Presidency of Douglas MacArthur (No New Deal)

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Douglas MacArthur, 35th President of the United States (1953 - 1957)

The Presidency of Douglas MacArthur began on January 20th, 1953 and ended on January 20th, 1957. MacArthur's administration witnessed a significant escalation of United States military involvement in the Cold War. Foreign policy took center stage, as the administration continued the foreign policies established by the preceding Wagner Administration, particularly in its support of American allies through initiatives such as the Morse Plan. However, MacArthur's approach was notably more hawkish in containing the Cominform and combating communism. One notable event during MacArthur's presidency was the increased US participation in the Yugoslav wars, where the United States, along with its LTO allies, played a leading role. Moreover, the MacArthur administration authorized the use of the first atomic bomb on another country in history, known as the Atomic bombing of Bad Radkersburg. In response to a Communist revolution threatening to take over Cuba, MacArthur sent US troops to invade the country. Additionally, he funded anti-communist proxies in both Europe and Latin America to counter the spread of Communism.

On the domestic front, MacArthur followed the example set by the Al Smith Presidency, adopting Laissez-faire economics and embracing social conservatism. Walterism would also continue under his administration doing nothing to stop it and even supported the Lavender scare, a period of heightened persecution of individuals suspected of being homosexual and Communists. Additionally, the administration sought to pursue a balanced budget as a fiscal goal. MacArthur's cabinet and closest advisers were marred by allegations of corruption, drawing unfavorable comparisons to the administrations of Presidents Grant and Harding, widely regarded as among the most corrupt in American history.

Due to his very hawkish foreign policy, lackluster domestic policy, his health concerns, a corrupt cabinet and a great smear campaign by the Progressive Union in the 1956 Presidential Election, would make Americans reject his bid for a second term. By contemporary historians and pop-culture he is know as the "Wild Card" President.

Presidency

Domestic Policy

Economic Policy + Interstate Highway System

The MacArthur administration pursued a Laissez-Faire economic approach for its policies. During the Wagner Presidency, the top income tax brackets were subject to a tax rate of 45%, while the top marginal tax rate stood at 39%. However, under MacArthur's leadership and with the support of a Democratic Congress, significant changes were made to the tax structure. The administration managed to reduce the tax burden on the top income earners, lowering their tax rate to 30% and the marginal tax rate to 28%.

While some conservative voices advocated for further tax reductions akin to the days of Al Smith, when rates were as low as 23%, MacArthur maintained his stance against additional tax cuts. His reasoning stemmed from his commitment to balancing the budget, as he believed that further tax reductions would hinder progress toward achieving this goal. Nonetheless, MacArthur chose to increase the Defense budget, contributing to the budget deficit and compromising his objective of attaining a balanced budget. None of the budgets implemented during MacArthur's term resulted in a surplus, even though he made cuts to the domestic policies established under the Wagner administration. Consequently, the budget deficit persisted throughout his tenure as president.

The Interstate Highway System, authorized by the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956, stands as one of MacArthur's most significant accomplishments during his tenure. The project emerged from concerns raised by MacArthur's military advisors, who foresaw the need for efficient movement of military assets across the United States in the face of conventional or nuclear threats, from the Soviet Union and its allies. In 1955, MacArthur, alongside Congressional Democrats, initiated efforts to pass this transformative infrastructure project. Their initial proposal, however, faced opposition from the Progressive Union and certain Democrats who objected to financing through public bonds. A consensus was eventually reached: the project would be funded through the Highway Trust Fund, sustained by gasoline and diesel taxes.

The Interstate Highway System not only facilitated military logistics but also yielded long-term benefits. Notably, it significantly improved transportation networks within major cities. However, it had adverse consequences for poorer neighborhoods, as some were displaced without adequate compensation, predominantly impacting black and impoverished white residents. Nonetheless, the Interstate Highway System played a pivotal role in shaping America's urban and suburban landscapes. It enabled workers to commute from suburbs, spurred economic growth by facilitating the movement of goods, and catalyzed the rise of shopping malls. Tourism flourished, leading to the expansion of service industries, while rural areas experienced shifts in economic dynamics, favoring locations with easier highway access.

