How Did Lyndon B Johnson Win The Civil Rights Dbq

On July 2, 1964, just 5 months before the presidential elections, Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibited discrimination in many areas of AMerican life and essentially ended segregation. Having opposed many similar bills in the past, Johnson was bombarded by scrutiny claiming that he signed the act only to appeal to voters. However, Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act not because of politics, but instead because he agreed with the civil rights movement, he related to those treated unfairly by segregation, and because he found the subject of segregation to be more important than politics. It is undeniable that Lyndon B. Johnson fully believed in the civil rights movement. For example, upon signing the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Johnson made the remarks, “ We believe that all men are created equal. Yet many are denied equal treatment. We believe that all men have certain unalienable rights. Yet many Americans do not enjoy those rights.” (Document F) Lyndon B.
Johnson believed the Civil Rights Act to be more important than the presidency. While in a discussion about the civil rights bill, Johnson was told: “... it’s going to cost you the South and cost you the election,” to which he responded, “If that’s the price I’ve got to pay, I’ll pay it gladly.” (Document C) Johnson’s response shows that he’d rather lose the presidential election than lose the civil rights bill. In another instance, after Johnson was asked why him so long to act against segregation, he responded with, “Free at last, free at last. Thank God almighty I’m free at last.” (Document E) Johnson was finally “free” from his expectations and obligations as a Texas senator, and political gain was no longer a factor in his decisions. These responses ultimately show how Johnson’s personal beliefs were the deciding factor in his signing of the Civil Rights Act, because he would have signed the bill even if it led to him losing the