History This Week: Declaring War on Poverty (feat. Doris Kearns Goodwin)

Podcast Information:

• Title: HISTORY This Week
• Host/Author: The HISTORY® Channel
• Episode: Declaring War on Poverty (feat. Doris Kearns Goodwin)
• Release Date: January 6, 2025

Introduction

In this compelling episode of History This Week, hosted by Sally Helm, the focus centers on President Lyndon B. Johnson's ambitious initiative, the "War on Poverty." Featuring insights from Doris Kearns Goodwin, a renowned presidential historian, and Guillen McKee, an associate professor of presidential history, the episode delves into the origins, implementation, challenges, and lasting legacy of this pivotal moment in American history.

Johnson's State of the Union Address

The episode begins by setting the historical context of January 8, 1964, when President Lyndon B. Johnson delivered his State of the Union address amidst national mourning following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. With an approval rating exceeding 75%, Johnson leveraged this mandate to introduce his own agenda, aiming to define his presidency beyond Kennedy's legacy.

• Notable Quote:

  Lyndon Baines Johnson ([02:28]): "This administration today, here and now, declares unconditional war on poverty in America."

Johnson’s address was both a response to the immediate national crisis and a strategic move to establish his own policy initiatives.

Origins of the War on Poverty

Johnson's commitment to combating poverty was deeply rooted in his personal experiences. Growing up in the economically fluctuating hill country of Texas, he witnessed firsthand the struggles of poverty, shaping his understanding and empathy towards the issue.

• Doris Kearns Goodwin ([07:06]): "He taught two grades. He was the bandleader, he was the softball coach. He gave up part of his first salary to buy sports equipment for them."

Goodwin recounts Johnson's early career as a teacher in a segregated school, highlighting how these experiences fueled his dedication to addressing poverty through government action.

Guillen McKee ([09:45]): "The depression hit, his own family struggled and many of their neighbors struggled far more."

These formative years convinced Johnson that government intervention could be a positive force in alleviating poverty, a belief that became the cornerstone of his Great Society programs.

Formulating the War on Poverty

In the wake of Kennedy's assassination, Johnson sought to swiftly implement his anti-poverty agenda. Recognizing the necessity to act decisively, he allocated an additional $500 million to the effort, bringing the total budget to approximately $1 billion.

• Guillen McKee ([17:02]): "He wanted to have something that he could call absolutely his own. Not a Kennedy bill that he shepherded through to passage, but a Johnson program."

The term "War on Poverty" was conceived to encapsulate the boldness and urgency of the initiative, aiming to mobilize national resources and public support.

• Notable Quote:

  Lyndon Baines Johnson ([20:20]): "This administration today, here and now, declares unconditional war on poverty in America. It will not be a short or easy struggle. No single weapon or strategy will suffice. But we shall not rest until that war is won."

This declaration was met with acclaim, with The New York Times heralding it as a classic political document.

Implementation Challenges and Community Action

One of the most innovative yet contentious components of the War on Poverty was the introduction of Community Action. This approach empowered local communities by involving them directly in the development and implementation of anti-poverty programs.

• Guillen McKee ([22:14]): "The idea that you would give poor people themselves, as the legislation stated, maximum feasible participation in developing the programs that would be implemented in their own communities."

Despite its progressive intent, Community Action faced significant hurdles. Johnson himself remained skeptical, concerned about the shift of authority away from traditional political structures.

• Lyndon Baines Johnson ([32:02]): "This community action program. Poverty is a wasteful thing. They ought to cut it out. It's a dangerous thing, too. These folks are liable to get his terrible. And they."

The dissonance between Johnson’s idealistic vision and the practical execution led to political resistance and operational conflicts, especially at the local government level.

Political Fallout and Declining Support

As the War on Poverty progressed, it encountered increasing opposition. Local political leaders resented the federal encroachment into community affairs, and incidents such as the unrest at Camp Breckenridge in Morganfield, Kentucky, highlighted the program’s vulnerabilities.

• Guillen McKee ([30:55]): "In Morganfield, Kentucky, young men from the city working in the job Corps living in Camp Breckenridge, quote, rioted."

This backlash was further exacerbated by criticisms from both conservative factions and disillusioned progressives. Bobby Kennedy emerged as a vocal critic, accusing Johnson of inadequately addressing poverty and managing the initiative.

By 1968, the cumulative challenges eroded Johnson's confidence in the effectiveness of his policies, leading him to withdraw from the presidential race.

• Lyndon Baines Johnson ([34:05]): "I ain't the master of nothing. I just haven't got it. And we cannot make this Congress do one damn thing that I know of."

Legacy and Long-Term Impact

Despite the setbacks and political turmoil, the War on Poverty left an indelible mark on American society. Key programs such as the Job Corps, Head Start, Medicare, and Medicaid were established, many of which continue to serve the nation today.

• Doris Kearns Goodwin ([37:12]): "The metaphor that he constantly used that, you know, both the War on Poverty and the Great Society were somehow going to turn into a beautiful woman... that somehow all of these programs would come together and they would deal with the structural inequities in the country."

The episode acknowledges that while poverty remains a persistent issue, the initiatives launched under Johnson's administration significantly reduced the national poverty rate and reshaped the role of the federal government in social welfare.

Guillen McKee ([35:46]): "It produced a kind of cynicism about our capacity to tackle big problems. It wasn't the only cause of that. But I think some of that sense of failing to meet expansive expectations had a negative effect."

However, the ambitious goals set forth by Johnson may have been overly optimistic, and the war on poverty is often viewed as only partially successful given the continued existence of poverty in America.

Conclusion

The "War on Poverty" remains a pivotal chapter in the history of American social policy. Through strategic initiatives and enduring programs, Lyndon B. Johnson aimed to create lasting change. While the endeavor faced significant obstacles and achieved mixed results, its influence persists in contemporary social programs and the ongoing dialogue about poverty and government responsibility.

• Doris Kearns Goodwin ([36:25]): "The war on poverty is still being waged, but it's worth remembering its programs did help lift millions of people out of poverty, which is a victory even if we haven't won the war."

History This Week provides a nuanced exploration of this critical period, offering listeners a comprehensive understanding of the complexities and enduring significance of the War on Poverty.

Produced by: Ben Dickstein, Lynn McKamey, Julie McGruder, Sally Helm
Editor and Sound Designer: Dan Rosado
Researcher: Emma Fredericks
Executive Producers: Jesse Katz and Ted Butler

For more insights and episodes, visit historythisweekpodcast.com and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.