Life and Times 1945-1960 Post War America

Postwar America From Soldier to Civilian GI Bill of Rights 10 million members of the armed services return to civilian life GI Bill promised tuition for school, unemployment while job hunting, and low interest loans. Changes in the Family Housing shortage leads to “suburbs” New role for women in the workforce Divorce rate did increase War Economy to Peace Economy $35 billion worth of war contracts cancelled 3 million people unemployed by 1946 25% inflation by 1946

Postwar America Remarkable Recovery Pent up needs and wants from 15 years of “lean” living $135 Billion in personal savings from Defense work, service pay, and war bonds This demand led to jobs Rebuilt Europe had high demand for American consumer products Cold War Defense spending increased jobs through the 1950’s

Postwar America 1946 Steel, Coal, Railroad workers strike Truman meets economic challenges 1946 Steel, Coal, Railroad workers strike Demand higher wages Truman generally supports unions but sees this strike as a threat He threatens to draft the strikers into the army and seize control of the railroads Republicans win both houses of congress in 1946 election Taft-Hartley Act reduces many of the rights of unions from the New Deal Democrats have controlled congress since 1928…why the change? Shortage of goods Rising inflation Labor strikes

Truman’s Civil Rights Challenge Service in World War II inspired many Black Americans to fight for equal rights in this country. 1946 Truman creates the President’s Commission On Civil Rights; Asked congress for: Federal Anti-Lynching Laws Ban on the Poll Tax Permanent Civil Rights Commission Integration of the Armed Forces Congress failed to pass laws for any of these. 1948 Truman issued an executive order to the Military forcing integration.

Dixiecrats Truman’s Civil Rights moves anger southern Democrats into forming the “States’ Rights Democratic Party” Nominated Governor Strom Thurmond of South Carolina to run against Truman Truman’s vigorous campaign against the Republican “do-nothing” congress helped him defeat the Republican Candidate Thomas Dewey Result of the tumultuous 1948 Presidential campaign was to alienate 4 southern states from the Democratic Party. LA, MS, AL, SC. Truman’s “Fair Deal” as it was called pushed for: Increase in min. wage Extension of Social Security to include more people Federal subsidized low-income housing Irrigation and flood control projects

Republicans win in 1952 Truman’s approval rating dropped dramatically Stalemate in Korea McCarthyism cast doubts on loyalty of Dems 1952 Presidential Election Democrat: Adlai Stevenson Republican: Dwight Eisenhower Typical Cold War election Communist Threat abroad Mismanaged Government at home Senator Richard Nixon: Republican Vice-Presidential candidate Accused of taking illegal campaign contributions “Checkers” Speech Ike was seen as a “middle of the road” politician Did not actively assist in Civil Rights His administration did however continue many liberal policies such as extending social security and increased funding for public housing