Though the end of World War II made the United States a global superpower, it also prompted new challenges for the President to tackle. Diverging aims for the postwar world divided the previous World War II Allies, and sparked a Cold War which heightened tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union. The struggle to contain Communism abroad as well as the unresolved issue of crippling inequality at home called for a strong leader to make effective use of his authority and firmly resolve these issues. From 1945 to 1964, Harry S. Truman, Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, and Lyndon B. Johnson emphasized Cold War Liberalism, which supported equality and democracy while combatting Communism abroad. Similar to Social Welfare Liberalism …show more content…
Truman was placed as the new Vice President during Franklin D. Roosevelt’s fourth term, but quickly inherited the presidency after Roosevelt’s death. Roosevelt was an extremely successful president who pushed for relief, reform, and recovery. Following such a productive presidency would be tough to do, yet Truman was eager to continue Roosevelt’s legacy. He believed that a free society at home cannot exist without a free society abroad. Truman responded to the spread of Communism to Greece and Turkey by declaring in the Truman Doctrine that “the United States would aid the democratic struggle against totalitarianism by supporting ‘free peoples who are resisting the subjugation by armed minorities or by outside pressures.’” Not everyone agreed with it, and it proved costly as the nations it aided did not turn to Democracy. However, it set the tone for how the United States was to conduct its foreign policy. In addition, it paved the way for the Marshall plan, which was improved and more successful. Providing the necessary measures to ensure that weaker nations would not have to resort to a communist government demonstrated a devotion to soothing the threat of Soviet influence, reflecting Truman’s role in actively combatting Communism. In juxtaposition with Roosevelt whom chose not to concern himself with civil rights issues, “Truman spoke more boldly on civil rights than any previous president had… The first president to address the NAACP, Truman asserted that all …show more content…
Johnson had to step up to the presidency and fulfill Kennedy’s promises to the nation. The “Johnson Treatment” was an unforgettable trait that allowed him to aggressively achieve his domestic agenda to create a Great Society. Kennedy’s legacy lived on through Johnson, who was able to completely transform legislation. Johnson was successfully able to pass the Civil Rights Act of 1964 which finally made discrimination illegal. This was extremely significant, as he was the only president thus far to actively enforce such anti-discrimination laws. He also was wary about southern voter’s reactions, but unlike other presidents who chose to remain passive, he guaranteed that what was promised would become a reality. Social Welfare Liberalism was the overarching theme of Johnson’s presidency. The poor and the elderly did not have access to health care, and in response, Johnson created the Medicaid and Medicare programs to provide such necessary assistance. The federal government had paternalistic responsibilities to take care of the needs of its people through a variety of programs and reforms. In doing so, Johnson was able to most effectively improve the overall quality of life and defend their individual rights to coexist in integrated facilities or get treated with the proper medical care without having to worry about the cost. Though the concept of a paternalistic government providing help to Americans in need was
(Week 8, Doc. 25) Then he added later that American’s must “ask what you can do for your country, not what your country can do for you”. (Week 8, Doc. 25) He believed by working together, we could begin to solve the Nations social problems. Kennedy was trying to show American’s that it’s necessary to fight for what’s fair in society, and to help others help themselves in order to prosper. The public felt Kennedy, with his idealism and vigor, would be a good fit for Presidential leadership, and would be effective in reducing the many of America’s domestic problems. After failing to keep some of his campaign promises such as, expanding the welfare state, and health care programs, he acted, after much pressure from civil right activists and pushed Congress by calling for a comprehensive Civil Rights bill.
He believed in brotherhood, and felt that free African American men were entitled to better treatment. Early in his term, Truman put an end to segregation in the armed forces in response to the lynching of the black war veterans. He later released a report named “To Secure These Rights” that
U.S. Presidents during WWI on through the end of the Great Depression embraced several popular policy ideas from Progressivism, Nationalism, New Freedom, and Conservativism that shaped and formed deals to ensure and protect the nation’s economy and welfare. The largest expansion of U.S. Government and resources happened in 1890s-1920s. The boom of the economy, unchecked cooperate wealth, and panic of the American people drove the nation into a deep depression that citizens were slow to recover from. The U.S. presidents during this time made conscious decisions to strengthen the government, regulate business, and instill trust in the American public.
In 1945 African American civil rights advocates established challenges to the racial discriminations. Black Veterans and workers, after having already had a taste of liberation while being away at war, peregrinated home with the hope of reenergizing the civil rights movement. Many of the core resources such as leadership, legal resources, strategy coalitions with the whites, and a connecting philosophy to propel the movement forward, in the fight for African American equality converged during and right after the war (Schaller et. al. 942). President Harry Truman even took the time to make civil rights a component of his political and domestic agenda during his reign.
