Instructions
Lyndon B. Johnson and Ronald Reagan and Federal Power
Summary
Debate over the power of the federal government to regulate the every day affairs of the people intensified in the second half of the 20th century. Lyndon Johnson, interpreting Congress’s role to promote the “general welfare” broadly, assembled a team of experts to discover ways to improve society, and sent dozens of bills to Congress which became “Great Society” programs intended to benefit the poor and the elderly. Ronald Reagan, by contrast, called the War on Poverty a failure, and proposed budgets which reduced spending on social programs while increasing the size and capabilities of the military.
Additionally, Reagan called for lower taxes to spur economic growth, reward perseverance and encourage personal responsibility. The two Presidents had markedly different views on the purposes and constitutional powers of the federal government and carried out the duties of their offices accordingly.
After reading President Johnson’s Great Society Speech and President Reagan’s First Inaugural Address, please address the five questions in a 2 page essay. Your response should be in an essay form. The essay should be double spaced, Times New Roman, and 12 point font. Do not use any other fonts or spacings. It should be relatively free from grammatical errors, including spelling. All questions should be addressed in your essay. The essay should be constructed with an introduction, a body (this is where the questions are answered), and a conclusion. If you are having trouble writing this essay, you should contact the Writing Center, or the Tutoring center for any help you may need. You may use any part of the assignment summary above for your introduction and conclusion, or any information in the Module. There is material in the Module that should help you. Both speeches are located in the Module. There is a rubric for grading. It can be found under “rubrics” “Presidential Differences.” If you need assistance, please reach out early in the week.
Questions
What were the goals of the “Great Society”?
What types of measures did Johnson recommend to Congress?
What was the key message of Reagan’s First Inaugural Address?
What actions did Reagan take to bring about his goal of decreasing the size of the federal government?
How would you assess the constitutionality of each President’s actions?
