HARRY S. TRUMAN – 1945 -1949 – 1st Term -Serves the remainder of FDR’s 4th Term
- 1949 – 1953 – 2nd Term— Wins a very close election in 1948
The World and America has changed greatly****
****Blue Pages—a contextual introduction into Modern America 1945 – Present**
WW2 ended the Great Depression and ended the Isolationist tendencies in America.
The USA managed to emerge from WW2 physically unscarred, economically healthy, and diplomatically strengthened.
The World in 1945 was full of Promise for America BUT also full of DANGERS.
Soviet (USSR-RUSSIA) Communism posed the biggest threat ---eventually equipped with NUCLEAR WEAPONS.
PROMISE – DANGER mix throughout the next 36 years—it is called the “COLD WAR,” 1945 -1991—Americanism v. Communism--- a competition for the heart and soul of the World. (WE WIN )
Domestically (at home) –unprecedented prosperity for the next 25 years (until about 1970) created a robust NATIONAL SELF-CONFIDENCE (American Exceptionalism) and fed RISING EXPECTATIONS***
Americans from 1945 – 1970 had a “BABY BOOM” ---a rising STANDARD OF LIVING (for most, but not all) –expanded the “WELFARE STATE- (especially for the elderly-and poorest Americans) begun with the New Deal to be followed by the “Fair Deal” “New Frontier” and “Great Society” of Truman, JFK, and LBJ—opportunities are expanded for Women---We welcome immigrants again—AND HAVE THE WILL OR MAYBE ARE FORCED TO HAVE THE WILL --- TO HAVE A SUCCESSFUL CIVIL RIGHTS REVOLUTION—for African-Americans 1st—then Youth—Women—Hispanics—Asians—Native Americans—Prisoners---Women—and the Sexual ---
The PEOPLE OF THE USA, elect liberal Democratic Presidents from 1932 to 1968 (with the 2-term exception of Eisenhower 1953 -1961)—THIS NEW DEAL COALITION OF DEMOCRATS---are liberal at home and an “activist” foreign policy abroad---AMERICANS TRUSTED THEIR GOVERNMENT DURING THIS PERIOD---AND HAD FAITH IN THE “AMERICAN DREAM,” ---that their children would lead a richer life with more opportunity than they had--- anything and everything seemed possible ---AND WAS EXPECTED---thus revolution eventually when these dreams begin to be examined---and in many cases is found wanting---due to the Dangers now present in a nuclear world---and the false expectations of many groups of EQUAL PROTECTION UNDER THE LAW.
HARRY S. TRUMAN (S stands for the letter S. ) Begins this Modern Era of American HEGEMONY OVER THE WORLD--- his actions set the standard that all Presidents MUST FOLLOW---The 20th century is called the American Century---and no one is better suited to lead America into this 2nd ½ of the 20th century than the typical middle-class farmer Harry Truman.
Chapter 36 The Cold War Begins1945 -1952
“America stands at this moment at the summit of the World.”
-Winston Churchill, 1945
Intro
145 million Americans cheered their nations victories in Europe and Asia—at the conclusion of WW2.
What now???
#1 worry was ---would the Great Depression return?---
#2 worry was--- was the Soviet Union our ally or enemy?
Postwar Economic Anxieties
Deep scars existed from almost 20 years of economic hardship---and war.
