The Cold War

1. The Cold War

2. Crash Course • The Cold War: Crash Course US History #37 • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9C72ISMF_D0 • 13 min

3. The Years from 1945-1960 US Foreign Policy changes after World War II. The US actively planned for an international peacekeeping organization. It would be known as the United Nations. The US also is determined to prevent the growth of Communism. After the war, Britain can no longer fulfill its international roles and so passes on the “torch” of world leadership to the United States.

4. Cold War – This was a situation of strained relations/ hostility, not open violence between the United States (and her non-communist allies) and the Soviet Union (and her communist satellites). This competition led to a military build up known as the arms race. During this time, there was a deterioration of diplomatic relations between the US and USSR because of their differing ideologies (belief in which type of government was best). In addition to the arms race (which included atomic weaponry), the two superpowers competed in creating military alliances and propagandizing throughout the world. The superpowers rivalry was also economic as they sought to gain allies through their use of money. Churchill drew a clear picture of this division and threat of communist expansion in his “Iron Curtain” Speech.

5. Harry Truman 1945-1953 Democrat

6. Truman Foreign Policy Issues: Cold War Rivalry between the superpowers – US and USSR Containment Idea of limiting or confining Communism to the area where it already exists Truman Doctrine Policy of economic and military aid to support free people resisting the spread of Communism Marshall Plan Economic aid program proposed by Sect of State George C. Marshall. The goal was to stop hunger, poverty, desperation and chaos in struggling nations who may turn to communism as a solution to their problems. The aid would help stabilize and improve economies and so prevent the spread of communism. Blockade of Berlin by USSR – Airlift The Soviets cut off the roads into non-Soviet Berlin. In order to get needed supplies to the French, British and American sectors of the city, western powers began an airlift of food, clothing, medicine, coal and other necessities.

7. The Point Four Program Provided funds for technical development programs in Latin America, Asia and Africa so they would not fall to communism. NATO and Soviet response of Warsaw Pact NATO – alliance between the US, Canada and 10 European nations – an attack against one would be considered an attack against all Warsaw Pact – Soviet alliance with Eastern European satellites Peoples Republic of China Communism took over the government of China. Mao Zedong was able to gain support from farmers and women who had been disenfranchised by the Nationalist Party. This led to fear in the US that other nearby nations would also fall to Communism. Korean Conflict Communist North Korea invaded South Korea in an attempt to unite the country. The US responds by not only sending economic aid, but also military help as the major part of the UN peacekeeping troops.

8. Truman Domestic Policy Issues: US Economy after WWII Need to convert back to non-war economy – many women and minorities who had worked during the war, now were laid off or given less pay After the war, price controls were lifted. Inflation increased. The Employment Act of 1946 made full employment a goal The Taft-Hartley Act (Vetoed by Truman, but overridden by Congress) was a response to strikes, which were held because workers wages could not keep up with inflation. The act placed checks on union activity. Servicemen’s Readjustment Act of 1944/ GI Bill of Rights Also known as the GI Bill of Rights this act authorized money to pay for veterans’ benefits such as college, medical treatment, unemployment insurance and loans for home or business.

9. Civil Rights African Americans and Japanese Americans faced discrimination after WWII. They wanted equal rights and opportunities. Executive Order 9981is an Executive Order issued on July 26, 1948, by President Harry S. Truman. It abolished discrimination "on the basis of race, color, religion or national origin" in the United States Armed Forces. The executive order eventually led to the end of segregation in the armed services and in federal jobs.

10. The Fair Deal and dealing with the Republican Congress • The Republican majority Congress had not passed many of Truman’s proposals. They overturned his veto of the Taft-Hartley Act. In the 1948 election, the Democrats had won back the majority of the Congress. • Once Truman had a “friendlier” Congress to work with he was able to get measures passed which extended the New Deal of FDR. Truman called his “Package” of programs the “Fair Deal.” Some of these measures raised the minimum wage, increased Social Security Benefits and developed soil conservation, flood control and rural electrification programs.

11. The Red Scare Returns Committee on Un-American Activities (HUAC) Temporary committee begun in 1938 to look into communist activity in the US. It operated for 30 years. HUAC is best known for its “Blacklisting” in the entertainment industry. Smith Act (Sen. Margaret Chase Smith) In 1940 this act made it illegal for anyone to advocate “overthrowing” the government. It was upheld in Dennis vs. United States and later weakened in Watkins vs. United States and Yates vs. United States.

12. The Rosenberg Trial In 1950, Ethel & Julius Rosenberg and Morton Sobell were charged with giving atomic secrets to the Soviets. The Rosenbergs were convicted and sentenced to death .

13. Sen. Joseph McCarthy (McCarthyism) During 1950-1954, Senator McCarthy began his own hunt for communists, especially in government jobs.

