Harry S. Truman
Resources
Background Information
Economy
Social Security
- Social Security was only half finished.
- Truman introduced the Fair Deal, which proposed the expansion of Social Security, a full employment program, a permanent Fair Employment Practices Act, and public housing and slum clearance.
- He said the ultimate aim was for it to be an extensive insurance system to protect all our people equally against insecurity and ill health because most people could not afford to pay for the care that they needed.
- Born in Missouri on May 8, 1884
- Grew up on the family farm; did not attend college
- Fought in World War I at 33 (2 years older than the age limit)
- Served as Vice President for 82 days before Rooselvelt died of a massive stroke
- April 12, 1945-was sworn in as president- Democrat
- Left office in 1953
- Died in 1972
- http://www.ontheissues.org/celeb/Harry_S_Truman_Budget_+_Economy.htm
- http://millercenter.org/president/truman/essays/biography/print
- http://www.ontheissues.org/celeb/Harry_S_Truman_Social_Security.htm
- http://www.pbs.org/wnet/jimcrow/stories_events_ww2.html
- http://www.ontheissues.org/Celeb/Harry_S_Truman_Education.htm
- http://www.history.com/topics/us-presidents/harry-truman
- http://www.biography.com/people/harry-s-truman-9511121
- in 1947, he introduced the Marshall plan, which gave billions of dolllars to help stimulate economic recovery in European nations.
- In 1949, he battled a severe economic slowdown.
- Unemployment and inflation grew in the first six months of that year.
- The Korean War caused unemployment to stay low, inflation remained in check but military production increased.
- His primary concern was to try and keep a healthy economic growth.
War
Perspective on Civil Rights
Education
- World War II
- Started the Cold War
- Led the United States into the Korean War
- Atomic bomb on Nagasaki and Hiroshima
- He wanted war to end-dropping the atomic bomb caused Japan to surrender
- Shocked everyone by supporting civil rights when the Cold War intensified and the nation was becoming more anti-Communist and intolerant
- 1947-made civil rights a national issue
- 1st POTUS to address the NAACP and promised African Americans the government would act now to end discrimination, race prejudice, and violence in American life
- 1948-pushed for civil rights
- Right thing to do
- Had to win the black vote to be elected
- Won the black vote with the presidential election in 1948
- Educational systems faced a financial crisis, which the federal government was responsible for
- If there were education deficiencies in a state, then the nation would suffer
- Decision whether or not to drop the atomic bomb