1. Truman and the Berlin Airlift

2. Berlin Airlift On June 24, 1948 the Soviets suddenly blocked all highway and rail traffic between West Berlin and Western Europe On June 24, 1948 the Soviets suddenly blocked all highway and rail traffic between West Berlin and Western Europe This blockade effectively cut off West Berlin from all sources of supplies This blockade effectively cut off West Berlin from all sources of supplies Left with less than 40 days' worth of food, people in West Berlin feared a communist takeover Left with less than 40 days' worth of food, people in West Berlin feared a communist takeover The U.S. decided to fly food, fuel, and other goods into the city The U.S. decided to fly food, fuel, and other goods into the city In June 1948, U.S. and British planes began the Berlin Airlift In June 1948, U.S. and British planes began the Berlin Airlift

3. These planes brought thousands of tons of supplies each day to the more than 2 million people in West Berlin These planes brought thousands of tons of supplies each day to the more than 2 million people in West Berlin The Soviets did not want to risk a war by trying to stop the airlift, so on May 12, 1949, they finally lifted the blockade The Soviets did not want to risk a war by trying to stop the airlift, so on May 12, 1949, they finally lifted the blockade In October Germany was divided into two nations In October Germany was divided into two nations West Germany, sided with Western Europe West Germany, sided with Western Europe In response, the Soviets set up East Germany In response, the Soviets set up East Germany

4. New Alliances Form Fears led to the U.S., Canada, Iceland and nine other western European countries to form NATO in 1945 Fears led to the U.S., Canada, Iceland and nine other western European countries to form NATO in 1945 NATO: North Atlantic Treaty Organization: vowed that an attack on one nation-member would be an attack on all NATO: North Atlantic Treaty Organization: vowed that an attack on one nation-member would be an attack on all The Soviet Union responded by forming the Warsaw Pact in 1955, an alliance that included the Eastern European countries. The Soviet Union responded by forming the Warsaw Pact in 1955, an alliance that included the Eastern European countries. The Soviets developed their own atomic bomb in 1949. The Soviets developed their own atomic bomb in 1949.

6. Recession After WWII Truman worried that ending defense contracts and loosening wartime price controls might cause a recession. Truman worried that ending defense contracts and loosening wartime price controls might cause a recession. Returning soldiers began looking for jobs. Returning soldiers began looking for jobs. The government encouraged millions of women who had taken part of the wartime economy to stop working. The government encouraged millions of women who had taken part of the wartime economy to stop working. Despite Truman’s efforts, there were postwar economic troubles. Despite Truman’s efforts, there were postwar economic troubles. With the end of rationing, consumers rushed to buy goods: prices skyrocketed. With the end of rationing, consumers rushed to buy goods: prices skyrocketed.

7. Labor Problems In April 1946, 400,000 members of the United Mine Workers (UMW), walked off their jobs. In April 1946, 400,000 members of the United Mine Workers (UMW), walked off their jobs. Truman could not work out a settlement, and placed the coal mines under government control. Truman could not work out a settlement, and placed the coal mines under government control. In November 1946, UMW president John C. Lewis called another strike. In November 1946, UMW president John C. Lewis called another strike. Truman promised to “fight to the finish” and had Lewis tried for contempt: or disobeying an official order. Truman promised to “fight to the finish” and had Lewis tried for contempt: or disobeying an official order.

8. Taft-Hartley Act Republicans were concerned with closed shops: workplaces in which job applicants must join a union before being hired. Republicans were concerned with closed shops: workplaces in which job applicants must join a union before being hired. In 1947, the Taft-Hartley Act was passed. In 1947, the Taft-Hartley Act was passed. The act made closed shops illegal and required union leaders to swear they were not Communists. The act made closed shops illegal and required union leaders to swear they were not Communists. Despite the conflicts with the UMW, Truman thought that the act placed too many limitations on Unions. Despite the conflicts with the UMW, Truman thought that the act placed too many limitations on Unions. Truman vetoed it, but Congress overrode his veto. Truman vetoed it, but Congress overrode his veto.

9. The 1948 Election The variety of labor problems caused Americans to question Truman’s ability as president. The variety of labor problems caused Americans to question Truman’s ability as president. In 1946, Republicans gained control of Congress for the first time in 18 years. In 1946, Republicans gained control of Congress for the first time in 18 years. Many Democrats tried to “dump Truman” and find a new candidate. Many Democrats tried to “dump Truman” and find a new candidate. Truman won the nomination, but Truman’s support of civil rights caused a split in the party Truman won the nomination, but Truman’s support of civil rights caused a split in the party

10. Dixiecrats Southern Democrats were especially upset with civil rights. Southern Democrats were especially upset with civil rights. They created a new States’ Rights Party they called Dixiecrats. They created a new States’ Rights Party they called Dixiecrats. The Dixiecrats backed racial segregation and limiting African-American voting rights. The Dixiecrats backed racial segregation and limiting African-American voting rights. The Dixiecrats nominated South Carolina governor J. Strom Thurmond for president. The Dixiecrats nominated South Carolina governor J. Strom Thurmond for president.

11. Opposition and Victory A second group of Democrats disliked Truman’s position on labor strikes. A second group of Democrats disliked Truman’s position on labor strikes. They formed a new Progressive Party and supported Henry Wallace for president. They formed a new Progressive Party and supported Henry Wallace for president. Even though Truman campaigned the most, polls still predicted Thomas Dewey (Republican) to win. Even though Truman campaigned the most, polls still predicted Thomas Dewey (Republican) to win. When the results game in, Truman won. When the results game in, Truman won.

12. Fair Deal Truman believed his victory meant Americans supported his reform programs. Truman believed his victory meant Americans supported his reform programs. The Fair Deal intended to provide full employment, a higher minimum wage, and national health insurance. The Fair Deal intended to provide full employment, a higher minimum wage, and national health insurance. Truman also called for more affordable housing, greater Social Security benefits, and aid for farmers. Truman also called for more affordable housing, greater Social Security benefits, and aid for farmers. Congress, however, only supported some Fair Deal reforms: Social Security expansion and raising the minimum wage. Congress, however, only supported some Fair Deal reforms: Social Security expansion and raising the minimum wage.