The
committee recommended enlarging the size and powers of the civil
rights section of the Justice Department and also recommended
that the F.B.I. increase its civil rights activity. The threat
of federal intervention in state racial policies led to a revolt
by several Southern Senators within the Democratic Party. In
1948 they formed the Dixiecrat Party and refused to support many
of the policies and candidates of the Democratic Party. Truman
also appointed a committee to study higher education in America,
and its report recommended an end to discrimination in colleges
and universities. In 1948 Truman issued an executive order aimed
at achieving fair employment within government service. He also
continued the practice of attacking discrimination within
industries working under government contracts. In 1948 the
Supreme Court declared that restrictive covenants in housing were
unconstitutional. Many state and local governments across the
country also took action against discrimination in the fields of
housing and employment.
Thus the principles underlying the United Nations and the
Declaration of Human Rights had the effect of stirring democratic
and humanitarian ideals in many parts of white America.
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