19 – 1 Vocabulary/Identification G.I. Bill of Rights suburb Harry S. Truman Fair Deal Dixiecrat

Chapter 19 - 1 Postwar America

Millions of veterans face problems as they return to civilian life GI Bill of Rights Free education Unemployment benefits Low-interest loans Returning veterans used loans to: Buy homes and farms Start businesses

Housing Shortages Shortages arose as veterans returned Problems included: Cramped apartments Living with relatives Solutions included: William Levitt Low cost housing, built using the assembly line concept. Development of “suburbs”, where housing sprang up in communities surrounding cities. Starter houses cost $7,000

Housing Shortages Solutions included: Government responds by: Financial support to clear out slums Build low-income housing units (Projects) Increased public funding for public housing.

Redefining the Family Changing roles between men and women create problems as women struggle returning to more “traditional” roles of homemaker and wives. Dramatic increase in divorce rates By 1950, more than 1,000,000 war marriages end in divorce.

Economic Concerns U.S. government cancels $35 billion in war contracts. Within 10 days of Japan’s surrender over 1 million defense workers laid off. By March 1946, unemployment reaches 3 million. Office of Price Administration ends price controls.

Economic Concerns Run away inflation creeps in. When controls end on June 30, 1946, prices soar 25% overnight. Consumers stood in lines to buy scare items like sugar, coffee, and beans. Prices continue to rise for next 2 years until supply catches up with demand. Workers earn less than during the war years.

Economic Concerns Government steps in and reestablishes; Price controls Control of wages Controls on rents Economy begins to recover because of; Pent up consumer demand, Many Americans had money to spend, Which brought about a need workers as new industries developed.

Economic Concerns Labor unrest threatens recovery. Facing lower wages and higher prices, 4.5 million workers went on strike in 1946. Strikes included the following industries; Steel workers Coal miners Railroad workers

Economic Concerns Truman’s response included; Authorizing the government to seize mines, Threatened to take control of the railroads, Threatened to draft striking workers into the army, and ordering them to stay on the job.

Economic Concerns Had Enough??? Republicans make gains in the 1946 elections. Pass Taft-Hartley Act Over Truman’s veto Overturned many labor rights won under the New Deal

Social Unrest, Discrimination and Racial Violence Racial violence erupts in the South. In 1946, Truman creates President’s Commission on Civil Rights. Recommendations included; Federal anti-lynching laws Abolition of the poll tax Prevent discrimination in hiring Federal legislation to eliminate discrimination in voting Integrate the armed forces

The Election of 1948 Democrats nominate Truman despite being blamed for social, economic and labor problems. Democratic Party splits over Truman’s emphasis on civil rights. Dixiecrats are formed Southern whites for a States’ Rights Party, nominating North Carolina Senator Strom Thurman as its candidate.

The Election of 1948 Progressive Party Republican Party Discontent over the “liberal left”, former vice-President, Henry A. Wallace leads his supporters out of the convention. Republican Party Nominates New York Governor, Thomas E. Dewey. Dewey was widely viewed as the clear winner in the election.

The Election of 1948 “Give’em Hell, Harry” was Truman’s campaign slogan. Travelling around the country, Truman accused Congress of; Failing to act on reforms, including: Higher minimum wages, Extended Social Security coverage, Federal aid to education and Public housing. “Do-nothing, 80th Congress”

Chicago Daily Tribune 11/3/48

Truman Wins With victory in 48, Truman introduces his “Fair Deal”, an extension of FDR’s “New Deal”. Fair Deal calls for; Compulsory health insurance, Crop subsidy to aid farmers, Increase minimum wage, Expanded Social Security coverage and Flood and irrigation control projects.

Truman Wins Republicans, joined by Dixiecrats and some Northern Democrats defeat health insurance and farm subsidies, but pass other measures.

Republicans Take Control Concerns over Korea and China spells defeat for Democrats in 1952 Eisenhower/Nixon win the 52’ election despite charges against Nixon of receiving payments from an illegal “slush fund”.

Nixon Responds to Allegations

Make No Waves… The Era of Modern Republicanism Eisenhower Administration – Avoids controversy at all costs. Civil Rights Movement is Born Brown v. Board of Education Rosa Parks Civil Disobedience

Ike’s Accomplishments Balance the Federal Budget and cut taxes Raise minimum wage, Extend Social Security and unemployment benefits, Increased funding for public housing, Backed creation of interstate highways, Department of Health, Education and Welfare

Homework Page 640 Questions 2,4,5