TRUMANDEWEY 1948 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION Why was the Election
- Slides: 10
TRUMAN/DEWEY 1948 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
Why was the Election Controversial • Truman had approval numbers so low the Democratic Party looked for another nominee – tried to draft Eisenhower • Truman was “no Roosevelt”—the change was hard on Democrats • Dewey was popular, liberal New York governor • Dewey was considered “electable” • The “Dixie-crates” placed Strom Thurmond in nomination as a Third Party candidate • Republican Platform was more pro civil rights than Democratic Platform
Truman/Barkley Dewey/Warren Thurmond/Wright Wallace/Taylor Thomas/Smith ELECTION RESULTS Democratic Party Republican Party State’s Rights Party Progressive Party Socialist Party 303 Electoral Votes 189 Electoral Votes 39 Electoral Votes 0 0
PARTY PLATFORMS DEMOCRATIC Preserve Peace Control atomic weapons Strengthen U. N. Curb inflation Provide Adequate housing Support unions-minimum wage of. 75 Extend health insurance Support farms Have supported civil rights Condemn communism REPUBLICAN Opportunity for all citizens Support workers and employers rights Support farm prices Develop national heritage in west Support the U. N. Provide decent wages for all Strong national defense Dignity for all despite race, creed or color
WHY DID TRUMAN WIN? ? • • • Berlin Airlift Civil Rights Desegregation of the Military Recognition of Israel “Whistlestop” Campaign
Berlin Airlift 80% of U. S. citizens supported aid to Berlin Even higher percentage of Republicans — 83%
Civil Rights and Desegregation African/ American voters abandon Republican Party for first time since Reconstruction and support Democratic candidate 9 -1
Recognition of Israel Jewish American voters praise Truman for his rapid recognition of the new nation of Israel created in the Middle East— 6 minutes after official creation
Campaign Strategy Truman wins over small farmers and western states by giving speeches throughout the west from train platform. He logs over 25, 000 miles prior to election night.
