World War II to Present Day American Politics

History 104 final exam

What were the key lessons and impacts of World War II?

World War II changed the United States' position in the world and significantly altered American politics, culture, and economy.

What factors contributed to rising global tensions in the 1930s?

Rising global tensions in the 1930s included a broad economic decline in Europe, huge reparation sums owed by Germany, the rise of fascism in Germany, Italy, and Spain, and Japanese imperial expansion in East Asia.

What is fascism?

Fascism is a political ideology characterized by intense nationalism, xenophobia, designation of in and out groups, corporatism, state investments in business, militarism, and far-right authoritarianism.

What was the international community showing concern for when it comes to rising Fascism?

International community shows greater concern over rise of fascism in respect to Spain whereas US continues to recognize republican government throughout spanish civil war

What events escalated tensions toward World War II?

Key events escalating toward World War II included the Japanese invasion of Manchuria (1931-1932) and Mainland China (1937), Germany annexing Austria (1938) and the Klaipeda region (1939), the Munich Agreement allowing German annexation of Sudetenland (1938), and the Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact (1939).

What was the United States' stance before entering World War II?

In the lead-up to WWII, the US adopted a policy of "non-neutral neutrality," which included the Stimson Doctrine, neutrality acts, a "moral embargo" on Japan, the destroyers for bases agreement, and Lend-Lease.

What transformed the economy before the US entry into WWII?

The US Economy experienced increased production of war materials, establishment of the peace time draft, and the threat of a mass march on Washington which lead to the Executive Order 8802

Why did Japan attack Pearl Harbor?

Japan interpreted US's 1937 oil embargo as an act of aggression and attack on Pearl Harbor as an attempt to hobble US naval power before US could mobilize.

How did the looming war and questions of democracy affect the US?

Fighting fascism abroad provided a moral and political framework for fighting inequality at home, while creating a pro-war patriotic consensus meant repressing domestic critiques of the US.

What were the major events in the WWII timeline?

Key events of World War II include the Nazi invasion of the Soviet Union (June 1941), the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor (December 7, 1941), D-Day (June 1944), the Yalta Conference (February 1945), V-E Day (May 8, 1945), the Potsdam Conference (July-August 1945), and the US detonating atomic bombs in Japan (August 1945), and V-J day(August 14-15, 1945).

How was the US economy transformed during World War II?

During WWII, the US economy experienced a manufacturing boom, increased industrial productivity, traditionally male-dominated jobs opening up, low unemployment, inflation, and cities that were infrastructurally unprepared for the influx of workers.

How did wartime manufacturing affect the US?

The War Production Board converted consumer goods manufacturing to war materials, and women entered the workforce in unprecedented numbers, filling manufacturing jobs and women's fields.

What roles did women play during the war?

Women's wartime service included entering professional and manufacturing job, serving in women's branches of armed services, managing voluntary and homefront efforts, and expanding citizenship claims.

What was Japanese internment?

Japanese internment, authorized by FDR's Executive Order 9006, involved removing over 100,000 Japanese Americans from their homes and interning them in exclusion zones.

How did Black Americans demand democracy during World War II?

Black Americans demanded democracy and pushed for the Double V Campaign, NAACP enrollment grew, jobs encouraged migration from South to North, Midwest, and West and also faced racial violence.

What regulations and mobilization efforts did the US government implement during WWII?

The US government regulated prices, wages, and the flow of goods, rationing goods, and fostered patriotism through scrap drives and victory gardens.

What was the Manhattan Project and its outcome?

The Manhattan Project established in 1939, invested in scientific research, built infrastructure, and led to the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945.

What was the devastation of WWII?

The devastation of WWII led to 70-85 million fatalities, collapsed governments in Central and Eastern Europe, and upheaval in various countries, US and soviet occupation of Korea, civil war in China.

How did the war transform the US?

The US in WWII experienced total mobilization, emerged as a global power, reinvigorated its economy, and set the stage for conflict with the Soviet Union and postwar prosperity and anxiety.

