Harry S. Truman

Harry S. Truman Domestic Issues and Policies

Outline • Background • Economic Growth • Fair DealAct • Civil Rights Revolution

Key Terms • Employment Act of 1946 • Servicemen’s Readjustment at of 1944 • Veterans’ Administration • Fair Deal of 1949 • Civil Rights Revolution

Background • 33rd President of the United States (1945-1953) • Born May 8, 1884 • Died December 26, 1972 (age 88) • Army veteran from WWI • Democratic Party

Economic Growth • Poor economy six months into 1949 • Truman set out to create a new economic policy that would balance spending • In 1950, the economy rose, proving the effectiveness of Truman’s policy

Employment Act of 1946 • Response to the poor economy • Truman sold war factories to private businesses • Wanted to “promote maximum employment, production, and purchasing power.” • Created a 3-member council of economic advisors

Servicemen’s Readjustment act of 1944 • “GI Bill” • Provides education to veterans at the government’s expense • 14.5 billion in tax dollars were used • Veterans’ Administration: $16 billion in loans for veterans to buy homes, farms, and small businesses to stimulate the economy • Created economic expansion in the 1940’s

Fair Deal of 1949 • Promised economic growth • Repealed the Taft-Hartley • Increased the minimum wage • Expanded social security program by extending old-age insurance in the Social Security Act of 1950 • Aided African-American’s rights • Affected Housing Act of 1949 by providing public housing • Called for, but did not provide: more TVA’s, better farm price supports, full employment, improved housing.

Civil Rights Revolution • Truman had an effect on the spark of the African-American rights revolution • Ended segregation in federal civil service in 1948 and ordered fair treatment and opportunity to African-American’s in the armed forces.

Harry S. Truman

Harry S. Truman

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