Truman - Committed?

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  • Created by: Rosie
  • Created on: 07-04-13 14:07

Truman - usefulness

AdvantagesGetting Started

  • To Secure These Rights (1947)- revolutionary reccommendations, political suicide but did it anyway, called for; anti-lynching legislation,  abolition of poll tax, a permanent FEPC, voting rights laws, end discrimination in armed forces and transport, CR division in Justice Department
  • Speeches (1947-48);- to NAACP in front of 10,000 at Lincoln's memorial in W. DC saying all entitled to full civil rights, - State of Union addresses reccommending TSTR, all men are created equal pointed out, want good example for Cold War
  • Symbolic actions;- open public housing to blacks, increase federal aid to impoverished, appoint a black judge and governor, establish CGCC, integrated inauguration, desegregate W. DC's airport
  • supporting NAACP in Shelley v Kraemer (1948)
  • condemn attacks on black servicemen
  • risk splitting party and chances of re-election due to dedication
  • mere existence of FEPC
  • end discrimination in armed forces (1948)
  • told his Southern friends they better change for the good of the USA and they were 80 years behind times
  • say legal equality for black's was a basic right

Disadvantages

  • racist comments and private jokes- "******", sister claimed he didn't really care for equality
  • perhaps only help because black's increasingly important in politics and votes
  • at first 1945 did nothing significant to help; -no real help for FEPC (lacked funds), half hearted commitments, cautious over controversial issues (re-election)
  • DAR Daughters of the American Revolution refused Adam Clayton Powell's black wife to perform, powell ask truman's wife to boycott but she didn't, powell and Truman argue over issue, Truman wouldn't receive "that damned ****** preacher" at the white house
  • didn't end discrimination in National Guard and reserves
  • caused split of Democratic Party- Dixiecrats, hinder CRM with a split party
  • Urban Renewal Programme left some blacks homeless
  • CGCC could only advise not enforce

Evaluation

Racist, at first no help, perhaps all just for votes, half-hearted commitments, BUT first real presidential commitments and awaken USA's conscience to Civil Rights

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