TRUMAN NOTES

1. What were the key domestic issues faced by Truman, 1945-53

July 1948: Democratic National Convention

        • Truman attempted to unify the party with vague civil rights plank in the party platform

        • Mississippi delegation and half the Alabama delegation walked out of the convetion

→ Most party platforms: equal rights for all

→ Liberals: - desegregation

        • Those delegates that left the Convention formed the States Rights' Democratic Party aka the “Dixiecrats”

        • Democratic Governor of South Carolina, Strom Thurmond, was nominated

        • Meanwhile, Henry Wallace announced his intention to run for President for the Progressive Party

→ Progressive Party:

• desegregation
• National energy

• national health service
• Conciliation with the USSR

        • Ultimately, Thurmond only won 39 electoral college votes and Wallace won 0

        • Truman had won support from workers black americans and farmers

        • Policy of “containment” abroad – the Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan

        • Combined with actions against Communism at home:

        • March 1947: Federal Employee Loyalty and Security Program

• The FBI investigated government employees and applicants with powers to open letters tap phones and bug offices and homes

        • September 1947: National Security Act

• War and Navy department merged into Departement of Defense
• Size of the armed forces was increased and the President could move forces without asking Congress
• Established National Security Council and the CIA: Both reported to the White House and not to Congress

House Un-American Activities Commitee (HUAC)

its role was to investigate “Un-American activities”

        • 1947: Hollywood Ten blacklisted

        • Alger Hiss was tried; convicted of perjury

        • The Rosenbergs were accused of passing on A-bomb secrects to the Soviets and sentenced to death

Why was MacCarthyism able to take hold of America?

• State departement documents found at offices of a communist magazine
• Truman set tone of fear
• 1949: Soviet's first atom bomb and China becomes Communist
• 1950: Korean War begins

TRUMAN

What did it mean to be a Democract, 1945-53

Democrats:

• Liberal
• Interbentionist
• Uberan areas
• “New Deal coalition”

Republicans

• Conservative
• Laissez-Faire
• Rural areas

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