The greatest domestic effect of World War II was its drastic influence on the economic and social lives of the American people. The immediate economic aftereffects of WWII dismissed the sullen outlook of the Great Depression and unemployment, deflation, and industrial turmoil had al

Truman did, however, make significant gains in stemming racial discrimination. The process of hiring federal employees was purified, and the desegregation of the army was a huge success. Furthermore, he advocated the Supreme Court decision in Shelly vs. Kraemer (1948) to ban barring of blacks from residential areas.

As WWII concluded, minorities were determined to use this conflict to improve their position in society. Randolph's Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters Union insisted that companies receiving defense contracts integrate their work forces, thus furthering the enhancement of the black work force. To mobilize support for this demand, in addition, Randolph hypothesized a massive march through the nation's capital but Roosevelt got him to change his mind. The Congress of Racial Equality (CORE), established in 1942, mobilized mass popular resistance to discrimination. Their valorous attempts set the stage for the African American reform. Blacks were now integrated into the military in all its areas. African Americans weren't the only minority fighting for rights. Indians aided the United States in World War II and expected something in return. Mexican-American pachucos were also present in the "zoot suit" reform.

The "Fair Deal" was the twenty-one-point plan that Truman proposed to ease the transition to a peaceful economy. This plan included an expansion of Social Security benefits, the increase of minimum wage, a full employment guarantee, a permanent Fair Employment Practices Act, public housing projects, environmental works programs, and further governmental scientific research. Later Truman added federal aid to the creation of the St. Lawrence Seaway, the nationalization of atomic energy, and national health insurance. Truman's proposal was a large step towards reconstruction. He interpreted the Presidency as "my assumption of the office of President in my own right." This statement proves that Truman was taking an active part in reforming the policies of America to more liberal and pragmatic purposes.

The most profound impact on American domestic life is seen in the resurgence of economic prosperity that had been hampered by the effects of the Great Depression. Unemployment and deflation were abolished by the resurrection of mercantilist socialism, and federal spending was pumping drastic amounts of money into the economy. The demands of wartime production created a shortage of consumer goods, so many wage earners diverted much of their new affluence into savings, which would later help keep the economic booms in depressive times. The result of the unbridled buying spree was tremendous inflationary pressures. Truman's naivete coerced him to veto the Office of Price Administration. This bill would have stabilized prices by setting fixed wages. Unfortunately, it was not until inflation had skyrocketed to 25% that Truman passed a bill similar to that of the OPA.

Perhaps the most noticeable conservative tendency was the attack on the Wagner Act of 1935. Conservative resentment of labor unions (lower class progress) was apparent in the new Taft-Hartley Act. Basically, Congress destroyed the new "closed shops" and "union shops." Removing the necessity of joining a union severely angered existing unions. Furthermore, this act also authorized an injunction of work stoppage if the safety and health of the country were compromised. Truman obviously opposed this act, but it was passed anyway. Nevertheless, Truman's defense of labor insured his first full term as President.

Governor Thomas E. Dewey of New York was an avid conservative Republican. His reelection in 1946 had secured his place as a prominent and influential political figure. Dewey's clean campaign style earned him respect. Truman's rejoinder came when he called Congress into session to try to pass the contrived liberal reforms that Dewey had promised. The Congress did not pass one piece of l

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