| From the New Frontier to the Great Society (1961-1964) |
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Sections:- Kennedy Inauguration
- Strategy Talks
- Kennedy On Medicare
- LBJ on Medicare
- Truman Applies for Medicare
- LBJ’s Address to Joint Session of Congress (November 27, 1963)
- LBJ’s State of the Union Address (January 8, 1964)
- LBJ’s Remarks at the University of Michigan (May 22, 1964)
- PowerPoint Presentation
- Lesson Plan
- Historiography
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| In this video (6:01), Kennedy delivers his inaugural address which points the way to a “New Frontier ” in American politics.
Questions to Consider
1. What is unique about Kennedy’s presidency?
2. Who administrated the oath of office to Lyndon Johnson.
3. What, according to Kennedy, characterizes this generation of Americans?
4. According to Kennedy pledge to the Latin American states?
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| As his administration began, Kennedy decided to meet with several leading cabinet members and congressional leaders in order to coordinate a coherent policy strategy. In this video (:41), several leading politicians confer with Kennedy about policy strategy.
Question to Consider
1. What topics are discussed at the meeting?
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| The first video (:33) shows JFK campaigning for Medicare. The second video (:34) shows a recently-elected President Kennedy appealing to Congress on behalf of his Medicare proposal.
Questions to Consider
1. What is the basis of the plan according to Kennedy?
2. With what other social legislation does Kennedy compare the Medicare plan?
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| In this video, President Johnson explains the need for Medicare. The photo depicts Johnson signing former President Truman in as the first Medicare recipient.
Question to Consider
1. What segment of society does Johnson point to as an illustration of the need for Medicare?
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| In this video, President Johnson confers with former President Truman who becomes the first applicant for Medicare.
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| In his first address to Congress after the Kennedy assassination, Johnson vows to continue many of his predecessor’s policies. In particularly, he targets poverty, civil rights & tax cuts as important for moving the country forward.
Questions to Consider
1. Which of Kennedy’s policies does Johnson vow to continue?
2. What two areas in the world does Johnson draw attention to?
3. What social problems does Johnson target for elimination? What does he advise?
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| In his 1964 State of the Union address, Lyndon Johnson outlines his policy strategy for the upcoming year.
Questions to Consider
1. What is Johnson’s goal regarding the deficit?
2. What is the broad goals of the administration?
3. What, according to Johnson, is the main problem facing the United States? What components make up this problem? How does he propose to deal with it?
4. What plans does Johnson propose to help American cities? What plans does Johnson propose for rural areas?
5. What is Johnson’s tax plan?
6. What is the employment situation in the United States? What is Johnson’s policy regarding job-creation?
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| In his address to the graduating class of the University of Michigan, Johnson outlines his goals for the “Great Society.” In the process, he reveals the many social ills plaguing the United States in the 1960’s.
Questions to Consider
1. What, according to Johnson, is the challenge facing the next generation?
2. What are the qualities of the “Great Society?”
3. What is the situation, according to Johnson, in America’s cities?
4. What is the situation in the rural areas of the country.
5. Why does Johnson believe protecting the environment is important?
6. What is the problem with the educational system?
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| | A PowerPoint lecture that summarizes much of the material covered in this module. |
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| | Below are the lesson plans that are relevant to this topic. |
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| By presenting a history of Medicare and prescription drug coverage, as well as attempts at reform, the authors shed light on the current debates regarding drug coverage in the United States. The article provides not just an historical background, but also outlines various public policy theories.
Oliver, Thomas R. et al. 2004. "A Political History of Medicare and Prescription Drug Coverage" The Milbank Quarterly. (82)2: 283-354.
For educators, the article below is an invaluable source for the classroom. By drawing on the unique resources available form the 1960's, the author provides readers with the tools necessary to successfully navigate this wealth of primary sources to determine how best to use them in the classroom.
Levy, Peter B. 2004. "Teaching the 1960s with Primary Sources" The History Teacher. (38)1: 9-20.
The article below focuses on the supposed imperialist aims of the Kennedy and Johnson administrations in Oceania. The author explains his assertions by presenting the diplomatic reasons and strategies for the actions of the respective presidents.
Weeks Jr., Charles J. 2002. "The New Frontier, the Great Society, and American Imperialism in Oceania". The Pacific Historical Review. (71)1: 91-125. |
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