Some observers claimed that as 15 million men return home to find jobs---chaos ---
In 1946 & 1947 ---a recession (GNP declines dramatically) – worries many---combined with inflation of about 30%--- and there was a legitimate question of how healthy the American postwar economy was and would be--- remember there was a lot of savings and now that war was over ---consumer goods came available---no rationing--- People spent $ but not as much as you would think due to their concerns---they save still, too---6 million women lose jobs--- to men coming home----STRIKES IN MANY INDUSTRIES BREAK OUT---The Governments anti-strike policy and Wage limits were now gone----and workers wanted to paid fairly---
The Republican Party gains a narrow majority control of Congress in 1946 for the first time since 1929--- and combined with the votes of Southern Conservative Democrats ---pass the TAFT-HARTLEY ACT IN 1946****-over President Truman’s veto*** (impressive) – it outlaws a “closed shop” (all union) –made Unions liable for damages in jurisdictional disputes, AND REQUIRED UNION LEADERS TO TAKE A NON-COMMUNIST OATH***(beginnings of 2nd Red Scare—McCarthyism—anti-communist hysteria)
***a trend develops here---- organized labor’s growth SLOWS after WWII****Union Membership peaks in the 1950’s and then begins a slow decline to today where it is being decimated***one reason was the attempted expansion in the South***Operation Dixie***-was an attempt by the CIO to unionize southern textile workers and steelworkers in the South***it fails due to the power of very conservative local govts who use racial issues to separate workers***as well as police and nighttime violence similar to the reconstruction period***KKK – Call them communists*** etc---- (they will accuse the civil rights movement participants of being “communists” as well--)
Truman though begins to work---to make sure that the gains brought to the nation during war did not evaporate--- he calls his plan the “FAIR DEAL.”******************
ACTIONS OF TRUMAN AND DEM’S ---
1 The Govt sold factories and other Govt installations built for war production for pennies on the dollar to private businesses
2Congress passes The Employment Act-1946—creates the Council of Economic Advisors to advise the President---and their goal was full employment, full production, and maximum purchasing power for consumers
**********************3**************THE SERVICEMEN’S READJUSTMENT ACT, 1944
(GI – BILL)**************
- - 14.5 BILLION FOR GI’s TO GO TO COLLEGE---- OR TRADE SCHOOS (like electronics)—8 Million men took advantage of this*****
- –16 Billion to the Veterans Administration (VA) for LOANS TO GI’s to purchase Homes-Farms- and small businesses**** “0” interest loans---that could be transferred from person to person****huge impact on construction industry---tech industry---and farming----
Most Historians claim that the “GI Bill” IS THE SOLE REASON FOR THE BEGINNING OF THE UNPRECEDENTED 25-30 YEARS OF GROWTH ECONOMICALLY***BEGINNING*** MILITARY SPENDING LATER WILL BRING THE NEXT GROWTH SPURT---IN COMBINATION WITH THE INCREASED PRODUCTION AND INNOVATION THAT COMES FROM THE NEWLY EDUCATED***
THE LONG ECONOMIC BOOM, 1950 -1970*****unprecedented in world history*****
The United States experienced a two-decade long period of sustained economic growth***
Standard of Living for Americans (on average) “Real Income” (after inflation) DOUBLED IN THE 1950’S AND---IN THE 1960’S*********INCREDIBLE***********AMERICA BY 1973---HAD 40% OF THE WORLD’S WEALTH WITH ONLY 6% OF ITS POPULATION***********
This level of economic growth is unprecedented in world history--- IT DOES NOT ENRICH EVERYONE EQUALLY***-- but it transforms the lives of a large majority of Americans---and molded/influenced the society we live in today****
THE AFFLUENCE OF THESE TWO DECADES INFLUENCES:
1-The expectations, which led to the Civil Rights movement & movements of the 50’-60’s and into the 70’s.
2-Vast new welfare programs, like Medicare and Medicaid---
3-America into the position of Global Economic Leader---
4-The Suburban “American Dream” –owning you home—with two cars---a pool—many children
[The Middle-Class –Doubles and included 60% of the entire American pop. by the mid-50’s]
{a vast majority own their own car and washing machine---90% own a TV—60% own their own homes--}
THE GREATES BENEFICIARIES OF POSTWAR PROSPERITY WAS WOMEN**************
-Suburban offices, shops, malls---provided a huge new demand for women workers***
-A GREAT MAJORITY OF NEW JOBS WENT TO WOMEN***
-THE “SERVICE SECTOR” OF THE ECONOMY---OUTGREW manufacturing and industrial sectors***still the largest today***
- in 1945 Women were 25% of the workforce---by 1995—they are just over 50%****
DESPITE THIS AMAZING CHANGE FOR WOMEN****SOCIETY GLORIFIED THE ROLE OF SUBURBAN HOMEMAKER AND MOTHER ---“THE CULT OF DOMESTICITY”****THE CLASH BETWEEN THE REALITY OF WORK AND THE MYTH OF DOMESTIC BLISS***LEADS TO THE FEMINIST REVOLUTION OF THE LATE 50’S ---LASTING THROUGHT THE 1970’S AND INTO THE MODERN DAY****ONE BOOK---“THE FEMINIST MYSTIQUE” written by Betty Friedan***starts the revolution published in 1963 (second wave Feminism begins)***
The Roots of Postwar Prosperity*******huge****************
Q: What causes this economic prosperity?
