UNIT 6 SECTION 8 Truman Eisenhower and Postwar

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UNIT 6 SECTION 8 Truman, Eisenhower, and Postwar America

UNIT 6 SECTION 8 Truman, Eisenhower, and Postwar America

Readjustment and Recovery � � Following WW 2, millions of troops return home GI

Readjustment and Recovery � � Following WW 2, millions of troops return home GI Bill passed to help soldiers adjust �Tuition help �Low interest loans � Housing shortage �Emergence �Levittown of Suburbs

Economic Problems and Solutions � � � Within 10 days of war’s ends, millions

Economic Problems and Solutions � � � Within 10 days of war’s ends, millions of defense workers lose jobs Many predict another depression Underestimate consumers desire for goods Marshall Plan creates strong market for US exports People desire homes, cars, appliances “Affluent Society”

“The Buck Stops Here” � � � Truman was not afraid to make difficult

“The Buck Stops Here” � � � Truman was not afraid to make difficult decisions Strikes threaten to halt economy, threatens government intervention Republicans in Congress go further – pass Taft -Hartley Bill that rolls back union rights given in New Deal

Truman and Civil Rights � � Truman put Presidency on the line for Civil

Truman and Civil Rights � � Truman put Presidency on the line for Civil Rights Issues executive order to integrate the armed forces Fights for Federal Anti-lynching law, other Civil Rights legislation Fails, but angers Southern Democrats

Election of 1948 � � � Harry S Truman – Democrat Thomas Dewey –

Election of 1948 � � � Harry S Truman – Democrat Thomas Dewey – Republican Strom Thurmond – Dixiecrat Truman seen as underdog Calls out Congress for failing to do anything, wins in major upset

The Fair Deal After winning, Truman proposes extension of some New Deal programs –

The Fair Deal After winning, Truman proposes extension of some New Deal programs – “Fair Deal” � Nationwide healthcare, arm subsidies proposed but failed � Minimum wage, social security extension, and housing reform pass Domestic Legacy: � Desegregation of military � Tried to extend New Deal, some programs become reality in 1960’s �

Eisenhower Elected � � � 1952 – Korean War hurts Truman’s popularity – decides

Eisenhower Elected � � � 1952 – Korean War hurts Truman’s popularity – decides not to run Dwight D. Eisenhower, Republican, War Hero elected - “I Like Ike” Richard Nixon is VP – saves place on ticket with “Checkers speech” Middle of the Road Policy – Between laissez faire and New Deal programs Very popular – serves two terms

Eisenhower at Home � � Hand’s off domestic policy; focused mostly on foreign affairs

Eisenhower at Home � � Hand’s off domestic policy; focused mostly on foreign affairs Nation prosperous under Ike’s two terms Growth of conglomerates and franchising Growth of Consumerism – credit cards

Social Conformity and the 50’s � � � 1950’s, American Consumerism reaches new heights

Social Conformity and the 50’s � � � 1950’s, American Consumerism reaches new heights “Good Life” defined in economic terms Less class differences The search for communists at home, a national consumer culture, giant corporations, even the suburbs and television seemed to encourage homogeneity Planned Obsolescence of goods