In 1968 president Johnson announced

In 1968 President Johnson announced that he would not seek re-election. This was a surprise to many, as Johnson had just won the 1964 election in a landslide. He had also started some of the most ambitious social programs in American history, including the War on Poverty and the Great Society. However, Johnson’s decision to increase troops in Vietnam and the growing anti-war sentiment of the time had made his popularity plummet.

Explanation

The answer provided above is a significant historical event as it marked the end of President Johnson’s presidency. It demonstrates the power of public opinion and how it can shape the decisions of political leaders. It also shows how the Vietnam War, a war that had become deeply unpopular, had a major impact on Johnson’s decision to not seek re-election in 1968.

The Great Society programs mentioned in the answer were a series of social reforms and initiatives implemented by President Johnson in the mid-1960s. These included Medicare and Medicaid, the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, the Housing and Urban Development Act, and the Voting Rights Act, among others. These programs were designed to reduce poverty and improve social and economic conditions for millions of Americans.

The Vietnam War was a deeply divisive issue in the United States. Many people supported the war effort and the idea of containing communism, while others believed the war was unjust and an unnecessary intervention in Vietnam’s civil war. The public’s opposition to the war was a major factor in Johnson’s decision not to seek re-election, as his popularity had plummeted due to his policy decisions related to the war.

The answer provided above is a significant event in US history and demonstrates the power of public opinion. It also shows the important role that the Vietnam War had in reshaping US domestic and foreign policy at the time. It is important to understand the consequences of the decision made by President Johnson and how it changed the country’s political and social landscape.