What was 1946 like

As the Soviets demonstrated a keen interest in dominating Eastern Europe, the United States took the lead in forming a Western alliance to counterbalance the communist superpower to contain the spread of communism.

At the same time, the United States restructured its military and intelligence forces, both of which would have a significant influence in U. Cold War policy. Menu Menu. The act was the product of numerous revisions to what was originally introduced as the Full Employment Bill of It had declared:. While the act did not prescribe any specific actions, federal economic policy generally has conformed to the spirit of its language, argues Murray Weidenbaum, an economist at Washington University in St.

Louis who served as chairman of the CEA during the early s. He has written:. During the three decades immediately following the passage of the act, the American economy generally performed quite well. While there was significant inflation in the last half of the s, annual inflation rates typically ranged from 1 percent to 5 percent during the rest of this period. The labor market also was relatively strong, with annual unemployment rates trending around 5 percent.

In , Congress amended the Federal Reserve Act to incorporate the provisions of Resolution , but only after debating more ambitious proposals. The Humphrey-Hawkins Act specified explicit unemployment and inflation goals.

Within five years, unemployment should not exceed 3 percent for people 20 years or older, and inflation should be reduced to 3 percent or less, provided that its reduction would not interfere with the employment goal. And by , the inflation rate should be zero, again provided that pursuing this goal would not interfere with the employment goal.

Congress could not simply mandate such unemployment and inflation rates; it could set them only as targets.

Earlier versions of the bill came quite close to stating that all Americans had a right to a job, just as the Full Employment Bill of had Santoni Roxas won the election of April , but by only a slim margin, garnering some 54 percent of the votes cast. He took his oath of office on May 28, , in a temporary stage built in front of the ruins of the Legislative Building, as the third and last president of the Philippine Commonwealth.

As Roxas took office, conservative congressmen ousted more liberal legislators on unfounded charges. It marked a split between peasant leaders who were open to pursuing change in the government and conservatives who felt threatened by them.

On the eve of Philippine independence, left-leaning peasant and labor groups threatened to secede and launch a rebellion, reacting to the blatant politicization of the congress. This was a big international event, but the Philippines did not yet have a Department of Foreign Affairs.

It had to rely on the US government for much of the preparations. May saw the start of a flurry of events to plan out the final days of the Commonwealth and prepare for Independence Day. A joint Filipino-American committee was formed to iron out details. The Manila Hotel, which had been gutted during the Battle of Manila, was cleaned up and prepared for gala events.

Invitations were issued to distinguished guests from the United States and various countries. President Truman was invited, but he declined, owing to pressure of work.

Independence related contests were launched—for an appropriate poster, essay, poem, and hymn. A US flag was to be hand-sewn by past and present Philippine first ladies, to be presented to President Truman. Commemorative postage stamps, medals, and other souvenirs were issued. The stage and grandstand were built in front of the iconic memorial of the Philippine national hero, Jose Rizal, in Luneta Park.

A large arch was erected near it, in front of the Manila Hotel, to welcome visitors. As the month of July began, so did the numerous events and preparations to climax in Philippine Independence on July 4. Private homes and government buildings were decorated. Bands paraded and gave concerts. Distinguished visitors from the US and other countries arrived. It consisted of the flagship USS Bremerton , two aircraft carriers, two cruisers, and seven destroyers.

Hannegan, former Governor General Francis B. Harrison, and others. Communist-linked movements were beginning to threaten the post-war order.

On July 3, the Philippine Congress accepted the Bell Trade Act and authorized President Roxas to sign an executive agreement with the US laying the groundwork for formal negotiations and mutual recognition. That same day, Roxas and McNutt visited the commander of Task Force 77 on his flagship; later they recorded messages to be broadcast nationwide and to the United States. McNutt hosted a reception at his official residence and capped the day with a formal dinner in honor of Roxas at the Manila Hotel.

Thursday, July 4 , was a cloudy, sunless day. It was the rainy season in the Philippines, but this did not dampen the excitement building up towards the Philippine independence ceremony. Religious services were held in the various churches of Manila and provincial capitals, cities, and towns. Guests began arriving at the venue shortly before in the morning. Dignitaries arrived from ; the crowd craned their necks to get a glimpse of Gen.

A bugle sounded, and the audience rose to welcome President Roxas and his wife at With McNutt serving as emcee, the program began at precisely am. The Rt. Robert F. Wilmer, ranking Protestant in the Philippines, gave the invocation. McNutt then introduced the speakers; there were wild cheers for Senator Tydings and Gen.

As he began speaking, a heavy downpour drenched the audience, but they braved the rain. Long live the Republic of the Philippines. May God bless and prosper the Philippine People, keep them safe and free.

President Roxas, pulling on the same cord, began raising the Philippine flag, to the accompaniment of the Philippine National Anthem, played by the Philippine Army Band. As the Philippine flag fluttered from the top of the flagpole, United States, Australian, Portuguese, and Thai warships in the bay fired a gun salute. Church bells throughout the Philippines rang and a whistle announced that the Philippines was now independent. Vice President Quirino then took his oath, followed by President Roxas.

These were administered by Chief Justice Manuel V. Moran of the Philippine Supreme Court. The future direction of the Philippines under President Roxas was thus charted, and to highlight this orientation he and McNutt signed an agreement for the establishment of diplomatic relations and an interim trade agreement. A chorus of one thousand voices—college students all—then sang the Philippine Independence Hymn.

This had been the winner of the independence hymn contest composed by acclaimed composer Restie Umali. As the program ended, a bugle call sounded at am to signal the start of the civic-military parade. As the aged revolutionary war veterans marched past the grandstand, US bombers and fighters flew overhead, spelling first a V for Victory, and then the letters P and R, representing the Philippine Republic.

The military contingents were followed by several floats from different government offices and schools. Of note was that of the General Auditing Office, represented by a bulldog watching over a safe. The last float contained figures of Filipinas representing the Philippines and Miss Columbia, representing liberty. By noon the ceremony was over, and the dignitaries and audience retired.

The day was not yet over, however. At pm a tree symbolizing Philippine independence was planted in front of the Manila City Hall. At pm President Roxas hosted a formal dinner, reception, and ball at the presidential palace. The historic day was capped by a grand fireworks display at the Sunken Gardens just outside the old Walled City of Intramuros, as US Navy ships put up a searchlight display and pyrotechnics show in Manila Bay. Celebrations continued for two more days: in the afternoon of July 5, a Philippine sports exhibition was held at the University of Santo Tomas Gymnasium.

The final celebration of the momentous week was a Barrio Fiesta—a dinner feast—in the evening of July 6 at the Manila Hotel. It was a time of great rejoicing. The Military Bases Agreement was to last for 99 years, during which period there was no clear cut guarantee that these bases would protect the Philippines. The bases agreement was shortened in , and finally lapsed in The Bell Trade Act extended free trade and required the granting of parity rights to American nationals, which in turn required amending the Constitution, which had reserved numerous rights to only Filipino citizens.

Free trade, with quota limitations, would continue on until , after which gradual tariffs would be applied for a period of 20 years, ending in Parity rights were granted American citizens after stormy debates which almost cost President Roxas his life.

July 4, thus saw the birth of the Philippine Republic, but with lots of unfinished business. And this amidst the backdrop of the developing Cold War, a civil war, and deep rooted problems. The independence that was gained restored, according to some pundits, referring to the declaration was questioned—was it a real, total independence?

Aguinaldo was then still alive and was happy to see the change.