RAH – Unit II
Truman and Eisenhower
Date:
Domestic Policy in Post-War America
President Harry Truman took office in 1945 after the death of Franklin D. Roosevelt.
In the coming years, President Truman would have to deal with such challenges as the spread of
communism, labor strikes, and inflation (rising prices).
Essential Question
Why was the GI bill considered the most significant piece of social legislation in the 20th century?
GI BILL
More than any other law passed by Congress, it shaped American society in
the postwar period...it allowed millions of Americans to acheive a standard
of living that was generally better than that enjoyed by their parents.
I. Election of 1948
Democratic Party
Republican Party
And the winner is…
Dixicrats
Progressive Party
 Reform programs to aid
the transition from a
wartime to a peacetime
economy.
 Extention of New Deal:
•
“Every segment of
our population…
has a right to
expect from our
Result
GOALS
II. Truman’s Domestic Policy: ‘ _____ ______’
government a fair
deal”
•
•
The election of 1952 was the first
election where presidential
commercials ever aired, at a time when
Americans were not used to seeing
candidates on television.
1952 Election
Essential Question
Why didn’t Truman run for re-election in 1952?
Candidates
Republican
Democrat
f
Activity: Political Advertising Commercials
d
1.
2.
In your opinion, who used this medium to better advantageEisenhower or Stevenson? Explain your answer using details
from the spots.
What concerns does a candidate face when presenting himself
in a television ad that might not exist in other campaign situations.
After the election of 1952,
television would become
an indispensable form of
communicating a political
message. A candidate’s
ability to present himself
on television became just
as important as his views
on the issue.
Eisenhower’s Domestic Policy: Dynamic Conservatism
“Conservative when it comes to money and liberal when it comes to people”
r
Liberal Agenda – Expanding the Government
1.
Expansion of SS & unemployment benefits
Conservative Agenda – Reducing the Government
1.
r
2.
2.
3. Established Depts. of Health, Edu., Welfare
3.  farm subsidies ($ given to farmers from gov’t)
r
4.
Elimination of government jobs
r
r
4.
r
Why do you believe many Americans supported Eisenhower in the 1950s?