Lyndon B Johnson

Lyndon B. Johnson, the 36th President of the United States, had a significant impact on the country
during his tenure in office from 1963 to 1969.

One of the most notable impacts of Johnson's presidency was his push for civil rights legislation. Johnson
inherited the Civil Rights Act of 1964 from his predecessor, John F. Kennedy, but it was under his
leadership that the bill was passed and signed into law. The Act outlawed discrimination based on race,
color, religion, sex, or national origin, and it had a significant impact on ending segregation and
improving the rights of African Americans (Tushnet, 2013). Johnson also signed the Voting Rights Act of
1965, which aimed to eliminate discriminatory voting practices that had been used to prevent African
Americans from exercising their right to vote (Tushnet, 2013).

Another significant impact of Johnson's presidency was his "Great Society" program, which aimed to
eliminate poverty and racial injustice and promote economic growth. As part of this program, Johnson
signed into law the Social Security Act of 1965, which provided healthcare for the elderly and the poor,
and the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, which provided federal funds for education
(Rosenberg, 2007). He also signed into law the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964, which created job
training programs and community action programs to combat poverty (Rosenberg, 2007).

Johnson's presidency also had a major impact on foreign policy. He escalated the United States'
involvement in the Vietnam War, which ultimately resulted in a significant increase in the number of
American soldiers deployed to the region and the number of casualties (Hess, 2011). The war had a
major impact on American society and politics, and it ultimately led to Johnson's decision not to seek re-
election in 1968.

Johnson's presidency also marked a significant shift in the country's approach to the environment. He
signed into law the Wilderness Act of 1964, which protected millions of acres of wilderness and helped
to establish the National Wilderness Preservation System (Larsen, 2011). He also signed into law the Air
Quality Act of 1967, which aimed to improve air quality and reduce air pollution (Larsen, 2011).

In conclusion, Lyndon B. Johnson's presidency had a significant impact on the United States in a number
of areas, including civil rights, social welfare, foreign policy, and the environment. While his presidency
was marked by both successes and failures, his efforts to promote civil rights and eliminate poverty had
a lasting impact on the country.

References:
Tushnet, M. (2013). The Civil Rights Movement. Routledge.

Rosenberg, R. (2007). The Great Society: A New History. Simon and Schuster.

Hess, G. R. (2011). Vietnam: Explaining America's Lost War. John Wiley & Sons.

Larsen, J. A. (2011). The Environmental Movement in the United States. Routledge.