Walterism and Lavender Scare

At the outset of his tenure, MacArthur aligned himself with the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC), led by Chairman Francis E. Walter. Under Walter's leadership, the committee fervently pursued its mission to expose and combat communist activities within the United States. MacArthur remained a staunch supporter of Walterism, even after Francis Walter's passing in 1955. However, MacArthur's steadfast support for the HUAC and its policies would eventually contribute to his own downfall. The Democratic party would loose it's majorities in both cambers of congress to the Progressive Union in 1954 Midterms due to Walterism as well. By 1956, The broader public sentiment had shifted, and the excessive zeal and controversial practices of the committee began to erode its credibility. MacArthur's staunch support of the now-discredited Walterism further damaged his own standing and contributed to his diminished influence and eventual downfall.

MacArthur contributed to the Lavender Scare, with his Executive Order 10450 effectively banned individuals identifying as homosexuals from attaining positions within the federal workforce. The impact was profound, as it led to widespread discrimination and dismissal of LGBT individuals from various government roles.

The extent of the firings based on sexual orientation during this period (1947 to 1961) surpassed those attributed to membership in the Communist Party, which was the primary target of the broader Walterist campaign. Government officials purposefully employed tactics to equate "homosexual" with "Communist traitor," effectively associating the LGBT community with potential threats to national security. This intentional linking was part of a concerted effort to create an environment in which LGBT individuals were considered vulnerable to blackmail and exploitation.

Civil Rights

MacArthur, akin to previous presidential administrations, largely disregarded Civil Rights issues. The 1940s and 1950s witnessed the emergence of Civil Rights as a prominent national and global concern, partly triggered by the reprehensible actions of Nazi Germany. Notably, in 1954, the Supreme Court's unanimous decision in Brown v. Board of Education marked a pivotal moment in Civil Rights history. MacArthur upheld this ruling, provoking the ire and opposition of Sothern democrats. In 1955, he dispatched federal troops to accompany five black teenagers famously known as the "Elk Creek Five" to Elk Creek High School in Virginia. This action was in response to Governor Garland Grey's deployment of the National Guard, on behalf of the Byrd Machine and "Massive Resistance", to hinder their access to education. MacArthur's stance was further emphasized by his threat to federalize other states' National Guard units if similar obstruction occurred. However, his engagement with racial issues remained limited, as he refrained from admonishing states and school boards that devised alternative methods to avoid integration. By the conclusion of MacArthur's tenure, only 5.5% of Southern schools had achieved integration, with a mere 15.3% integrated nationally.

Within Congress, the Progressive Unionists and some remaining Republicans pressed for a more robust Civil Rights bill during MacArthur's tenure. Yet, both he and influential Democratic leaders resisted these efforts. The Progressive Unionists' electoral gains in 1954, gave them both houses of congress, resulted in attempts to pass comprehensive Civil Rights legislation. However, Democratic filibusters thwarted these endeavors.

Labor Unions

During his tenure a significant surge in labor union membership was witnessed, notably in 1954 when the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) merged with the American Federation of Labor (AFL), giving birth to the AFL–CIO. This amalgamation heralded the establishment of the largest federation of labor unions in the United States.

The leadership of the newly formed AFL–CIO was committed to a strategic emphasis on the recruitment of unskilled laborers and those hailing from the southern regions of the country. This strategic orientation, however, generated dissent among local business leaders and Democrats. These stakeholders, aspiring to diminish the power of labor unions, were particularly concerned about their influence, partly due to the pivotal role unions played in supporting and financing Progressive Union candidates.

MacArthur, accompanied by his administration's anti-union stance and advocacy for right-to-work laws, exhibited a nuanced approach by offering support to certain union activities within the Midwest. MacArthur appointed his Secretary of Labor, Eric Johnston, to orchestrate efforts aimed at undermining the legitimacy of labor unions. Johnston's focal point was the exposure of alleged illicit activities within the unions. Collaborating closely with the Justice Department and Congressional Democrats, Johnston led high-profile investigations into criminal undertakings and racketeering pervasive within prominent labor unions, with a particular emphasis on scrutinizing the Teamsters Union and their leader Jimmy Hoffa.

MacArthur and Democratic collaborators championed the reinforcement of the Sparkman-Hartley Act, leveraging its provisions to consolidate measures intended to curtail the influence of unions.

