1. The Cold War in the US and President Eisenhower

2. Learning Targets
You will be able to describe how the Cold War impacted American politics
You will be able to explain how American life was impacted by the Cold War
How American life changed during the 1950’s

3. Fear of Communism at Home
Red Scare- Outspread fear of the spread of communism
Smith Act- unlawful to teach or advocate for the violent overthrow of the US government

4. Fear of Communism at Home
Created the House of Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC)
Investigated possible communist activities in US

5. The Hollywood Ten
Group of entertainers accused of having ties to Communism
Entertainers strongly denied claims
Entertainers were blacklisted- not allowed to be hired anywhere

6. Alger Hiss
Alger Hiss- Was a government official accused of being a Communist
Hiss denied the allegations but was found guilty
People were shocked that a government agent could potentially be a communist

7. Julius and Ethel Rosenberg Put to Death
Julies and Ethel Rosenberg charged with sending secrets to USSR
Like Hiss, they denied any communist connections
Some thought the charges were made because they were Jewish
Rosenbergs were sentenced to death

8. Joseph McCarthy leads Witch Hunt
Known for McCarthyism
McCarthy had a list of people he believed to be communists
Some thought he was making it up, but many believed him
People were publicly accused of political disloyalty with no regard for evidence

9. McCarthy’s Rise and Fall
McCarthy became a very powerful government figure through his “witch hunt”
Over time, people soon realized his accusations were false and unproven
He would lose much power

14. Arms Race Heightens Tensions
Both nations had nuclear weapons
Both nations upgraded to the Hydrogen Bomb
USSR and US competed in what is known as an arms race
Arms Race- competition to build a country’s military bigger than an opponent

15. Mutually Assured Destruction
Both sides hoped arms race would lead to mutually assured destruction
Idea that both nations had an understanding that they could destroy each
Could Prevent them from going to war

16. Presidency of Eisenhower
Elected in 1952 in a landslide
World War II General
Favored massive retaliation- using massive force to respond to communist threat
Decreased defense spending while stockpiling nuclear weapons- “More Bang for Your Buck”

17. Eisenhower Doctrine
US will assist any Middle Eastern nation facing the threat of communism
Relied on the use of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)
Gained info
Carried out secret missions to protect American interests

18. Space Race
Russians launch satellite called Sputnik I to be first in space
Later they send dog into space named Laika
US spends billions to create NASA to compete with Russians

21. America’s changing Society
After World War II, many soldiers came home to start families
This led to the baby boom where the population the US increased after WWII

22. Americans move to the suburbs
Between 1940 and 1960, 40 million Americans moved away from cities and into suburbs
Interstate Highway Act- Connected US’s major cities
Built 41,000 miles of road
More Americans have cars

23. Beatniks criticized mass culture
Television, music, and movies lead to mass pop culture
Beatniks refused to conform to the mass culture of the 1950’s
Felt conformity was anti-individual