Ultimately, these years witnessed some progress throughout the years 1945-55, making it accurate to describe Blacks as 2nd class citizens. Socially, things were unchanged although, the political aspect improved drastically, along with slight economical improvements.
President Truman was very active when improving the status of the blacks. In 1947, his liberal dominated rights committee produced the report - ‘to secure these rights’. This report showed the ignored horrific reality of lynching and segregation towards the Blacks that was accompanied by many recommendations, consisting of police training. Truman appointed Blacks into important positions; such as, the first Black Judge William Haste, and Ralph Bunche, American ambassador to the UN in 1949. He issued executive orders to end discrimination in the armed forces, the top ranks resisted for up to two years until the demands of the Korean War set in. Truman’s efforts at de-segregation were rewarded with his re-election in 1948, where he gained a massive two thirds of the Black vote, portraying the large efforts Truman had undergone. Truman succeeded in making many positive changes for the Blacks and placing civil rights on the political agenda.
The south saw many political improvements with allowing Black voters. World War II had a great effect on this, with only up to 2% of Blacks having the vote pre-war, whereas after, in the year 1945, roughly 15% of Blacks could vote. At this same time in the North, 16 states granted Blacks the vote. Black voters could have the balance of power in these states, when voting entirely in one block. This was proven when African American Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. was elected to congress in 1945. Politically, there were huge improvements and Blacks seemed to have increased credibility amongst society.
Socially, things weren’t improving with very little change throughout these