Evaluate the impact of Truman’s Fair Deal.

The question requires that candidates make an appraisal of the impact of Truman’s Fair Deal, weighing the strengths and limitations of the programme. Impact of the programme may extend beyond the timeframe of the Truman presidency. Candidates may refer to the Fair Deal as an extension of Franklin D Roosevelt’s New Deal. Truman’s proposals included increasing the minimum wage, expanding social security, public housing and health insurance, and protecting the civil rights of African Americans. Nearly all were blocked by the Republican Congress, although during his second term some, such as minimum wage increase, expansion of social security and building low-income housing, were passed. His policies expanded the size and role of the federal government and provided support for lower socio–economic groups. His advocacy for healthcare and civil rights came to fruition in later presidencies, most notably during that of Johnson with Medicare and Medicaid and the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Both strengths and limitations need to be discussed but there does not need to be an equal number of each.