Space Race

During MacArthur's tenure, a significant impetus was given to the Space Race, between the Soviet Union and United States. The mid-1950s saw a burgeoning of enthusiasm in popular culture, revolving around the prospective conquest of space by humankind. This era was characterized by a prevailing sentiment that "Man would Conquer Space Soon." Notably assertive in his approach, MacArthur displayed a fervent determination to propel the United States to the forefront of space exploration, aiming to outpace the Soviet Union. He orchestrated a series of strategic measures, both in terms of personnel appointments and legislative actions, which were meticulously designed to usher the nation into the cosmos.

Although MacArthur's presidential term did not coincide with the realization of his aspirations for the American space program, the foundations he laid were realized during the Administrations Roosevelt and Johnson.

Supreme Court Appointments

During his four years in office, MacArthur would appoint two Associate Justices to the Supreme Court. In his inaugural year as President, MacArthur faced the retirement of Justice John J. Bennett, who had served on the Court for 15 years after being appointed by Al Smith. MacArthur initially sought to nominate Judge Harold Medina due to his strong stance against Communism. However, this nomination encountered strong opposition from Congressional Democrats, led by Senator James Eastland of Mississippi, who raised concerns about Medina's mixed heritage. Medina had a Mexican father and a mother of Dutch ancestry from New York. Under pressure from Congressional Democrats, MacArthur withdrew Medina's nomination and instead appointed John E. Miller, a Senator from his home state of Arkansas. Miller's confirmation by the Senate was relatively smooth, although he faced minor opposition from the Progressive Union and a few Republicans. He would go on to serve from 1953 to 1981.

In mid-1954, MacArthur had another opportunity to shape the Court when Justice Bennett Camp Clark, another Smith appointee, passed away due to illness. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, MacArthur and the Democratic Party needed to make a swift appointment, especially as polling indicated a potential loss of their majorities in Congress to the Progressive Union. Despite considering several candidates, including conservative talk-radio host Clarence Manion, Senator William E. Jenner, Eastern District of New York attorney Leonard P. Moore, and judge William A. Bootle, MacArthur was initially at odds with Congressional Democrats regarding his preferred nominee. While Democrats favored William A. Bootle from Georgia, MacArthur advocated for Senator Jenner. However, the President's Attorney General eventually recommended Republican George MacKinnon for the nomination, a choice that gained consensus among Democrats and the Republican Remnant in congress.

Upon MacKinnon's nomination announcement, Progressive Union Senate Minority Leader Paul Douglas immediately voiced his opposition, labeling MacKinnon as "too far-right." This led to a spirited Senate filibuster by Progressive Union members. Nevertheless, Democratic leaders and the remaining Republican contingent were determined to see MacKinnon confirmed. After a contentious confirmation hearing, the Senate ultimately confirmed MacKinnon with a narrow 56-40 vote. Justice George MacKinnon would go on to serve on the Supreme Court from 1954 to 1995.

Cabinet

MacArthur would receive significant help from the Democratic leadership in choosing his cabinet although this would lead to the most corrupt cabinet since the Harding administration, however most members refusal to resign of their own volition and MacArthur seeing no need to fire any cabinet members would aid in his downfall.

Main Article: Scandals of the Douglas MacArthur Administration

Seal	Position	Name	Term	State
	Vice President	Frank Lausche(1895-1990)	January 20, 1953 - January 20, 1957	OH
	Secretary of State	H. Freeman Matthews(1899-1986)	January 23, 1953 - January 20, 1957	MD
	Secretary of the Treasury	John B. Williams(1918-2001)	January 22, 1953 - January 20, 1957	MS
	Secretary of War	Curtis LeMay (1906-1990)	January 26, 1953 - January 20, 1957	OH
	Attorney General	Matthew Welsh (1912-1996)	January 20, 1953 - January 20, 1957	IN
	Postmaster General	Happy Chandler (1898-1991)	January 31, 1953 - January 20, 1957	KY
	Secretary of the Navy	C.W. Nimitz (1885-1966)	January 20, 1953 - January 20, 1957	TX
	Secretary of the Interior	Glen D. Johnson (1911-1994)	January 25, 1953 - January 20, 1957	OK
	Secretary of Agriculture	James E. Carter (1894-1960)	January 20, 1953 - January 20, 1957	GA
	Secretary of Commerce	Will Rogers II (1911-1988)	January 23, 1953 - January 20, 1957	CA
	Secretary of Labor	Eric Johnston (1896-1963)	January 28, 1953 - January 20, 1957	DC