Post-World War II & the Cold War (1945-1990)

"Pure" and "practical" science...

Combined on a large scale; came to be productive and influential, leading to the development of Big Science. Increased 5x in the U.S, taking 3% of ntl. income (1945-65)

1950-1973 Economic boom

This happened 5 yrs after WWII, where the newly formed economy urged women to look for cash income and demanded high labor (W. Europe, E. Europe, N & S. America)

1952 Egyptian Revolution

-Led by Gamel Abdel Nasser established a republic
-Nationalist revolution, left thinking (socialistic Communism) with strong anti-imperialism tendency

A rapid economy in the 1960s grew because of...

Keynesian economics, Marshall Plan aid, and Korean War

After the war ended and division of Europe, what did the Allies do?

Truman cut all aid to USSR (May 1945) & renounced authoritarian govs, Churchill's iron curtain speech (Mar. 1946)

Alexander Dubcek

The First Secretary of the Czechoslovak Communist Party on Jan. 1968, who tried to lessen the Soviet Union's control over Czechoslovak. His attempts led to the "Prague Spring," a period of unrest and a Warsaw Pact invasion because of USSR's fear that Czechoslovakia would be pro-West/neutral.

Austerity measures

When a government severely cuts spending to try and get its finances under control; recovery programs

Austerity measures

When a government severely cuts spending to try and get its finances under control.

Baby Boomers (1946-1964)

The 78 million people born during the baby boom, following World War II and lasting until early 1960s. Pop. grew of 1-1.5% / year, w/ old patterns of birth & death rates and because of women early marriage, early childbearing, and small families

Berlin Airlift

Airlift in 1948 that supplied food and fuel to citizens of west Berlin when the Soviets closed off land access to Berlin (Berlin Blockade)

Berlin Wall

A wall separating East and West Berlin built by East Germany under the orders of Khrushchev in 1961 to keep citizens from escaping to the West. "Barrier between democracy and communism"

Betty Friedan

American writer of "The Feminine Mystique" (1963)- Introduced sexism & how women faced identity loss; were like "tools" for family and were not recognized the same way as men

Big Science

The unprecedented combination of theoretical science and complex engineering under government sponsorship. Examples include U.S. Manhattan Project (atomic bombs to drop on Japan) & Britain's radar system against Nazi Luftwaffe. Attacked hard problems like military & consumer goods

Brezhnev Doctrine

Policy was proclaimed in 1968 and declared that the Soviet Union had the right to intervene in any Socialist country whenever it determined there was a need.

Causes of the Women's Movement

Old patterns of motherhoods changed to new conditions & demands; wave of fem. intellectuals; learning from Civil Rights Movement and Vietnam War

Charles de Gaulle

French general, romantic nationalist, and statesman who became very popular during World War II as the leader of the Free French forces in exile (1890-1970). Established French Fifth Republic (1958).

Chinese Civil War

War between USSR-supported communist Mao Zedong and U.S.-supported nationalist Chiang-Kai Shek. The communists took over and forced the nationalists to retreat to Taiwan in 1949.

Christian Democrats

Center-right political parties that rose to power in western Europe after WWII in Italy (leader Alcide De Gasperi in 1946), France (Charles de Gaulle of "Free France" in 1948), West Germany (led by Konrad Adenauer in 1949).

Civil Rights Act of 1964

This act made racial, religious, and sex discrimination by employers illegal and gave the government the power to enforce all laws governing civil rights, including desegregation of schools and public places.

Civil Rights Movement

A social movement in the United States during the 1950s and 1960s, in which people organized to demand equal rights for African Americans and other minorities. People worked together to change unfair laws. They gave speeches, marched in the streets, and participated in boycotts. Led by MLK and led to the election of President Lyndon Johnson (1964

Coal and Steel Community (1951)

Created by Monnet and Schuman to integrate all European steel and coal production; 6 countries (which excluded Britain) made war within Western Europe unthinkable. Formed to control and integrate steel production

Cold War

A conflict that was between the US and the Soviet Union. The nations never directly confronted each other on the battlefield but deadly threats went on for years.

Colonialism after WWII...

Went down, as many colonies began to receive independence

Common Market

Group of countries that have eliminated tariffs and harmonized trading rules to facilitate the free flow of goods among the member nations

Computer Revolution

During the 1980s, personal computers began to appear in many homes across the world. By the late 1990s, computers had become a staple in most industrialized countries' homes.

