Truman’s Domestic Policy• 1st job: reconversion after World War II• Soldiers transported home quickly• Easing of price controls leads to massive inflation• 1946: 4.6 million go on strike: autos, steel, coal• Workers demanded wage increases—strikes increase and

success leads to labor union recruitment (Truman thought demands were unrealistic)

• 1946 Railroad strike. Truman asks Congress for permission to draft strikers, make them join army and then stay on job. Senate says NO to increase of presidential power.

• Courts served injunctions against United Mine Workers and the union is fined $3.5 M

1947 Taft-Hartley Act• Passed by Republican Congress over Truman’s veto• Allowed President to declare 80-day “cooling off

period” when strikes that threaten the national interest occurred—strikes could be paused

• Outlawed closed shop• Unions billed for damages in jurisdictional disputes• Union leaders must take non-Communist oath• Federal mediation and consolidation service• Act deemed hostile towards unions

Truman’s “Fair Deal”• Raise the minimum wage—Yes, but only after election of 1948. Created

Council of Economic Advisors to help President in meantime• Extend social security—Yes, but only after election of 1948• National Health Insurance—failed• Federal aid to education—failed • Government sponsored housing projects for the poor—compromised after

1948 election• Civil rights legislation to protect blacks--failed• Strong anti-lynching law--failed• Abolish poll taxes—tax paid to vote--failed• Atomic energy commission--passed• Desegregate armed forces—accomplished in 1948 by executive order• STOPPED BY REPUBLICANS IN CONGRESS, CONSERVATIVE SOUTHERN

DEMOCRATS

Ike’s "Dynamic Conservatism“ or ”Modern Republicanism”

• Budget cutting—balance budget• Returning federal functions back to state and local levels—stop

creeping socialism. Transferred control of federal oil rich lands to states, that could lease them for revenues

• No free distribution of Salk polio vaccine/socialized medicine• Price supports for farmers• Support of big business• Encouraged competition• Recessions hit in 1954 and 1957• DID support hike in minimum wage 75¢$1.00/hour• Soviet’s launch Sputnik in 1957• 1956 National Highway Act and 1958 National Defense Education

Act