Harry S. Truman assumed the role of President of the United States after the sudden and unexpected death of President Franklin Roosevelt in 1945. Upon taking office and becoming the President of the United States, Truman inherited several problems and issues within the country; some that even he, the former Vice President, wasn’t aware of. Harry S. Truman made national news headlines for his decision to drop atomic bombs Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. However, it was Truman’s proactive support for The Civil Rights Movements that made him a hero. Harry S. Truman was the first President in the United States to address the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (Wormser). He promised African Americans the federal
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Southern states simply refused to accept black people as equals. The laws affected almost every aspect of daily life, mandating segregation of schools, parks, libraries, drinking fountains, restrooms, buses, trains, and restaurants. "Whites Only" and "Colored" signs were constant reminders of the enforced racial order (American Experience). The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People fought for equal rights and justice for African Americans all over the nation. One of the most difficult challenges for the NAACP was in the deep south, where Jim Crow Laws were more prominent. The NAACP reached out to the courts, believing that support from the federal courts would aid in victory. When President Truman became aware of the NACCP efforts to gain support from the courts, he decided to join the fight against racial inequality. He addressed the NAACP on June 29, 1947. The speech took place at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. Supreme Court Justice Hugo Black and Chief Justice Fred M. Gibson were in attendance during the …show more content…
Truman felt the unsuccessful effects of the plan, and decided to use his position as President of the United States. He provided aid to the NACCP and Civil Rights Movement. In 1948, he signed and issued Executive Orders. The first order, Executive Order 9980, was a mandate to end discrimination in civil service and integrate the federal workforce. Truman also created the Committee on Government Contract Compliance. This committee mandated contractors to practice nondiscrimination in their contracts (Early). More specifically, contractors could no longer avoid hiring individuals based on the color of their skin. Within a year, more than fifteen agencies in the civil service were desegregated, and the agencies that failed to comply were restructured to meet the requirements of the new law. The second executive order, Executive Order 9981, also signed in 1948, desegregated the United States Armed Forces. Previously, more than one million African American men and thousands of black women, who were inducted into the armed forces and served across the globe during World War II, were in racially segregated units (Parkinson). The same committee, the CGCC, was responsible for ensuring the military followed the new law. With great success, the military was completely integrated by
Southern states simply refused to accept black people as equals. The laws affected almost every aspect of daily life, mandating segregation of schools, parks, libraries, drinking fountains, restrooms, buses, trains, and restaurants. "Whites Only" and "Colored" signs were constant reminders of the enforced racial order (American Experience). The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People fought for equal rights and justice for African Americans all over the nation. One of the most difficult challenges for the NAACP was in the deep south, where Jim Crow Laws were more prominent. The NAACP reached out to the courts, believing that support from the federal courts would aid in victory. When President Truman became aware of the NACCP efforts to gain support from the courts, he decided to join the fight against racial inequality. He addressed the NAACP on June 29, 1947. The speech took place at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. Supreme Court Justice Hugo Black and Chief Justice Fred M. Gibson were in attendance during the …show more content…
Truman felt the unsuccessful effects of the plan, and decided to use his position as President of the United States. He provided aid to the NACCP and Civil Rights Movement. In 1948, he signed and issued Executive Orders. The first order, Executive Order 9980, was a mandate to end discrimination in civil service and integrate the federal workforce. Truman also created the Committee on Government Contract Compliance. This committee mandated contractors to practice nondiscrimination in their contracts (Early). More specifically, contractors could no longer avoid hiring individuals based on the color of their skin. Within a year, more than fifteen agencies in the civil service were desegregated, and the agencies that failed to comply were restructured to meet the requirements of the new law. The second executive order, Executive Order 9981, also signed in 1948, desegregated the United States Armed Forces. Previously, more than one million African American men and thousands of black women, who were inducted into the armed forces and served across the globe during World War II, were in racially segregated units (Parkinson). The same committee, the CGCC, was responsible for ensuring the military followed the new law. With great success, the military was completely integrated by