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Post War America. Truman and Eisenhower. Return to a peacetime economy after the war caused problems: Rising demand Inflation Strikes GI Bill: boosted the economy by giving loans to veterans to help them start businesses, buy homes, and attend college. Truman Domestic Agenda.
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Truman and Eisenhower • Return to a peacetime economy after the war caused problems: • Rising demand Inflation Strikes • GI Bill: boosted the economy by giving loans to veterans to help them start businesses, buy homes, and attend college
Truman Domestic Agenda • Despite Democratic losses in 1946, Truman pursued an aggressive domestic agenda: • Increase in minimum wage • Expansion of social security • Program to ensure full employment • National health insurance • Civil Rights bill
Truman • With Congress dominated by Republicans and conservative Democrats, however, most of Truman’s proposals were defeated. • Taft-Hartley Act approved over Truman’s Veto • Truman ran for re-election in 1948 • Truman ran an aggressive campaign against the Republican Do-Nothing Congress and won a surprise victory.
Truman • After his reelection, Truman proposed the Fair Deal, an extension of the New Deal, some of which Congress approved. • In 1952, with the war in Korea dragging on, Truman decided not to run again.
Eisenhower • Appointed several business leaders to Cabinet jobs and viewed business growth as vital to the nation. • Cut taxes and some federal spending. • Got the Federal Highway Act passed, which constructed the interstate highway system. • Extended social security and unemployment, and increased minimum wage.
Eisenhower • By the time Eisenhower ran for reelection in 1956, the nation had completed the transition from a wartime to a peacetime economy, and the 1950s were turning into an extremely prosperous decade