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The Truman Years 1945-1953

Explore the transformative period of Truman's presidency, from post-war optimism to racial justice efforts and the Fair Deal agenda. Learn about key events, challenges, and the evolving American values during this era.

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The Truman Years 1945-1953

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  1. The Truman Years1945-1953 The Fair Deal -“The Buck stops here!” Mr. Owens

  2. Essential Questions • How did economic and social changes in the post-war years foster both optimism and fear about how these changes were effecting American values? • How did members of each branch of the federal government promote greater racial justice?

  3. “Reconversion” Post-War Problems • War contracts canceled - $35 billion – 1 million workers laid off • OPA ends controls – prices skyrocket 25%, wages don’t • Wave of strikes in ‘46 – Truman plays “hardball” w/ labor • Employment Act of 1946 –Council of Economic Advisors • Why no return to the Depression?

  4. Readjustment & Recovery • 15 million soldiers returned home • Servicemen’s Readjustment Act of 1944 “GI Bill of Rights” – 2 million to college, unemployment for one year, Low-cost mortgages of housing • Baby Boom – 50 million (1945-1960) • Rise of tract housing & growth of suburbs – “Levittown” Long Island 1947 • Move to Sun Belt states: CA, FL William Levitt

  5. 1946 - Voters Blame Truman • “Had Enough?” 1946 Republican slogan • 1946 – Republicans regain House & Senate - overturn many New Deal policies • Taft-Hartley Act of 1947 – weakened Wagner Act anti-strike and radicalism, Truman veto overridden by Republican congress – called “slave labor bill” by John L. Lewis of CIO • 22nd Amendment - 2 presidential terms (proposed in ‘47 adopted in ‘51).

  6. Truman Supported Civil Rights • Jackie Robinson breaks “color line” 1947 Truman’s Committee on Civil Rights in 1946, proposed: • Anti-lynching laws • Ban on the poll tax • Permanent civil rights commission Congress rejected all. In response, Truman ordered the desegregation of the armed forces (Ex. Order 9981) & federal government in 1948.

  7. 1948 Four Way Election • Democrats split 3 ways: • Democrats - Truman • State’s Rights Party- “Dixiecrats” - pro-segregation Democrats - Strom Thurmond • Progressives - Henry Wallace • Republicans - Thomas Dewey • “Give em Hell Harry” Speeches: Truman attacked “do-nothing” Republicans for not supporting education, social security, and minimum wage.

  8. “I wanna tell you, ladies and gentlemen, that there's not enough troops in the army to force the Southern people to break down segregation and admit the nigra race into our theaters, into our swimming pools, into our homes, and into our churches.” - Strom Thurmond

  9. What happened to Strom Thurmond? • Elected S.C. Senator in 1954 • How long did he serve? • Until 2003 at the age of 100 • 24 hour 18 minute filibuster in 1957 • Joins Republicans in 1964 • 1989 awarded Presidential Citizens Award by Reagan • 1993 awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom by Bush

  10. The Fair Deal • Proposed New Deal +: national health care, federal aid to education, civil rights bill, public housing and farm program • Blocked by Conservatives • Increased minimum wage 40 to 65 cents • Extended Social Security

  11. How did Truman go from being reelected in 1948 to only a 23% approval rating by 1952?

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