Presidents
Sara H.
Harry Truman: As the 33rd president of the United States he was faced with numerous difficult decisions. Harry Truman was the vice-president to Franklin D. Roosevelt, but when President Roosevelt died due to a stroke Truman had to take over during a detrimental period in history, WWII. He decided to drop the atomic bomb on Japan in order to quickly stop the war. Furthermore, he also was involved in the creation of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, the Central Intelligence Agency, and the National Security Council. Additonally, under Truman the thermonuclear bomb was created. In addition to military demands Truman was also faced with the poor economy and worker strikes in inudstries such as the railroads and mines. Moreover, there were shortages of goods and high inflation. However, Harry Truman promoted civil rights which caused the creation of the Dixiecrats, southern democrats that disagreed with Truman's support of civil rights. Overall, Harry Truman successfully led America during a stressful time in history.
Dwight D. Eisenhower: He served in the army during WWII as the Supreme Commander of the Allied forces in Europe and later as the 34th president of the United States. He led America during the Korean war and established the Eisenhower Doctrine which supported Middle Eastern countries against communism. Under Eisenhower was the establishment up brinkmanship or the willingness of the United States to go to war in order to stop communism. Furthermore, he strengthened social security and did not take an active part in McCarthyism or civil rights. In additon, NASA was also created under Eisenhower. The citizens of America liked Eisenhower because he was personable and considered a war hero. Overall the economy and the nation prospered under Eisenhower, and thus had a successful term.
Dwight D. Eisenhower: He served in the army during WWII as the Supreme Commander of the Allied forces in Europe and later as the 34th president of the United States. He led America during the Korean war and established the Eisenhower Doctrine which supported Middle Eastern countries against communism. Under Eisenhower was the establishment up brinkmanship or the willingness of the United States to go to war in order to stop communism. Furthermore, he strengthened social security and did not take an active part in McCarthyism or civil rights. In additon, NASA was also created under Eisenhower. The citizens of America liked Eisenhower because he was personable and considered a war hero. Overall the economy and the nation prospered under Eisenhower, and thus had a successful term.
The 1948 and 1951 Elections
Many blamed Truman for inflation, strikes, etc. However, the democrats still nominated Harry S. Truman for president. Southern democrats who disagreed with Harry Truman's beliefs created their own party and elected Governor J. Strom Thurmond as president. Truman devoted a lot into his campaign and by attempting to convince Congress to pass democratic ideas such as higher minimum wage and public housing. He also traveled across America in order to gain support. In the end it paid off and he served another term as the president of the United States. After four years that included a war with Korea and McCarthyism the American people blamed Truman for the troubles. The two canidates were Dwight D. Eisenhower, a republican, and Adlai Stevenson, a democrat. In order to gain support, the Republicans took advantage of the fear of communism and suggested that the government was leaning more towards this idea. However, Eisenhower lost support when his running mate, Richard Nixon was accused of taking money from wealthy supporters. Richard Nixon made a speech denying any accusations and the Republican Party won office in 1951.
Supreme Court Cases of 1950s and Established Policies
Sweatt v. Painter: The Supreme Court chastised the segregation of African Americans from law and graduate school. They also stated that Plessy V. Ferguson should be overturned.
Cooper V. Aaron: Stated community violence could not be justified in delaying desegregation of schools.
Brown V. Board of Education: Enforced that separate but equal schools are not equal
Brown V. Board of Education II: Must abolish racially dual systems
For more information on Supreme Court Cases go to the Civil Rights Tab
GI Bill of Rights: Established in 1944 and gave the returning soliders unemployment benefits for a year and encouragment to participate in further schooling by paying partial tuition for the veterans.
Fair Deal: Under Harry Truman, the New Deal was expanded to providing a set income for farmers and suggestions for national health care.
Termination policy: The Federal government gave up its responsibility to support the Native Americans economically. Moreover, they distributed the Native Amercan reservations among the tribes and attempted to relocate them.
22nd Amendment: It limited the number of terms a president may serve. This amendment was established after FDR died in office while serving in his fourth term.
Cooper V. Aaron: Stated community violence could not be justified in delaying desegregation of schools.
Brown V. Board of Education: Enforced that separate but equal schools are not equal
Brown V. Board of Education II: Must abolish racially dual systems
For more information on Supreme Court Cases go to the Civil Rights Tab
GI Bill of Rights: Established in 1944 and gave the returning soliders unemployment benefits for a year and encouragment to participate in further schooling by paying partial tuition for the veterans.
Fair Deal: Under Harry Truman, the New Deal was expanded to providing a set income for farmers and suggestions for national health care.
Termination policy: The Federal government gave up its responsibility to support the Native Americans economically. Moreover, they distributed the Native Amercan reservations among the tribes and attempted to relocate them.
22nd Amendment: It limited the number of terms a president may serve. This amendment was established after FDR died in office while serving in his fourth term.
Economy
During the 1950s the United States economy was the strongest it had ever been. Consumer spending increased rapidly with the introduction of new products such as cars and houses were more available to the American citizens. Moreover, after WWII there was a significant increase in population known as the baby boom. More people means more people to spend money which also stimulated the economy. Additionally, the government supported the economy by investing in highways, schools, the military, and veteran benefits. In general there was a low unemployment rate and high average wages that increased consumer spending.
The Red Scare and the Cold War
The cold war was a extended period of tension between the Soviet Union and the United States. As communism began to spread around the world, America started to worry about the infiltration of communism within the United States. Harry Truman established the Loyalty Review Board that investigated government workers thought to be affiliated with communist movement. Furthermore, the House of Unamerican Activities Committee was created which examined the loyalty of Americans inside and outside of the government. For example, this committee targeted the movie industry and indoctrination of communist ideals within movies. This movement was motivated by fear and respression of communism. Joseph McCarthy was a politician looking to increase with fame which resulted in McCarthy targeting the democrats and claiming that they allowed communists to infilitrate the government. It resulted in the trials of many government employees and ruined numerous careers. This idea of intimidation and investigation of disloyalty in American politics became known as McCarthyism. Moreover, there were incidences of death such in the trials of Ethel and Julius Rosenburg who stood up for their communist beliefs and were both executed. Eventhough it was a prosperous time in America it was also a fearful time in terms of politics and ideals.