Short answer questions (SAQs) comparing and contrasting the goals of the New Deal and the Great Society.
    • Free-response questions (FRQs) analyzing the effectiveness of Great Society programs and their long-term effects.
  • Last-Minute Tips:
    • Time Management: Don't spend too long on any single question. Move on and come back if needed.
    • Common Pitfalls: Avoid vague generalizations. Use specific examples and evidence.
    • Strategies: For FRQs, outline your essay before you start writing. Make sure you address all parts of the question.
Common Mistake

Students often confuse the New Deal with the Great Society. Focus on how they are different, not just that they are different. The New Deal was primarily about economic recovery, while the Great Society focused on social reform and equality.

#

Practice Question

Practice Questions πŸ“

#Multiple Choice Questions

  1. Which of the following was NOT a program of Lyndon B. Johnson's Great Society? (A) Medicare (B) Medicaid (C) Social Security (D) Head Start

  2. The Warren Commission concluded that: (A) Lee Harvey Oswald was part of a larger conspiracy. (B) Jack Ruby was involved in the assassination of JFK. (C) Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone in the assassination of JFK. (D) The CIA was responsible for the assassination of JFK.

  3. The primary goal of the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 was to: (A) provide health insurance to the elderly. (B) fund the space program. (C) eliminate poverty through various social programs. (D) increase funding for the military.

#Short Answer Question

Briefly explain ONE specific goal of the Great Society programs and ONE way that goal was addressed by specific legislation.

#Free Response Question

Analyze the extent to which the Great Society programs were successful in achieving their goals. Be sure to include specific legislation and its impact.

Scoring Breakdown:

  • Thesis (1 point): A clear, historically defensible thesis statement that addresses the prompt.
  • Evidence (2-3 points): Provides specific examples of Great Society legislation and their intended goals. (e.g. Medicare, Medicaid, ESEA, etc.)
  • Analysis (2-3 points): Explains the extent to which these programs were successful or unsuccessful, providing specific evidence to support the claim. (e.g. Did poverty rates decline? Did educational opportunities improve?)
  • Synthesis (1 point): Connects the Great Society to broader historical contexts, such as the New Deal or the Civil Rights Movement.

Alright, you've got this! You're now armed with the key info and strategies to ace the AP US History exam. Go get 'em! πŸ’ͺ

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Previous Topic - The Vietnam WarNext Topic - The African American Civil Rights Movement (1960s)

Question 1 of 12

Who was identified as the assassin of President John F. Kennedy? πŸ€”

Jack Ruby

Lyndon B. Johnson

Lee Harvey Oswald

The Warren Commission