Lyndon Johnson Administrations - The Johnson Administration Legacy
The Johnson Administration Legacy
Johnson came into office with the sympathy and the support of the entire nation behind him. This was a considerable advantage and he used it—combined with his great political skills—to push a monumental reform program through Congress. At first this made him one of the most popular presidents of all time, but this status was temporary. Following his triumph in the election of 1964, and the passage of the Great Society legislation in 1965 and 1966, Johnson's popularity declined precipitously. This was the result of the unfulfilled short-run expectation of minorities for changes in their status, increasing discontent over the president's Vietnam policy, and the "backlash" of many mainstream citizens to the new militancy of minorities.
Popularity and Public Opinion
Johnson was very sensitive to public opinion. In fact,...
[The entire page is 1323 words long]
Join eNotes
Over 3,500 study guides, question and answer forums, literature criticism, reference content, and much more!
Navigate
Related Topics
