The Cold War

The Atomic Race Begins Superior large scale weapons Soviet Union exploded first A- Bomb 1949 1952 U.S. developed Hydrogen bomb 1,000 X’s stronger than A-bomb

U.S. Domestic Policy National Security Act (1947)- created the Department of Defense, the National Security Council, and Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) NSC-68- secret document discussed Soviet plans for world domination, encouraged U.S. to build up military

Containment in Asia China became communist in 1949 1950 Mao Zedong and Joseph Stalin signed “friendship treaty” 2 large nations = “communist block”

Korean War 1945 Allies divided Korea Border between North and South 38th Parallel North Korea = communist South Korea = democratic China and Soviet Union supplied weapons

Korean War N. Korea invaded S. Korea in June 1950 U.S. authorized “police action” of military force to liberate South Korea Korean War was a UN operation – not just US Conflict ended in “stalemate”

Dwight D. Eisenhower Elected President in 1952 (5-star general from WWII; D-Day) Foreign policy - US would support nations who sought liberation from communism and US would help in any way possible

Eisenhower’s Policies “brinkmanship” – U.S. would push aggressor nation to the “brink “of nuclear war, forcing them to back down (or face ‘massive retaliation’) John Foster Dulles (Sec. of State) was a vocal supporter of “brinkmanship” “massive retaliation” – U.S. arsenal of nuclear weapons to be used against under threat

Geneva Convention, 1954 French lost colonies in Indochina Geneva Convention agreed to split up territory into Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia Divided Vietnam North = Communist South = Democratic

Eisenhower Doctrine, 1957

American “ Red Scare” Fear of communist spies in the U.S. Julius and Ethel Rosenberg – accused of delivering atomic secrets to Soviets Convicted of treason and espionage 1951 Sentenced to death; executed in 1953

McCarthyism and the Red Scare

‘McCarthyism’ Wanted to uncover & prosecute American Communists Used media (TV) to his advantage His accusations were mostly false Hearings televised Modern day “witch hunt” .

House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) The House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) was an investigative committee of the United States House of Representatives. It was originally created in 1938 to uncover citizens with Nazi ties within the United States, but gained fame with its ‘witch hunt’ for communists (particularly in the entertainment industry in Hollywood – “Hollywood Ten” and the blacklist)

House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC)

‘Hollywood Ten’ (blacklist) The Hollywood blacklist was the practice of denying employment to screenwriters, actors, directors, musicians because of their suspected political beliefs. Artists were barred from work on the basis of their alleged membership in or sympathy with the Communist Party Many refused to assist investigations into the party's activities. It directly damaged the careers of scores of individuals working in the film industry.

Living in Fear… Threat of nuclear war Bomb shelters built as protection People purchased canned goods and water “duck and cover” drills in schools

Interstate Highway System The National Highway Act 1956 (Eisenhower Interstate System) Created interstate freeway system 42,000 miles of road Made the US much more efficient and helped economic growth

Interstate Highway System Provided quick evacuation routes, landing sites for planes and easier missile transport.