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Lyndon B. Johnson

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LYNDON B. JOHNSON

HIS223: Major Issues in U.S. History

INTRODUCTION Lyndon B. Johnson, most commonly known as LBJ, was an American Vice President and President who served in the White House from 1960 – 1969. In 1963, Vice President Johnson was abruptly sworn in as President of the United States after the unexpected assassination of President John F. Kennedy in Dallas, Texas. President Johnson would go on to serve not only the remainder of this term, but he would be selected by the people of the nation to serve one more term as nominated and elected president. Strongly backed by the Democratic Party, President Johnson soared and dominated domestic politics while he struggled to navigate foreign affairs. Throughout his time as President of the United States, President Johnson gained much praise as a domineering leader; however, he also faced much criticism over his failure to bring a successful end to the Vietnam War. Throughout his years in the White House, President Johnson developed many insurance and education programs (among others) that have greatly affected Americans over the past 40 years. Many of these programs are still in use today and have become a part of the American way of life. His dream of a “Great Society” and “War on Poverty” helped millions of Americans rise above horrendous poverty and racial discrimination of their day. President Johnson was forced to face the up and coming counterculture that occurred when young Americans began to react and oppose the death surrounding the Vietnam War. These young Americans who started a rebellion against foreign policy eventually developed a cultural rebellion that attacked many areas of the American culture as a whole. The impact of President Johnson’s time as Chief of Staff is undoubtedly significant and, in turn, obviously scrutinized and criticized by

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