1. Major Postwar Domestic Changes:  10 million service men and women were demobilized.  Fear of economic recession - many believed that there would be a rise in unemployment.  The economy changed from war production to consumer goods.  Women left the work force in large number: ~3 million.  Labor unrest: Unions ended their war time promise to end strikes and a wave of strikes occurs.

2. The Taft-Hartley Act* (1946)  Republicans take control of both houses of Congress in 1946 and seek to return to a conservative government:  Lower taxes  Reduced government regulation  Support for business  Reduces the power of unions to aid business  Banned shops closed to non-union members  End price controls passed during the war  Truman vetoes but is overridden!

3. Truman’s Successes and Failures: Successes:  GI Bill of Rights (1944)  Executive Order 9981 (1948):  Armed Forces Desegregated Failures:  Fair Deal (1949): Proposal to expand New Deal-like social welfare programs fails! Congress won’t pass.

4. “GI Bill of Rights” (GI Bill*)  Servicemen's Readjustment Act, (1944) – “GI Bill”:  Benefits offered by the government to help returning soldiers-  Housing support and loans  Education funding  Job training  Business loans  … helped increase the middle class!

5. The Korean War* (1950-1953):  Korea was a Japanese Colony from 1910-1945.  As U.S. and Soviets defeat Japanese, Korea “partitioned” – split along the 38 th parallel.  Temporary agreement meant to reunite Korea. Left under “trusteeship” until then.

7. Intro to the Korean War* (1950-1953):  Former Japanese Colony (1910-1945)  As U.S. and Soviets defeat Japanese, Korea “partitioned” – split along the 38 th parallel.  Temporary agreement meant to reunite Korea. Left under “trusteeship” until then.  Elections to be held but USSR would not cooperate. Two states emerge:  “Democratic Republic of Korea” (North Korea) = USSR  “Republic of Korea” (South Korea) = US  Communist vs. “Free” split, just as in Germany!

8. Meanwhile, in China …  China also struggling with Communism:  Chinese Civil War (1927 – 1950)  Communists (CPC) vs. Nationalists (KMT)  Soviets support CPC, Allies support KMT – “Lend Lease”  Eventually the Communists win. KMT leaders retreat to Taiwan – “Republic of China.”  The U.S. takes the “fall” or “loss” of China to Communism hard. Mao Zedong* (1945-1976) – Chairman of Chinese Communist Party

10. Other Tensions:  The fall of China to Communism and USSR building first atomic bomb (1949) add tensions.  U.S. develops hydrogen bomb, “H-Bomb”, in response. 1,000 times more powerful than atom bomb!  Soviet H-Bomb Test Soviet H-Bomb Test

11. A-Bomb vs. H-Bomb

14. Other Tensions:  The fall of China to Communism and USSR building first atomic bomb (1949) add tensions.  In response, U.S. develops hydrogen bomb, “H-Bomb”, in response. 1,000 times more powerful than atom bomb!  Also leads to the adoption of NSC-68*(1950) a plan adopted by the U.S. that suggested:  “Vigorous” containment of Communism  Clashes with the USSR are now “inevitable”  Need to build up of “conventional” forces  Increases funding for atomic weapons (H-Bomb)  Triples the defense budget!

15. June 1950 - War Breaks Out:  North Korea wanted to expand its borders and communism into the south.  North Korea, with support from the USSR and China, invades South Korea on June 25, 1950.  United Nations condemns attack. U.S. gathers a 16 nation “coalition” to fight back.  U.S. supplies 80+% of troops and the main commander: General Douglas MacArthur*.

16. The Korean War: 1950-1953  US pushed back at first – nearly defeated!  Amphibious landing at Inchon by General McArthur pushes N. Korean forces to Chinese border.  Chinese “volunteers” rush UN forces back to 38 th parallel.  War ends as a “stalemate,” with neither side able to advance.

17. Final Outcome of the War:  The “war” ended in a ceasefire; there was no victory.  Ended on July 27 th, 1953 with a truce; armistice (cease fire) signed.  North Korea and South Korea remain divided.  Tensions still exist today, especially along the “DMZ” – Demilitarized Zone.

18. Effects of the War: Casualties:  ~2.5 million Korean civilians  ~1.8 million Korean military  ~1 million Chinese military  ~34,000 American military Long-term Effects:  Tensions with China  Tensions between N & S Korea  “Domino” theory / Containment considered effective.

19. Weapons & Technology: Aircraft technology evolving in warfare at the time: First war to utilize the jet aircraft & helicopters. Helicopters used for medical evacuation Medical technology increased. 25% more soldiers saved due to MASH (Mobile Army Surgical Hospitals)