Things You'll Need:
- Internet
- Books about the presidents
- Books about American history
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Step 1
Search government and history websites and books to learn about the best-known aspect of Lyndon B. Johnson--his status as the most politically skilled president. You also can research his career in the Senate where he became known as a consummate power broker.
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Step 2
Study his biographies to learn how Johnson won the Silver Star in World War II. Explore his public service as a teacher, a secretary to a U.S. Representative, as National Youth Administration director, both minority and majority leader in the Senate, and vice president. Understand why he was re-elected in a landslide in 1964, but the Vietnam War adversely affected his popularity.
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Step 3
Look for information on Johnson's domestic program called "The Great Society." Also look at how the escalation of the Vietnam War overshadowed the achievements of his administration.
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Step 4
Study important legislation passed during Johnson's presidency such as the 24th Amendment abolishing the poll tax, the 25th Amendment providing for the appointment of a new vice president if a vacancy existed and the Voting Rights Act.
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Step 5
Examine other significant events in Johnson's presidency such as Martin Luther King's assassination by James Earl Ray. Learn about the Pueblo Incident involving a spy ship seized by the North Koreans. Also worthy of study is the United States military intervention in the Dominican Republic.
