Exploring the New Frontier and Great Society

Miacademy & MiaPrep Learning Channel

This educational video explores the significant shifts in American economic policy during the 1960s, specifically examining President John F. Kennedy's "New Frontier" and President Lyndon B. Johnson's "Great Society." While the 1950s were characterized by suburban prosperity, the video highlights how the 1960s marked a pivot toward addressing systemic poverty, inequality, and stagnation in rural and inner-city areas. The host guides viewers through the specific goals and legislative acts of both administrations, using graphic organizers to categorize how these policies aimed to create jobs, end discrimination, and expand the social safety net. Key themes include the intersection of civil rights and economics, the role of government in social welfare, and the specific mechanisms used to combat poverty, such as tax cuts, education funding, and fair housing laws. The video details landmark legislation like the Equal Pay Act of 1963, the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and the creation of Medicare and Medicaid. It explains the economic reasoning behind these policies, such as the theory that tax cuts would stimulate spending and that better education leads to higher wages and a stronger middle class. For educators, this video serves as an excellent anchor for units on the 1960s, US domestic policy, or the Civil Rights Movement. It simplifies complex legislative history into clear, digestible goals (reducing poverty, increasing education access, ending inequality). The built-in pause points for graphic organizer note-taking make it an interactive tool for classroom use, allowing students to actively synthesize information rather than passively watch. It connects historical events to concepts relevant today, such as the gender pay gap and student loans.