Introduction

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LYNDON BAINES JOHNSON WEBSITES

INTRODUCTION

Lyndon Johnson’s career spans the mid 20th century Depression, World War II, the Korean War, Civil Rights movement and the Vietnam War. Lyndon Johnson began his Presidency at the death of John Kennedy in 1963 and left the Presidency with the nation embroiled in the Vietnam War and the turmoil of the Peace and Civil Rights movements.

Johnson was born in Stonewall, Texas, grew up in Johnson City, Texas and attended Southwest Texas State Teachers College. He dropped out of school for a year to serve as principal and teach in a Mexican-American school. Johnson began his adult working life as a teacher. In 1931, Johnson went to Washington as secretary for Texas Congressman Richard Kleberg. He was appointed Texas Director of the National Youth Administration (NYA) in 1935.

In 1937, Johnson was elected to the House of Representatives as a Democrat. He continued his political career in the House of Representatives under the wing of Speaker Sam Rayburn of Texas. In 1948, Johnson began his career in the Senate. He became minority leader and when the Democrats achieved a majority in 1955, he became majority leader. He cultivated relationships with both wings of the party, the Solid South; in particular, Richard Russell of Georgia and the liberals, especially Herbert Humphrey. He wanted the Presidency but in 1960, he agreed to run as vice-president with Kennedy. He died in 1973.

There are many disadvantages to history on the Web. Reading on a computer is difficult, inconvenient and exhausting. Writers of history should reduce the size of their paragraphs and consider headings for each topic. Technology may eventually overcome the problems of screen reading and some of the problems of inconvenience but at this point in time, the portability of the book cannot be matched by the computer.

Multiplicity of design adds to reader bewilderment and irritation. Furthermore, the state of the art cannot seem to get beyond the problem of glitches. Computers fail regularly and the problems of spam and viruses are substantial.

A prime advantage of history on the Web, although not fully realized, is the ability to make source materials widely available. Another important advantage of so-called ‘new media’ is the ability to deliver images, sound and video. The prospect of presenting history with a variety of media is exciting. For example, Robert Caro’s book Master of the Senate stands alone as history. However, pictures, videos, and the voices of the participants in the story of Lyndon Johnson can bolster the reader’s understanding not only of the history, but of the author’s point of view. Caro and other historians could use new media to strengthen their theses just as they use other sources. The source material could be immediately accessed by the reader.