Summary: President Lyndon B. Johnson's Great Society aimed to end poverty and racial injustice. The effectiveness of the program is the subject of ongoing debate. In this lesson, students consider the impact of Great Society programs by comparing a speech delivered by Johnson in 1964 with two recent commentaries.
Overarching Questions:
- CIVICS: Have the concepts of liberty, justice and/or equality changed during the time period? If so, how and what has been the impact?
- CIVICS: How well does the government balance individual rights and the common good, including the need to maintain order, safety and a healthy environment, during this time period?
- CIVICS: Have individuals and groups influenced public policy during this time period? If so, how and what has been the impact?
- ECONOMICS: What is the proper role of government in the economy? (Especially with regard to economic crises, national defense/security, health and safety of the people, and economic development and practices.)
NJ Student Learning Standards for Social Studies:
- 6.1.12.CivicsDP.13.a: Analyze the effectiveness of national legislation, policies, and Supreme Court decisions in promoting civil liberties and equal opportunities (i.e., the Civil Rights Act, the Voting Rights Act, the Equal Rights Amendment, Title VII, Title IX, Affirmative Action, Brown v. Board of Education, and Roe v. Wade)
- 6.1.12.EconNE.13.b: Evaluate the effectiveness of economic policies that sought to combat post-World War II inflation.
- 6.1.12.EconNE.13.c: Evaluate the effectiveness of social legislation that was enacted to end poverty in the 1960s and today by assessing the economic impact on the economy (e.g., inflation, recession, taxation, deficit spending, employment, education)
Link to Lesson: Great Society | Digital Inquiry Group