TRUMAN Flashcards
(116 cards)
1
Q
What two exceptional crises increased presidential powers under Roosevelt?
A
The Great Depression and the Second World War
2
Q
What was a significant criticism of Roosevelt’s increase in presidential powers?
A
Accusations of dictatorship
3
Q
What was the unemployment rate when Roosevelt became president in 1933?
A
25%
4
Q
What were the three main components of Roosevelt’s New Deal?
A
- Relief
- Recovery
- Reform
5
Q
What did the Relief component of the New Deal focus on?
A
Help for the homeless, sick, elderly and unemployed
6
Q
What was the purpose of the Recovery component of the New Deal?
A
Creating jobs and getting the economy back on track
7
Q
What measures were included in the Reform component of the New Deal?
A
Measures to protect Americans against another depression
8
Q
What was the Social Security Act of 1935?
A
Guaranteed retirement payments for the over-65s, established federal insurance for the unemployed, and provided extra aid for the disabled, dependent women and children, and public health
9
Q
What was the significance of the 100 days of Congress during Roosevelt’s presidency?
A
Passed 15 bills setting the future direction for the first part of the New Deal
10
Q
What was the unemployment rate in 1939 despite New Deal policies?
A
17%
11
Q
What impact did World War II have on American employment?
A
Increased employment linked to war production
12
Q
How did the New Deal policies affect African American migrants?
A
WPA hired 1 million African Americans; however, many agencies discriminated against them
13
Q
What were the conditions for Dust Bowl migrants?
A
Migrated west for unskilled, lower-paid work with worse conditions
14
Q
What did the GI Bill provide to World War II veterans?
A
- Educational benefits
- Home loan guarantees
- Unemployment benefits
15
Q
What was the economic impact of World War II on American industry?
A
Factories produced war supplies, leading to an economic boom
16
Q
What percentage of the world’s income did the USA have in 1945?
A
42%
17
Q
What event led the USA to declare war on Japan?
A
The attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941
18
Q
What was the significance of the Yalta Conference?
A
Planned post-war reorganization and division of Germany
19
Q
What were the ‘5 D’s’ agreed upon at the Potsdam Conference?
A
- Demilitarisation
- Deindustrialisation
- Decentralisation
- Denazification
- Democratisation
20
Q
What was one reason for post-war Soviet-American hostility?
A
Opposing ideologies and long-term tensions
21
Q
What was the Truman Doctrine?
A
A policy to oppose Soviet expansion and support countries threatened by communism
22
Q
What criticism did Senator Taft have regarding the Truman Doctrine?
A
Opposed the simplistic division of the world into two
23
Q
What was a key feature of the Marshall Plan?
A
Provided economic assistance to help rebuild European countries after WWII
24
Q
What was the unemployment rate throughout the 1940s in the USA?
A
Remained under 4%
25
What was the impact of the Cold War on US foreign policy?
Dominated US foreign policy for nearly half a century
26
What did the term 'containment' refer to?
A strategy to prevent the expansion of communism
27
What was the primary focus of the Truman administration's foreign policy?
Opposition to Soviet expansion
28
Fill in the blank: The USA had _____ of the world's gold supply in 1945.
75%
29
What did the Cold War declaration signify?
The public decision by Truman and Congress that communism was a significant threat requiring opposition.
30
How long did the Cold War dominate U.S. foreign policy?
Nearly half a century.
31
What crises reflected the anxieties leading to the Cold War doctrine?
Crises in Iran, Greece, Turkey, and Germany.
32
Who opposed the simplistic division of the world into two during the Cold War?
Senator Taft.
33
What was Kennan's criticism of the Cold War doctrine?
Too sweeping and lacking in strategic consideration.
34
What was the purpose of the Marshall Plan?
To counteract post-war devastation in Western Europe and prevent Communist insurgency.
35
Who proposed the Marshall Plan?
U.S. Secretary of State George Marshall.
36
How much money was allocated for the Marshall Plan?
$13 billion.
37
What was the impact of the Marshall Plan on Europe?
Solidified the division of Europe into two opposing blocs.
38
What did Truman ask Congress to finance in March 1948?
The Marshall Plan and to introduce universal military training and the draft.
39
What event escalated Cold War tensions from June 1948 to May 1949?
The Berlin Blockade.
