President Lyndon Baines Johnson

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President Lyndon Baines Johnson (“LBJ”) said “Being president is like being a jackass in a hailstorm. There's nothing to do but to stand there and take it” (Brainyquote). Johnson was born on August 27, 1908 in Johnson City, Texas into a poor family. He began to advance through government by helping Richard M. Kipling win a seat to the House of Representatives, and eventually was elected too in 1937. During the presidential election of 1960, LBJ lost to John F. Kennedy for democratic nominee, but accepted the position as vice-president. While under Kennedy, he was very restricted. LBJ then took over presidency after the assassination of Kennedy, and easily won reelection in 1964 (O'Brien). During his term, LBJ empowered Americans through his belief in the “Great Society”, but caused the death of 58,000 American soldiers and another 153,000 injured (Murray 62). Lyndon Baines Johnson is the most significant person of 20th century due to his actions regarding domestic and foreign policy, and the effect it had on the world.
LBJ worked extensively to create his idea of the perfect world or better known as the “Great Society”. He wanted to improve the lives of the American people through various initiatives and programs. The many things Johnson accomplished during his presidency still greatly impact our lives today. Johnson was very determined to bring racial equality in voting, which led to the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The act ended literacy tests and allowed African Americans to be enrolled by federal registrars for voting (“American President: Lyndon Baines Johnson: Domestic Affairs”). LBJ has had a lasting effect on racial equality in America. He fought deeply for racial justice. We would still live in a racist dominated society if...

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...remembrance by the american people for his pursuit in the “Great Society”.

Works Cited

Harrison, J. L. Did LBJ Overstep the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution? Thesis. University of Maryland, Baltimore, 2009. N.p.: n.p., n.d. Print.

Joint Res., 88 Cong. (1964) (enacted). Print.

“Lyndon B. Johnson: address in San Antonio, Texas (1967) [excerpt].” American History. ABC-CLIO, 2014. Web. 25 Jan. 2014.

“Lyndon B. Johnson.” BrainyQuote.com. Xplore Inc, 2014. 1 February 2014.

Murray, Stuart. Vietnam War. New York: DK, 2005. Print.

Miller Center. “American President: Lyndon Baines Johnson: Domestic Affairs.” Miller Center. University of Virginia, n.d. Web. 25 Jan.

2014.O’Brien, Steven G. “Lyndon B. Johnson.” American History. ABC-CLIO, 2014. Web. 23 Jan. 2014.

United States. Department of State. Office of the Historian. Johnson's Foreign Policy. N.p.: n.p., n.d. Print.

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