US History 1945 through the 1950’s. - msyashinsky.weebly.com

1 Notes:1945 through the 1950 : Analyze life and culture in America in the post-war era as we entered the 1950 s and the Cold War. 1. Post WWII: Origins of the Cold the end of WWII only 2 major powers were left standing; USA & Both sides had opposing beliefs and ideas for post-WWII WWII ends and the Cold War Cold War: i. From 1945-1991, an international competition of military, social, economic, and politicalideologies between communism and side tried to win the hearts and minds of side militarily fought each of directly, thus the a Half Sheet of What were the US s and the USSR s economic systems?2. Which side believed more in human rights and trading with other nations?3. Which country and belief do you think would lead to that country militarily taking over other countries?4. Which 2 beliefs you think would cause the most conflict between the US & Leaders Believed-Economic growth = was the best route to growth and security should be promoted by increasing world protecting people s rights made countries more stable and resistant to Leaders Believed-Communism was superior; everyone s would eventually replace should be encouraged in other countries would try to destroy communism; approach with The differences emerge in WWII conferences of the Big 3.

2 I. Yalta Conference, Feb. Germany and Berlin into 4 zones controlled by the Allies, start the United Nations, and Stalin pledges free democratic elections in most of E. Europe ( Lol jk, said Stalin).President Harry Truman is responsible for the setting the tone for the US in the Cold Ward. Potsdam Conference, Apr. 1945i. Serious differences emerge when deciding life after Potsdam Conference, Apr. 1945i. Serious differences emerge when deciding life after Soviet Views:-Wanted to keep control of E. Europe to prevent being invaded AGAIN; US Views:-Europe WANTS democracy!-Resist and fight Stalin s demands NOW & HARD.** The UNITED NATIONS (UN)Out with LoN, in with UN in mission as LoN, but now everyone realizes this is needed and commits to it. 2. The Cold War Abroad in the 40s and heats up throughout the world as the USA & USSR become strong rivals and compete with one another in many arenas .B. The United Nations, 1946is 5 countries on the permanentsecurity Iron Curtain, 1946descends ; Democratic West vs.

3 Communist Truman Doctrine was an American foreign policy whose stated purpose was to counter Soviet geopolitical expansion during the Cold War. It was announced to Congress by President Harry S. Truman on March 12, 1947, when he pledged to contain communist threats in Greece and Turkey. Set the tone we would support the fight against Communism : ContainmentD. USA s containmentstrategy is Keep communism where it DON T LET IT Plan, 1947:More Trade = Less Wars+ Economic aid for countries to rebuild; must meet US terms.+ Build trading partners and prevent growth of , 1949: Formal international organization/treaty to defend against communism.+ USSR responds by forming the Warsaw Pact in Nuclear Proliferation spreads: Rapid expansion & growth of nuclear USSR gets A-Bomb in 1949, US gets H-Bomb in 53/USSR in 54, GROWTH!F. Cold War Events 1945 through the Marshall Plan, Berlin Airlift, China turns Communist, The 2ndRed Scare,The Korean War, Bay of Pigs Invasion of Cuba, and Sputnik!

4 Igor GouzenkoThe Cold War Comes Home1945, Soviet documents shows plans to infiltrate American to the US by a Soviet boy, here we Cold War at Home 1940s to threat of communism in the USA after falls to communism and USSR gets the A-Bomb in Loyalty Review Boards investigate un-American govt. House Committee of Un-American Activities: Went after a broad range of Americans, not just govt. workers now; actors to union question, interrogate, and blacklist people from Cases: The Hollywood Ten, Alger Hiss (State Dept. Official), and the Rosenbergs(executed).-Was the threat real or just hysteria?b. McCarthyism(Early Fifties)i. A tactic of damaging reputations with vague and unfounded He says he can produce a list of commies. THE LIST !?!?! Still People were afraid of being blacklisted and losing their jobs; many called out anyone and everyone!-Bullied witnesses!-President didn t even come out and openly criticize people began to suspect more commies in the govt!

5 !! iv. Ended when he went against the US not provide the evidence! 4. Post WWII Prosperity of the 40s and 50sa. America is one of the last countries left standing, many factors collide to make America EXTREMELY prosperous on never before seen Demobilization: Millions of soldiers come home and want things and Bill of Rights: Govt. gave benefits to veterans; low interest loans to start a business or buy a house and tuition $ for Baby Boom: Birth rate surges for over a decade when veterans return home. Families are growing Employment Act of 1946: Promoted max production and America-the World s Leading Producer: Last man of world manufacturing, 57% of steel, 62% of oil, 80% of automobiles, and 43% of the GNPand Income Double/Unemploymentstays around 4%.vii. The Interstate Highway System& Suburbs: Highways become backbone to the economy & new Suburbs expand the housing Civil Rights Movement Gains WWII prosperity did not reach everyone and MANY longstanding racial problems still persisted; 40s and 50s brings 13th, 14th, and 15thAmendments, but was it really freedom?

6 Ii. Plessy v. Ferguson: Separate, but Equal is Black Codes, Sharecropping, the KKK, and the Jim Crow The military was still segregated in WWII!!!** The change is NAACP, National Urban League, and Churches mobilize African like MLK and Malcolm X start to Great Migration to the North during WWI & 1942, Congress of Racial Equality (CORE):i. Use peaceful Result: Many Northern businesses WORKS!iv. WWII Double V Campaign: Beat Hitler s racism and racism at 1948, Executive Order 9981:i. Desegregates the armed Sets a tone that the federal government should enforce desegregation; should not be left to state and local 1954, Brown v. the Board of Educationi. Overturned Plessy v. Fergusonin public Desegregate public schools with .. all deliberate speed. vii. Other events: Challenging desegregation, Montgomery Bus Boycott, Rise of MLK and Malcolm X, Littlerock, Freedom Rides, and CR Laws.