Final answer:
The statement is true: 'The Other America' by Michael Harrington inspired Lyndon B. Johnson's War on Poverty, part of his Great Society program that aimed to address poverty in the United States through various social reforms and initiatives.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that 'The War on Poverty was inspired by The Other America, a powerful book that investigated the "culture of poverty" tucked away in urban slums and rural regions, is true. Michael Harrington's The Other America exposed the harsh realities of poverty and acted as a catalyst for President Lyndon B. Johnson's 'War on Poverty.' This ambitious initiative included various programs such as the Economic Opportunity Act (EOA), which allocated almost $1 billion for antipoverty measures, as well as the creation of VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America), Job Corps, and Project Head Start.
Johnson's 'war on poverty' unfolded under his larger domestic program known as the Great Society. The Great Society sought to improve the lives of impoverished Americans through environmental improvement, education reforms, and urban development, garnering public support during a time when the United States had a liberal political leaning. However, challenges such as the Vietnam War and rising expectations limited the effectiveness and funding of the antipoverty initiatives.