Rankings of Presidents Based on Domestic Policy and Foreign Policy

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Ranking by Domestic Policy Rank President Explanation 1 Lyndon B. Johnson During Johnson’s presidency, the federal government significantly extended its domestic responsibilities in attempt to transform the nation to what Johnson called the “Great Society,” in which poverty and racial intolerance ceased to exist. A previously unsurpassed amount of legislation was passed during this time; numerous laws were passed to protect the environment, keep consumers safe, reduce unfairness in education, improve housing in urban areas, provide more assistance to the elderly with health care, and other policies to improve welfare. Johnson called for a “War on Poverty,” and directed more funds to help the poor; government spending towards the poor increased from six billion in 1964 to twenty-four and a half billion dollars in 1968. Not only did Johnson improve the American economy and greatly reduce poverty, but he also advocated for racial equality; he managed to get Congress to pass the Civil Rights Act of 1964, making segregation illegal in public accommodations/institutions. He also enacted the Voting Rights Act of 1965, prohibiting literacy tests in areas in which the amount of voters was under a certain number, which forced many southern states to allow more blacks to vote. As a result of his presidency, the poor and minorities enjoyed significant benefits from the more favorable legislations and more successful American legislation. 2 Harry S. Truman Truman’s accomplishments in his domestic policy were impressive, considering the hardships the nation was experiencing as World War II came to an end, and the resistance of Congress (which was greatly made up of Republicans and conservatives) to liberalism. The president was able to pas... ... middle of paper ... ...(accessed May 3, 2014). 10. The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation & Library. “The Second American Revolution: Reaganomics.” Reagan Foundation. http://www.reaganfoundation.org/economic-policy.aspx (accessed May 2, 2014). 11. United States Senate. “Lyndon Baines Johnson.” U.S. & Senate: Art and History. https://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/common/generic/Lyndon_Johnson.htm (accessed May 2, 2014). 12. U.S. Department of State. “A Short History of the Department of State: Foreign Policy under President Eisenhower.” Office of the Historian. https://history.state.gov/departmenthistory/short-history/eisenhower (accessed May 2, 2014). 13. U.S. Department of State. “A Short History of the Department of State: Nixon’s Foreign Policy.” Office of the Historian. http://history.state.gov/departmenthistory/short-history/nixon-foreignpolicy (accessed May 3, 2014).

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