Question
To what extent was Johnson’s Great Society successfully implemented?
▶️Answer/Explanation
Ans:
Candidates will consider the merits or otherwise of the suggestion that Johnson successfully implemented his Great Society domestic policies. This programme launched the war on poverty in the US and attempted to improve the quality of life. He passed important legislation in healthcare, education, housing, civil rights and in relation to the environment. His programmes encountered obstacles from interest groups who felt that they threatened their influence or who feared the expansion of government power. The success of the programmes was limited by the Vietnam War, which drained large amounts of money from the programmes, created inflation, which weakened the economy and distracted Johnson from maintaining the programmes. Overall however, he made fundamental changes in American domestic policy particularly in civil rights, healthcare, education and employment. Success may be judged by the degree to which his proposed polices were implemented or carried out.
Question
Evaluate the impact on Canadian society of the governments of Pearson and Trudeau.
▶️Answer/Explanation
Ans:
Candidates will make an appraisal of the impact that each leader had on Canadian society, weighing up the strengths and limitations of their administrations. Lester Pearson was prime minister from 1963–1968. Candidates may refer to his rebuilding of the Liberal Party, his leadership in a coalition government, and his social policies, such as healthcare and a pension plan. He also restructured the Canadian military, acted more strongly on the issue of Quebec separatism, approved the new Maple Leaf flag for Canada and kept Canada out of Vietnam. Pierre Trudeau was Prime Minister from 1968–1979 and 1980–1984. Candidates may refer to his handling of the FLQ Crisis and his use of the War Measures Act to resolve it. He gained passage of the Official Languages Act and led movements for constitutional reform, which brought the patriation of the constitution in 1982 as well as a Charter of Rights.
Question
To what extent were the social programmes of Kennedy’s New Frontier successful?
▶️Answer/Explanation
Ans:
Candidates will consider the merits or otherwise of the suggestion that the social programmes of President Kennedy’s New Frontier were successful. Achievements that may be developed include the expansion of unemployment benefits, and increases in the minimum wage, social security and housing benefits. A pilot food stamp programme and aid to public school lunch programmes were initiated. An executive order to ban discrimination in federal housing, prohibition of discrimination in federal hiring of minorities and support of the Interstate Commerce Commission’s (ICC) effort to integrate public transportation was implemented. Limitations that may be cited include the failure to obtain Congressional support for preservation of wilderness land. Congress also blocked civil rights legislation against race-based voting restrictions as well as legislation to extend federal health care assistance for the aged and the indigent.
Question
To what extent was the power of the provincial government in Quebec increased as a result of the Quiet Revolution?
▶️Answer/Explanation
Ans:
Candidates will consider the merits or otherwise of the concept that the power of the provincial government in Quebec was increased by the Quiet Revolution. Other factors may be developed, but focus on the impact of the Quiet Revolution is required. Candidates may argue that nationalizing electrical production and other public companies controlling Quebec’s natural resources increased provincial power. However, this may be countered by the argument that unionization of the civil service and the right to strike was restrictive. In education, secular school boards took control from the Catholic Church and compulsory education expanded state power but also led to greater public control over education policy. Creation of a public hospital system and health insurance eroded the influence of the Catholic Church. Quebec nationalism increased but candidates may argue that the rise of nationalist groups led to terrorism and the October Crisis of \(1970\), thus challenging the state.