Truman and the Cold War (1945-1952)

Proxy War

A conflict where two countries engage indirectly by supporting opposing sides in another nation's war.

What economic scars did the Great Depression leave after the war?

High unemployment rates and low birthrates, creating a sense of economic insecurity.

What was the impact of the G.I. Bill?

It provided loans for homes, education, and business opportunities, aiding around 15 million veterans in readjusting to civilian life.

What is the Baby Boom?

The period from 1945 to 1960 during which approximately 50 million babies were born, impacting various aspects of American society.

Taft-Hartley Act

To restrict union activities by outlawing closed shops and implementing right-to-work laws.

Who were the presidential candidates in the Election of 1948?

Harry Truman for the Democrats and Thomas E. Dewey for the Republicans.

What was the outcome of the Election of 1948?

Truman won with 50% of the popular vote and 303 electoral votes, despite skepticism about his leadership.

What were some of Truman's Fair Deal proposals?

National healthcare insurance, federal aid to education, civil rights legislation, and an expansion of Social Security benefits.

What did George Kennan's containment policy advocate?

To prevent the spread of Soviet communism through strategic alliances and economic support to vulnerable states.

What was the significance of the Marshall Plan?

It provided about $12 billion in aid to Western European nations post-WWII, aiding economic recovery and reinforcing ties with the U.S.

What did NATO represent?

A military alliance formed in 1949 among the U.S., Canada, and ten European countries to deter Soviet aggression.

What event escalated the arms race in 1949?

The successful test of the first Soviet atomic bomb.

What was the outcome of the U.S. occupation of Japan?

The establishment of a parliamentary democracy in Japan and its emergence as a U.S. ally in the fight against communism.

What was the Smith Act of 1940 about?

It aimed to prosecute individuals promoting totalitarianism and was used to scrutinize civil liberties during the Red Scare.

Who were the Rosenbergs?

They were accused of espionage for allegedly passing nuclear secrets to the Soviets and were executed in 1953.

What was McCarthyism?

The practice of making unfair allegations of disloyalty, especially against political opponents, during the Cold War era.

What did the Army-McCarthy hearings signify?

A turning point leading to McCarthy's discrediting as public sentiment turned against his methods and falsehoods.