The Great Society

Joseph Brown
6 min read
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 π
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 π
- 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.
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 πͺ
- Lyndon B. Johnson (LBJ):
- Became president after JFK's assassination.
- Known for his "Johnson treatment"βa 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.
LBJ's famous quote: βSon, they are all my helicopters.β
# The War on Poverty π½οΈ
- 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.
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 π
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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.
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Key Programs:
Program Description Medicare and Medicaid Health insurance for Americans over 65 (Medicare) and for the poor (Medicaid) under the Social Security program. Elementary and Secondary Education Act Over $1 billion in federal aid to schools, with the largest portion going to districts with high percentages of impoverished students. Food Stamp Act Expanded the federal program to provide food assistance to low-income individuals and families. National Foundation of the Arts and Humanities Federal funding for arts, creative projects, and scholarly research. Higher Education Act Federal scholarships for college education. Child Nutrition Act Added breakfast to the school lunch program.
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 π―
- 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.
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.
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Practice Question
Practice Questions π
#Multiple Choice Questions
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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
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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.
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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! πͺ
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