Question

Read the opening remarks of truman’s 1949 state of the union address to congress. truman makes reference to the last sixteen years. why might he do this? he is referencing his last term in office and roosevelt’s presidency, during part of which he served as vice president. he is alluding to the two world wars, during which the american economy boomed. the great depression has just ended, and he is trying to be hopeful. i am happy to report to this 81st congress that the state of the union is good. our nation is better able than ever before to meet the needs of the american people, and to give them their fair chance in the pursuit of happiness. this great republic is foremost among the nations of the world in the search for peace. during the last 16 years, our people have been creating a society which offers new opportunities for every man to enjoy his share of the good things of life. in this society, we are conservative about the values and principles which we cherish; but we are forward-looking in protecting those values and principles and in extending their benefits. we have rejected the discredited theory that the fortunes of the nation should be in the hands of a privileged few. we have abandoned the "trickledown" concept of national prosperity. instead, we believe that our economic system should rest on a democratic foundation and that wealth should be created for the benefit of all. the recent election shows that the people of the united states are in favor of this kind of society and want to go on improving it. —president truman state of the union address,

Why might he do this?
A. He is referencing his last term in office and Roosevelt’s presidency, during part of which he served as vice president.
B. He is alluding to the two world wars, during which the American economy boomed.
C. The Great Depression has just ended, and he is trying to be hopeful.

Answer 1

President Truman's reference to the past sixteen years in his 1949 State of the Union address includes Roosevelt's presidency and the New Deal, as well as the economic impacts of World War II, reflecting a continued focus on social reforms, economic democracy, and equity that began to shape during the Great Depression.

Step-by-step explanation:

In President Truman's 1949 State of the Union address, the reference to the last sixteen years likely encompasses several significant events and policies. First, he is acknowledging his own previous term and the presidency of Franklin D. Roosevelt, during which Truman served as Vice President and Roosevelt implemented the New Deal to combat the Great Depression. The sixteen-year period also includes the economic changes associated with World War II, which helped to end the Depression and redefine the American economy.

Truman's mention of rejecting the 'discredited theory' that the nation's fortunes should be in the hands of a privileged few, and the abandonment of 'trickle-down' economics, aligns with New Deal philosophy, further suggesting that he is referencing the changes brought by Roosevelt's presidency.

Furthermore, Truman's Fair Deal aimed to build on these promises, striving for social reforms and extending civil rights. The reference serves as a rallying point for hope, progress, and a repudiation of previous economic policies that favored the wealthy. His address focuses on a democratic foundation for the economy and an equitable distribution of wealth, which were central to both the New Deal and his Fair Deal.