In 1946, President Truman started fighting for civil rights for the black community. He worked with many African American leaders to form anti-lynching laws and prevention of racial discrimination in job openings and hirings. He also seeked to make the armed forces interracial.
When these laws and conditions were put forward to the congress, congress refused to pass them. Angered by this, Truman decided to go out on a limb and take actions himself.
In July of 1948, Truman issued order for integration of the armed forces, calling for “equality of treatment and opportunity in the armed forces without regard to race, color, religion, or national origin.” He also put an effort forward to end discrimination in the hiring of government employees. The Supreme Court also put a ban on disrciminating against letting African Americans into residnetial areas.
Although many white citizens were upset with Truman, the Democrats nominated him for president in the 1948 election. Several Southerner democrats protested Truman's civil rights movements and formed their own party, known as the "Dixiecrats." The Dixiecrats even nominated their own presidential candidate, Governor J. Strom Thurmond of South Carolina.
As the election proceeded, the Republican party's candidate, Thomas Dewey was in the lead. Truman would not accept this and started a number of campaigns to win over the congress and later the people. Some of the laws he raised to the congress included public housing, federal aid to education, a higher minimum wage, and extended Social Security coverage. The Republican dominated congress did not pass any of these. Truman eventually went to the people. He rode the train across the country raising speeches about the "80th do-nothing congress."
His campaign worked. Truman won the election which also led to the congress becoming democrat- dominated.
After his victory, Truman carried on with Roosevelt's "New Deal" now calling his part the "Fair Deal." The Fari Deal consisted of "nationwide system of compulsory health insurance and a crop-subsidy system to provide a steady income for farmers." The congress didn't choose to accept this proposal.
Although the Fair Deal didn't go as planned, some of Truman's earlier plans were passed. The hourly minimum wage went from 40 cents to 75 cents, extended Social Security coverage to about 10 million more people, and initiated flood control and irrigation projects. Congress also helped clear out slums and build 810,000 housing units for low-income families.
After Truman passed all these laws, his popularity was at an all time low. Truman decided not to run in the Presidential Campaign the following term. The next Presidency was won by Dwight Eisenhower.
Personally, I liked all the civil rights movements Truman was participating in. Although I did believe he was pushing a little too many laws and conditions for the people to handle.
Comments