Moreover, “Johnson called for America to become a Great society, where no child will go unfed and no youngster will go unschooled.” He promised to make great outcomes for American people and that is why he truly won the election of November 1996. Johnson asked the congress to pass the Civil Rights Act to honor the memory of Kennedy. He was a man of great integrity, who truly wanted to end poverty and increase the
Johnson had plenty of altercations with foreign policies due to Johnson being President during the Vietnam War. Though he had some domestic ordeals to handle as well, Johnson was concentrated on helping that area. Some of the domestic issues that Johnson had to deal with were that families were having trouble with money. Johnson was trying to stress the issue that we as a nation are a rich nation with money, so go out and get jobs make something out of ourselves with an education. There was a major race and civil right issue that raised issues, as well with his major idea to this “Great Society”.
Upon assuming the presidency Johnson’s major goals on assuming the presidency were to continue the civil rights reforms being pursued by his predecessor such as the momentous Civil Rights Act of 1964. Johnson and his new Democrats stood behind the bill pushing it through congress. The most important part of the act was that “all persons shall be entitled to the full and equal enjoyment of goods, services… without discrimination or segregation.” (Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title II). This act was by definition an attack on segregation and discrimination in southern states.
President Truman responded to the threat of Communism aggression in the late 1940s through the early 1950s by endorsing the Containment policy derived by US diplomat and historian George F. Kennan. The central actions in the containment policy were the creation of the Truman doctrine and the Marshall Plan, the of West Germany, the formation of NATO, and the opposition of Communism in Korea. These actions were considered in order to avert the Domino theory of Communism. First, Truman’s first action of containment was to accommodate a massive influx of aid to help the war-torn landscapes, re-establish industries, and produce food, and the latter required assurances against a resurgent Germany or intrusions from the Soviet Union and to stop the economy’s deterioration.
Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964 which outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. Johnson outlawed discrimination in public facilities and accommodations, encouraged desegregation of public education, and gave equal opportunities for employment and voting. In my opinion, Lyndon B. Johnson was a very successful president because many of his decisions had good consequences overall. Lyndon B. Johnson outlawed discrimination in public accommodations such as in hotels, restaurants, theaters, and other public areas. LBJ permitted suits to secure desegregation of certain public facilities.
How could a signature transform America? Particularly, how did L.B.J’ s signature change America? Johnson was in the House of Representatives for 11 years, help a position in the Senate for 12 years, and was majority leader. He was then chosen as Vice President for John F Kennedy, despite losing the Democratic Party’s nomination, but 3 years later when J.F.K. was assassinated he took office as president. While holding office, Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964 giving all Americans of any any race the same opportunity.
Another act that Johnson had passed was the Immigration and Nationality Services Act. This act had abolished the earlier quota system based on immigrant national origin to a new policy, which was based on reuniting immigrant families and attracting skilled workers to the United States. It was fairer to immigration as a whole. A product of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, was created to ensure fairness in employment practices based on any discrimination. This further continued Lyndon B. Johnsons views and goal of creating a “Great Society.”
Why Did L.B.J Sign the Civil Rights Act of 1964? One July 2, 1964, pens were used to change the lives of every American citizen. L.B.J was born on a farm near Stonewall in the Hill Country of Central Texas and was really smart and had tons of energy; He decided to become a teacher. Why did L.B.J sign the civil rights act of 1964? If principle decisions are based on strongly-held beliefs, then Cotulla Teaching, Ignoring Southern Reaction, and Change of Heart show that President Johnson was motivated to sign by his principles.
In addition to civil rights, when President Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act, he also gave all people Medicare . This helped everyone because now all people had health care. This made it to where they did not have to directly pay for it. Overall, President Lyndon B. Johnson was a fighter for all Americans and their right to be treated fairly by their government and their community. He took a stand for equal treatment for all black Americans.
This would help Greece fight to keep their independence, and not allow communism to spread to their country. Truman also provided military use to countries being threatened by communist control. Under Truman, the United States, with the help of our allies within the United Nations, would fight to help any country with totalitarian regimes forced on them (Truman). This meant the United Nations together, would go to war with the Soviet Union to stop them from turning other nations into communist
Harry Truman accomplished many things in his life time and was one of the best presidents to ever be in office. Many of his accomplishments came from what he did in his early childhood years and the time he put in when no one knew about him. He joined WWI and that shows he would be able to fight for his country and not back down. He also made a huge adjustment from County judge to Vice President showing he knows a lot about politics and is ready to take his career further (“The History of Harry truman”). Harry Truman was born on May 8,1884 in the farm community of Lamar Missouri.