Lyndon Johnson Essay -- History President USA Johnson Essays Papers

Lyndon JohnsonLyndon Johnson led the country for five years (1963-1968) afterPresident John Fitzgerald Kennedy died of gunshot wounds on November 22, 1963.He formulated some(prenominal) policies and carried out many others that Kennedy could notfinish. He faced many foreign problems as well, including the Vietnam War andthe Cold War. How he dealt with foreign problems put him near stomach if not lastin foreign affairs, when compared to other presidents. Johnson always talked totourists and met reporters in semiformall(a)y. He entertained many distinguished guestsat his ranch in Texas. Also, Lyndon and his wife Claudia (Lady Bird) Johnsonheld formal and informal dances at the white house. His presidency left added alot in the history books. If it were not for his leadership and ideas, manyparts of society at present would not exist.(Peter Lisagor, 148-152)We have suffered a loss that cannot be weighed. For me, it is a deeppersonal tragedy. I know that the world shares the sorrow th at Mrs. Kennedy andher family bear. I will do my best. That is all I can do. I ask for your helpand Gods, quoted Lyndon Johnson after the assassination of fri final stage, colleague,and leader President John Fitzgerald Kennedy at one-oclock on November 22,1963(Peter Lisagor, 151). Johnson took on the deep role as president aboard thepresidential Air Force jet at Love Field, Dallas exactly ninety-nine minutesafter Kennedy died. coincidently becoming the second vice president with thelast name Johnson to succeed an assassinated president and nearly one hundredyears apart.(Hugh S. Sidey, 1-2 & Hans L. Trefousse, 1-2)Within a short time after he became president, Johnson announced afive hundred million-dollar budget cut and urged a strong civil rights bill.Both of these were previously proposed by Kennedy. Also, he proposed a nationalWar on Poverty. This included creating new jobs and building up areas where theeconomy had faltered. This was approved by social intercourse without a problem. A newhousing law provided five billion dollars in federal funds to help the needy buyhouses and rent apartments passed in 1968. Congress also passed a tax cut forboth individuals and corporations. (Peter Lisagor, 148-149)Civil rights was a large part of Johnsons presidency. It did not takehim long to develop civil rights laws. A new civil rights law opened to Negroes... ...tates bombingon Vietnam was halted on November 1, 1968. Peace between the U.S. and all ofVietnam soon followed.(Peter Lisagor, 149-152)To conclude, President Lyndon Johnson deserved his rank. After all hisgreat accomplishment in civil rights and his war on poverty he could have beennear the top of the list. Unfortunately everything started to collapse near theend mainly because of his involvements with Vietnam. His many achievements lefta mark in history. If it were not for him, many civil rights would not exist. Headded on two whole storage locker departments and appointed two of the first Negrogovernme nt officials. These accomplishments kept him high on the list. Manypeople would consider him last in foreign affairs because the people of thecountry did not always agree with his involvements in Vietnam. This most likelybrought his rating down.ReferencesSidey, Hugh S. Lyndon Baines Johnson. Microsoft Encarta. 1995 ed.Lisagor, Peter. Lyndon Baines Johnson. The World Book Encyclopedia. 1992 ed.Summers, Robert S. Lyndon Baines Johnson. POTUS Internet Public Library. 1996ed.Trefousse, Hans L. Andrew Johnson Microsoft Encarta. 1995 Ed.