the day after V-J DAY

• the return of “our boys”

• Peace

• end of rationing

• more consumer goods

• getting back to normal

I’m looking forward to …

I’m concerned about …

• Injuries / deaths ?

• labor unrest (strikes) ?

• unemployment ?

• inflation / depression ?

• What IS normal ?

DEMOBILIZATION

1941

1945

1946

1.5 million

12 million

3 million

G.I. BILL OF RIGHTS

Education tuition $$$

Job preferencesFor government jobs

1944 Presidential Election

1944

1948 Presidential Election

Presidential Election

1944

1948

1946 midterm election

Presidential Election

Presidential Election

1944 FDR re-elected w/ Truman

1945

1948

1947

1946

FDR dies / WWII ends

midterm election

Fair Deal / gridlock

Presidential Election

Had Enough?

Taft-Hartley

ELECTION OF 1948Harry S. Truman

Democrat

Thomas E. DeweyRepublican

strom thurmonddixiecrat

henry wallaceprogressive

1947 Fair Deal / gridlock Taft-Hartley

“GIVE ’EMHELL,

HARRY !”

(303)(189)

(39)

ELECTION OF 1948