1. Truman’s Domestic Politics
Post WWII Problems:
Strikes, shortages, inflation, price controls, unemployment caused by soldiers coming home from the war.
Congressional Elections of 1946
Republicans win large victory with the slogans “Had Enough” “To error is Truman”

3. 80th Congress (Republican) vs Truman (Democrat)
Lowered Taxes R (veto overrode)
22nd Amendment RD
Help public housing
D XXX
President Succession Act RD
Expand social security D XXX
NSA military leadership under joint chiefs RD
Aid education D XXX 32

4. 80th Congress (R) vs. Truman (D)
CIA RD
Anti-lynching law D XXX
Cut aid to farmers R
Anti-poll tax D XXX
Atomic Energy Commission RD
Appointed 1st African American Federal Judge D
Desegregated Armed Forces: Civil Rights
GI Bill RD
First African American governor of Virgin Islands D

5. Election of 1948 1st TV Campaign
President Truman faced many challenges for reelection.
ISSUES
Southern Democrats opposed his support for civil rights laws.
Economic Shortages, strikes and “Do Nothing Congress”
Communism
Republicans controlled Congress and felt their candidate, New York governor Thomas Dewey, could beat Truman.

6. Candidates for Election of 1948
Truman (D) relaxed, down to earth, railroad campaign
Thomas Dewey-(R) formal, uptight, poor speaker
Strom Thurmond-Dixiecrat-state’s rights-segregation
Henry Wallace-Progressive- “Socialist” cooperate with USSR

7. Hold on!

8. Results Truman took his case for reelection to the American people.
Traveled thousands of miles and gave hundreds of speeches
Defended his views and attacked Congress
In 1948 election, Truman won a surprise victory.
Urged Congress to support his plan for a package of domestic programs called the Fair Deal
Congress approved some parts, including higher minimum wage and expanded Social Security benefits.
Congress rejected other parts, including civil rights legislation.

9. Results of Election Truman 24 Million 303 Electoral Votes Dewey
Thurmond 1
39 Electoral Votes
Wallace
Democrats
Win
CONGRESS-93
Senate-12