Final answer:
The book 'The Other America' by Michael Harrington influenced President Johnson to initiate an 'unconditional war on poverty,' which led to the creation of the Economic Opportunity Act, aiming to reduce poverty with nearly $1 billion in funding for social programs.
Step-by-step explanation:
Michael Harrington's influential book, The Other America, exposed the extent of poverty in the United States, prompting President Johnson to take action. In August of 1964, Johnson declared an "unconditional war on poverty in America", which led to the enactment of the Economic Opportunity Act (EOA). This groundbreaking legislation allocated nearly $1 billion to various anti-poverty measures, including small business loans, youth programs, and job training. Critical elements such as the Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA), the Job Corps, and Project Head Start were created as a result of this act.