The Great Society initiatives of the 1960s brought major political and social shifts, focusing on poverty alleviation and civil rights. Spearheaded by President Lyndon B. Johnson, these initiatives expanded the federal government's role in social programs, significantly influencing education, healthcare, and social welfare. Key programs included Medicare, Medicaid, and the Economic Opportunity Act. The movement aimed to eradicate racial injustice and improve living conditions for the economically disadvantaged. However, it also faced criticism for escalating federal bureaucracy and spending, as well as intersecting with the Vietnam War, which diverted attention and resources away from domestic reforms.