This week for the assigned blog i was appointed the topic of Truman's Fair Deal. Ok well here i go.
Truman's Fair Deal was similar to Roosevelts New Deal in the fact that both wanted to ensure economic opportunity and social stability. The first thing Trumans wanted to fix after the war was the economy. He wanted a a strong and stable economy. After the war was over many service men were coming back and were competing for employment, housing, and food. Before the war ended there was a bill, called the G.I Bill, which helped men coming back from war help find those basic necessites needed for survival.
As the war ended so did the production assemblies which were making supplies needed to fight the war. Well obiouly if the war was over they didnt need the supplies anymore and laid off most of there workers. Many workers then went on strike in 1946. During this strike more than 4.6 milllion people were invoved. The strikers challenged many industries including the automotive, steel, railroad, and electrial.
Truman knew he must take action soon and help both the working people and the servicemen. Truman finaly pulled through less than a week after the war ended. He presented Congress witha 21 point program which inteded to provide a higher minimum wage, protect the workers from unfair work practices, increase unemployment compesation, and give housing assistance. Truman believed this 21 point program would really benefit not only the servicemen but also the rest of the United States. His 21 point program is known as Trumans Fair Deal.
Over time Trumans made a few adjustmentst to his Fair Deal. He added Health Insurance and atomic energy legislation. After Trumans added these points many people started questioning where Trumans priorities lie. The Republicans had finaly had enough of Trumans Fair Deal. They gained control of both houses of Congress and cut funds and boycotted the Fair Deal. Truman fought Congress because they cut funds of the Fair Deal and really disagreed with it. Although most thought it was silly of him, Truman ran for re election in 1948. With the support of farmers, and black voters he did get re elected for yet another term. During his presidency he continued working on his Fair Deal and gain resepect for it.
I think the Fair Deal was a good idea from Truman. I think it really did help everybody in america at that time. I cant see why some people would go against it. I'm glad he got re elected and had the courage to run again even though much of America didnt believe in him.
Sources
http://coolaggregator.files.wordpress.com/2008/07/jb_modern_fairdeal_1_e.jpg
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1013698/what_was_president_harry_trumans_fair.html
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