Cuban Missile Crisis (1962)

The October 1962 confrontation between the US and the Soviet Union over Soviet missiles installed in Cuba; was a factor in the downfall of Khrushchev. Missiles removed.

De Gaulle by 1958...

Established the French Fifth Republic, fought in the Algerian War, and viewed U.S. as an enemy- withdrew military from NATO & developed own nuclear arms and took control of Market.

Détente

A policy of reducing Cold War tensions, adopted by the United States during the presidency of Richard Nixon.

Double Helix (1968)

An autobiographical account of the discovery of the double helix structure of DNA written by James D. Watson, w/ Francis Crick. Shows the competition in big science

Economic stagnation in '70s & early '80s led to...

Pessimism and sober realism in states, individuals, institutions; followed w/ job loss, bankruptcy, and homelessness, but welfare system eased the tension. 50% of W. Europe income spent by 1982 led to inflation, ntl. debts, *BUDGET DEFICIT*

Elbe Day (1945)

April 25th, 1945; the day that the Soviets met the American troops at the Elbe river; important step toward the end of the war in Europe

European Gadget Revolution

The spreading of technology to the household, including items such as washing machines, vacuum cleaners, refrigerators, dishwashers, radios, TVs, and stereos. Increased leisure and recreation w/ mass travel, tourism, vacation, beaches (1960s)

Factors to intl. youth culture in '60s

Mass communication & travel; postwar baby boom meant high influcnce on youth; prosperity & equality; open jobs

Final Act of Helsinki Conference

The high point of the policy of detente when the US, Canada, Soviet Union, and 32 European nations signed this at the Helsinki Conference agreeing that Europe's existing political frontiers could not be changed by force; generally effective in maintaining international peace. But USSR rejected and continued competition in Western & Eastern Europe; invaded Afghanistan. USSR seen as "evil empire" by Ronald Reagan

François Mitterrand

French socialist president elected in 1981, whose attempt to end stagnation through program of nationalization and public investment failed.

General MacArthur

Commander of the UN forces at the beginning of the Korean War, however President Harry Truman removed him from his command after MacArthur expressed a desire to bomb Chinese bases in Manchuria.

German Green Party

Electoral party that supported environmentalism; anti-capitalist (blamed industry for pollution); avoided violence

Great Leap Forward

Economic and social plan used in China from 1958 to 1961 which aimed to use China's vast population to rapidly transform the country from an agrarian economy into a modern industrial society. Also built on expulsion of foreigners, labor camps, arrests, propaganda, Five-Year Plans

Guomindang

Nationalist political party founded on democratic principles by Sun Yat-sen in 1912 that sought for Chinese unification. After 1925, the party was headed by Chiang Kai-shek, who turned it into an increasingly authoritarian movement, breaking with Mao Zedong's communists and beginning war

How did the postwar structure affect industry & society?

Led to rapid technological & industrial expansion that demanded technologists & managers. Social reforms were made too; family allowances, old-age pensions, and unemployment benefits. High standard of living and consumer goods; the European automobile industry went from 5m to 44m (1948-1965).

Hungarian Revolution of Oct. 1956

Hungarian dissidents had launched a popular uprising to demand democratic reforms, and shortly after, Soviet tanks and troops entered Budapest to crush the uprising and restore an orthodox, pro-Soviet regime.

In response to the Allies' actions, Stalin...

Attempted to spread communism thru France, Italy, Iran Turkey, Greece to "uncover American plots." The ideological struggle against capitalist imperialism (1945-47)

In the USSR to 1985...

Collective re-Stalinization w/ Force, high standard of living, high Russian ntlism, expelled protesters, and art, culture, free expression, nonconformity, public protests were "semi-purged"

Independence of India (1947)

The British Labour Party offered self-government to India, but India was partitioned due to Hindus and Muslims wanting separate areas to rule (Hindu-India & Muslim-Pakistan). Presenting Western parliamentary liberalism & Indian nationalism.

