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The Presidents Connect today's election issues with the past

 

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Chapter 1

Introduction (4:35)
Part one of a biography of Lyndon B. Johnson, the 36th president.
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Chapter 2

A Politician from Birth (7:57)
Johnson grows up in poor, rural Texas hill country. Campaigning on a New Deal platform, he wins a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.
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Chapter 3

In Washington (11:11)
Johnson networks in Washington and Texas. He loses a Senate bid and learns hard lessons in the dark side of politics.
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Chapter 4

The Senate Campaign of 1948 (12:30)
Johnson runs a flamboyant campaign in a tough race. He wins the seat, dogged by rumors of fraud.
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Chapter 5

In the Senate (9:00)
Johnson becomes a power broker, developing a bargaining style known as "the Johnson treatment."
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Chapter 6

The Civil Rights Act of 1957 (6:47)
Setting the stage for a presidential run, Johnson builds consensus to protect African Americans' voting rights.
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Chapter 7

Johnson Becomes Vice President (9:09)
Johnson loses the 1960 Democratic nomination but is named Senator John Kennedy's running mate. He becomes president in 1963 after Kennedy is shot.
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Chapter 8

Johnson and the Kennedy Administration (5:16)
President Johnson determines to fulfill Kennedy's programs.
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Chapter 9

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 (10:49)
Johnson waits out the longest Senate filibuster in history to achieve the bill that makes racial segregation illegal.
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Chapter 10

Prelude to War (6:48)
Following Robert McNamara's advice, Johnson okays covert commando attacks against North Vietnam to stop Communism.
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Chapter 11

The Great Society (9:01)
Reaching back to his populist roots, Johnson declares war on poverty.
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Chapter 12

Gulf of Tonkin (9:11)
Johnson claims that North Vietnam has attacked a U.S. destroyer. He uses the incident as the basis for expanding the war against North Vietnam.
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Chapter 13

Landslide Victory (9:42)
Johnson defeats Barry Goldwater, winning the presidency by an unprecedented majority.
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Chapter 14

Credits (3:00)
Production credits for part one of the television program.
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Chapter 15

Introduction (3:40)
Part two of a biography of Lyndon B. Johnson, the 36th president.
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Chapter 16

Johnson's "Real Presidency" (8:44)
Johnson pushes his Great Society agenda in a legislative avalanche. Advisors — the "best and the brightest" — counsel him to escalate the war in Vietnam.
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Chapter 17

Negotiations (7:10)
The consummate political bargainer hopes to broker a deal with North Vietnamese leader Ho Chi Minh.
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Chapter 18

Voting Rights for African Americans (10:41)
Civil rights protesters force Johnson's hand on voting rights for African Americans. Their cause is helped by national media coverage of brutal police attacks.
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Chapter 19

The Decision to Expand the War (12:25)
Although defending South Vietnam now appears it will require many years and sacrificed American lives, Johnson decides to expand the war.
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Chapter 20

Black Power (10:15)
Johnson's social aid programs bring about positive change, but some see his efforts as too little, too late. Urban riots erupt across the nation.
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Chapter 21

Questioning the War (9:05)
As Americans watch the Vietnam War in their living rooms, support for it wavers.
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Chapter 22

A Miasma of Trouble (15:14)
Johnson struggles to keep his dream of the Great Society alive while the country spins out of control.
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Chapter 23

No Surrender (6:22)
The war in Vietnam looks unwinnable. Johnson's advisors counsel him to improve the public's view of the war. ,
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Chapter 24

The Tet Offensive (10:11)
The North Vietnamese bombing of South Vietnam over the Tet holiday becomes a turning point in the war.
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Chapter 25

A Continuous Nightmare (12:04)
Johnson decides not to run for re-election. His legislation has carried New Deal liberalism to its peak, but the war in Vietnam has defeated him.
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Chapter 26

The Post Presidency (5:38)
Depressed, Johnson retires to his Texas ranch. He suffers a fatal heart attack just days before peace talks end the Vietnam War.
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Chapter 27

Credits (3:01)
Production credits for part two of the television program.
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  • LBJ: Chapter 1
  • LBJ: Chapter 2
  • LBJ: Chapter 3
  • LBJ: Chapter 4
  • LBJ: Chapter 5
  • LBJ: Chapter 6
  • LBJ: Chapter 7
  • LBJ: Chapter 8
  • LBJ: Chapter 9
  • LBJ: Chapter 10
  • LBJ: Chapter 11
  • LBJ: Chapter 12
  • LBJ: Chapter 13
  • LBJ: Chapter 14
  • LBJ: Chapter 15
  • LBJ: Chapter 16
  • LBJ: Chapter 17
  • LBJ: Chapter 18
  • LBJ: Chapter 19
  • LBJ: Chapter 20
  • LBJ: Chapter 21
  • LBJ: Chapter 22
  • LBJ: Chapter 23
  • LBJ: Chapter 24
  • LBJ: Chapter 25
  • LBJ: Chapter 26
  • LBJ: Chapter 27
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