Truman - Racial divisions and domestic problems

What was the Truman's Fair Deal and what did it aim to achieve?

- The Fair Deal (1949) was Truman's programme of domestic reforms designed to extend Roosevelt's New Deal into the post-war period.

- It aimed to improve social welfare, reduce poverty, and increase government responsibility for citizens' wellbeing in areas like healthcare, housing and employment.

What successes did the Fair Deal achieve?

- Social Security extended to around 10 million more Americans.

- Minimum wage increased from 40 cents to 75 cents per hour.

- Support for farmer through soil conservation, flood control and rural electrification.

- National School Lunch Act (1946) provided free/cheap meals for poorer children.

These showed limited but real progress in welfare reform.

Which Fair Deal policies failed and why were they important?

- National health insurance - rejected as 'socialised medicine'.

- Housing reform - only 156,000 houses built by 1952 (far below target of 810,000).

- Civil Rights legislation - blocked by Congress.

These failures meant Truman could not fully expand welfare or equality.

Why was Truman unable to pass most of his Fair Deal reforms?

- Republican opposition after 1946 midterms.

- Conservative Southern Democrats opposed civil rights.

- Fear of socialism during early Cold War.

- Focus shifted to Korean War + foreign policy.

- Truman seen as tactless and poor at negotiating with Congress.

- Public believed New Deal reforms had already gone far enough.

How did Congress limit Truman's power?

- Rejected most of his proposed laws.

- Truman vetoed 250 bills, but 12 were overridden.

- Republicans (from 1946) push far less spending and less federal control.

- Led by figures like Joseph Martin (House Minority Leader).

Shows Truman struggled to control domestic policy.

What is 'socialised medicine' and why was it controversial?

Government-funded healthcare; opposed by conservatives who believed it was too similar to socialism/communism.

What major domestic problems did Truman face after WWII?

- Inflation as price controls ended.

- Strikes (1946-48) across industries.

- Severe housing shortage due to returning soldiers (~12 million).

- Growing racial tensions.

- Beginning of the Cold War (e.g. Berlin Blockade).

How did Truman improve civil rights for African-Americans?

- Desegregated the armed forces (1948)

- Supported anti-lynching laws and civil rights measures.

- Spoke out against racism.

Why did many African-Americans support Truman in 1948?

Because of his civil rights actions - he gained over 2 million Black votes.

Why did Republicans win the 1946 election?

- Public anger over inflation and strikes

- Perception Truman was weak.

- Republican slogan: 'Had Enough?'

Result: Republicans gained control of Congress - blocked Truman's reforms.

Why was Truman predicted to lose the 1948 election?

- Low popularity.

- Divisions in Democratic Party (e.g. Dixiecrats).

- Republicans controlled Congress.

- Media strongly backed Dewey.

Why did Truman win the 1948 election despite expectations?

- Whistle-stop tour (33 days, 30,000 miles) - direct connection with voters.

- Attacked Republicans as a 'do-nothing Congress'.

- Seen as authentic and relatable ('common man').

- Campaigned aggressively in key states (e.g. Illinois).

Won popular vote + key Electoral College states.

What were Truman's main strengths?

- Determined and decisive

- Energetic campaigner

- Plain-speaking - appealed to ordinary voters.

What were Truman's weaknesses

- Could be blunt and tactless.

- Less Charismatic than Roosevelt.

- Sometimes made poor political judgements.

Who was Strom Thurmond and why was he important?

- Leader of the Dixiecrats (States' Rights Democratic Party).

- Opposed civil rights.

- Won 4 Southern states in 1948.

Shows division in Democratic Party and resistance to civil rights.

How successful was Truman in domestic policy?

- Limited success.

- Achieved some welfare reforms.

- Failed to pass major policies due to Congress.

- More successful in foreign policy than domestic policy.