40
What were the three options Truman had during the Berlin Blockade?
* Surrender and leave Berlin * Send military convoys * Airlift supplies
41
What strategy did Truman ultimately choose during the Berlin Blockade?
Airlift supplies.
42
What did the Berlin Blockade demonstrate about both sides in the Cold War?
Neither side wanted to risk war.
43
What was the significance of NATO?
Completed the military division of Western and Eastern Europe.
44
What did West Germany's admission to NATO prompt the Soviets to do?
Respond with the Warsaw Pact.
45
What was the U.S. response to the rise of communism in Asia after WWII?
Attempted to contain perceived communist aggression.
46
What aid did Truman offer in 1950 to combat communism in Vietnam?
Financial aid to the French.
47
What event triggered the Korean War?
North Korea attacked South Korea on June 25, 1950.
48
What was Truman's initial aim in the Korean War?
To drive North Korean communist forces out of South Korea.
49
What was the significant military action taken by General Douglas MacArthur in September 1950?
The assault on Inchon.
50
What shift occurred in Truman's war aims during the Korean War?
From containment to defeating North Korea and unifying Korea.
51
What was the result of the Korean War in terms of U.S. military casualties?
36,914 Americans died.
52
What was the impact of the Korean War on U.S. foreign policy?
Asia replaced Europe as the central Cold War arena.
53
What did the Taft-Hartley Act of 1947 aim to do?
Limit union power.
54
What was one of Truman's Fair Deal successes?
Social security was extended to an extra 1 million Americans.
55
What was the housing shortage in post-war America attributed to?
Wartime production focus and returning veterans.
56
What did Truman's proposed national health insurance scheme face from Congress?
Opposition as a tax-raising measure.
57
What was the outcome of the 1948 presidential election for Truman?
He won, credited to his character and personality.
58
What was a significant domestic crisis during Truman's presidency?
The Red Scare.
59
What did the Red Scare lead to in terms of political climate?
The rise of McCarthyism.
60
What was the 22nd amendment and when was it passed?
It set a maximum two-term limit on presidents and was passed in 1951.
61
What characterized the Red Scare during Truman's presidency?
Anti-Communist hysteria and fear of Soviet military strength.
62
Who was Senator Joseph McCarthy and what was his role in the Red Scare?
He played a significant role in promoting anti-Communist sentiment and accused many of being Communists.
63
What does HUAC stand for?
House Un-American Activities Committee.
64
What was the purpose of HUAC when it was made permanent in 1945?
To investigate left-wing activities linked to Communism.
65
What was Executive Order No. 9835?
It initiated loyalty investigations of federal employees.
66
Fill in the blank: The Internal Security Act required members of _______ organizations to register with the federal government.
[communist-affiliated]
67
True or False: Truman supported the Internal Security Act.
False; he vetoed it, but Congress overrode his veto.
68
What happened to the Hollywood 10?
They were convicted of contempt of Congress and sentenced to one year in prison.
69
Who were the Rosenbergs and what were they accused of?
Ethel and Julius Rosenberg, accused of espionage and executed.
70
What was the significance of the 1949 Soviet atomic bomb explosion for Americans?
It heightened anxieties about Communism.
71
What did many Americans believe about Truman's stance on the Soviets by 1948?
73% believed he was too soft on them.
72
Who was Martin Luther King Jr. studying with in 1945?
He was studying at Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia.
73
What were Jim Crow laws?
Laws that enforced racial segregation in the Southern United States.
74
Fill in the blank: De jure segregation refers to racial segregation that is _______.
[by law]
75
What was the impact of the GI Bill of Rights on black veterans?
It enabled record numbers to attend college, improving their employment prospects.
76
What did the NAACP primarily focus on during WWII?
Advocating for racial equality and civil rights.
77
What was the outcome of the Supreme Court ruling in Plessy v. Ferguson?
It established the 'separate but equal' doctrine.
78
What significant event did Rosa Parks participate in 1943?
Attempted to register to vote and failed the literacy test.
79
What was the Fair Employment Practices Commission (FEPC)?
It was established to promote workplace equality.
80
True or False: Truman's civil rights legislation was widely accepted by Congress.
False; he faced significant opposition and was largely ignored.
81
What did Truman's 1949 report 'To Secure These Rights' call for?
Elimination of segregation and various civil rights protections.