How was a post war peace created?

Underlying tensions between Soviets and Americans throughout war contributed to creating a postwar peace that led to allied conferences to negotiate post war order and territorial changes and the United Nations.

What were the Ideals of the Cold War?

The Cold War was sometimes understood as "democracy" versus "communism," but this doesn't fully capture the complexity of ideals on either side. To fight communism, the US regularly supported foreign regimes that were not at all democratic which lead both US and Soviet Union to sought allies and spheres of influence to bolster their economic standing and to build international strength.

What was the American perspective on the Cold War?

The American perspective was that communism is violent or imperial, anti-democratic, and godless, which led to a shift in American politics, culture, and economy to accommodate the new world order.

What were the benefits and effects of the GI Bill?

The GI Bill provided education allowance for colleges and universities, loans for homes or businesses, and unemployment insurance, leading to huge expansions in economic and educational opportunity, though with gaps in coverage that reinforced traditional gender norms.

How was Anti-communism at home and abroad growing?

Growing US internationalism spurred overall interest in global politics, investment in protecting anti-communist allies but heighten anxieties when US discovers soviets have nuclear capabilities.

Why use Korea as an example?

The Korean conflict made the Cold War a tangible thing in people's lives around the globe and the US utilized the United Nations.

What was the US position in Korea?

The US supported Rhee, who was very anti communist, had been educated in the US and was a devout Christian whereas North Korea was led by anti-imperialist marxist kim il-sung

How did Eisenhower end the war?

Eisenhower military strategy was not substantively different from trumans but theres a ceasefire in July 1953 and comes away from Korea chastened that there could not be an easy show of force against communism.

How did the Korean war signal Cold War Trends?

Korean war accelerated integration and signaled cold war trends such as war without congressional declaration, “proxy” wars, and extreme violence.

How was politics of consumption viewed?

Post WWII, spending became American, something that all Americans did, needed to do, and that defined them as Americans that advanced the idea that Americans were all the same, united around a common culture.

What was seen as consumption central to American policy?

Consumption viewed central to american policy and it became the point of the nation, what communism threatens while the ironies of the cold war was accusations of communist subversion makes people suspicious of those going against status quo, ongoing segregation, and pressure on women not adhering to “traditional” gender role

How was Domesticity and the nuclear family advertised?

Domesticity and the nuclear family consumerism supported ideas about a comfortable domestic life for affluent, heterosexual white families meanwhile paranoia grew about overbearing or overly demanding women would disrupt their sons development.

What was the Politics of motherhood?

White, relatively affluent women find way to participate in politics that are specifically informed by their roles as mothers with notions of protecting children” a key logic for Black Liberation struggles

What were the Possibilities & roadblocks of the cold war

The constant question regarding the possibilities & roadblocks of the cold war- Anticommunism and traditional gender roles narrow political, social, and economic possibilities for some whereas changing tide regarding civil right amplified by cold war

What are civil rights?

Anticommunism and traditional gender roles narrowed political, social and economic possibilities for some in terms of civil rights that lead civil rights –equal protection and equal access– as one part of larger demands for Black liberation Other arenas included human rights, economic rights

How long did it take for the Civil rights movement to gain success?

Civil rights movements stretched from the 1930s to the 1970s involved local organizations and organizers as well as prominent leaders with a Wide set of demands, from anticolonialism to economic rights

How was mobilization for black liberation take place?

Mobilization for black liberation took place in the context of the cold war that many black americans find common cause with anticolonial movements around the world and could be labeled as communists

What overturned plessy?

Brown (1954) overturned plessy as the culmination of decades of efforts, at the local and state level, to equalize school funding and built on other court cases re: segregation like mendez v westminster (1947) and Delgado v Bastrop (1948)

Was there change in the Montgomery Bus Boycott?

Change was the result of local action and federal policy bottom up and top down and a result the federal courts ordered the montgomery bus system to desegregate

What was the Massive Resistance?

