© Chapter 2: The New World Main Developments in American History
© The Second World War to the Present (pp ) AThe Rise of a Superpower BThe Price of Containment CReform and Limitations DThe New World Order and the New Democrats FThe American War on Terror EPresent and Future America
© A.1 The Rise of a Superpower – World War II Many Americans want to stay out of the war The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor forces them into the war America fully mobilizes all its resources and crushes its enemies Economically and militarily it emerges from the war a Superpower
© A.2 The Rise of a Superpower – The Cold War The USA becomes permanently involved in world affairs The Cold War with the Soviet Union begins America adopts the policy of ”containment” of communism Alliances around the world are made, including NATO
© A.3 The Rise of a Superpower – Soft Power The consumer economy makes America wealthy Americans move to the suburbs and create a new mass culture The American way of life makes a terrific impact on the world Globalization begins with the US as a model of the future
© B.1 The Price of Containment – At Home Alarm about communism fuels suspicion of traitors at home Innocent Americans are accused of ”un- American” activities McCarthyism spreads hysterical fear through the country America’s ideals of political freedom are brought into doubt
© B.2 The Price of Containment – Abroad America supports undemocratic regimes that oppose communism It becomes involved in the internal affairs of other countries The Korean War ( ) brings the USA into a military conflict with China The war ends in a truce still in force today
© B.3 The Price of Containment – Vietnam America helps create South Vietnam to contain communism The US sends troops in 1965 to defend South Vietnam from North Vietnam The US suffers a stunning defeat, withdrawing in 1973 American prestige is badly damaged at home and abroad
© C.1 Reform and Limitations - The Counter-Culture The Civil Rights movement challenges America’s lack of equality Writers and artists reject American materialism and smugness The ”counter-culture” of the 1960s protests against the consumer lifestyle Opposition to the Vietnam War unites a broad coalition of disaffected
© C.2 Reform and Limitations – The ‘60s President Lyndon B. Johnson’s programs reduce poverty New civil rights and immigration legislation is passed in 1965 Impatience leads to race riots and violent anti-war protests Worried Americans turn away from reform
© C.3 Reform and Limitations – Disillusionment Foreign competition overtakes American industry in the ’70s and ’80s Watergate forces President Richard Nixon to resign in disgrace Americans vote against large active government programs The gap between rich and poor grows
© D.1 The New World Order and the New Democrats – Sole Superpower The Cold War ends with the collapse of the Soviet Union in the early ’90s The US works for a peaceful ”New World Order” through the UN America engages in peace-making and peace-keeping missions abroad It is criticized for using it power both too much and too little
© D.2 The New World Order and the New Democrats – Resurgent America ”New Democrats” regain a majority of presidential voters in the 1990s A long economic boom ensues American industry becomes more competitive Payment of the public debt begins
© E.1 The American War on Terror – The Attack George W. Bush elected with a minority of national votes 2000 Conservative values gain in popularity The United States is attacked on 9/ President Bush declares a War on Terror
© E.2 The American War on Terror – Middle East Invasions NATO supports the American invasion of Afghanistan, 2002 UN and world opinion opposes America’s invasion of Iraq, 2003 Violence undermines stable democratic government in Iraq America loses popularity and support internationally
© E.3 The American War on Terror – Domestic Reaction Congress passes measures curtailing civil liberties A special military prison set up in Guantánamo Bay, Cuba Critics silenced by a wave of patriotism George W. Bush re-elected along with a Republican Congress, 2004
© F.1 Present and Future America – At Home Public opinion gradually turns against the war in Iraq Democrats gain control of Congress, 2006 President Bush’s popularity falls America appears to be changing course again
© F.2 Present and Future America – Abroad The United States has a strong economy and political stability American culture and values remain popular Its military power is unmatched and its population is growing The United States will remain central to world affairs