82
What did Truman achieve regarding discrimination in the armed forces?
He issued executive orders to end it.
83
What was the main challenge faced by black Americans in the South in 1945?
Inferior social, economic, political, and legal status.
84
Fill in the blank: By 1952, only five states retained the _______.
[poll tax]
85
What was the significance of the Mississippi Progressive Voters’ League?
It attracted 5000 members within its first year, showing growing black political activism.
86
What did the Supreme Court rule in Henderson v. United States?
Segregation on railroad dining cars was illegal.
87
What was one effect of WWII on black Americans?
Increased migration to northern cities for jobs.
88
Who was A. Philip Randolph?
A labor leader who pressured Roosevelt for equality in the armed forces.
89
What was the outcome of the McLaurin v. Oklahoma State Regents case?
A black student could not be physically separated from white students.
90
What was the main focus of CORE when it was established?
To advocate for racial equality through direct action.
91
What did the term 'Great Migration' refer to?
The movement of millions of African Americans from the South to the North.
92
What was the political status of African Americans in the North compared to the South in 1945?
They could vote in the North but faced severe restrictions in the South.
93
True or False: The Civil Rights Movement saw significant gains immediately after WWII.
False; progress was slow and met with resistance.
94
What did Truman believe about the communist scare, according to Clark Clifford?
He thought it was 'a load of baloney' but felt political pressure to respond.
95
What was the role of the FBI during the Red Scare?
Directed extensive investigations into suspected Communists.
96
What did the term 'McCarthyism' refer to?
The practice of making unsubstantiated accusations of subversion or treason.
97
What did Truman acknowledge about his presidency in 1950?
Limited success in domestic policies
## Footnote
Truman reflected on his presidency and recognized the challenges he faced.
98
What major goals did Truman fail to achieve in domestic policies?
Public housing and civil rights
## Footnote
Truman provided moral leadership but could not enact significant changes.
99
What program was Truman unable to establish?
Medical insurance program
## Footnote
This was a key element of his domestic agenda.
100
What criticisms did Truman face during his presidency?
Handling of unions and inflation
## Footnote
These areas were contentious and drew public scrutiny.
101
How many Americans had jobs during Truman's presidency?
62 million Americans
## Footnote
This was an increase of 11 million from 1946.
102
What was the unemployment rate during Truman's presidency?
Near zero
## Footnote
This indicates a significant economic recovery.
103
What record highs were achieved in Truman's presidency?
Farm and corporate incomes
## Footnote
Economic growth was notable during this period.
104
How long had it been since an insured bank failed by the end of Truman's presidency?
Nine years
## Footnote
This reflects stability in the banking sector.
105
How many veterans attended college during Truman's presidency?
8 million veterans
## Footnote
This was part of the efforts to support returning servicemen.
106
What happened to Social Security benefits during Truman's presidency?
Doubled
## Footnote
This was a significant enhancement to the social safety net.
107
What happened to the minimum wage during Truman's presidency?
Increased
## Footnote
This improvement aimed to help low-income workers.
108
What progress was made in slum clearance during Truman's presidency?
Significant progress
## Footnote
Efforts were made to improve living conditions in urban areas.
109
How many government-financed homes were built during Truman's presidency?
Millions
## Footnote
This was part of the housing initiatives to support families.
110
What trend was observed in incomes during Truman's presidency?
Incomes grew faster than prices
## Footnote
This indicates real economic growth for consumers.
111
What foreign policy doctrine did Truman implement to contain Communism?
Truman Doctrine
## Footnote
This was a key component of his strategy against Soviet influence.
112
What significant foreign policy plan was established to aid Europe post-WWII?
Marshall Plan
## Footnote
This plan aimed to rebuild European economies and prevent the spread of communism.
113
What military alliance was established under Truman's presidency?
NATO
## Footnote
North Atlantic Treaty Organization was formed to provide collective defense.
114
What event involved airlifting supplies to West Berlin during Truman's presidency?
Berlin airlift
## Footnote
This was a response to the Soviet blockade of West Berlin.
115
In which conflict was Truman involved to contain Communism?
Korea
## Footnote
The Korean War was a significant military engagement during his administration.
116
What two countries did Truman take pride in supporting for their defense against communism?
Greece and Turkey
## Footnote
This support was part of the broader containment strategy.
