Defending Democracy: A Speech on Communism by Helen Gahagan Douglas, 1946-01-01 - 1946-12-31

Item — Box: 5, Folder: 1

Identifier: CAC_CC_014_8.10_5_1_0006

Staff Only

Defending Democracy: A Speech on Communism by Helen Gahagan Douglas, 1946-01-01 - 1946-12-31

The Douglas Collection covers the former congresswoman's life from her early stage career until her death in 1980. Because the bulk of the materials documents her years in Congress, the collection is especially rich in covering events and issues central to the immediate post-World War II era. Due to her service on the Foreign Affairs Committee, there is a large amount of papers on the earliest years of the Cold War and the establishment of the new world order. Interesting topics include the Dumbarton Oaks conference, the development of the Marshall Plan, the outbreak of the Korean War, and the creation of the state of Israel. There is also a significant amount of documentation covering the nation's readjustment after the war. Issues dealing with the Office of Price Administration, the Taft-Hartley Act, housing, migrant labor and veterans' concerns are but a few of the myriad topics found in the collection. In addition, there is a record of the changing roles of women and African Americans in the late 1940s. Finally, the collection contains much information on the personality of Douglas. Scattered throughout the papers are poetry, correspondence with Broadway and movie idols as well as with political notables, and genealogical records.

The Douglas Collection covers the former congresswoman's life from her early stage career until her death in 1980. Because the bulk of the materials document her years in Congress, the collection is especially rich in covering events and issues central to the immediate post-World War II era. Due to her service on the Foreign Affairs Committee, there is a large amount of material on the earliest years of the Cold War and the establishment of the new world order. Other topics of note include the Dumbarton Oaks Conference, the European Recovery Act (Marshall Plan), the Korean War, and the creation of the state of Israel. There is also a significant amount of documentation covering the nation's readjustment after the war. Issues dealing with the Office of Price Administration, the Taft-Hartley Act, housing, migrant labor and veterans' concerns are but a few of the myriad topics found in the collection. In addition, there are multiple materials related to the changing roles of women and African-Americans in the post-war years, including those related to the Douglas/Nixon campaign of 1950 and the infamous “Pink Sheet”. The collection also contains excellent insight into the personality of Douglas through the variety of correspondence with Hollywood stars and political elite, her poetry, programs and scripts of earlier plays, and genealogical records.

Dates

1946-01-01 - 1946-12-31

Language of Materials

English

Extent

28 Pages

Additional Description

Overview

79th (1945-1947)

Related Materials

The speaker discusses his views on communism and democracy, stating that communism does not pose a real threat to democracy. He emphasizes the importance of democracy and its achievements, stating that democracy has provided more freedom and higher living standards than any other form of government. The speaker is protective of democracy and its institutions, expressing a desire to not have its accomplishments attributed to communism. He also discusses the importance of freedom of speech and the government serving the people.