Lyndon B Johnson Research Paper

Alonso Viera
4th hour Eng./6th hour SS.
The Choice of Principle Is your first decision for the majority or for political reasons? Well Lyndon B. Johnson was for the majority of the people. This decision was to sign the Civil Rights act of 1964 and to free the people who have been through all of it. The main question people asked was; Why did L.B.J. approve of the Civil Rights Act of 1964? The people who were going through all of this of course knew Johnson did it for them. These people were from the North, where they began to settle for peace. On the other hand, in the South people were against the signing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The South was for segregation and believed in the worst about the people who were not them. This one choice
decides the future of that era and for all of the people. Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964 due to the experiencing the suffrage of the kids he taught, he was also willing to lose the election just for better lives for the people, and he felt “free at last” from all of the segregation.
The first reason why Lyndon B. Johnson’s choice was principle was because he recognized the emotions of the people going through this situation. “You will recognize the words I’m about to repeat. Free at last, free at last. Thank God almighty, I’m free at last” (Dallek 419). This quote answered Roy Wilkin’s question and many others. Roy and others wondered why it took Johnson so long to sign off the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and he knew that people would feel free. Even Johnson felt free, “liberated from his Southern political bonds” (Dallek 419). The reason he had taken a longer time than expected, was to have time to think of all the things that will be affected. Johnson did feel strongly about the situation, and usually it is easy to pick a side if this is the case. Johnson knew that his decision would be life changing, and he also knew that this change would support the people struggling in that time. He knew the hard times people were in, because he had witnessed it growing up. Many people could argue that Johnson was doing it just for political reasons, like votes, but decisions are made because it benefits the people, not just you. This goes to show that Johnson’s decision was based on principles.
The second reason why Lyndon B.
Johnson’s decision was principle was due to having personal experience with all of the acts. This man was witness to all of the ways people were treated. “My first job after college was a teacher in Cotulla, Tex., in a small Mexican American school” (Johnson 411). Having a job surrounded by kids that are going to grow up being treated unequal will make you think. Johnson was a teacher, and his job was teaching these kids the basics, little did they know that it would not benefit them in the future. Johnson noticed this and understood that there must be a change in the lives of these people. “They never seemed to know why people disliked them” (Johnson 411). From that day and until they understand the situation, they will be affected mentally. Having this experience for Johnson was key in his decision, because he now understood. You can not have a good argument without experience, because you will not have the same perspective. Others have stated that having experience is not as good as having facts. For Johnson he had gained more than just
experience.
The final reason why Lyndon B.
Johnson’s decision was principle was because he was willing to lose the election for the people. “If that’s the price I’ve got to pay, I’ll pay it gladly” (Dallek 415). To make the people happy and to make the United States of America equal, he was willing to lose. That dedication shows how much Johnson cares about the election and the people. He would march through any obstacle to do what is right and beneficial. He even invited Senator Richard Russell, a segregationist, to talk about the bill (Dallek 415). He already had the people on his side so he faced the problem face to face. Some have suggested that he was bluffing, saying something like this is a one way road. There is no going back, because if you do then you are out. Johnson knew this and again did the right thing for the right people.
Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964, because he had experience throughout his life, he knew the struggles, and he was going to do anything for the people. These three reasons express the true person that Lyndon B. Johnson was. He cared and knew everything that needed help. This one decision changed so much for us as people and as one. Of course there is going to be things that are going to stop good things from happening and those things are opinions. Johnson not only gave the United States equality, but he gave a lesson; Never give up trying to do the right thing no matter
what.

Work Cited
Dallek, Robert. “Living Down the Past” L.B.J. & Civil Rights Mini Q, The DBQ Project, 2003. Print.
Johnson, Lyndon. “L.B.J. the Teacher” L.B.J. & Civil Rights Mini Q, The DBQ Project, 2003. Print.
Dallek, Robert. “Free at Last” L.B.J. & Civil Rights Mini Q, The DBQ Project, 2003. Print.