1-WW2
2-Domination of world economy due to our undamaged society in relation to the world
3-Colossal US military budgets of the decades following WW2 (Defense Spending)****
4-High Tech industries –aerospace, plastics, and electronics---US WAS SUPREME OVER THE WORLD***
5-Scientific Research and Development***(many with defense applications) (RAND corp for ex.---or Princeton’s Institute for Advanced Study---“think tanks”---game theory---etc***movie: A beautiful mind***)
6-Cheap Energy- American and European companies controlled the PETROLEUM/OIL INDUSTRY IN THE WORLD---MIDDLE EAST---they kept prices low---this changes over time****with big impacts***
NOTE: Before and during WW2 the USA was a net exporter of OIL*** but we gave so much away during WW2 (arsenal of democracy)*** that we become a net importer (our consumption doubles by 1970) after WW2 and still today****(a major issue obviously that got real bad during the 70’s***O.P.E.C. Oil Embargo***)
7 due to the cheap energy---we build HIGWAYS---INSTALL AIR CONDITIONING—INCREASE ELECTRICITY USE BY 6 X—POWER ---CREATED BY OIL-GAS-COAL-WATER—POWERS THE INCREASING TECHNOLOGICALLY PROFICIENT, EDUCATED, AND INCREASINGLY PRODUCTIVE WORKFORCE THAT WORKS IN FACTORIES ACROSS AMERICA-WHICH DUE TO “GLOBALIZATION” SENDS AMERICAN PRODUCTS AROUND THE WORLD---HAVE A COKE AND A SMILE****
8 EDUCATION LEVELS SKYROCKET WHICH FUELS IMPRESSIVE GAINS IN PRODUCTIVITY-PROSPERITY—BY 1970 90% OF SCHOOL-AGE POP. was enrolled in school (1900 only 50%)---better educated and equipped (tech) American Workers in 1970 could PRODUCE TWICE AS MUCH IN ONE HOUR’S LABOR AS THEY COULD IN THE 1950’S*****Thus, the incredible statistic of a DOUBLING IN THE AVERAGE AMERICAN’S STANDARD OF LIVING---BASED ON “REAL INCOME” accounting for inflation*** TWICE---IN THE 50’S AND 60’S****incredible
9 “The Farm becomes a Factory” –is a quote from the ‘Gilded Age’ ---by the 1950’s it was very real---
Giant Agribusiness Farms begin to dominate the industry after the war**** mechanization, rich new fertilizers, and government subsidies$$ and price supports-- (from new deal that continue) all allow agriculture to benefit**in 2000 one farmworker could produce enough food for 50---in 1940 one farmworker could produce enough for 15 people*** Farmers accounted for 15% of the labor force in 1945---by the 1990’s they were only 2%***BUT THOSE 2% CONTINUES TO PRODUCE ENOUGH PRODUCE TO FEED THE WORLD*****
MIGRATION-MOVEMENT****GROWTH OF THE SUNBELT****
Remember that WWII led to already massive migration—a shift in the population.
From 1945 until 1975, however, an average of 30 million people changed residences EVERY YEAR!
Families were “booming” and moving away from relatives---this stress on new parents led to a plethora of advice books on child rearing: ONE BECAME MOST POPULAR---DR. BENJAMIN SPOCK: THE COMMON SENSE BOOK OF BABY AND CHILD CARE.
First published in 1945 (my family had a copy ) it instructed millions of parents on how to take care of a baby and raise children---
THE SUNBELT**** is a 15 state area stretching in a smiling crescent from Virginia down to Florida through Texas to Arizona and California-Hawaii?—
(see map p. 863 in digital edition of text)
This “region” increased its population at a rate double that of the Northeast---by the 80’s called the “rustbelt.” California accounted for 20% of the ENTIRE NATIONS POPULATION INCREASE FROM 1950-2000 AND BY 1963 BECAME THE MOST POPULOUS STATE INSTEAD OF NY—AND IS STILL TODAY---
IN THE SAME PERIOD:
FLORIDA GREW BY 475%
ALASKA 387%
ARIZONA 584%
NEVADA BY 1,148%
CALIFORNIA –UTAH – COLORADO OVER 200%
TEXAS-GEORGIA-OREGON-WASHINGTON-IDAHO-NEW MEXICO-VIRGINA-NORTH CAROLINA
(OVER 100%)
The South and Southwest were a new frontier for Americans after WWII—they came in search of jobs, a better climate, and lower taxes.
The electronics industry in California—Aerospace industry in Florida and Texas, and throughout the South the huge military instillations employed thousands---due of course to the increasing # of Congressmen from these growing states (remember that each decade the census #’s are used to account for a redistribution of Congressional Seats---as the population grew so did these states political influence---thus $$$ flowing from the new growing and strong Federal Government)*****
Ironically, Southern and Western conservative politicians SUPPOSEDLY were against a large government and big spending by the government (unless it benefitted them specifically )
By the 1990’s******The South and West was receiving $$$125 BILLION MORE ANNUALLY---Than the Northeast and Midwest****in Federal Funds****so much for “small government” & “limited spending and balanced budgets,” ---CAN YOU SPELL HYPOCRISY?
