History 300 - Spring Term Unit 1

International Monetary Fund (IMF)

Created in 1945 to stabilize global currencies, promote economic growth, and prevent another depression after WWII.

United Nations (UN)

Founded in 1945 to promote international peace and cooperation, though both the U.S. and USSR often resisted outside interference.

Atomic Bomb Monopoly (United States)

From 1945–1949, the U.S. was the only country with nuclear weapons, giving it major global power.

Soviet Union (post-WWII position)

After 1945, occupied Eastern Europe, suffered ~20 million deaths, and gained prestige for defeating Nazi Germany.

Joseph Stalin / Stalinist Regime

Ruled until 1953, enforcing authoritarian control, suppressing opposition, and establishing communist governments in Eastern Europe.

Containment

U.S. policy beginning around 1947 to stop the spread of communism, even by supporting non-democratic regimes.

Poland, Romania, Bulgaria

Between 1945–1948, became Soviet-controlled communist satellite states.

The Long Telegram (1946)

A 1946 message by George Kennan arguing the USSR was expansionist and must be contained.

Iron Curtain Speech (1946)

Churchill’s 1946 speech describing Europe divided between communist East and democratic West.

The Truman Doctrine (1947)

A 1947 policy pledging U.S. support to nations resisting communism, beginning with Greece and Turkey.

Greece and Turkey Crisis (1947)

A 1947 situation where the U.S. intervened to prevent instability in key strategic regions.

National Security Act (1947)

A 1947 law reorganizing U.S. military and intelligence, expanding executive power.

Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)

Created in 1947 to gather intelligence and conduct covert operations.

National Security Council (NSC)

Established in 1947 to advise the president on national security and foreign policy.

Atomic Energy Commission (AEC)

Formed in 1946 to manage nuclear weapons and atomic energy.

Marshall Plan (1947–1948)

A program providing billions to rebuild Western Europe and prevent the spread of communism.

General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT)

A 1947 agreement reducing tariffs and promoting international trade.

Douglas MacArthur

U.S. general who led Japan’s occupation and reforms from 1945–1951.

Reconstruction of Japan (1945–1952)

U.S.-led rebuilding including democracy, women’s suffrage, and economic recovery.

Berlin Blockade (1948–1949)

Soviet attempt to cut off West Berlin, countered by an 11-month U.S. airlift.

Arguments for Nuclear Monopoly

Late 1940s belief that only U.S. control ensured security and global dominance.

Arguments for Sharing Nuclear Knowledge

Late 1940s belief that sharing atomic information would prevent conflict and promote cooperation.

Soviet Nuclear Development (1949)

The USSR successfully tested an atomic bomb in 1949, ending U.S. monopoly.

People’s Republic of China (1949)

Communist government established under Mao Zedong in 1949, not recognized by the U.S. until 1971.

Domino Theory

Late 1940s–1950s belief that one country falling to communism would lead others to follow.

Election of 1950 Rhetoric

In 1950, political messaging equated being “soft on communism” with weakness.

North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)

A 1949 alliance of Western nations pledging mutual defense against communism.

NSC-68 (1950)

A 1950 report calling for a major U.S. military buildup and global containment strategy.

Korean War (1950–1953)

A war beginning in 1950 when North Korea invaded South Korea; ended in stalemate in 1953.

Totalitarianism

A term used in the late 1940s–1950s to describe governments controlling all aspects of society.

Nuremberg Trials (1945–1946)

Trials prosecuting Nazi leaders for war crimes after WWII.

Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948)

A 1948 UN document outlining basic human rights worldwide.

Eleanor Roosevelt

Led the drafting of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The Fair Deal (1949)

Truman’s program to expand New Deal reforms and improve social welfare.

GI Bill (1944)

A law providing veterans with education, housing, and economic benefits.

Operation Dixie (1946–1947)

A failed effort to unionize workers in the South.

Taft-Hartley Act (1947)

A law restricting labor unions and requiring anti-communist oaths.

Republican Resurgence (1946)

The 1946 election where Republicans gained control of Congress.

Dixiecrats (1948)

A segregationist party opposing civil rights, led by Strom Thurmond.

Progressive Party (1948)

A party led by Henry Wallace supporting cooperation with the USSR and expanded welfare.

Thomas E. Dewey

Republican candidate who lost the 1948 presidential election.

1948 Presidential Election

An upset victory where Truman won despite predictions he would lose.

Loyalty Review System (1947)

A program requiring federal employees to prove loyalty without due process.

Hollywood Ten (1947)

Film industry figures jailed and blacklisted for refusing to testify about political beliefs.

House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC)

A congressional committee investigating alleged communist influence in the 1940s–1950s.

Alger Hiss Case

A late 1940s case where Hiss was convicted of perjury in a spy investigation.

Rosenberg Case (1951–1953)

A couple executed for passing atomic secrets to the USSR.

Joseph McCarthy

A senator who in 1950 claimed widespread communist infiltration.

McCarthyism (early 1950s)

A period of fear, accusations, and political repression tied to anti-communism.

Army-McCarthy Hearings (1954)

Televised hearings that exposed McCarthy’s tactics and led to his downfall.

Margaret Chase Smith (1950)

Senator who criticized McCarthy in her “Declaration of Conscience.”

McCarran Internal Security Act (1950)

A law requiring communist groups to register and allowing government action against them.

McCarran-Walter Act (1952)

A law maintaining immigration quotas and emphasizing ideological screening.

Operation Wetback (1954)

A deportation campaign targeting Mexican immigrants.

House Resolution 108 (1953)

A policy ending federal recognition of some Native American tribes.

Termination Policy (1950s)

A policy aimed at assimilating Native Americans and ending tribal sovereignty.

National Congress of American Indians (1944)

Organization formed to defend Native American rights.

Presidential Commission on Civil Rights (1947)

A report exposing racial inequality and calling for reform.

Truman’s Civil Rights Program (1948)

A plan proposing anti-lynching laws and equal rights.

Desegregation of the Armed Forces (1948)

A 1948 order ending segregation in the military.

Affluent Society (1940s–1950s)

A period of economic growth benefiting many white Americans while minorities faced inequality.