Date of Award

7-1971

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

First Advisor

Fred B. Misse

Keywords

African Americans, Harry S. Truman (1884-1972)

Abstract

World War II ushered in a new era for the Negro and saw the intensification of the movement seeking full equality. President Truman's relationship to the civil rights movement during his seven years in office is the subject of this thesis.

The Truman Library with its official presidential papers and individual manuscripts has proved invaluable in this investigation. An abundance of data exists on this subject. Many historians have picked and chosen one or the other of Harry S Truman's many civil rights accomplishments as noteworthy. The information assembled for this thesis shows a definite pattern of progress during the Truman,. Administration. Leading civil rights leaders have expressed their confidence in Truman and their appreciation for his efforts. It seems evident that Truman established a spring­board for subsequent progress in securing a more complete realization of equal rights through Executive action. This Executive action in the form of committee reports and Executive orders made the civil rights issue a national issue and made the federal government responsible for ensuring the rights of all American citizens.

In addition to the papers at the Truman Library, first hand appraisals of Truman's efforts by Mr. A. Philip Randolph and Mr. Stephen J. Spingarn are used to document this thesis.

Comments

Please note that this material contains historic language and images that may be considered offensive or biased, or which marginalize certain individuals and communities. The presence of offensive language or images is not an endorsement by Library Services or by Pittsburg State University.

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