Answer
sheet
A.
1) Mrs. India Edwards,
Executive Director of the Women's Division of the Democratic National
Committee.
2) September 27th
is honored by the Democratic party because it was on this date in 1919
that
women were admitted to the Democratic National Committee. This was an
important step because it was a year before the ratification of the
Nineteenth Amendment which gave women the right to vote.
3) The speech was
recorded at the White House at 3:05 p.m.
B.
1) Women voters
were the target audience.
2) President Truman
used praise and compliments to gain the attention of women listeners.
He
commented that women "see the facts" and are not "misled
by political slogans". Further, he said that women understand the
"real issues" are the "well-being of the country and
the future of
their families".
3) The President
believes that Democratic Party programs are better for the "general
welfare" of America which will in turn benefit women more than
other political parties.
4) President Truman
views the major differences between the Democrats and other political
groups as: a. the Democratic program expresses the desires of the people;
b. their program is practical with practical solutions to problems;
c. Democrats deal with the issues head-on;
d. ideas for what needs to be done to solve the problems begin with
"the
grassroots"-unions, farmers, state legislatures.
5) According to
President Truman, the power of the government should be used "to
promote
the general welfare" of the people.
6) Farmers can't
make money unless laborers have steady work and good wages to buy their
produce. Workers can't make a profit unless farmers have enough money
to buy the goods
the workers produce. Businessmen need both groups to prosper so they
will have the income
to purchase what the businessmen sell.
7) The six major
problems facing America in 1949 were: housing, good schools, health
care,
social security, increasing the minimun wage (from 40 cents to 75 cents
an hour) and better use of our natural resources.
7) cont.
Yes, we are still today dealing with each of these issues.
8) President Truman
responds to such criticism by stressing that the Democratic Party programs
offer opportunities and incentives that help people be successful. Also,
he makes the point that the responsibilities and activities of our local
governments are enhanced by programs and
policies that promote the general welfare.
Student Activities: Answers
will vary.
