Courtesy of National Archives, Truman, Harry S. & Roy Wilkins, "Correspondence Between Roy Wilkins and President Harry S. Truman," 10 October to 8 November 1949
Description
President Harry S. Truman wrote to activist Roy Wilkins to recommend establishing a Presidential Commission of Agricultural Problems as a reaction to problems developing with migratory workers from Mexico. Roy Wilkins was at the time of this letter a leader of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). The correspondence below focuses on the use of Mexican labor to weaken a strike of California cotton pickers in 1949.
Source-Dependent Questions
- What actions did Roy Wilkins feel should be opposed by employers? How were employers using their power to minimize the impact of striking workers? Was this within their rights?
- What response did President Truman give to Wilkins' demands? How was the president using his power to support striking workers? Was this use of power sufficient? Why or why not?
Citation information
Truman, Harry S. & Roy Wilkins, "Correspondence Between Roy Wilkins and President Harry S. Truman," 10 October to 8 November 1949. Courtesy of National Archives