Chapter 23-Give Me Liberty

George Kennan

George Kennan

Sent the Long Telegram in 1946 from Moscow, Russia that advised the Truman Administration that the Soviets could not be dealt with as a normal government. Communist ideology drove them to want to expand and only the USA could stop them. Proposed the containment policy to prevent Russia from further expanding.

containment policy

Policy that was aimed to prevent the spread of communism. Started by Truman Administration and George Kennan.

Iron Curtain

At a speech in Missouri, Winston churchill claimed this. Meant the divided between Communist and Free Nationals in the east and west.

Truman Doctrine

Policy by Harry Truman that would provide aid to any country that struggled with communism.

Atomic Energy Commission

Created in 1946 to oversee the research and production of atomic power.

CIA

government agency that was established to conduct intelligence and conduct secret activity abroad.

National Security Council

An agency in the Executive Office of the President that advises the president on national security

Marshall Plan

Program by Secretary of State George C. Marshall that pledged billions of dollars to rebuild and help the economic recovery of Europe. Would be one of the most successful foreign aid programs in US History.

General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade

Created by the USA and had 23 other western nations. Agreed to stimulate freer trade among participants. This created an enormous market for American Goods And Investment.

Douglas MacArthur

US general that became the "supreme commander" in japan until 1948. Led for the country to adopt a democratic constitution and eliminate absentee landlorism. Woman were given the right to vote, and made japan promise to renounce the policy of war forever, and keep only a small self defense force.

Berlin Blockade

Soviet response to US, Britian, and France uniting their parts of Germany into West Germany. Prevented trucks and trains from entering West Germany.

NATO

Pledge between The US, canada and 10 western countries to provide mutual defense against ay future soviet attacks. West Germany was a crucial part of this organization.

Peoples Republic of China

Communists led by Mao Zedeng overthrew the Chinese government in the Civil War, however USA refused to accept the new government and insisted that old government was still current government and did not give them a seat at the UN.

Taiwan

Where the old government of China went for exile. Was an Island.

NSC-68

Called for a permanent military build up to enable the US to pursue a global crusade against communism. Was a 1950 manifesto described as a struggle between the idea of freedom and communism. Was made by the National Security Council.

Korean War

In 1945 Korea was divided between Communist north and anticommunist south. In 1950 North Invaded south hoping to unify it all. US joined the war to defend South Korea. Ended in stalemate. Never has there been a formal peace treaty.

38th parallel

Dividing line between North and South Korea

Cold War

A conflict that was between the US and the communist Soviet Union. Though war never occurred, it went on for ears.

Southeast Asia Treaty Organization

Pact between Western nations that pledged to fight communism and in Asia.

Central Treaty Organization

Pact between Western nations that wanted to fight communism in the middle east.

Walter Lippmann

One of the most prominent Journalists in North America. Objected turning foreign policy into an ideological crusade. Thought it would be a mistake to align with anti communism.

Fair Deal

Created by Truman when soldiers returned from WWII, focussed on improving social safety net and raising the standard of living for ordinary Americans. Truman called on congress to increase minimum wage, enact national health insurance and expand public housing, social security and aid to education.

Operation Dixie

Launched by the AFL and the CIO. Was the process of bringing labor unionization to the South thus shattering the anti labor conservatives on the regions politics. Sought to laborize the textile industry industry, steel industry and agriculture. Additionally, would organize largest strike wave in American history.

GI Bill

Law that was passed to help soldiers returning home from WWII get home mortgages, set up small business and embark on college education.

Taft-Hartley Act (1947)

Sought to reverse some of the gains of that organized labor had made during the 1940s. Authorized the president to suspend strikes by ordering an 80 day cooling off period. Outlawed requiring workers to be in unions. Was passed over WIlsons veto. Known for reducing Unions share of workforce.

Jackie Robinson

Baseball player who played for the Brooklyn dodgers. was the first black to play in the MLB.

States Rights Democratic Party

Formed by the dixiecrats. Opposed desegregation. Instead said it was about freedom of the states. Nominated Strom Thurmond for president.

Hubert Humphrey

Young mayor of Minneapolis that led a progressive era of the democratic platform of 1948. Strong supporter of civil rights.

Strom Thurmond

Nominated by the Dixiecrats/States rights democratic Party for president.

To Secure These Rights

Published by a commission on Civil Rights in October of 1948. Called on the federal government to abolish segregation and ensure equal treatment. Truman hailed this report.

Dixiecrats

Formed States Rights Democratic Party, opposed racial integration. Said it was about freedom of the states, not racism.

Henry A. Wallace

Former Vice President, liberal left wing progressive. Advocated expansion of social welfare programs. Called for international control of nukes and to develop a relationship with soviet unions. Also accepted support from Communists and socialists.

House Un-American Activities Committee

In 1947 launched a series of hearings about communist influence in America and especially Hollywood. Called famous screenwriters, directors and actors to appear before the committee. Numerous people including Walt Disney were called in.

Hollywood Ten

Group which included Dalton Trumbo and Ring Harold Junior that refused to testify before congress about communism in hollywood and name names. They Said it was against freedom of speech to make them testify. Would be sent to jail for six months and blacklisted from appearing in movies.

Alger Hiss

High ranking US state department official that was accused of giving Whittaker secret documents to give to soviet russia. Was persecuted by Richard Nixon.

Julius and Ethel Rosenberg

Working class Jewish communist couple from NYC. Were convicted in 1951 of conspiracy to pass secrets of the Atomic Bomb to soviets during WWII. Were given the death penalty.

Joseph McCarthy

Senator from Wisconsin that emerged as a national pursuer of communists. Won election by lying about war record. In February of 1950 he said that he had a list of 205 communists working for the US state department. Though not one of these turned out to have evidence to lead to a conviction.

McCarthyism

Term used by the Joseph McCarthy for his pursuit of many communists. turned out to not get a single communist convicted. Today is known for his character assassination, guilt by association and abuse of power in leader of anti communism.

Army-McCarthy hearings

nationally televised hearings from Joseph McCarthys charges that the army harbored communists. In this he was seen as a bully who made sweeping accusations with no basis in fact. After hearings ended he would be punished for his actions.

J. Edgar Hoover

Director of FBI. Used anticommunism to expand their power collecting records/files on many american citizens including many people who had nothing to do with communism such as political dissenters, and homosexuals.

McCarren-Walter Act

Passed in 1952, was the first major piece of immigration since 1924. Passed over Trumans Veto. Truman had suggested replacing immigration quotas with a more flexible system, but this bill kept quotas in place, and authorized the deportation of citizens who were identified as communists.

Operation Wetback

Operation that used the Military to go into Mexican-american neighborhoods, find illegal immigrants and deport them to Mexico. Over 1 million were deported as a result of this.