Pres. Johnson's State of the Union speeches: on Foreign Policy


State of the Union depends on state of the world

Today the state of the Union depends, in large measure, upon the state of the world. Our concern and interest, compassion and vigilance, extend to every corner of a dwindling planet.

Yet, it is not merely our concern but the concern of all free men. We will not, and we should not, assume that it is the task of Americans alone to settle all the conflicts of a torn and troubled world. Let the foes of freedom take no comfort from this. For in concert with other nations, we shall help men defend their freedom. The community of nations requires mutual respect. We shall extend it--and we shall expect it.

Our own freedom and growth have never been the final goal of the American dream. We were never meant to be an oasis of liberty and abundance in a worldwide desert of disappointed dreams. Our Nation was created to help strike away the chains of ignorance and misery and tyranny wherever they keep man less than God means him to be.

Source: Pres. Johnson's 1965 State of the Union message to Congress Jan 4, 1965

Lines of policy: strength; non-proliferation; common defense

I will follow the five continuing lines of policy that America has followed under its last four Presidents.
  1. Strength: We are strong enough to keep all of our commitments. We will need expenditures of $58.3 billion for the next fiscal year to maintain this necessary defense might.
  2. Effort to control, and to reduce, and to ultimately eliminate the modern engines of destruction. We will vigorously pursue existing proposals--and seek new ones--to control arms and to stop the spread of nuclear weapons.
  3. Help build those associations of nations which reflect the opportunities and the necessities of the modern world. By strengthening the common defense, by stimulating world commerce, by meeting new hopes, these associations serve the cause of a flourishing world.
  4. Help improve the life of man. This year I propose major new directions in our program of foreign assistance to help those countries who will help themselves.
  5. Support of national independence.
    Source: Pres. Johnson's 1966 State of the Union message to Congress Jan 12, 1966

    • The above quotations are from Pres. Johnson's State of the Union messages to Congress, 1964-1969.
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    Page last updated: Feb 24, 2019