Compare and contrast JFK and LBJ as presidential leaders. In what ways were they similar, and in what ways were they different? Which do you consider the better president? Why? Should either of them be ranked among America's "ten best" presidents? Why or why not?
Responses are due by 12am on 4/26.
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FIRST HALF. (Sorry Mrs. Miller, it wouldn't post it at once...)
ReplyDeleteJFK and LBJ, despite differences in their popularity and length of term, were overall similar presidents. Both men enacted new social reforms, directly addressed civil rights, and suffered the controversy of foreign affairs.
JFK and LBJ first both addressed social reform, Kennedy passing his New Frontier program, and LBJ creating his Great Society program reflecting FDR’s New Deal. However, LBJ’s reforms did not meet as much Congressional resistance and were much more extensive in effectiveness and popularity. His Great Society reforms dealt with the direct funding of education to students and the underprivileged (such as Project Head Start), the creation of Medicare and Medicaid, and the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 (which abolished “national origin” quotas).
As JFK met tougher resistance in Congress, his desires to expand the House Rules Committee, pass a tax-cut bill, and halt inflation as a stimulus plan were overshadowed as medical and education bills remained stalled in Congress.
JFK and LBJ also share similarities in their dealings with civil rights in that unlike their predecessors, they chose to confront the issue. JFK, slightly more hesitant than LBJ, established the SNCC, a voter education project to register Southern blacks. Although Kennedy was assassinated before the passing of an all-encompassing civil rights act, his intention was clearly stated. LBJ supported the passing of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which outlawed literacy tests at the polls. The 24th Amendment was also established and eliminated poll taxes, despite Congressional and public opinion that he was rushing a dangerous controversy.
Both presidents also faced violent response after their Congressional action. Kennedy was forced to use federal force to ensure the safety of a black college student after his recent enrollment, and addressed the horror of the bombing of Birmingham church. LBJ’s term in 1965 saw the rise of violent black protests such as the Black Panthers and Malcolm X’s creed of urging equality by “any means necessary”, as well as the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. Both presidents were criticized and saw violent responses against their action.
Both presidents also suffered humiliation in foreign affairs. JFK’s anti-communist Bay of Pigs invasion by Cuban exiles drastically failed, although his popularity did increase after he announced his full responsibility for the attack. The Cuban Missile Crisis put the world on the brink of a nuclear war, but Kennedy’s urging of détente helped the Cold War to subside. LBJ was condemned for his floundering actions in Vietnam, and the added tensions in North Korea eventually led to his resignation. His sending of men to put down a supposed communist coup in the Dominican Republic led to the public to label him as over-anxious and too-hyper, and his approval to send more troops to fight in Vietnam (a war which was not believed to be ours) did not help his presidency. Both faced criticism over foreign affairs, although both began with good intentions.
SECOND HALF. (I AM SO SORRY. I HAD NO IDEA IT WAS THIS LONG. I FEEL VERY POMPOUS.)
ReplyDeleteAs a presidential leader, JFK was more able to engage public opinion and support, though his assassination makes it very difficult to judge the effectiveness of what might have been. For this I would say LBJ was a better presidential leader. His ability to sway Congress, even if through the “Johnson Treatment,” led to the passing of many important reforms, acts, and amendments. Although he did face severe criticism from the war in Vietnam, his position was between a rock and a hard place, he would be criticized if he did anything and criticized if he did nothing. Although his popularity is far from that of JFK’s, I believe LBJ’s leadership was stronger in regards to following public opinion when need be, such as his Great Society plan, and going against it when he knew he should, such as the civil rights acts. He was also able to recognize his arguable overstepping of power and presence in Vietnam, and his regret and sinking depression over his actions carried through to his death.
I do also believe both JFK and LBJ should be among our ten greatest presidents in regards to their strong leadership, civil rights action, and ability to lead the country in a time of such strong cultural upheaval.
I would like to use my spirt week points!
ReplyDelete-Jordan Tabor
Spirit Points Please.
ReplyDeleteI don’t know if it is fair to compare JFK and LBJ. LBJ was forced to pick up the pieces after JFK was assassinated. Since LBJ had to essentially maintain JFK’s presidency, their contributions were very similar.