Jean Monnet

French economist who advocated a Common Market in Europe (1888-1979)

Josip Broz Tito

The Communist leader of Yugoslavia from 1953 to 1980; stood up to Stalin in 1948 and stayed under its OWN authoritarian regime

Korean War (1950-1953)

North Korea (aided by USSR) fighting to take over South Korea (Aided by U.S. and United Nations). Resulted in a stalemate

Leonid Brezhnev

Seized power from Nikita Khrushchev and became leader of the Soviet Communist party in 1964. Ordered forces into Afghanistan and Czechoslovakia, building mass arms & lowered liberalization "collective re-Stalinization." Exported consumer goods to E. Europe & astronomy in the Warsaw Pact.

Life of women after World War II

More women got divorces (1960s), and married/non-married women entering/re-entering work faced discrimination in pay, occupation, advancement, and life at home. These injustices led to the women's movement for equality & emancipation

Limited Warfare Strategy

Truman's policy of refusing to use all available military strength to win a complete victory in Vietnam War; it backfired & divided America, based on pro or anti-Vietnam War

Ludwig Erhard

Minister of the economy, bet on the free economy while maintaining the extensive social welfare network inherited from the Hitler era.

Margaret Thatcher

Leader of conservatives in Great Britain who came to power. Pledged to limit social welfare, restrict union power, and end inflation. Fominated British politics in 1980s, and her government tried to replace local property taxes with a flat-rate tax payable by every adult. Created "free-market" policies, cheap apartments for low/moderate income renters

Marshall Plan (1947)

U.S. economic program for rebuilding and creating a stronger economic foundation for the countries of Europe.

May 68

French students (education) & workers (employment) revolution strikes at factories; against poverty & unemployment
transition from conservative morals to liberal/ideal rebelled against modern consumer/technical society. Believed Vietnam War was immoral and that imperialism was the cause of it

National Organization for Women (NOW)

Founded in 1966, the National Organization for Women (NOW) called for equal employment opportunity and equal pay for women. NOW also championed the legalization of abortion and passage of an equal rights amendment to the Constitution. Inspired organizations of LGBTQ+ & disabled people, and advocated for anti-discrimination, maternal leave, day care, abortion, rape protection, divorce

Neo-colonialism

Control by a powerful country of its former colonies (or other less developed countries) by economic pressures

Nikita Khrushchev

A Soviet leader during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Also famous for denouncing Stalin and allowed criticism of Stalin within Russia at Twentieth Party Congress (1956). Reinforced liberalization & de-Stalinization and believed in "peaceful coexistence" w/ capitalism.

North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)

1949 Alliance of nations that agreed to band together in the event of war and to support and protect each nation involved, against communism

Oil Shock

Response to U.S. support for Israel during the Israeli-Palestini conflict which led to an embargo on oil from petro countries- led to huge price increases in oil and all oil-based products 4 times, leading to unemployment above G. Depression in 1985, low living, and low productivity. 2nd Oil Shock occurred because of the 1979 Iranian Revolution.

Organization of European Economic Cooperation

Organization created due to the close cooperation required the Marshall Plan. It also led to the Council of Europe, which was hoped would evolve into a free European parliament. It did not succeed.

Other independence events include...

Philippines independence from U.S. (1946), Sri Lanka & Burma from GB (1948), Indonesia (1949), and 1954: Indochina-Communist forces under Ho Chi Minh defeat France

Paris Peace Accords (1973)

1973 peace agreements between the U.S., South Vietnam, North Vietnam, and the Vietcong that effectively ended the Vietnam War. Nixon & Kissinger agreed w/ North to withdraw American forces & allow bombs if accords were broken

Partition of Palestine (1948)

Palestine was split into 2, with the other being Israel for Jewish people, as proclaimed by the United Nations. Arabs were angry with this decision, which began the ongoing Arab-Israeli War. Holocaust survivors settled into Israel and 900K Arabs/invaders were cast out

Potsdam Conference (July 1945)

Allied leaders Truman, Stalin and Churchill met in Germany to set up zones of control and to inform the Japanese that if they refused to surrender at once, they would face total destruction. Truman requested free elections in east but was declined so it could stay pro-Soviet

Rapid economic growth in 1945 led to...

A fuzzier, more democratic, connected, and mobile European society. Middle & lower classes (mostly from rural areas) were more open, prosperous, insecure, and democratic. Property owners were taken by civil servants & managers as leaders of the middle class

Science and research in the US...

Attracted European scientists and urged them to catch up with Americans. They worked on atomic energy uses & the Concorde supersonic passenger airliner. The sci. community grew 5x in 1975 than in 1945 from high specialization degrees.

