H Truman - 1948 election and the Fair deal Flashcards

1
Q

Why was Truman expected to lose the 1948 election?

A

His party, the Democrats, was split:

  • Henry Wallace (former vice-president of FDR) set up the Progressive Party.
  • Storm Thurmond (southern conservative) disliked Truman’s support for civil rights.
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2
Q

What did the opinion polls suggest about the 1948 election?

A

That the Republican candidate, Thomas E. Dewey, would win the election.

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3
Q

How did Truman boost his prospects of winning the 1948 election?

A

He promised New-Deal type measures and went on a 30,000-mile whistle-stop tour of the USA, defending his achievements as president and criticising the Republican ‘do-nothing’ Congress.

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4
Q

What did Truman declare in 1949?

A

‘Every segment of our population and every individual has a right to expect from our government a fair deal’.

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5
Q

What did Truman try to introduce?

A

A whole range of welfare measures but Republican and Democratic conservatives blocked many of his reform proposals.

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6
Q

What did Truman succeed in doing?

A
  • Raising the minimum wage
  • Extending the Social Security Act
  • Passed an act to assist slum clearance and to provide housing for the poor.
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