Obviously, the effect was that the South and Southwest broke the grip of the North on Politics*****
****EVERY OCCUPANT OF THE WHITE HOUSE SINCE 1964 HAS LIVED IN THE SUNBELT*****
The Rush to the Suburbs
Whites fled from the inner cities***(white flight)---and they became more and more diversified----through this era.
****Government Policies helped this move to the suburbs---FHA and VA guaranteed easier to get loans made it more economically attractive to own a home in the suburbs rather than rent an apartment in the cities. The IRS made it even more attractive when they made Mortgage Interest deductible dollar for dollar lessening your income you paid taxes on equally with your mortgage interest you paid. Government built Inter-state Highways made it easier to commute to work---by 1960***25% of Americans lived in the suburbs---50% by 2000.
As the construction industry boomed---in the 1950’s and 60’s --- suburban homes mushroomed around cities***The Levitt Brothers***built the first suburban neighborhoods on Long Island---thousands of Brooklynites left to Long Island*** and moved to “Levittown” in the 1940’s***these builders specialized in “standardized plans” with similar styles in houses very close together to maximize space and profit***these “towns” were able to be built speedily and with less expense---with grassy areas, parks, pools, and schools---and were very attractive to many middle-income Americans---and still are today later Malls and businesses move as well to be near the $$$---thus depriving cities of their tax base from which they hired Police-Firefighters-Teachers---etc---the problem still exists today for many urban areas to provide simple services to their residents---thus an alarming increase in crime and youth violence—and a drop in property values---it becomes a vicious circle---one that began to turn around in the 1990’s as people tire of commuting***and the “GENTRIFICATION” (RETURN OF WEALTH) INTO SOME OF THE NEIGHBORHOODS PUSHES OUT MANY OF THE POORER AND OLDER RESIDENTS***WHO NOW HAVE NO WHERE TO GO***
A down side to this move to the suburbs—“white flight” ---THE EFFECTS DESCRIBED ABOVE***As Whites left the cities---the Great Migration was occurring—and as we know over 5million blacks leave the South for the Northern and Western cities***One other troubling pattern of appears---mortgage and neighborhood discrimination against minorities and people of color*** who were denied loans regardless of their income or denied the ability to purchase in certain neighborhoods due to specific homeowners rules***(now unconstitutional---but still quietly practiced) Even Public Housing Projects (began during the New Deal) has composition % quotas***until the 1990’s—This further exacerbates “neighborhood segregation” which obviously affects schools even today.
Go to your text to check out the ADVERTISEMENT IN EXAMINING THE EVIDENCE*** AND SEE HOW MANY “STEREOTYPES” FROM THIS PERIOD IN THE AD ******
The Postwar Baby Boom
The biggest and most dramatic upheaval in America after the war was the ‘BABY BOOM.’
Americans married in record #’s after the end of WW2---and began immediately to have children—55 million babies are born by 1963---From this point forward the birth rates decline and by 1973***there are not enough babies born to maintain our population***further immigration however as rules loosen beginning in 1965 makes up for this lag---in births---as do the Baby Boom’s children***
There are consequences to this trend***Schools-public services—and even today the concern****that social security will go bankrupt due to Congress spending the excess in the “small government—conservative 80’s” when they deficit spend in the trillions for defense/military projects*****(the myth of Reaganomics---check it out )******************
OTHER CONSEQUENCES OF THE BABY BOOM---
The increase in marketing to the youth of America beginning in the late 50’s corresponds to the growth of the TV--- COMMERCIALS—Saturday morning programming for kids***(advertisers) to sell their products---from new “rock music” to clothes and toys and breakfast cereals****BILLIONS BILLIONS OF $$$$ SPENT MARKETING TO THE AMERICAN YOUTH****STILL TODAY****A HUGE MARKET*****IN THE 1960’S WE SEE THE YOUTH PARTICIPATING IN REVOLUTIONS *** TO REFORM AMERICA AS WELL***AND THE RESPONSE OF THEIR PARENTS***TO THE “REBELLIOUS YOUTH” –THAT BEGAN TO SHOW IN THE LATE 1950’S IN MUSIC AND MOVIES****AND CONTINUES INTO THE “COUNTERCULTURE”- HIPPIE MOVEMENT OF THE 1960’S********EVEN THE JOB MARKET BECOMES SATURATED IN THE 1970’S AS THE BOOMERS BEGIN TO HAVE THEIR OWN FAMILIES AND “DISCOVER” RESPONSIBILITIES***AND THEN SOME EVEN BECOME PART OF THE “CONSERVATIVE REVOLUTION” –“MORAL MAJORITY” (THEY FIND JESUS) OF THE 1980’S AND THE NEW SOCIAL FIGHT(S)---THAT STILL EXIST TODAY