1964 United States presidential election

1964 United States presidential election
Public domain · source
Year	1964
Candidate1	Lyndon B. Johnson
Candidate2	Barry Goldwater
Party1	Democratic Party (United States)
Party2	Republican Party (United States)
Home state1	Texas
Home state2	Arizona
Running mate1	Hubert Humphrey
Running mate2	William E. Miller
Electoral votes1	486
Electoral votes2	52

1964 United States presidential election was a significant event in the history of the United States, with Lyndon B. Johnson, the incumbent President of the United States, running against Barry Goldwater, a U.S. Senator from Arizona. The election was marked by a strong performance by Johnson, who had taken office after the assassination of John F. Kennedy in Dallas, Texas. Johnson's campaign focused on his Great Society program, which included initiatives such as Medicare and Medicaid, and his commitment to continuing the policies of Kennedy, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The election also saw the rise of conservative movement, led by figures such as William F. Buckley Jr. and the National Review.

● Introduction

The 1964 presidential election was a pivotal moment in American history, with the country still reeling from the assassination of John F. Kennedy in November 1963. Lyndon B. Johnson, who had taken office after Kennedy's death, was determined to win the election in his own right and continue the policies of his predecessor. Johnson's campaign was supported by prominent Democrats such as Hubert Humphrey, Robert F. Kennedy, and Ted Kennedy, as well as organizations like the AFL-CIO and the NAACP. On the other hand, the Republican Party was divided, with Barry Goldwater emerging as the nominee after a contentious primary campaign against Nelson Rockefeller and William Scranton.

● Nominations

The Democratic National Convention was held in Atlantic City, New Jersey, where Lyndon B. Johnson was nominated for president and Hubert Humphrey was chosen as his running mate. The convention was notable for the presence of prominent Democrats such as Robert F. Kennedy, Ted Kennedy, and Walter Reuther, as well as the support of organizations like the United Auto Workers and the ACLU. The Republican National Convention was held in San Francisco, where Barry Goldwater was nominated for president and William E. Miller was chosen as his running mate. The convention was marked by a strong showing by conservative delegates, who were supported by figures such as William F. Buckley Jr. and the John Birch Society.

● General Election

The general election campaign was marked by a series of debates and speeches by the candidates, including a notable appearance by Johnson at the United Nations General Assembly and a speech by Goldwater at the University of Michigan. Johnson's campaign focused on his commitment to continuing the policies of John F. Kennedy, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Great Society program. Goldwater's campaign, on the other hand, emphasized his conservative credentials and his opposition to the Great Society program, which he saw as an example of Big government. The campaign also saw the involvement of third-party candidates, including Eric Hass of the Socialist Labor Party of America and Clifton DeBerry of the Socialist Workers Party.

● Campaign

The campaign was marked by a series of notable events, including a speech by Johnson at the Gettysburg National Cemetery and a appearance by Goldwater at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. Johnson's campaign also featured a series of television ads, including the famous Daisy ad, which warned of the dangers of Nuclear war and implied that Goldwater was reckless and impulsive. Goldwater's campaign, on the other hand, emphasized his commitment to States' rights and his opposition to the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which he saw as an example of Federal overreach. The campaign also saw the involvement of prominent figures such as Martin Luther King Jr., who supported Johnson's campaign, and Ronald Reagan, who supported Goldwater's campaign.

● Results

The election results were a landslide victory for Johnson, who won 486 electoral votes to Goldwater's 52. Johnson also won the popular vote, receiving over 43 million votes to Goldwater's 27 million. The election saw a strong showing by Johnson in the Southern United States, where he won several states that had traditionally voted Republican, including Texas, Georgia, and Louisiana. The election also saw a strong showing by Goldwater in the Western United States, where he won several states, including Arizona, Utah, and Idaho.

● Aftermath

The aftermath of the election saw Johnson's inauguration as president, where he was sworn in by Earl Warren, the Chief Justice of the United States. Johnson's presidency was marked by a series of significant events, including the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965. The election also saw the rise of the conservative movement, which would go on to play a significant role in American politics in the decades to come. The election also marked the beginning of a period of significant social and cultural change in the United States, including the Civil Rights Movement and the Counterculture of the 1960s. Category:United States presidential elections