Policies and Trends in recent American History (Essay Sample)

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Ch. 25, The Sixties (1960-1968)
1 What were the purposes and strategies of Johnson's Great Society programs?
President Lyndon B. Johnson was one of the United State’s presidents who came up with Great Society. This was a set of domestic programs with the aim of improving the living standards of the citizens. The president wanted to get the people of America out of bondage of poverty and racial injustices among themselves. In addition to these, the Great Society also addressed the issues to do with education, health care, problems that were faced in urban areas, and transportation. These were the major problems that Americans really faced at that moment.
President Johnsons succeeded in launching the Great Society programs using various strategies. First, he was able to persuade the people of America about the new changes which were so important in their lives. The skill helped him to convince the Americans on the need to embrace the new changes. Another platform that really boosted the success of the Johnson’s Great Society was the democratic landslide in the 1964 election. The election came in with a number of transformations. As such, the Great Society was one of the transformations that came in at that time. Moreover, some of the American leaders supported the programs in one way or another. During the regimes of Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford, they expanded the programs through funding and supporting them. Some of these programs still exist up to date in the United States of America.
2 How did the Vietnam War transform American politics and culture?
The Vietnam War was pursued as Johnson’s war which broke up in the year 1968. The war is remembered due to its effects that were felt by the people of America. There were a number of radical changes which took place during that time. The changes were felt mainly in the politics and culture.
Politically, the American public aspired to have controlled governance, the state’s rights, fundamental freedom to the individuals, and reduced taxes. The public participated in pushing for the changes simply because the consequences were to their own benefits. The long term problem of racial discrimination among the African Americans was eradicated and the white working class who held big positions in the society came to an end.
Culture was another area that faced a major transformation. First and foremost there was the emergence of the hippy wear which was quite unusual way back. Rock music became the order of the day with the upcoming artists gaining great fame. The rock culture persists till today with the millions of fans attending and appreciating the music. There was a rise in the number of people using drugs. The perception of drugs changed a great deal with those consuming them being observed as the role models. These were some of the major influences on culture but not the only ones of course.
3 What were the sources and significance of the rights revolution of the late 1960s?
The rights revolution culminated from a number of things. First and foremost the youth pre-dominated the culture of this point in time. It is the youth that swayed that contributed to major changes in both the fashion and politics arena. They youth needed to be appreciated in whatever way they chose to live and their trends were to be respected as well.
Costumes and fashion became very different. Women put on clothes that revealed their curves. Their hair was to be kept short or very long. The men had to keep long hair and beards and moustaches became quite popular.
The books of art and fashion went along way in marking the various changes that were being made that decade. The significance of these changes was to bring out the fact that change was imminent. The Americans were free people and they had to be given the freedom they needed to do what they wanted with their lives.
Ch. 26, The Triumph of Conservatism (1969-1988)
1 What were the major policies of the Nixon administration on social and economic issues?
The Nixon administration will be remembered for a long time to come by most of the Americans. This is as a matter of fact because of the major policies it established that helped steer the Nation to great levels of both economic and social prowess. As it is always the case it had come up with a lot of progressive plans but not all of them went through since the congress in one way or the other played a part towards the implementation of those policies. However for those policies that saw the light of the day a lot was left to be admired even in the present day.
Nixon won the election by some very narrow margin to grasp the leadership mantle. His major supporters were the republicans. He had banked so much hope on them and at the end of it all he managed to rise to power and that is why Americans were able to enjoy all the social and economic benefits that came with the changes brought about by the Nixon administration. As a leader Nixon leaned more on the foreign policy and that explains his great support to propel the great society to the highest levels.
Economically, the conservatives were very delighted with Nixon’s federalism which catered for the offering of some "block grants" to the various states. This move was greatly applauded since it spelt great freedom for the individual states. Each and every state was empowered in a great way. It was up to the states to decide on what to do with the funds given unlike earlier on when Washington dictated on the use of the funds awarded.
The Nixon administration came up with a number of new federal agencies. The environmental protection agency oversaw programs to prevent air and water pollution and that helped a great deal towards improving the lives of the Americans.
At the work places the occupational safety and health administration sent inspectors to ensure the well-being of the workers. The Endangered Species Act helped preserve animal species. All funds that were to be directed towards projects that would lead to the destruction of the various animal species were diverted with immediate effect to carry out some other functions.
The Clean Air Act put fourth quality air standards for carbon monoxide as well as the other harmful gases and chemicals released by vehicles and industries. As a result air pollution was cut down by a great percentage.
The family assistance plan came with the provision of a minimum income for the Americans. This helped ensure that an average American lived a relatively good life. The great push for programs that promoted the employment of the minorities was also a thing that came with the policies of that point and time. The blacks in America were as a matter of fact to benefit from that. It helped promote patriotism to some extent.
2 What were the roots of the rise of conservatism in the 1970s?
One cannot talk of conservatism in America without mentioning personalities such as Walter H. Judd, a medical missionary in China and Kurt Russel who was behind the crafting of the name conservatism. Russel through his writing made conservatism intellectually acceptable in America.
Conservatism in America was about promoting liberty for the citizens. It brought face to face the contending requirements of the community and those of an individual. The movement was indeed spearheaded by the Anglo American thinkers and political leaders from the 18th century.
The conservative movement was the main driving force behind the waging and winning of the Cold War which was a very defining moment for America. The same movement advocated for the refusal of the federal government being the primary solver of the major economic and social problems. Its take on communism was a decisive one. It was for the idea that communism was actually evil and needed to be brought to an end.
3 How did the Reagan presidency affect Americans both at home and abroad?
The Reagan presidency will remain engraved in the memories of the Americans for a long time because of the major changes it brought. The rising of Ronald Reagan to grasp the top seat was sparked by his great and tactical push for conservatism. He had given a televised address for Goldwater campaign. The slogan "A Time for Choosing" brought him closer to the hearts of the Americans and that is how he clinched the presidency. The fact that he promoted conservatism in the best way made him popular even among those who would not have gone for him.
The entry of a great number of young people into the American politics and policy making was one of the fruits of the Reagan presidency. He made good his words of ensuring that the young population sat in congresses as well as managed campaigns.
Ronald struck o reasonable balance in the government income which as a matter of fact made life more bearable to the American citizens. Government efficiency was enhanced by the employment of the business and professional experts. The state’s university system benefited a great deal from the tuition fees that were allocated to them. In general, there was a great welfare reform.
America emerged to be a major economy of the world as a result of this very presidency. This leader went down the books of records not only as a leader who pushed America to great success but also as a leader who ...