2._Truman_Domestic_Policy

Truman's Domestic Policy

Overview of Truman's First Term

• Focused on addressing labor issues and civil rights.

Taft-Hartley Act

• Anti-union measure passed in response to labor disruptions after WWII.

• Granted the president authority to delay strikes for a cooling-off period of 80 days.

• Outlawed closed shop practices, which required union membership for hiring.

• Despite restrictions, AFL and CIO membership increased.

Civil Rights Initiatives

• Truman recognized racial discrimination conflicts with American ideals during WWII.

• Appointed a Civil Rights Committee that culminated in the document "To Secure These Rights."

• Key conclusion: Call for desegregation of America.

• Truman issued executive orders:

  • Banned racial discrimination in federal hiring.

  • Desegregated the military, inspired by Jackie Robinson's success in breaking baseball's color barrier.

Presidential Succession Act of 1947

• Established the order of succession for the presidency during potential crises, particularly nuclear threats.

• Order of succession: Vice President, Speaker of the House, President Pro Tempore, Secretary of State.

• Also established a two-term limit on the presidency via the 22nd Amendment due to FDR's lengthy tenure.

The Red Scare: 1940s and 50s

• Increase in paranoia related to potential communist infiltration (spies) and military threats.

• Famous spy cases: Alger Hiss and the Rosenbergs, highlighting fears of espionage.

• Soviets developed powerful nuclear capabilities with the atomic bomb (1949) and hydrogen bomb (1953).

Political Reactions to the Red Scare

• Heightened fears led to anti-communist measures:

  • Smith Act (1940): Criminalized advocacy for overthrowing the government.

  • HUAC (House Un-American Activities Committee): Investigated alleged communist influence, notably calling out Hollywood figures (Hollywood Ten).

  • Truman Loyalty Program: Investigated federal employees for communist ties; implemented loyalty oaths.

  • McCarran Internal Security Bill: Required communist organizations to register, limiting their rights.

McCarthyism

• Led by Senator Joseph McCarthy, who gained notoriety through unfounded accusations of communism within the government.

• Created an atmosphere of fear—"Guilty by suspicion" and "guilty by association" strategies.

• Decline in McCarthy's popularity following televised hearings in 1954 revealing his lack of evidence.

Truman's Election and Policies

• Truman's surprising reelection in 1948 due to support from key demographics: farmers, workers, African Americans.

• Promoted the Fair Deal initiative aiming for social improvements (minimum wage, public housing).

• Politicians supporting civil rights faced backlash from Southern Democrats, limiting his progress.

• Chose not to run for reelection in 1952, influenced by the ongoing Korean War.

Culture in the 1950s

• GI Bill of Rights: Helped returning servicemen adjust through loans for homes, farms, and education.

• Baby Boom: Significant population growth, with millions of babies born post-WWII.

• Economic prosperity marked by increased middle-class growth and consumerism:

  • National income doubled; prosperity often confined to white middle-class families.

• Levittowns: Emergence of affordable suburban housing, symbolizing post-war America.

• Reemergence of the cult of domesticity, emphasizing traditional gender roles, with media reinforcing these norms (e.g., TV shows).

• Sunbelt Growth: Migration to southern states fueled by climate and job opportunities, expanding opportunities in tech and military-related industries.