President London B. Johnson's Unconditional War On Poverty

857 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: The civil war impact

The American Civil war lasted from 1861 until 1865 and changed this nation considerably in many ways. We are all aware that the conclusion of this war determined the federal government as the leading force of the nation over the state. However, since the end of this war, there are other ways in which the federal government has also evolved. One of the major factors in how the government has emerged since then is President London B. Johnson’s “Unconditional War on Poverty”. The “War on Poverty” refers to President Johnsons set of federal initiatives that he would focus on to attack poverty at its core. In his own words, he claimed with these new programs his intention is, “not only to relieve the symptoms but to also cure and prevent poverty” …show more content…

This was an extension of the program that was actually introduced on a pilot basis in 1962. The purpose of this federal and state program is to provide nutrition by giving people with low or no income money for food and commodities. This federally supported welfare programs goal was to improve the health of low-income citizens by putting a stop to hunger, as well as bettering their social conditions. The idea was providing nutrition to these poverty stricken individuals would avoid and prevent some illness. This was accomplished by, upon approval, administering stamps that could only be redeemed for consumable nutritional commodities. The basis of this successful program is still in effect today and is currently known as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or …show more content…

This act actually amended the Social Security Act of 1935 to include the initiation of health insurance programs for the elderly called Medicare, as well as for the poor, which is called Medicare. This would shelter the over 65 aged individual and the disabled or indigent person from the expense of hospitals and similar medical care procedures. What was originated to assist the most vulnerable citizens has bettered our health care in other ways too. For example, it has raised the life expectancy of all people higher. It has improved the services received by all patients in medical facilities. Also, children that were on Medicare grew up as healthier teenagers and adults alike. It would be safe to assume that the healthier the individual is the more probability of success the person

Show More
Related

  • Slavery, The Constitutional, And The Origins Of The Civil War

    1066 Words  | 3 Pages

    In The article “Slavery, the Constitutional, and the Origins of the Civil War”, Paul Finkelman discusses some of the events that he believes lead the United States to have a Civil War. He discusses how both the North and the South territories of the Untied States did not see eye to eye when it came to ab...

    Read More

  • The Great Society Speech Analysis

    1090 Words  | 3 Pages

    During his speech, LBJ addressed the issue of American poverty by declaring that American’s could flourish if they abided by the covenant made with the land “conceived in justice, written in liberty and bound in union”, which would inspire the hopes of all mankind (Paragraph 3). Both Johnson and Kennedy felt the government needed to take a more active role in helping those that were unable to help themselves and Johnson did not believe enough had been done by government in providing socioeconomic opportunities for the poor in America (Nash 845). Declaring a war on poverty, Johnson set out to pass legislation to remedy this failure by continuing to build on a domestic program President Kennedy prior to his assassination in an effort to ease the struggles of the poor. Johnson’s inaugural address speaks about his vision to stop poverty in America when he says, “By working shoulder to shoulder, together we can increase the bounty of all” claiming that it is through unity with one another the battle can be won (Paragraph 21). Johnson believed those that came to this country should share in the “fruits of the land” and outlined his Great Society plan earlier in his speech when he said, “In a land of great wealth, families must not live in hopeless poverty. In land rich in harvest, children must not go hungry…In a great land of learning and scholars, young people must be taught to read and write.” (Paragraph 8). Believing America could return to the greatness Johnson believed it once was inspired him to pass legislation helping underprivileged Americans, addressing inequality in education and regulating natural resources just to name a few. Another major domestic issue when Johnson took office and gave his inaugural address were race relations and Civil Rights. In the South,

    Read More

  • Lyndon B. Johnson and American Liberalism

    352 Words  | 1 Pages

    This book follows Johnsons political career, from a eager hard-working congressional secretary to the landslide victor of the 1964 presidential election. It discusses his "liberal" political views, It seems as though Johnson thought he could help the American people single-handedly and he seemed determined to do it. Johnson is He is praised for his vast legislative record and his stand on poverty and eventually, civil rights. He is criticized for his methods and

