Post-WWII U.S. History: Key Events, Policies, and Social Changes

Pearl Harbor

Japanese retaliation for a trade embargo; resulted in U.S. entering WWII

Justification for war

Economic and political interdependence of nations; stop spread of totalitarian governments

Victory gardens

Support war effort by increasing food supply

Women

Took on new roles to support war effort; joined nurse cadets and worked in factories to keep up production

Japanese American internment camps

Violated liberties of Japanese American citizens provided in the 14th Amendment

Tuskegee Airmen

African American military pilots; overcame discrimination to serve; encouraged integration of armed forces

Navajo Code Talkers

Transmitted secret military information

Vernon Baker

African American veteran of WWII; received Medal of Honor

The Holocaust

Nazi attempt at the genocide of Jewish people; caused many Jews to migrate to America

Atomic bomb

A new strategic weapon developed at Los Alamos, New Mexico; used to quickly end WWII; Japan surrendered after bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki; resulted in arms race with Soviets

Berlin Airlift

U.S. flew planes over the Soviet blockade of Berlin to get supplies to West Berlin without military conflict

Marshall Plan

U.S. provided financial assistance to Western European countries to rebuild after WWII

Korean War

U.N. and U.S. sent troops to Korea to contain the spread of communism after North Korea invaded South Korea

Arms race

U.S. and Soviets promoted science and technology as both attempted to develop nuclear arsenals

Sputnik

U.S.S.R. satellite; caused U.S. to invest money in space, science, technology, and weapons programs

House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC)

Looked into individuals in Hollywood who were suspected of being communists

McCarthyism

Red Scare movement led by Senator Joseph McCarthy; arrested people suspected of being communists

Suburbs

Created after WWII; result of baby boom and increased demand for housing

GI Bill

Servicemen's Readjustment Act; government paid for education of military veterans to assist their return to civilian life

Economic prosperity

Resulted in consumer spending; expanded the middle class

Vaccines

Limited the spread of infectious diseases; Jonas Salk created to stop polio