Ep 5. LBJ, Pt. 1

The Presidents Collection season 1 episode 5, titled LBJ, Pt. 1, delves into the presidency of Lyndon B. Johnson, the 36th President of the United States. The episode begins with a brief background of Johnson's early life and political career, including his time as a congressman and senator from Texas. It then delves into his sudden and unexpected ascension to the presidency following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in November 1963.

The episode explores Johnson's leadership style and his ambitious domestic policy agenda, which came to be known as the "Great Society." Johnson saw himself as a champion of the poor and marginalized, and his program included initiatives such as the War on Poverty, Medicare, and the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The episode examines the political challenges Johnson faced in passing these landmark pieces of legislation, including resistance from Southern Democrats who opposed civil rights reform.

Throughout the episode, archival footage and interviews with historians and political insiders provide insight into Johnson's personality and his approach to governing. Johnson was known for his interpersonal skills and his ability to work the levers of power in Washington, but he was also criticized for his sometimes abrasive demeanor and for his handling of the Vietnam War.

The episode ends on a cliffhanger, with Johnson's presidency hanging in the balance as a result of the Vietnam War and growing protests at home. Despite his many accomplishments, Johnson's legacy is complex and controversial, and the episode leaves viewers with a sense of the challenges and contradictions of his presidency.