President Truman and African Americans (negative effects)

Created by: Alasdair
Created on: 29-05-17 15:37

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President Harry Truman and African Americans (1945-53)
- No comprehensive civil rights legislation to return to position in 1870s
- Symbolic
  - His desire to promote civil rights was arguably driven by desire to secure black votes for Democrats and public perception of USA during Cold War
  - Also worried by threats from campaigners
    - E.g. Phillip Randolph not allowed to fight for US army during Cold War
- Personality
  - Early years he was member of KKK
  - Context where he grew up:
    - Independence
    - Missouri (border state)
    - Segregation
      - e.g. AAs had separate schools, wirds such as 'coon' and '******' commonly used
  - Bess Truman attended ball given by Daughter's of American Revolution, even though Clayton Powell's wife (Hazel Scott) had been denied permission to perform because of her colour
  - Truman described Clayton Powell as a 'rabble rouser' and refused to receive 'that damned ****** preacher' in the White House
- Family life
  - Ancestors were slave owners
  - Uncle shot at AAs 'to see them jump'
  - Truman said one man was as good as another 'so long as he is decent and not a ****** or a Chinaman'
  - Used racist language about Jews and Italians living in NY
  - Sister claimed Truman had said 'Harry is no more for ****** equality than any of us'
- Failed to win support of congress:
  - E.g. For recommendations of 'To Secure These Rights' or minor programmes
    - E.g. complete desegregation of Dulles Airport
- Government bodies
  - FEPC under-funded
  - CGCC couldn't force defence companies to adopt fair employmennt practices
  - 'Fair Deal' housing programme poorly conceived - fewer houses built than anticipated and amount of housing available to AAs diminished as result

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President Truman and African Americans (negative effects)

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