WWII, Cold War, Korean War American History II - Unit 5

Review How was Khrushchev different from Stalin? What was the result of the Chinese Civil War after WWII? Mao’s communists vs. Chaing’s nationalists  Mao’s Communists win = communist China Chaing’s nationalists set up gov’t in Taiwan The Korean War consisted mostly of which 2 countries fighting each other? US (democracy and SK) vs. China (communism and NK) Why did Truman remove MacArthur from command of the US troops in South Korea? MacArthur advocated for the use of a nuclear weapon on China, which Truman believed would lead to another world war What was the result of the truce in the Korean War? NK (communist) and SK (democratic) split along the existing battle line, close to the 38th parallel For what major reason was Eisenhower elected POTUS in 1952? Americans sick of Democratic party and wars How was Khrushchev different from Stalin? Believed communism would take over world, but peacefully  thought US and USSR could coexist and compete What was the Eisenhower Doctrine of 1957? US would defend any Middle Eastern country against an attack by a communist country

5.8 – The cold War at Home

Fear of Communist Influence Early 1950s - Americans believed good reason to fear for US security USSR spread communism to satellite nations Communism in China Height of WWII, 100,000 Americans claimed Communist Party affiliation  loyalty to the USSR?

Loyalty Review Board Truman accused of being “soft” on communism  March 1947, Truman issued an exec. order establishing the Federal Employee Loyalty Program Included the Loyalty Review Board to investigate fed. employees and dismiss those disloyal to the US gov’t 1947-1951 3.2M investigated 212 dismissed 2,900 resigned – did not want to be investigated or felt rights were violated Individuals under investigation were NOT allowed to see evidence against them (6th Amendment violation)

The House of Un-American Activities Committee House of Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) 1947 – began to investigate Communist influence in the film industry - suspected subliminal communist propaganda in films Hollywood Ten – 10 “unfriendly” witnesses from the film industry chose not to participate in investigation, believed it unconstitutional  sent to prison Hollywood executives issued a blacklist (list of unfavorable people) condemned for having a Communist background 500 actors, writers, producers, directors  ruined careers

The McCarran Act 1950 – McCarran Internal Security Act Unlawful to plan any action that might lead to the establishment of a totalitarian dictatorship in the US Truman VETOED – can only punish people for crimes committed… NOT for beliefs/opinions held Congress OVERRODE VETO and passed the act anyway How would this make Truman seem “soft?” VS. Sen. Pat McCarran

Alger Hiss 1948 – Alger Hiss accused of spying for USSR by former Communist spy Evidence: microfilms of gov’t documents claimed to have been typed on his typewriter Could not charge with espionage due to statute of limitations  charged with perjury, sent to prison, released after 3.5 years Claimed innocence, document forged  1990s Soviet documents released seem to prove guilt

The Rosenbergs Background Sept. 3, 1949 – US finds out about USSR atomic bomb test US scientists predicted another 5 yrs… Had US Communist sympathizers known about the US bomb during WWII and leaked secrets? 1950 – German-born physicist Klaus Fuchs admitted to providing the USSR with US bomb secrets Fuchs also implicated Ethel and Julius Rosenberg, minor activists in the American Communist Party

The Rosenbergs Rosenberg charged with espionage – sending diagrams and information about US atomic bomb development When asked if Communists and spies, both pleaded the 5th Amendment (right to not self-incriminate)  claimed charges were for being Jewish and holding radical beliefs March 9, 1951 - Found guilty of espionage, “worse than murder”  sentenced to death

The Rosenbergs People from around the globe pleaded for clemency (forgiveness/leniency) for the Rosenbergs but evidence too weak SCOTUS refused to overturn conviction or sentence June 19, 1953 – Rosenbergs executed via electric chair Julius died after the first shock Ethel shocked several more times, declared dead while smoke rose from her head First US civilians executed for espionage Later evidence revealed the Rosenbergs did share classified info

McCarthy’s Witch Hunt Joseph McCarthy Republican Senator Wisconsin Needed a winning platform for reelection in 1952  “Communists are taking over the gov’t!” Took advantage of US fears about communism, made unsupported accusations Claimed to have 205 Communist names in the State Dep’t – never actually named a single man Democratic party – “20 years of treason” for allowing communism to infiltrate the gov’t Made all accusations in the Senate where he had congressional immunity from slander charges

McCarthy’s Witch Hunt Republicans did little to stop McCarthy’s attacks Republicans may be favored in 1952 elections if the party was seen as purging Communists from gov’t 6 republican senators spoke out, led by Maine Sen. Margaret Chase Smith “I speak as a Republican. I speak as a woman. I speak as a United States senator. I speak as an American… I am not proud of the way in which the Senate has been made a publicity platform for irresponsible sensationalism. I am not proud of the reckless abandon in which unproved charges have been hurled from this side of the aisle.” – Margaret Chase Smith

Causes Effects McCarthyism McCarthyism – the unfair tactic of accusing people of disloyalty to the US without providing evidence. Soviets established Communist gov’ts in satellite nations (eastern Europe) Soviet atomic bomb developed quicker than expected Communism in China, containment failed in Korea Republicans gain political ground by calling Truman “soft” on communism Causes McCarthyism – paranoia in gov’t and society Millions of Americans are forced to take loyalty oaths and undergo loyalty investigations Activism by labor unions goes into decline (labor unions seen as socialist) Many Americans scared to speak out on public issues Anti-communism continues to drive US foreign policy. Effects

McCarthy’s Downfall 1954 – McCarthy made accusations against the US Army Televised Senate hearings McCarthy publically bullied witnesses  alienated the audience, lost public support Senate condemned McCarthy for improper conduct that “tended to bring the Senate into dishonor and disrepute.”  viewed as a liability to the Republican party 1957 – McCarthy an alcoholic, died

Other Anti-Communist Measures By 1953, 39 states and many cities/towns had passed laws making it illegal to advocate the violent overthrow of the gov’t Later these laws found unconstitutional due to violation of free speech Seemingly all professions suspect to loyalty oaths and investigations Professional wrestlers, union leaders, librarians, newspaper reporters, scientists, etc

Beginning of Cold War COLD WAR CAUSES - Soviet domination of eastern Europe - Communist victory in China - Mutual suspicion between US and USSR IMMEDIATE EFFECTS - Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan - East-West tensions over Berlin - Establishment of NATO and Warsaw Pact - McCarthyism LONGTERM EFFECTS - Arms race between superpowers - Superpower rivalry for world power COLD WAR