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HISTORY This Week
Declaring War on Poverty (feat. Doris Kearns Goodwin)
Jan 6, 2025
Doris Kearns Goodwin, a Pulitzer Prize-winning historian and author, teams up with Guian McKee, a UVA professor specializing in presidential history, to discuss Lyndon Johnson's bold declaration of a 'War on Poverty' in 1964. They explore Johnson's motivations behind this ambitious initiative and the socio-political context of the era. The conversation dives into the establishment of the Economic Opportunity Act and community action programs while reflecting on the mixed legacy of this endeavor in addressing economic disparities across the nation.
40:33
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Quick takeaways
- Lyndon Johnson's War on Poverty was heavily influenced by his childhood experiences, driving his commitment to grassroots initiatives for change.
- Despite initial successes like Medicare and Medicaid, the legacy of the War on Poverty reflects ongoing struggles and growing public cynicism towards government action.
Deep dives
Lyndon B. Johnson's Ascension to the Presidency
Lyndon B. Johnson's rapid rise to the presidency occurred in the wake of John F. Kennedy's assassination, thrusting him into a position of leadership during a national crisis. Johnson was sworn in on Air Force One just hours after Kennedy’s death, realizing the need to act decisively to maintain government functionality. Immediately upon taking office, he was keen to define his presidency independently and implement his own agenda. His first major initiative was a declaration of war on poverty, a bold move that he presented to the nation in his State of the Union address, aiming to establish a hallmark of his administration.
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