1. Aim #77: What were the domestic policies of presidents Truman and Eisenhower? Do now! Read “Postwar Politics and the Cold War” “My Precious Presidency”

2. (I)Postwar Economy a.GI Bill of Rights (1944): helped veterans by providing tuition assistance for school and low interest government loans b.Tremendous economic boom: people saved their $ during war 1.Defense spending big reason for boom 2.Much of growth in Sunbelt (South) 3.Move to suburbs (Levittowns)

3. (II) Truman Administration a.1 st president in 20 th century to use powers of presidency to challenge racial discrimination 1.Established Committee on Civil Rights 2.Desegregated armed forces b. Republican controlled Congress passes Taft-Hartley over his veto 1. Made “closed shops” illegal (Republicans wanted to reduce growing power of unions)

4. (III) Truman’s Fair Deal (Truman’s Domestic Reform program) a.Called for extending programs of New Deal 1.Extend social security benefits 2.Increase minimum wage 3.Proposed a National health insurance plan 4.Created a permanent Fair Employment Practices Act b. Conservatives in Congress blocked most of his Fair Deal proposals ***PROBLEM…Truman’s preoccupation with Cold War affairs held back his effectiveness

5. https://youtu.be/DF9PsMDjc8g

6. (IV). Eisenhower’s Domestic Policies a.Moderate Republican (elected in 1952; hardcore anticommunist Nixon was his VP); was a conservative, pro-business and industry b.Largest public works project adopted: Interstate Highway Act 1.Provided for the building of 42,000 miles of interstate highways 2.Justified as necessary for national defense c. effects: created jobs, growth of suburbs (and White flight); Standardized American culture (McDonald’s) d. National Defense of Education Act: more federal $ to improve education e. NASA: develop technology such as missiles and space exploration