ReplyDeleteJFK chose to address civil rights issues. He wasn’t able to do a whole lot with it before his assassination, but he got the ball rolling. LBJ stepped into office and was immediately faced with the decision to support JFK’s plans or nix the whole issue from the agenda. He chose to work toward reaching JFK’s goals and passed acts like the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to help give blacks the rights they deserve and try to create a more equal America.
JFK was also very big on social reform. He used his New Frontier program to build a strong space program and help stimulate our economy again. A lot of JFK’s goals weren’t able to be met because of his lack of support in congress. LBJ continued to pursue the administration’s goals in his Great Society program. The main difference between their two programs was that his program enacted medical programs like Medicaid and Medicare and improved public education funding while JFK’s program was able to accomplish feats on a more international front, although he did considerable work to integrate schools.
Overall I don’t think either president should be ranked among the top 10. Although they both dealt with very tough issues like civil rights, they allowed for too much unrest that damaged our country and often resulted in violence among Americans. Both presidents also could have handled international situations better. JFK brought us far too close to nuclear warfare with the USSR, while LBJ suffered tremendous losses in Vietnam. I think as a president, JFK was better because he was able to at least hold the political world together. LBJ created more rifts than necessary.
As presidential leaders, JFK and LBJ were very similar presidents, but did have some differences. They had ideal goals to help out America. Both presidents enacted new reforms to help America, addressed civil rights, and were both caught up in foreign affairs, and by accomplishing many of these goals, both presidents are almost a lock to be top 10 presidents of all time.
ReplyDeleteJFK and LBJ both sought new reforms. JFK’s program, the New Frontier didn’t really accomplish much at first because conservatives threatened to kill many of the reforms. LBJ on the other hand, reflected his program the “Great Society” after JFK’s New Frontier. Because of a sweeping Democratic win in Congress, LBJ was allowed to pass a lot of more reforms easily. The Great Society Program passed Medicare and Medicaid which helped the elderly and the needy. LBJ’s program accomplished much more including giving money to students and not to the schools, starting an anti poverty program called Project Head Start which gave education to the poor.
Both presidents also addressed civil rights. Both JFK and LBJ were for black rights. JFK had ordered 3000 troops to accompany a black student who wanted to go to a white college. JFK also urged the establishment of the SNCC, a voter education project that would allow black southerners to vote. In 1965, LBJ enacted a Voting Rights Act, which outlawed the use of literacy tests on voting polls. This allowed more blacks to vote.
Both presidents also messed a lot with foreign affairs. JFK tried to help Latin American countries with his Alliance for Progress plan. This was to try and close the gap between rich and poor, but wasn’t very effective. JFK also invaded Communist Cuba under Castro in the Bay of Pigs Invasion, but was a failed attempt. Although he failed, by taking responsibility for his actions, his popularity soared. The Cuban Missile Crisis, which included the U.S, Cuba, and the U.S.S.R also nearly, pushed the world to a nuclear war, but eventually eased cold war tensions. LBJ also tried to combat communism by sending troops into Vietnam. This move proved very fatal for LBJ because the U.S eventually lost the war, and many soldiers had died.
Although both presidents had similar plans for the country, and messed around with foreign affairs, they have differences. JFK was a good president who had many ideas for the country, and was a great leader. He couldn’t pass many reforms even though he had great ideas because of many conservatives. His assassination though makes it hard to determine whether he is a top 10 president because he might’ve gotten worse, or better. LBJ on the other hand was a very good president too, and could manipulate congress. Under LBJ, civil rights were addressed, and there was a step in integration of blacks and whites. Also, many important reforms were passed like Medicare, and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Although LBJ had accomplished much, he hurt his status by sending troops into Vietnam, and thus losing the war. Because of what he had accomplished though, LBJ is a top 10 president.
spirit points please!
ReplyDeletespirit week points please
ReplyDeleteJFK and LBJ were both famous presidents for their civil rights reforms, and in terms of ranking, I think both would have a place in top 10., but comparatively, I would put LBJ higher than JFK because although the latter had to face the initial opposition of civil rights plans, the former was the one who put everything into action and got a lot more done.