In wake of brown v board, NAACP activists try to register black students at all white schools across the country that lead local governments and people to fight desegregation, while the federal government was not doing much to actively integrate schools

How was the federal government's enforcement powers when it comes to racial inequality?

Eisenhower administration displays a willingness to intervene with force to enforce desegregation policy and when orval faubus closed down all Little Rock Public High Schools for one year rather than allow integration

With Growing power and growing demands what came form it?

School desegregation one part of a larger puzzle in sense of demands for a legal and social equality, demands for economic security, demands for respect that build to broader sets of demands for black liberation by Federal government expanded willingness to act, but possibilities narrowed

How did the student non-violent committee get it started?

Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee Organized at centered young people and Mobilized young organizers and worked in black communities whereas Public outcry against white supremacist violence in the aftermath of the birmingham campaign

Where was a bombing to brought in more support to federal action?

September 15, 1963: bombing of 16th street baptist church broadened support for federal action of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Why was there the Civil Rights Act of 1964?

Civil rights act of 1964, was due to to years of sit in protests,Visibility and success of the march on washington and JFK assassinated(Nov 1963) that prohibits discrimination the basis race, color, religion, sex, or national origin

How did the Freedom summer go in terms of response?

Freedom Summer, reacted violently with the outside agitator narrative that cause some white mississippians and local governments to arrest volunteers and local homes involved or even churches churches, business bombed and burned, lead to civil rights workers murdered

Why was the voting rights pass?

Voting Rights Act of 1965, Established federal enforcement power due to Freedom summer drew attention to closed society in south and showcased nationally/internationally that black people in the south wanted to vote and outlawed discriminatory practices like literacy tests

From civil rights to what?

Broadening the horizons of black liberation and to build black political and economic power outside the confines of white american society with a SNCC leader stokely carmichael coins the term “black power”

What was the Irony of legislative gains in mid-1960s?

Broadening the horizons of black liberation opposition to civil rights remained a problem because a lot of white considered the civil rights issue closed while demands and tactics changed because By late 60s: black nationalism, anticolonialism, armed self defense, critique of capitalism grows

Late Cold War shifting strategies?

The US escalated its use of small scale military interventions without congressional war declarations, US developed a diverse set of tools for influencing the politics and policies of foreign countries such as diplomacy, economic pressure and incentives, military intervention,UN police actions

What was Henry Kissinger involved with?

Henry Kissinger cut other nations out of negotiation including palestine seeking and US state department peace agreements between Israel and Egypt.

What was Nixon involved with?

Nixon Escalated bombing campaigns early in presidency, expansion of war into Cambodia and laos, withdrew resources and train the south vietnamese military to take leadership in the conflict and asserts that US is going to normalize relations with china.

What meeting did the camp david accords lead to?

The camp david accords lead US to ally with egypt and strengthen relations with egypt and israel at expense of relationships with other arab states.

What was the Iran-Contra deal?

Members of reagan administration nonetheless facilitated arms sales to the iranian government that In 1985, national security council official oliver north directed proceeds from the sales to fund contras (counter-insurgent) in nicaragua

Where was the Soviet Union falls?

Political and economic reform with Perestroika policies to create market like economic reform and stir up economic instability that Anti-communist lead workers movement.

Key lessons of the Cold War?

The End of cold war makes US the world leader that policies continued to chafe against promises of protecting democracy and diplomatcy shifts away from international institutions that In el salvador, chile, and nicaragua, US supported atrocities from right wing governments and counterinsurgencies

How was Braodening the horizens of black liberation?

Legislative gains in mid 1960s of CRA and VRA provided some relief but many whites consider the civil rights issue closed and demands and tactics change regarding Black nationalism, anticolonialism, armed self defense, critique of capitalism grows

How does activism heighten issues?

Strong action against protestors and Mass media heightens american awareness of pressing issues that civil rights movement credited with building momentum for the reform of the Immigration and nationality act of 1965

CR provides a model for what type of mobilization?

