Truman notes

What policy did Truman implement to address the unpopularity of the draft?

Demilitarization combated the unpopularity of drafting.

How did Truman's succession to the presidency impact his political credibility?

Truman’s presidency through succession lacked political credibility.

What economic challenges did Truman address by demilitarization?

Demilitarization was used to combat unpopularity of prices, rents, wages, and the supply of food and raw materials.

What was Truman’s housing and employment proposal?

Truman proposed a house building program and a program to maintain full-time employment.

How was Truman politically established before becoming president?

Truman was established politically as a senator.

What proportion of the workforce was employed by the government under Truman?

Half of the working people were employed by the government.

What significant reduction in the military did Truman implement?

Truman reduced armed forces from 12 million to 3 million.

What was Truman’s National Defense Program aimed at?

The National Defense Program aimed to investigate poor performance by defense contractors.

Why did Truman slow the withdrawal of contracts and subsidies?

Truman wanted to avoid an economic depression similar to the 1930s.

What was Truman’s stance on the Taft Hartley Act?

Truman opposed the Taft-Hartley Act, which required all employees to belong to a union.

How did Truman's personal image contribute to his public perception?

Truman was seen as a family man, straight

What were Truman’s actions regarding minimum wage and loans for ex servicemen?

Truman supported a rise in minimum wage, provided loans for ex-servicemen to buy homes, and offered grants for vocational training and education.

What were Truman’s proposed healthcare and education reforms, and how did he handle congressional opposition?

Truman proposed healthcare and education reforms, subsidies for farmers, and repeal of hostile labor legislation, but scapegoated the issue on the Republican Congress due to inability to afford these reforms.

What was the purpose of Truman’s “Hold the Line” executive order?

The executive order aimed to extend federal power to peacetime.

How did the transition from wartime to peacetime economy fare under Truman?

The transition was successful, with the economy secure enough to handle natural levels of inflation starting around 1946.

What was the outcome of Truman's proposal for the Department of Health and Welfare?

The proposal was rejected by Congress.

What was Truman’s approach to maintaining OPA power?

Truman maintained OPA (Office of Price Administration) power, which led to economic reforms.

How did Truman respond to rail strikes and labor disputes?

Truman took control of the railroads and coal mines as a response to labor disputes and strikes.

What was Truman’s stance on national security and government intervention?

Truman maintained the idea that the USA was under national threat and believed government could take any steps necessary to quell it.

What action did Truman take regarding railroad workers and Senate proposals?

Truman drafted railroad workers into the army and blocked Senate proposals.

How did Truman’s handling of coal and rail strikes affect his support from unions?

Truman lost support from unions due to his response to coal and rail strikes and his wartime mentality.

What was Truman’s response to the breach of contract by coal unions?

Truman took control of the coal mines and took the unions to court.

What legislation banned political payments from unions and government employees?

The Taft

What foreign policy doctrine was introduced by Truman in 1947?

The Truman Doctrine was introduced in 1947.

What significant organizations were created during Truman's presidency?

The Department of Defense (DOD), National Security Council (NSC), and Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) were created.

What was the political divide within the Democratic Party during Truman's presidency?

The Democrats were split between Dixiecrats and the Progressive Party (PPA).

What was Truman’s Fair Deal, and what did it include?

The Fair Deal, introduced in 1949, aimed at various reforms including housing and social security improvements.

How many houses did Truman plan to build by 1955?

Truman planned to build 800,000 houses by 1955.

What changes occurred in minimum wage during Truman's presidency?

Minimum wage rose from 40 cents to 75 cents.

How was social security expanded under Truman?

Social security was extended to entrepreneurs.

What was the Displaced Persons Act, and how did it impact immigration?

The Displaced Persons Act allowed 400,000 refugees from Europe to enter the USA.

What was the Hill Burton Act, and what support did it provide?

The Hill-Burton Act approved federal and state support for public hospitals.