1. 1950’s Politics An overview of the United States Government

2. Joseph McCarthy West Virginia State Senator Accused 205 people, “That were known to the Secretary of State as being members of the Communist Party and who never less [were] still working and shaping policy in the State Department”. (only 57) 1954 Nixon accused McCarthy of “Reckless talk and questionable methods”.

3. McCarthyism A radical political view that said that many people were communist. They destroyed questionable items (books). Everyone tried to fit in and be the same. Hundreds of people lost their jobs. Ended after McCarthy attacked Army officials in the mid 1950’s.

4. 1950s Politics

5. President Harry Truman  In office 1945-53  Created the NSC-68 policy paper in 1950 -The NSC-68 advocated a quick large scale military build-up to prevent further Soviet expansion. The underlying message of this document said that America would have to act as a world police officer  He got the money to advocate the document by standing his ground in South Korea and not letting communist North Korea invade the south. -He sent as many weapons and troops to South Korea as he could to South Korea, which represent a growth in Presidential Power in Foreign affairs.  He was very anti-Communist and was a very headstrong, bold leader

6. *The NSC-68*

7. Dwight D. Eisenhower -born in Denison, TX -star football player at West Point, career was ended his sophomore year with multiple knee injuries -He finished in the upper third of his class at West Point -Is said to have gained all of his political traits from his years at West Point -Son Dwight “Icky” died of scarlet fever at age 3 -trained war recruits for duty overseas -Never left the United States to command a post overseas -In 1926, attended the army’s elite graduate school in Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas, learning to command a group of soldiers with a higher expertise

8. Dwight D. Eisenhower -Dedicated over 30 years of his life to the US military -Regarded by generals at West Point as “best officer in the army” -Devised and planned attacks as commander of European Theatre -Organized the attack on the beaches of Normandy, France -After attending

9. Dwight D. Eisenhower -Resigned from Army, cancelling his pension of over $20,000 -Came to a pressure filled presidency America was recovering from a second World War, not sure if there would be a third The Soviet Union was threatening the US with nuclear attacks, heading into a Cold War -America needed someone to reassure them that their lives were not in danger -during live interviews, Eisenhower seemed genuine with his warm, open personality, showing his sense of humor while still knowing his responsibilities as a military leader -Led him to be very popular with the public

10. Dwight D. Eisenhower Elected 34 th president 1953 Re-elected by an even wider margin of victory Criticized by some for lack of leadership on racial movements Strong, expanding economy, kept Eisenhower popular Remembered as a military hero, and the president who got the US through one of the toughest periods in its history

14. Civil Rights Movement Montgomery bus boycott Civil Rights Commission

15. Martin Luther King Jr. Leader of the struggle for equal rights for African Americans throughout the country Martin Luther King Jr.