    Read More

  • Lyndon Johnson's Administration

    563 Words  | 2 Pages

    During the LBJ administration, Johnson was focused on ending the War on Poverty, the centerpiece of his presidency, and bringing justice to his fellow men and women. However, his pressing desire was to give the “Great Society a chance to grow and prosper! Johnson inherited the presidential seat after the death of John F. Kennedy. Immediately, Johnson was concentrated on establishing himself in the office of the Presidency, and to continue the legacy of JFK. Johnson quickly administered a group of domestic programs which he called the “Great Society”. Johnson’s vision for the Great Society drew on both his own primary identification with the New Deal (which he supported heavily) and his commitment to go beyond the achievement of FDR to create an America worthy of leadership in the twenty-first century. For America, this was the perfect time to build a Great Society. LBJ was confident that this was a time to prove that our material progress is only the foundation on which we will build a richer life in mind and spirit. He believed that the Great Society rested on an abu...

    Read More

  • Lyndon B. Johnson's Creation Of The Great Society

    1142 Words  | 3 Pages

    In President Johnson’s State of the Union message, he pledged, “This administration today, here and now, declares unconditional war on poverty in America.” The newfound president quickly signed the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964, which aimed at the origin of American poverty. Former president, JFK,

    Read More

  • History Of SNAP

    497 Words  | 1 Pages

    Blue stamps could be used to buy commodity foods, listed in excess supply, and dry beans, flour, corn meal, eggs and fresh vegetables ("The History of SNAP"). The program lasted 4 years, ending in 1943, due to World War II and an economic boom decreasing the number of people living in poverty. The program started again, in 1961, as a pilot program in several states at the behest of President John F. Kennedy. It was not until 1964, with the passage of The Food Stamp Act by President Johnson, that the Food Stamp Program became a national program again ("The History of SNAP"). Feeding the poor was not the only goal of the program, as the program was also used to make “more effective use of agricultural production” and to “strengthen the agricultural economy” ("The History of SNAP"). Thirteen years later, in 1977, major revisions were made the Food Stamp Program. Some of the revisions were “the elimination of the requirement that participants purchase the stamps; the establishment of uniform national standards of eligibility; the expansion of the program to minority communities; more federal support for the implementation of the program at the state level; and restricted access to benefits for students enrolled

    Read More

  • Positive And Negative Consequences Of Reconstruction

    1626 Words  | 4 Pages

    Reconstruction began throughout the nation, but mostly in the South following the civil war in 1863. It had many widely positive and negative consequences within the period. These consequences were felt both short term and long term, for the North and the South. This in return would ultimately lead to the end of the Reconstruction period with many questioning its success. In this essay I will compare and contrast the many sides of the Reconstruction period felt for both the North and the South. The steady Presidential changes as they changed throughout the Reconstruction period. To the corruption of government that also had a long term effect on the Reconstruction period. The freedoms of blacks as they fought to retain them in a new and unsettling

    Read More

  • Food Stamp Program Analysis

    664 Words  | 2 Pages

    The idea of the Food Stamp program is credited to most notable the Secretary of Agriculture Henry Wallace and the programs first Administrator Milo Perkins, over the course of the years the program expanded however it wasn’t until President Johnson’s administration that he requested Congress to pass legislation making the Food Stamp Program constant. The bill eventually passed thus the foundation of the Food Stamp Act of 1964, with its official purpose to strengthen the agricultural economy and providing a nutritionally adequate diet for low income households. Throughout the years the program expanded with many proposals and legislative changes during the early 1970’s which then created the Food Stamp Act of 1977 which was much more refined by tightening controls of the program, curbing abuse, reducing errors and simplifying the process. However in the early 80’s Congress and the Executive branch were scrutinized due to the massive amount of spending and how expensive the program has become, which has caused legislation to make cutbacks. But the recognition of the major hunger problem that exists in this country led to incremental improvements, one of them being the establishment and development of the Electronic Benefit Transfer

    Read More

  • Food Stamps to SNAP

    1028 Words  | 3 Pages

    Food Stamp is a government-funded program in the United States. This is a program that helps people buy food for their families; in other words, it is a very important program to families living in poverty. It is the nation’s most important program in the fight against hunger. This program was developed in the 1960’s; it is made to improve the nutrition level and food purchasing power of people with low-income. This program is offered to people who cannot afford to buy groceries for their families, regardless of age, color, sex or religion. Food Stamps can only be used to buy food items not hygiene or household items, and it’s offered only on a monthly basis.