14. Dwight Eisenhower 1953-1961 Republican

15. Campaign Ads • Election of 1952 & 1956 • Living room candidate • http://www.livingroomcandidate.org/commercials/1952

16. EisenhowerForeign Policy Issues: John Foster Dulles - Secretary of State Brinkmanship Increased tensions during arms race because Dulles states the nation must be ready to go to the “brink” of war. Massive Retaliation Overt threat that the US would “retaliate, instantly, by means and places of our choosing” instead of relying on limited war. Military Industrial Complex The build up of more and more weaponry and the business it creates for companies who promote the manufacture and sale of weapons.

17. ASIA: • Domino Theory • Notion that if one Asian country falls to Communism, neighboring nations would as well • Wars • Korean Conflict • US troops sent in as part of UN Peacekeeping troops • French Indochina • US troops sent in as part of UN Peacekeeping troops in what became Vietnam • SEATO • Southeast Asia Treaty Organization – an Alliance suggested by Dulles to mirror NATO • Original members included Pakistan, Thailand, the Philippines, Australia, New Zealand, Great Britain and the United States. They pledged to meet any common danger from communist aggression.

18. MID EAST: Suez Crisis Nasser, President of Egypt, had planned on money from the US and USSR to build a dam at Aswan on the Nile River. When the US discovered the USSR was involved, they withdrew the promise of funds. Nasser nationalized the Suez Canal, which was run by a British and French company. He would use the funds from the canal to build the dam. Britain, France and Israel sent troops to seize the canal. Both the US and USSR condemned the action and supported a UN resolution condemning the attack.

19. Eisenhower Doctrine Problems in the Middle East prompted Eisenhower to proclaim that the US would fill the void in the Middle East and provide support, so that nations would not turn to the USSR. Arab Nations OPEC vs. Israel Since the industrialized nations all depended upon oil and the Middle East was a great source for that oil, the US wished to assist the Arab nations of OPEC. However, the US also felt a strong alliance to the newly created nation of Israel. As a result of this, the US was walking a “tightrope” so as not to offend either side.

20. USSR: The Soviets Stalin died in 1953. Nikita Khrushchev took over as the head of the Soviet government. Khrushchev felt the Soviets should concentrate more on improving conditions in their nation. For a while, this eased tensions between the two superpowers. Sputnik – The Space Race 1957 The Soviets launched the first satellite into orbit around the earth. The arms race then changed its focus to the space race, which of course had military implications.

21. National Defense Education Act 1958 The federal government gave the states $280 million to improve facilities for teaching math, science and modern languages. It was felt the US must stress and strengthen these programs in order to compete with the Soviets. U-2 Spy Plane 1960 The Soviet military shot down a plane they said was spying deep over Soviet territory. The US denied these charges until the Soviets produced pictures and the pilot’s admission. Khrushchev demanded an apology. Eisenhower refused.

22. EisenhowerDomestic Policy Issues: Modern/New Republicanism A more moderate course of action. Eisenhower said, “The path of America’s future lies down the middle of the road.” He wanted to restore the balance of power between the legislative and executive branches. Eisenhower felt smaller government was better and wanted to give more power back to the states allowing them to take over federal projects from the New Deal. Prosperity and Conformity After the war, Americans had accumulated huge amounts of capital – wealth in the form of property or money. They were now ready to spend this capital to purchase consumer goods. Americans during this time also felt a need to conform and be just like everyone else. They were a more conservative group then previous generations.

23. Population the Baby Boom After the war, there was a dramatic rise in the number of births. Young people were marrying, moving to the suburbs and starting families. This had a huge impact on the economy.

24. Migration – Suburbanization As young families moved from the cities to the suburbs, the need for housing increased. Farmlands became housing developments. The most famous developer of the day was William Levitt. He created Levittowns, Developments of similar homes in the suburbs of places like New York City (Levittown, Long Island) and Philadelphia (Levittown, PA).

25. Highway Act of 1956 Interstate road system needed for national defense. Roads would facilitate the rapid movement of troops, weapons and personnel both military and civilian.

26. Warren Court - In 1953 a vacancy occurred on the Supreme Court. Conservative President Eisenhower appointed Earl Warren as Chief Justice. Warren presided over the court until 1969. During this time many decisions were conferred which deeply affected American life. Brown vs. Board of Education Topeka, Kansas Segregated schools are ruled unconstitutional. Separate facilities are inherently unequal.

27. Jackie Robinson 1947 Becomes first African American to play major league baseball.

28. Little Rock 1957 Eisenhower needs to use National Guard to enforce desegregation of schools in Little Rock, Arkansas.

29. Civil Rights Act of 1957 Created a permanent commission for civil rights and increased federal efforts to ensure blacks the right to vote.

30. Crash Course • Civil Rights and the 1950s: Crash Course US History #39 • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S64zRnnn4Po • 12 min