Post WWII in US

US and Troops Post WWII  US went through major shift Wartime to “Peacetime” economy Wartime to “Peacetime” economy  President Truman faced pressure to “bring the boys home” although he believed this was dangerous this was dangerous  Truman wanted to decrease number of troops slowly and keep alert to new threats (primarily COMMUNISM) (primarily COMMUNISM)

Troops Back to US and Booming Economy = ?  Troops begin to “riot” and forced Truman to reduce troop numbers quickly 1946 – 12 million to 3 million troops worldwide for US troops worldwide for US troops BABY BOOM is partially created due to high number of troops returning in late 1940s BABY BOOM is partially created due to high number of troops returning in late 1940s and number of people moving to and number of people moving to suburbs willing to have larger families suburbs willing to have larger families

Population Growth  During the Great Depression, the birthrate had dropped to an all-time low  The birth rate exploded as millions of postwar Americans began families (Baby Boom)  The death rate was also declining due to peacetime and new medical breakthroughs

US Prepares for Troop Return  Servicemen’s Readjustment Act (GI BILL OF RIGHTS) (GI BILL OF RIGHTS) - Provided hospitals for sick, wounded - Provided hospitals for sick, wounded - Payment to veterans without work - Payment to veterans without work - Preference for jobs with US govt. - Preference for jobs with US govt. - Free Tuition, Books, and College - Free Tuition, Books, and College Expenses Expenses  8 Million veterans of WWII used GI BILL OF RIGHTS at a cost of $14 billion

US Prepares for Troop Return  Congress also passed Employment Act in 1946 Developed Council to advice in 1946 Developed Council to advice President / Congress how to create jobs President / Congress how to create jobs for WWII veterans (contrast to WWI) for WWII veterans (contrast to WWI) BETWEEN GI BILL, EMPLOYMENT ACT, COLD WAR THERE WERE FEW JOB SHORTAGES IN US FOLLOWING WWII

LABOR STRIKES  #1 problem following WWII was strikes  Labor anxious to raise wages which were kept down because of war effort * Major strikes in railroad and coal industries

TRUMAN REACTS TO STRIKES  Harry Truman reacted by asking Congress to declare “state of national emergency” whenever a strike endangered national safety  Workers who continued to strike would lose all benefits and seniority and be drafted into ARMY  “Give ‘em Hell Harry” nickname from this

TAFT-HARTLEY ACT Attitude towards labor by Congress is similar to Truman’sAttitude towards labor by Congress is similar to Truman’s TAFT-HARTLEY ACT - took away power of unions and limited their power in hiring and electionsTAFT-HARTLEY ACT - took away power of unions and limited their power in hiring and elections

Harry Truman President (1945 – 1952)  President Post WWII  Believed the federal government held the responsibility of ensuring social welfare of Americans  His liberal program of social reform was rejected by Congress, but he was elected to his first stand-alone term in 1948 (Truman replaced Roosevelt after his death)

TRUMAN’S FAIR DEAL  Truman tried to extend New Deal ideas (spend $ on govt. programs) with his Fair Deal (basically failed as Congress more concerned with Defense spending - Communist threat)

Truman and Civil Rights  Truman tried to develop Civil Rights Legislation Legislation set up Committee on Civil Rights and report showed many civil rights issues in US which govt should deal with and report showed many civil rights issues in US which govt should deal with  1948 Truman introduced bill which would eliminate poll taxes, lynching, and establish eliminate poll taxes, lynching, and establish Fair Employment hiring practices Fair Employment hiring practices Southern Senators helped sidetrack this bill and it died in Congress Southern Senators helped sidetrack this bill and it died in Congress

Truman and Civil Rights  Truman reacted to 1948 bill dying by using his power as Commander in Chief using his power as Commander in Chief by desegregating the US armed forces by desegregating the US armed forces  Truman also begins appointing African Americans and Hispanics to key military positions

Truman and “Do Nothing Congress”  Truman failed at having much of FAIR DEAL passed so he called Congress “Do Nothing” “Do Nothing” Congress actually effective - passed 1) Truman Doctrine 2) Marshall Plan 2) Marshall Plan 3) National Security Act 4) Joint Chiefs of Staff 5) CIA

Truman and ‘Do Nothing” Congress Truman and ‘Do Nothing” Congress  All items passed focused on foreign policy and defense but very little for social programs, education which is why Truman called “DO NOTHING” Truman called “DO NOTHING” Republican (defense, foreign policy) vs Democrat (social programs, domestic policy) emerges from Post WWII

Domestic Policy and Post WWII Domestic Policy and Post WWII  Republicans gain control of both houses in Congress in 1946 primarily due to emphasis on defense and response to Democratic dominance during 1930s and WWII during 1930s and WWII  Republicans attempt to limit size of govt. (Conservative type thinking)  Begin to attack New Deal ideas and Social Programs linked to the government  Congress lowers income tax (over Truman’s veto)

Domestic Policy and Post WWII  Congress passes 22 nd amendment which limits President to 2 terms which limits President to 2 terms  Also establishes current order of power 1) President 2) Vice President 3) Speaker of House 4) Senate Leader 5) Secretary of State

“ Ike” – Dwight D. Eisenhower  Truman’s popularity fell drastically during his term (1948 – 1952)  Former General Dwight D. Eisenhower was elected the next Republican president (1952 – 1960)  Ike opposite to Truman in almost every way, Eisenhower was a restrained president and desired a limited role of the presidency in national affairs (Conservative)

The Thriving Peacetime Economy after WWII  The years following World War II saw one of the longest sustained economic expansions in the history of the U.S.  The automobile industry played a key role in the expansion with millions of cars quickly produced and the steady construction of the interstate highway system (1956 Act passed by Congress) and defense industries boosted the economy (Cold War - Arms Race)