Question

Why did Lyndon Johnson’s support for the Civil Rights Act of 1964 surprise many Americans?

He had earlier threatened to veto the bill.

He had supported the Birmingham jailing of Martin Luther King, Jr.

He had forcefully opposed the efforts of the freedom riders.

He was a southerner with an unimpressive record on race issues.

Answer 1

Lyndon Johnson’s support for the Civil Rights Act of 1964 surprised many Americans because Lyndon Johnson was from the South and expressed racial views previously.

Lyndon Baines Johnson was an American politician who served as the 36th president of the United States from 1963 to 1969. He took office following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. A Democrat from Texas, Johnson also served as a United States Representative and as the Majority Leader in the United States Senate. Johnson is one of only four people who have served in all four federal elected positions.