ReplyDeleteWhile JFK took the initial blows of opposition from citizens for his up front confrontation with the civil rights issues, he was unable to put many of his words into action before his death. So when LBJ stepped up after the assassination, much of the platform had already been laid for him. However, his push to get JFK's agenda into law put him in equal if not more danger, but he pulled through. On hindsight, LBJ's push was a positive push for America, but at the time, it seemed that his civil rights acts one after another was pushing citizens to their limits and almost driving the country over the edge. LBJ also used JFK's popularity to push for voting rights as well as equal housing opportunities.
To stimulate the economy, JFK built a huge space program, but a lot of his goals didn't follow through although his successor LBJ helped fight for a number of them. LBJ' helped the uneducated and the under privileged, as well as putting in the medicare/medicaid bills all as a part of his Great Society reforms.
Even though there were negative events during both presidencies such as the loss in Vietnam and an almost launched nuclear war, JFK and LBJ still handled their leadership roles well and helped advance American as a nation.
spirit points please!
ReplyDeleteJFK and LBJ were very much different. JFK was a young, enthusiastic President who enlightened his fellow Americans with the motto “ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country”. LBJ was an older gentleman with more conservative views that further dragged the USA into the Vietnam War.
ReplyDeleteIt is said that the two men did not like one another. JFK was a young and ambitious President with a young administration that did not want US troops in Vietnam. During JFK’s presidency he and his administration pushed for aerospace programs which eventually put a man on the moon. JFK’s youthful exterior brought citizens to the polls, especially the previously alienated young citizens. JFK was far more liberal than LBJ and is remembered as a hero or martyr.
LBJ was a Southern moderate who knew the political scene in Washington. Johnson was forced to deal with JFK’s programs and policies which he unenthusiastically approved while JFK was alive. Neither man was a poor president; they both were exceptionally intelligent and greatly influenced the Civil Rights movement. In my opinion it is not fair to compare these two as JFK is viewed differently as his assassination made him into a “martyr” which gives him an unfair advantage over LBJ.
I think that LBJ was the better president that JFK and in my mind is one of the USA’s top ten Presidents. Although both Presidents experienced the shadow of Vietnam that lingered over the nation LBJ brought stability to the shocked nation which is why he won a full term as President. LBJ, unlike JFK, knew politics in Washington; he could use his skills of intimidation and persuasion like few others could. It is true that LBJ approved the deployment of US troops to Vietnam. The US public views the war as pointless ambition which can be held true in certain views. But before coming to that conclusion ask a Vietnam veteran if the war was pointless. LBJ is viewed as a bad President for the sole reason that we “lost” the war. If the US “won” the war LBJ would be viewed in a totally different way. A victory during WWII estimated 600,000 US casualties which gave FDR and Truman a good reputation; I think both were high-quality Presidents. But the estimated 60,000 US casualties during the Vietnam War gave LBJ an awful status because we did not get the “W”. LBJ was outwardly apologetic for the war, which was in no way solely his action, and he was extremely distraught because of it. JFK’s image will last for generations, but LBJ’s dream and accomplishments will last forever.
Both presidents contributed to social reform. With his “New Frontier”, JFK wanted to create new jobs to lower unemployment, and he did so by expanding the space program as well as stimulating military spending. He lowered taxes and proposed medical program for the elderly, although it was rejected by Congress. JFK also supported blacks’ rights but he was hesitant in the beginning. Unfortunately, before he passed the Civil Rights Law, he was assassinated. LBJ had to step in as the new president and bring stability to the nation taken aback by JFK’s death. LBJ lacked JFK’s charisma, but he was nonetheless very efficient. First, he created the “Great Society” to improve America’s economy. Its main goals were to provide medical care for the elderly (as with New Frontier), to end poverty, and to aid education. LBJ’s effort to end poverty was successful as he managed to put 10 million back to work. He created the Department of Housing and Urban Development and appointed a black leader to head the department, showing his support of the civil rights movement. Overall, JFK’s “New Frontier” and LBJ’s “Great Society” were created for the same objectives and each had their own successes and failures. JFK wasn’t able to go through with his medical programs, but LBJ had Congress on his side and succeeded. JFK started things off while LBJ picked up where JFK left off and completed them. In this aspect, I think that LBJ was a better president because he was able to remain calm and moved the nation forward even as he lacked the popular support that JFK had. I think that both were great presidents and did achieve many things and deserve to be ranked as two of the top 10 presidents. They addressed the Civil Rights movement. Even though racism still existed after that, without the initial push, we might still be living in a segregated society today.
