+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Social Life in the 1950's and Domestic Politics and Policy

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders examine the cultural mood and politics of the 1950's in the United States. They read a section of their text and take notes, view a clip of the movie "Pleasantville" and discuss societal roles in the 1950's, and listen...
+
Website
University of Virginia

Miller Center at Uva: Truman Announces Fair Deal Program January 5, 1949

For Students 9th - 10th
President Harry S. Truman presented his ideas for a Fair Deal in his State of the Union address in 1949. Read about his plans for extending the progressive legislation that had its start in Roosevelt's New Deal. Find out what passed,...
+
Primary
Library of Congress

Loc: Today in History: January 5: Harry S. Truman

For Students 9th - 10th
Find President Truman's State of the Union message on January 5, 1949, after his stunning victory over Thomas Dewey in November 1948, where he outlines his plans for a "Fair Deal" for Americans. In addition, there are links to other...
+
eBook
OpenStax

Open Stax: Post War Prosperity, Cold War Fears 1945 1960: Challenges of Peacetime

For Students 11th - 12th
Examines the challenges of demobilization after World War II, how Harry Truman addressed them, and how the government responded to the needs of war veterans.
+
Website
University of Virginia

Miller Center at Uva: u.s. Presidents: Harry S. Truman: Domestic Affairs

For Students 9th - 10th
A broad look at the Truman presidency domestically including the labor problems he encountered, his Fair Deal, the instransigence of the Republican Party, and McCarthyism.
+
Primary
American Presidency Project

American Presidency Project: Harry S. Truman: State of the Union Message, 1949

For Students 9th - 10th
After Harry S. Truman's astounding election, his annual State of the Union message outlined his primary domestic policy which he called the Fair Deal. Read his speech to see what he felt were the greatest problems facing the United...
+
Website
University of Virginia

Miller Center at Uva: u.s. Presidents: Harry S. Truman

For Students 9th - 10th
Track the presidency of Harry S. Truman (1884-1972 CE) as the 33rd President of the United States. AmericanPresident.org takes us through his early life as a Midwest farmer to his death.
+
Website
University of Groningen

American History: Outlines: The Fair Deal

For Students 9th - 10th
Read this essay which explains the parts of Harry S. Truman's domestic policies, called the Fair Deal. Find out about the successes and failures of this program.
+
Website
University of Groningen

American History: Outlines: The Fair Deal

For Students 9th - 10th
Overview of the successful and failed domestic policies and social reforms of President Harry S. Truman's Fair Deal following WWII.
+
Website
New York Times

New York Times: On This Day: Harry S. Truman: Decisive President

For Students 9th - 10th
A New York Times obituary of Harry S. Truman, which outlines his life as a Senator, Vice-President, and President. Read about his domestic and foreign policy decisions.
+
Handout
Library of Congress

Loc: America's Story: Truman Announced a Fair Deal

For Students 3rd - 8th
Health insurance, minimum wage, and equal rights are things we take for granted. But it was not always so. These are some of the things President Truman fought for in what he called the "Fair Deal."
+
Website
US House of Representatives

History, Art, and Archives: President Harry Truman's Fair Deal Proposal

For Students 9th - 10th
In President Truman's State of the Union message to Congress in 1949, he outlined his Fair Deal policy. Read about what he had in mind, and find out what was passed into law.
+
Website
Other

Biographies: Harry S. Truman

For Students 9th - 10th
This brief, but comprehensive look at the Truman administration covers Truman's actions from the time he took office upon the death of Franklin Roosevelt to his decision not to run in the election of 1952.
+
Website
Independence Hall Association

U.s. History: Domestic Challenges

For Students 5th - 8th
The American soldiers returning from World War I had a huge impact on the economy. Read about President Truman's domestic policies and find out about the surprise of the election of 1948.