The Cold War 1947-1953 (sometimes 1947-1991) Known as a “cold” war because no actual fighting took place. Presidents: Lyndon B. Johnson 1963-1969 Richard Nixon 1969-1974 Gerald Ford 1974-1977 Jimmy Carter 1977-1981 Ronald Reagan 1981-1989 George H.W. Bush 1989-1993 Presidents: Harry S. Truman 1945-1953 Dwight D. Eisenhower 1953- 1961

The United States and the World, 1945- 1954 Cease- fire in Korea World War II ends NATO formed 1945 1949 1953 1947 1950 1954 McCarthy censured by Senate Marshall Plan; Truman Doctrine Korean War begins; Rosenbergs arrested

Foreign Policy Containment was the new foreign policy U.S. became involved in international peacekeeping efforts and to stop the spread of communism. Even though the U.S. and the Soviets were allies during WWII, they did not trust each other Soviet Union was viewed as a threat to security to the noncommunist world. Containment: limiting the expansion of communism. Confine communism to the area in which it already existed (the Soviet Union and the Eastern European nations) Presidential power increased during this period

Churchill’s “Iron Curtain” Speech 1946 at Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri Prime Minister Winston Churchill of Great Britain Speech: Cautioned the world about the threat of communist expansion. “from Stettin in the Baltic to Trieste in the Adriatic, an iron curtain has descended across the Continent.” Recognizable division between the free Western Europe and the communist Eastern Europe

Truman Doctrine Great Britain was a powerful force in the Mediterranean Sea After the war, their influence was weakened. The Soviet Union was looking for access to the Mediterranean Sea by way of the Turkish strait. (Looked to influence in the area) Soviets supported communist growth in Greece Led to the U.S. to try to contain the spread of communism in the Mediterranean region. March 1947 Truman asked Congress for $400 million in aid to Turkey & Greece Asked the U.S. to support free people in resisting control by armed minorities or outside pressures. Truman believed if they did not act it would endanger the nation and the free world. Truman Doctrine: Money given to Turkey and Greece to stop the spread of communism Brought the U.S further out of isolationism

The Marshall Plan Named after General George C. Marshall Secretary of State Stated that the U.S. was against “hunger, poverty, desperation, and chaos.” Between 1948-1952, $13 billion was allocated by Congress for the rebuilding of Europe. The largest amount of money went to Great Britain, France, Italy, and West Germany Money allowed Western Europe to begin consumer production and build a prosperous economy.

Germany post World War II Divided into 4 zones Great Britain France Soviet Union United States

Berlin Blockade U.S., France, and Great Britain cooperated in governing the western sectors of Germany. 3 western powers except the Soviet Union unified. 1949 West Germany was established Soviets hoped that the blockade would force the western powers out of Berlin

The Berlin Airlift The Soviets blocked roads leading to the city of Berlin. Did not allow Western Berlin to access supplies by road Western powers airlifted Food Clothing Coal Medicine This led to the creation of the German Democratic republic. AKA East Germany 1955, West Germany was given full sovereignty

Point Four Program Under Truman Provided money for technical development programs in Latin America, Asia, and Africa. Purpose: to modernize and strengthen the economies of developing nations and thereby discourage the growth of communism.

North Atlantic Treaty Organization NATO Agreement bound 12 nations (including the U.S.) Promised to act together for their common defense Soviets created the Warsaw Pact in response to NATO 1949 Truman claimed that the Soviet Union successfully exploded an atomic bomb. Fear motivated the U.S. to assist countries that wanted to be free of communism

Communist China 1930s Civil war between Mao Zedong (Communist Leader) and Chiang Kai-shek (Nationalist) 1949 Communist forces defeated nationalists and remained China the People’s Republic of China. Feared communism would spread to Japan

Korean War Known as the “forgotten war” Divided along the 38th parallel North Korea- Communism South Korea- Republic

Fighting begins North Korea invaded South Korea in 1950 Truman responded to this invasion by committing American troops to the Korean conflict.

General MacArthur WWII hero Commanded the U.S. military in Korea Led to devastating losses 1951 the war reached a stalemate Truman and MacArthur had opposing strategies When MacArthur publically disagreed, Truman pulled him from command

Hostilities End Truce talks begin in 1951 Dwight Eisenhower (1952 election) promised to aid in peace negotiations in Korea Cease-fire was not officially signed until July 27, 1953 War lasted 3 years, cost more than $15 billion, and approximately 34,000 Americans and one million Koreans and Chinese dies in the conflict. Korean remained divided and continues to have political conflicts

New Direction Early containment focused on economic aid programs The Korean War showed that U.S. was willing to take military action

The Cold War at Home HUAC 1938 House Un-American Activities Committee Formed to temporarily investigate communist activity in the U.S. Ran for 30 years Blacklisted many actors, writers and directors during the 1940s-1950s J. Edgar Hoover (director of the Federal Bureau of investigation) aided HUAC investigations. Many felt Hoover violated civil rights laws with his investigations

Policies 1940 Smith Act Made it illegal for anyone to advocate “overthrowing.. Any government in the United States by force” or to “affiliate” with groups that called for such action. 1951 Dennis v. United States General secretary of the Communist Party in the U.S., and ten others were convicted of advocating the violent overthrow of the government. 1957 Watkins v. United States Court ruled HUAC could not punish witnesses who refused to cooperate with its investigations. Yates v. United States Ruled that the Smith Act applied only to those who teach or advocate direct “action” to overthrow government, not to those who merely advocate it in principle.

Loyalty Program 1947 Truman Loyalty Review Board 1950s Conduct security checks on thousands of government employees. Anyone who was doubted was dismissed. 1950s Robert Oppenheimer (atomic bomb guy!) Opposed building a new and more destructive hydrogen bomb Government question his loyalty Was considered loyal but security clearance was removed and he was barred from future government research!

Hiss Case Alger Hiss Led Americans to believe that there were communists in government 1948 Hiss was charged with being a Communist spy during the 1930s Richard Nixon believed he was guilty Nixon’s pursuit on the case and Hiss’s conviction made Nixon a national figure

McCarthyism 1950 Senator Joseph McCarthy of Wisconsin began his hunt for communists. Claimed he knew who communists were in government Made bold accusations WITHOUT evidence Tactic known as McCarthyism

The Rosenberg Case 1950 Ethel and Julius Rosenberg Accused of giving atomic secrets to the Soviets during World War II Convicted of espionage and executed in 1953.

Congressional Legislation McCarran International Security Act Limited the actions of anyone the government considered a threat to the U.S. security McCarran-Walter Act 1952 Restricted immigration of persons from communist-dominated nations in Asia and southern and central Europe Truman vetoed the bill, Congress overrode veto and passed it Checks and Balances!

McCarthy’s Fall 1954 Claimed the army was full of communists Held televised investigations American’s saw this as bullying Public support faded 1954, Senate censured him for “conduct unbecoming a member” The fall of McCarthy ended the Red Scare of the 1950s There were some lingering effects McCarthy was criticized for violating constitutional liberties