ReplyDeleteSpirit points please? I dressed up four out of five days so I'll take 8/10 points. Thanks. :)
ReplyDeleteJohn F. Kennedy's presidency was glorified by the media in what was known as "The Camelot Years" and also his assassination causes the public to view him with honor and respect. However, Lyndon B. Johnson's contributions to the United States have been significantly more influential qualifying him for "top ten" presidential status. Their similarities included involvement in foreign affairs and pushing for social change at home, but with respect to civil rights, Johnson was able to go farther than Kennedy.
ReplyDeleteJFK escalated the tensions between the United States and the USSR before he eased them. He continued to compete militarily and scientifically by tripling US nuclear capability, increasing ships, troops, artillery and the Green Berets. He also increased US's space program and saw the first man on the moon, Neil Armstrong. He dealt with the Cuban Missile Crisis and the crisis in Berlin effectively and peace was eventually reached. However, the Bay of Pigs incident where CIA troops attempted to invade Cuba and failed, caused an escalation of tension and was a negative aspect of his presidency.
LBJ took JFK's policies and pushed them that extra step needed to initiate lasting reform in the United States. The Great Society legislation composed of many anti-poverty and medicaid and medicare bills. In addition he passed a Civil Rights Bill that led to the complete desegregation of facilities and led to increased rights for African Americans. These accomplishments were very effective and lasting, so LBJ should be ranked higher than JFK.
JFK will always be known as one of America's greatest leaders and he deserves this title. Nearly everything this man did was for the greater good of the American people. He fought hard for Civil Rights, choosing to fight the strong opposition that came about regarding Black Rights. He also saw the need to stimulate the economy and attempted to do so with the New Frontier program. Also, given the situation at the time, arguably one of America's most dangerous periods known as the Cold War, JFK handled it well with Russia for the most part. Not many presidents would have been able to deal with the Cuban Missile Crisis in the manner he did.
ReplyDeleteLBJ was forced to pick up the ashes of JFK's previous administration due to his assassination. Like JFK, he fought for Civil Rights by passing the Civil Rights Act despite the strong opposition of his southern friends. However, LBJ's most defining moment would be vietnam. During the war in 'nam, America would go through tremendous internal conflict regarding the reason America was even fighting the war in the first place, forever tainting LBJ's presidency.
I consider JFK to be the better president, while I believe both should be in the top ten list due to JFK's many efforts to serve America and LBJ's Civil Rights passage.
JFK and LBJ, despite their differences in terms of popular support and contrasting backgrounds, were similar presidents because of the issues that they chose to address, focusing on civil rights and social reform.
ReplyDeleteRegarding their social reform policies, JFK started his New Frontier program, using his space program to improve the economy and create many new jobs in order to lower the unemployment rate. Similarly, LBJ created his Great Society program, bringing about Medicare and helping public education. Because of his ability to influence the congress, his legislation was easily passed, facing little difficulty.
JFK had started on improving civil rights within the nation, but was hesitant to make dramatic changes, fearing the retribution from those who opposed it. He established the SNCC, a voter education project to register Southern blacks, and also worked on a civil rights act that was unfortunately not finished before his assassination. This issue was more actively pursued by LBJ, whose support for civil rights pushed the Voter Rights Act of 1965, outlawing literacy tests as prerequisites to casting votes, through congress. He also supported the 24th Amendment, banning poll taxes. Much of LBJ’s legislation, however, was highly controversial to the public.
I believe that both JFK and LBJ deserve to be ranked in the top ten presidents because of the internal improvements that they made for the country, especially in regards to civil rights.
