Fair Deal
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In United States history, the Fair Deal was U.S. President Harry S. Truman's catchphrase for a series of social and economic reforms [1], outlined in his 1949 State of the Union Address to Congress on January 5, 1949. Truman stated that "Every segment of our population, and every individual, has a right to expect from his government a fair deal." Despite a mixed record of contemporary legislative success, the Fair Deal remains significant in establishing a call for universal health care as a rallying cry for the Democratic Party. Lyndon Johnson credited Truman's unfulfilled program as influencing Great Society measures such as Medicare that Johnson successfully enacted during the 1960s. [2] The Fair Deal faced a lot of opposition from the many conservative politicians who wanted a reduced role of the federal government. This series of domestic reforms was a major push to transform the United States from a wartime economy to a peacetime economy.[3] During this post-WWII time people were growing more conservative as they were ready to enjoy the prosperity not seen since before The Great Depression. [4] As a result of this conservative surge in the United States the policies behind the Fair Deal had strong opposition. Even with strong conservative opposition there were still some legislation from the Fair Deal that were passed. The Fair Deal is a good example of Economic interventionism in the United States. The Housing Act of 1949 is a good example of a type of Economic interventionism. This is one of the reasons there was so much opposition to the various legislative items attached to the Fair Deal. This was a major issue in the post-war United States and still proves to be a major issue. [5]
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[edit] Civil Rights Movement
As Senator, Truman had not supported the nascent Civil Rights Movement. As President, however, he integrated the armed forces and appointed the first federal civil rights committee responsible for investigating discrimination based on race or religion. Its report clearly showed African-Americans' second-rate legal status, and Truman used it to push for his reforms. In a 1947 speech to the NAACP, which marked the first time a sitting President had ever addressed the group, Truman said "Every man should have the right to a decent home, the right to an education, the right to adequate medical care, the right to a worthwhile job, the right to an equal share in the making of public decisions through the ballot, and the right to a fair trial in a fair court."[6]
[edit] The Housing Act of 1949
The Housing Act of 1949 was a major legislative accomplishment stemming from the Fair Deal. This led to the allocation of federal funds to go towards new housing projects, urban renewal, and more public housing. This spawned the growth of urban regions in the post-war United States. Much of the mass urban development that took place during this time can still be seen today. The Housing Act of 1949 has had a lasting impression on the United States. [7]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- Hamby, Alonzo L. Man of the People: A Life of Harry S Truman (1995)
- ^ “Fair Deal.” Britannica Online. 30 Mar. 2008. 30 Mar. 2008 <http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9033575/Fair-Deal#24820.hook>.
- ^ Hamby 1995
- ^ “The Fair Deal.” United States History. 30 Mar. 2008 <http://countrystudies.us/united-states/history-115.htm>.
- ^ De Luna, Phyllis Komarek. Public Versus Private Power During the Truman Administration : a Study of Fair Deal Liberalism. New York: Peter Lang, 1997. 35-36.
- ^ “Economic Interventionism.” Wikipedia. 22 Dec. 2007. 30 Mar. 2008 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economic_intervention>.
- ^ President Truman (1947). "President Truman's Address to the NAACP, June 28, 1947". National Association for the Advancement of Colored People..
- ^ “Housing Act of 1949.” Wikipedia. 30 Mar. 2008. 30 Mar. 2008 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Housing_Act_of_1949>.
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