Presidents of the United States: Lyndon B Johnson, the 'Great Society' architect

Editor’s Note: This profile is part of a series taking a closer look at US presidents ahead of the 2024 presidential election between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris.

Lyndon Baines Johnson, the 36th President of the United States, is remembered for his ambitious domestic agenda, the “Great Society,” and his commitment to civil rights.

However, his presidency was also marred by the escalating Vietnam War, which overshadowed his significant achievements in social reform and poverty reduction.

Serving from 1963 to 1969, Johnson’s legacy is one of remarkable contrasts: a visionary leader at home and a deeply divisive figure abroad.

“Landslide Lyndon”

Lyndon B Johnson was born on August 27, 1908, in a farmhouse near Stonewall, Texas. Raised in a modest family, Johnson’s early years were shaped by his father’s struggles with financial instability, which inspired his lifelong commitment to fighting poverty.

More from United States Of America

From father's advice to pastor's call: How Charlie Kirk's shooter Tyler Robinson was turned in to police Charlie Kirk: Killer still at large, motive uncertain; FBI releases photo with $100,000 reward

After attending Southwest Texas State Teachers College (now Texas State University), Johnson worked as a high school teacher before entering politics in 1931 as a congressional aide.

Johnson’s political career quickly accelerated when he was elected to the US House of Representatives in 1937. A staunch supporter of US President Franklin D Roosevelt’s New Deal programmes, Johnson built a reputation as a hard-working and pragmatic politician.

In 1948, he won a highly controversial US Senate race, earning him the nickname “Landslide Lyndon” due to the narrow margin of victory (87 votes).

Johnson’s skill in building coalitions and navigating the Senate’s complex political landscape earned him the position of Senate Majority Leader by 1955, making him one of the most powerful politicians in Washington.

Editor’s Picks

1

Amid speculation over Joe Biden, the story of a US president who decided not to run for re-election 2

The day John F Kennedy's assassination shook the world

Johnson’s Vice Presidency and a change of fortune?

In 1960, John F Kennedy chose Johnson as his running mate to balance the Democratic ticket with a Southern figure who could appeal to conservative voters.

As US vice president, Johnson was largely sidelined in the Kennedy administration, often frustrated by his limited role in policy-making.

However, everything changed on November 22, 1963, when Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas. Johnson was sworn in as US president just hours after Kennedy’s death, facing the daunting task of leading a grieving nation.

Tapping in for Kennedy

Determined to carry forward Kennedy’s legacy, Johnson used his formidable legislative skills to pass landmark reforms.

In 1964, he successfully pushed through the Civil Rights Act, which banned segregation in public places and prohibited employment discrimination on the basis of race, colour, religion, sex, or national origin. This historic legislation cemented Johnson’s place in the civil rights movement, despite his Southern roots.

Johnson’s domestic agenda, known as the “Great Society,” was an ambitious set of programs aimed at eliminating poverty and racial injustice.

He declared a “War on Poverty,” leading to the establishment of Medicare and Medicaid, federal health insurance programs for the elderly and low-income individuals. Other initiatives included funding for education, the expansion of welfare programs, and the creation of Head Start, a preschool program for disadvantaged children.

The Voting Rights Act of 1965, another major victory for Johnson, further advanced civil rights by outlawing discriminatory practices that had disenfranchised African Americans in the South.

His support for these landmark civil rights laws, however, alienated many Southern Democrats and contributed to the region’s political realignment.

A landslide victory in 1964

In the 1964 US presidential election, Johnson faced Republican candidate Barry Goldwater, a staunch conservative whose opposition to the Civil Rights Act and aggressive foreign policy alienated many voters.

Johnson’s campaign portrayed Goldwater as an extremist, and Johnson won in a landslide, capturing over 61 per cent of the popular vote and securing one of the largest electoral victories in US history.

With his overwhelming mandate, Johnson expanded his Great Society programs, pushing through legislation that addressed urban development, consumer protection, and environmental conservation.

However, as Johnson’s domestic achievements multiplied, the Vietnam War increasingly consumed his presidency.

The unpopular Vietnam War

While Johnson sought to build a Great Society at home, his foreign policy decisions, particularly regarding Vietnam, would ultimately define — and tarnish — his presidency. Johnson inherited the Vietnam conflict from his predecessors but dramatically escalated US involvement after the Gulf of Tonkin incident in 1964, which led US Congress to pass the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, giving Johnson broad authority to use military force in Vietnam.

Believing that a communist victory in Vietnam would damage US credibility, Johnson increased the number of American troops from 16,000 advisors in 1963 to over 500,000 combat troops by 1968.

Despite heavy bombing campaigns and increased military engagement, the war dragged on without clear progress, leading to widespread protests at home and growing public opposition.

The war’s human and financial costs, along with graphic media coverage of the conflict, eroded Johnson’s popularity and overshadowed his domestic successes.

A decision surrounded by unpopularity

By 1968, the Vietnam War had fractured American society and Johnson’s presidency. The war’s unpopularity led to strong challenges from within his own party, particularly from anti-war

Democrats like US Senator Eugene McCarthy and Robert F Kennedy. Sensing the depth of public discontent, Johnson made a surprising announcement on March 31, 1968: he would not seek re-election.

This decision stunned the nation but allowed Johnson to focus on trying to achieve peace in Vietnam during his final year in office.

In January 1969, Johnson left the White House, handing over power to Richard Nixon, who eventually negotiated a ceasefire in Vietnam but did not end the war until 1975, well after Johnson’s death.

Johnson’s legacy

After leaving office, Johnson retired to his Texas ranch, where he wrote his memoirs and reflected on his presidency. He remained out of the public spotlight for the most part, though he continued to defend his domestic policies and civil rights achievements.

Johnson died of a heart attack on January 22, 1973, at the age of 64, just days before the US signed a peace agreement to end the Vietnam War, known as the Paris Peace Accords.

Johnson’s legacy is one of contrasts. He is celebrated for his legislative achievements, particularly his work on civil rights, poverty reduction, and health care. The Great Society programs transformed American society and laid the foundation for modern social welfare policies.

However, his presidency will always be overshadowed by the Vietnam War, a conflict that deeply divided the country and tarnished his reputation.