1. The Cold War in Asia and at Home
Unit 6 Section 7
The Cold War in Asia and at Home

2. China Turns to Communism
Chinese Civil War had been raging since 1927
Temporary truce during World War II, renewed fighting when war ended
Nationalists – Chiang Kaishek – US Supported
Communists – Mao Zedong – Supported by Chinese peasants, most of population

3. China Falls
1949, Nationalists under Chiang are defeated by Communist forces, flee to Taiwan
Americans are stunned by turn of events
The “loss of China”
US refuses to recognize Mao as legitimate ruler of China
First failure of containment

5. Tensions in Korea
Following WW2, Korean Peninsula divided at 38th Parallel
Soviets occupy North, Americans occupy South
Tensions mounts as Koreans on both sides threaten to reunite nation by force

6. Korean War
June 25th, 1950, Northern Communists invade South in surprise attack
UN votes to aid South Korea – Truman sends in counterattack by General Douglas MacArthur
Lands at Inchon and drives North

7. MacArthur Fired
MacArthur’s forces drive North to Yalu River – border of China
Chinese forces counter-attack, drive Americans South
Stalemate by ‘51, MacArthur wants to attack China
Publicly criticizes Truman – is fired

8. War’s End War continues for two years
War ends in a cease fire, July 1953
Results of war – roughly same borders as before
Today, nations are still technically at war; tensions remain high
Success of containment
Korean War explained

9. Cold War at Home Rampant fear of communism in the US-sound smart
1949 – Soviet Union develops A-Bomb – heightens tensions
Anti-Communist Republicans accuse Truman of being “soft” on communism
Loyalty Review Boards established to investigate government employees – were not allowed to see evidence against them
House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) investigates Hollywood and Communist influence – Hollywood Ten – 10 witnesses refuse to cooperate – Blacklisted for years; careers ruined.

10. Spies in America American Public is stunned by news of spy cases:
Alger Hiss – former State Department officially accused of spying for USSR – convicted of perjury
The Rosenbergs- 1950, couple accused of passing nuclear secrets to the Soviets; convicted and executed

11. McCarthyism and Witch Hunts
Joseph McCarthy – Wisconsin Senator
Capitalized on public fear of communism to stay in office
Makes unsupported accusations of communism – “McCarthyism”
Blames Democratic Party – only does name calling in Senate – immune to slander charges
Republicans do little to reign him in
1954, oversteps by accusing Army
Senate investigation eventually condemns him – dark chapter in American history as fear over rode Civil Rights
War on terror / NSA?

12. 2

13. 3

14. Truman and Foreign Policy
Legacy –
Decision to use the Atom Bomb / ends WW2
Marshall Plan / Truman Doctrine
“Loss” of China
Korean War containment
Berlin Airlift
“The Buck Stops Here”

15. From www2.needham.k12.ma.us
From
Ibid.