Science was used for...

Competition, weapons, poltical situations, defense,

Simone de Beauvoir

French philosopher who wrote "The Second Sex" (1949) that argued while gender is biological, the behavior that is associated with each sex is learned. Analyzed the limitations of women and they could only exceed by creativity and action

Stalin after the war...

Brought back purges, against civilians & returning soldiers with culture AND art, brought back Five-Year Plans, heavy industry, hardship, military, reconstruction, neglected housing, agriculture, and goods, and the 1-party dictatorship (by Red Army)

Suez Crisis (1956)

July 26, 1956, Nasser (leader of Egypt) nationalized the Suez Canal, Oct. 29, British, French, and Israeli forces attacked Egypt. UN forced the British to withdraw; made it clear Britain was no longer a world power- the last sign of European imperialism and upped Algerian nationalism.

Tehran Conference (1943)

WWII conference between Stalin, FDR, and Churchill "The Big Three"; its purpose was to develop a strategy for war against the Axis (open a second front)- planning Operation Overlord

Treaty of Rome (1957)

The founding document of the European Economic Community (EEC) or Common Market, now subsumed by the European Union. Reduced tariffs, free capital & labor, increased encouragement, economy, and imagination.

Truman Doctrine

1947 - Stated that the U.S. would support any nation threatened by Communism. "Contain Communism"

Vietcong Tet Offensive (Jan. 1968)

Communist-North Vietnam's first attack on major south Vietnamese cities that was a military failure.

Vietnam War (1955-1975)

War between North Vietnam and its communist allies and South Vietnam and its capitalist allies. U.S. goal was to try to contain the spread of communism. North Vietnam wins after long and grueling fight. By end of war, most Americans are against it.

Voting Rights Act of 1965

A law designed to help end formal and informal barriers to African-American suffrage.

Warsaw Pact

An alliance between the Soviet Union and other Eastern European nations. This was in response to NATO.

Watergate Scandal (1972)

A break-in at the Democratic National Committee offices in the Watergate complex in Washington was carried out under the direction of White House employees. Disclosure of the White House involvement in the break-in and subsequent cover-up forced President Nixon to resign in 1974 to avoid impeachment.

Welfare state

A system in which the government takes responsibility for its citizens' social & economic needs, normalizing free medical service & industry. Adopted by Britain Labour Party & U.S.

What was the role of the U.S. in the Vietnam War?

American involvement & Truman Doctrine caused war; Pres. Eisenhower provided S. Vietnam w/ mil. aid but not free elections & Pres. Johnson expanded role in war. U.S. reconciled w/ Communist-China, taking advantage of their fears of USSR & position of N. Vietnam

White-collar industry

Occupations involving non-manual labor in retail, entertainment and professional employment (government, education, healthcare, trade, education) for women.

Why did the Soviet Union and the United States quarrel over Europe?

Because of their diff. politics, ideologies, military, war agreements

Willy Brandt

Chancellor of West Germany in the late 1960s; sought to improve relations with the states of Eastern Europe. Flew to Poland in Dec. 1970 to take responsibility for Warsaw Ghettos and WWII. Also negotiated w/ USSR, Czechoslovakia, and Poland in exchange for mutual force. Disliked Berlin Wall

World War II left behind...

Runaway inflation, black markets, a destroyed Germany, spoiled lands. Poland took some German lands and 13m Germans had to flee to a lesser Germany

Yalta Conference of 1945

Between Stalin, Roosevelt, and Churchill; Soviets took Poland and Bulgaria (right before war end), Romania, Hungary, most of Yugoslavia & Czechoslovakia. Turned them into communist; Stalin wanted a "buffer zone" as he feared another invasion; Germany also paid heavy reparations to the USSR

Yom Kippur War (1973)

After Egypt and Syria attacked Israel, the Israeli military defeated the Arab armies. U.S. support of Israel led to an Arab boycott of oil to the United States by the Arab OPEC.

Youth after WWII

Became very distinctive, and international; created a "counterculture" against parents, the status quo, and authorities. Many shifted to "subcultures" that blended radical politics & uncontrolled experimentation; leading to new art in U.S. & W. Europe. Sexual relations peaked in 1960s btwn. youth under 17, such as in W. Germany