How does Truman run the country after WWII? Post War America How does Truman run the country after WWII?

Mass Produced Homes Lack of home building & GI Bill of Rights causes housing shortage Assembly line method of production of homes creates affordable housing & birth of the suburbs (Levittown, NY first suburbs) $7,000!

Truman Avoids Depression Truman worried about possible Depression, $35 mil war contracts canceled, one million defense workers laid off 1) Gov encourages people to spend saved money, 2) Marshall plan gives $ to Europe, 3) GATT reduces tariffs Result: economy booms w/ new jobs in retail & manufacturing Strikes Plague Recovery Strikes causing shortages of goods, Truman tries to limit strikers (natl interests at stake ) Shortages allow Republicans to win back Congress, pass Taft-Hartley Act limiting union’s powers

Truman & Civil Rights Truman wants to end racial discrimination 1)Proposes Anti-lynching laws, 2)ban on the poll tax & 3)permanent civil rights commission Congress votes all three down In response, Truman uses Executive Order to integrate the armed forces Baseball integrates, Brooklyn Dodgers sign Jackie Robinson, other MLB teams follow - Truman announces “Fair Deal” supporting education, social security, and min wage http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CX3tv9uKj1I

1948 Election Upset Southerners form States Rights Party “Dixiecrats” to challenge Truman: 1) Democrats – Harry Truman 2) “Dixiecrats”– Strom Thurmond 3) Republicans- Thomas Dewey Truman wins in an upset, criticizes Republican policies, so Congress “kills” Fair Deal