To secure these rights: Truman and the cold war Flashcards
When did Truman come into power
1945
When did the cold war start?
1945
Which party had African Americans traditionally supported?
The republicans (Abraham Lincoln was a republican)
How did the cold war impact Truman’s commitment to civil rights?
Truman recognised that America could not fight for freedom abroad while African Americans was being oppressed by segregation in America’s south.
When was “To Secure these rights” published?
1947
What did “To Secure These Rights” Highlight?
The enormous problems facing African Americans.
- lynching (1882-1945 over 300 lynchings in the southern states)
- police brutality (v. bad)
- Voting rights (in 1944 presidential election, only 18% of southern black population could vote due to grandfather clause and literacy tests)
- discrimination in the armed forces
- Employment and education
Discrimination in the armed forces facts and figures
One in 7 white soldiers received a promotion
One in 70 black soldiers received a promotion
Navy: One white officer per 7 sailors
out of all 10,000 black sailors, only 2 promotions
employment and education statistics
62% of Black men worked in low wage farming
28% of white men worked in low wage farming
White teachers paid more than black teachers
On average
Black workers earned 47 cents an hour
White workers earned 65 cents an hour
In summary, what did the report show?
That the facilities for Black and White people were not “separate but equal”. Black people were not receiving equal treatment do not have equal services.
Did the report lead to anything?
It proposed changes to the justice system and new laws that would ban lynching and police brutality. but many of its recommendations were unworkable. So not much happened.
Government appointments
Truman appointed African Americans to positions of considerable power.
Ralph Bunche, appointed to American Ambassador to United Nations
William Haiste as first Black federal judge in 1949
Desegregation of Army
Truman used his presidential power to desegregate American Armed forces in June 1948 (Executive order 9981)
Truman’s inauguration ceremony
Truman made it clear that he backed desegregation because he allowed Black and White people to sit next to each other (Traditionally they were a segregated crowd).
Presidential election 1948
First time America as a country had voted for a president who was against segregation. The Black American vote was significant for Truman in his election.
Truman -Successful
Desegregated Armed forces and tried his best to set up organisations such as FEPC and CGCC. But these were underfunded. Also his initiatives were not strong enough to deal with the racism that existed at all levels of American Society.