I think lbj and jfk are 2 very different leaders. Jfk was by far more popular and powerful. Johnson was more to himself and a take care of business kind of guy. Jfk came from a more powerful background with his family. Jfk also may have had his hands clean between Marilyn Monroe, the mafia, and his assignation. Lbj stayed out of trouble for the most part. The worse trouble he had was the civil rights bill. The problem with comparing these presidents is that Jfk didn’t have as much time to prove how he would have run the country because he was killed early in his career. The things he was working on were popular with the people but struggling in congress. Lbj on the other passed his civil rights bill but had problems with the people
ReplyDeleteBoth had struggle with outside problems. Jfk had to deal with the Cuban missle crisis and lbj had to deal with nam. Jfk handled the problem well and gtot us out of the situation intact. Johnson on the other hand dragged on a useless war for no reason and got thousands of Americans killed. But jfk wasn’t perfect either, he had some problems with the bay of pigs in cuba. All in all jfk was a better president but shouldn’t be top 10 because he didn’t have enough time as president.
Evan van Aalst
ReplyDeletespirit week points please!
Both JFK and LBJ were great presidents of their time, both contributed to their own sahre of success and with success comes the step to create a better nation.
ReplyDeleteJFK did a great deal of work with civil rights and in my opinion he was one of the greatest president that ever existed. He prevented what could have been war between cuba and his decisions that were made were ones that had influenced society. He also did a very good job at handling the cuban missile crisis. His youth and motivation was unforgettable as well as the "ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country" quote. Although his life ending short due to his assassination it set him up as a martyr.
LBJ was also a great president although my opinion may differ quite a bit towards his presidency he did a very good job during his term. The passing of the bill that gave african americans in the south the right to vote, the bettering of our economy, and his action of promoting civil right and minority groups.
-Raul
I believe that both of these presidents were great presidents, because compare to other Presidents they both fought for civil rights just as President Abraham Lincoln did by propsing the Emcanicpation of Proclamtion to free African- Americans from slavery. Overall, they both were loved and cherished by their fellow citizens.
ReplyDeleteLBJ's career really hit it up when he passed laws for African-Americans gaining thw right to vote. And also promoting civil rights and minority groups and by setting these up promoted LBJ as a great president of the decade.
JFK on the other hand, JFK may be a better president than LBJ, because in wartime he calmly handled his business with Cuba pretty well than any other president does. Even though he handled the situation well, he was assassinated, which many citizens mourned about and wanted to kill the murder of the president.
-Kiaya Robinson
sorry this is so late!!!
ReplyDeleteLBJ and JFK were very different leaders and people. Although they agreed on many of the same issues Kennedy was a lot more well liked then LBJ and is seen as the better president although thats not necessarily true.
LBJ was put in the situation of the vietnam war it was never really his choice so you cant really blame him for getting us into that war. He also did more for civil rights then any other president working with leaders such as Malcom X and Martin Luther King Jr. He also was very up front with senators and congressmen about passing his bills and that was known as the Johnson treatment. In my opinion that is one of his best qualities because america didn't and still doesn't need a pushover president who will let bills that are for the greater good go un passed. I think that for all his work in civil rights you can consider him a top ten president.
Kennedy on the other hand was also pretty good but a hell of a lot more popular then Johnson. He was more charismatic, a better speaker, and seen as this great president. he too was working on civil rights and he started the embargo with Cuba and he stopped the Cuban Missile Crisis and I think that given more time as a president you could consider him a top ten president but since his life was cut short before he could really do anything truly great so i don't think you can consider him top ten.
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ReplyDeletewhat about the space race????
ReplyDeleteI have to do the same thing for my U.S. history class. We used a venn diagram. You guys must be smarter though you're in AP. I'm just in the average class. :(
ReplyDeleteOh well, its still the same class kind of but in 10th grade we have to take world history. uh oh! well bye people were ever you may be. :)
LBJ and JFK also have many differences. Kennedy was assasinated and Johnson died of natural causes. Kennedy had more new innovative ideas and Johnson just used other old ideas. They were both Senators.
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