    Read More

  • Food Stamps Essay

    1764 Words  | 4 Pages

    Food stamps came about during the era of the Great Depression where the government would issue a voucher for people with low income to trade in the voucher for food. Food stamps do have regulations such as how much food a person can obtain based on how many people are in the household. These regulations help the government decide who needs assistance and how much they can obtain each month. Food stamps are specifically designed for food and nothing else such as paper products, medicines, or alcoholic beverages. Even though food stamps benefit a multitude of people, there are also some people who abuse the system and commit food stamp fraud. Food stamps are beneficial to low-income families who may also have malnourished children and who cannot

    Read More

  • Liberalism vs. Conservatism

    606 Words  | 2 Pages

    So how should be responsible for enhancing the quality of life of our impoverished Americans? The basic liberal argument was that only the federal government is capable of eliminating poverty. Under Johnson's administration government agencies multiplied like rabbits, handout programs were included in almost every bill sent to Congress, and the American work ethic flushed counter-cloc...

    Read More

  • The War on Poverty

    889 Words  | 2 Pages

    In the year 1964, many people in the United States were considered living in poverty. Times were hard for many American citizens because of lack of food, jobs, and education, along with the racial inequality happening during this time period. Lyndon B. Johnson, who was serving as President at this time, declared that the government needed to take a stand. Johnson thought hard on what he, as President, could do to help this issue. He and his team of executives knew the struggles the citizens had been facing in the years before, so the Johnson Organization proposed a speech to help educate the people of the United States about the struggles they may not have known about. This speech led the US Congress to pass the Economic Opportunity Act, which marked the beginning of the War on Poverty. The War on Poverty, however, was never a physical war fought. This was just an effort for the government to get involved in the healthcare, education, and economic industries. Lyndon Johnson pushed for the War on Poverty because he noticed the little support he was receiving from the underclass party in the country. One of the main reasons for poverty and unequal socioeconomics came from the racial issues during this time, though Johnson noticed this and tied Civil Rights in with his War on Poverty legislation. Though many people are still living in poverty, Lyndon Johnson’s War on Poverty impacted healthcare, education, and economics.

    Read More

  • Liberalism: The Progressive Era

    750 Words  | 2 Pages

    Also the Social Security Act Amendments was passed. This added the programs Medicaid and Medicare. Benefits were only available to those over 65. Medicaid was created for those people on

    Read More

  • Nutrition Assistance Program Essay

    900 Words  | 2 Pages

    Johnson asked Congress to make the food stamp program a permanent fixture in federally funded welfare (Food Stamp Timeline, 2013). This lead to the passage of the Food Stamp Act, under which the federal government funded the benefits and the states oversaw the eligibility, administration, and distribution of the benefits (Food Stamp Timeline, 2013). However, the food stamp program was not operational in all 50 states until 1974, at which time nearly 14 million households were enrolled (Food Stamp Timeline, 2013). The Food Stamp Act of 1977 revised many aspects of the program, including establishing national income and poverty guidelines, an expansion into minority communities, and restrictions for students and undocumented immigrants (Food Stamp Timeline,

    Read More

  • The War On Poverty

    959 Words  | 2 Pages

    The War on Poverty began when US President, Lyndon Johnson, addressed a special message to the 88th Congress in March of 1964. Johnson proposed the extermination of poverty and racial persecution. President Johnson said he wanted every American citizen to be able to fulfill their basic hopes, and too many people were living on the outskirts of hope. The war would be fought on multiple fronts- education, housing, health and jobs. The initiatives, Economic Opportunity Act and the Civil Rights Act would, Johnson proclaimed that they proved just how successful our system was and proved every doubter wrong, but today over fifty years later not only does poverty exist but it has become even more prevalent in today’s society (Spiked Online).

    Read More

More about President London B. Johnson's Unconditional War On Poverty

Open Document