Unit 3 - Lyndon Johnson

Lyndon Johnson

Lyndon Johnson, often referred to as LBJ, was the 36th President of the United States.

He did great things such as including civil rights laws, Medicare, Medicaid, aid to education, and "War on Poverty" in his liberal legislation. He also did bad things such as escalating the U.S. involvement in the Vietnam war from 16,000 soldiers in 1963 to 550,000 in early 1968.

Lyndon Johnson became president two hours after JFK's assassination on Air Force One. Lyndon Johnson started off loved by the American People and he used JFK's death for his electoral campaign. Lyndon Johnson was loved for his involvement in the civil rights act and signing it in 1964 but near the end of his first term as president was hated for increasing the American involvement in Vietnam.

Lyndon Johnson had great ideas and visions for a good future for America but ruined his chances for reelection with his actions towards the Vietnam War. He could have been one of the most liked presidents of all time but in reality he just used intimidation to get what he wanted or needed. His work on civil rights, medicare, and war on poverty will always be overshadowed by the Vietnam War.