Civil rights provides a model for other kinds of political mobilization based on shared identity of Building a community of people who understand their experience,A common political struggle,Addressing and fighting oppression that's specific to their group and their experiences,Forming and displaying pride in their culture

What kind of demands Feminist had in the late 20th century?

legal social or economic rights to Advocates have sought have varied that included the belief in equality of people across genders and Advocacy for equitable rights, access, freedom, etc for women and people of marginalized genders

What was National Organization for women?

fashioning itself as the NAACP for women advocating on legal assistance and suing in cases of workplace gender discrimination, and for equal rights amendment, for maternity leave, ending gender segregated education, job training

What would ERA do?

It would disadvantage housewives, cause women to be drafted into the military (draft ended in 1973), and lose preference in child custody and alimony cases while ERA ratification stalled out and expired in 1982

Prior to Roe v wade what where the laws like?

Elective abortion was legal in five states and washington, DC due to Constitutional right to privacy violated by state intervention in pregnancies leading to SCOUTS finds that the constitution protects people's right to choose to have abortions without unreasonable restrictions

What was the Stonewall uprising?

Stonewall uprising with riots created press coverage for queer organizations and protests and helped build momentum in organizing for queer rights and Sparked nationwide organizing.

Micheal England v state of Texas involves what?

challenging discrimination based sexuality that decriminalizes queerness with the Lawerence state of Texas.

What occured during the election of 1968?

Democrats were in chaos, sought to exploit racist anxieties of white southerners Nixon emerged as moderate option.

What was Nixon legacy?

Nixon admin opposed expansion of VRA, enforcement of fair housing act of 1968, and slowed school desegregation measures, expanded social programs and was known as the silent majority.

Where there sketch activities during nIxons presidency'

Investigated by Aid by whitsleblower made Nixons activities public knowledge lead to resigning August 8, 1974.

Was did cartet do during the presidency'

Generally a moderate democrat and fiscally conservative that asserted that government could not fix the economy or solve out own problems of truckinh airless and airlines.

What was Reagans ideology?

Reagan revives a silent majority conservative ideology and anti-labor,Supply-side side economics and Austerity measures.

Where americans able to reassess what the governmentsresponsibilities are?

AIDS crisis and queer organizing heighten some americans sense that the country is in moral decline that Civil rights is a closed chapter and further civil rights gains are going too far but there a Shift in national political alignment

What happened during the elections of 1960s?

Civil rights movements had televated youth vibrancy,cold war still key focus and Foreign policy, Democrats court wide voter base and many asasinations.

vietnam war was due to what reasons?

Vietnam war had a French colony of indochina that lead to the establishment of north and south vietnam over communial belief

What does the Technology transform?

people saw images of protests in their own living rooms,Violence of conflict known to americans,The early set the stage, Anti-communism had far-reaching political power that Young people mobilize was against Vietnam war

Where US setting a stae

The early set the stage with Neoliberalism and libertarianism sought “small” government and made Vietnam highligh US PROMISES.

American power in a post cold war what do the have?

World police that had quick vistors during Clinton of NAFA and Bush oversea 9/11 that lead Diminishing civil liberties

where 9/11 over shadowed!

Was over shadow to the PRESIDENCY, had a Huge increases in defense and national security spending but Diminishing civil liberties.

Was the guantanamo military good??

Detainees were “worst of the worst” terrorists Military commissions violated US law and the geneva convention because they created a separate legal system not authorized by the legislative branch.

In the aftermath of 9/11 was Americans united or more violence

Bush's approval rating shot up to 90% and ACUL has reported that NYPD has over survalived muslims

The united states continue ??

The US remained concerned with shaping global politic focusing onAnti-terrorism that allows broad surveilance and resenments grows in the US

21 contury for mobilisation?

Party mobilisation, revival of labor movment and BLM again the ICE

What is the KEY mobilising?

There's Internet can now mobilise and cause policitacla fricture that responses; woment and Gaza