Truman and the Cold War Study Notes

Post-War Shift
- WWII transitioned the U.S. from isolationism to a military superpower.
- The U.S. emerged as a leader in global affairs.
Postwar Sentiment
- Returning troops (15 million) wished for normalcy and economic stability.
- Economic concerns lingered despite a revitalized economy due to wartime production.
Economic Boom
- Wartime savings allowed Americans to spend, with pent-up demand boosting economy.
- By the 1950s, the U.S. had the highest standard of living in history.

Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944 (GI Bill)
- Assisted 15 million veterans transitioning to civilian life.
- Over half utilized the GI Bill for education; 2 million attended college.
- Veterans received $16 billion in low-interest loans for homes, farms, businesses.
- Federal support for education and construction fueled economic boom.

Demographic Explosion
- 50 million babies born between 1945 and 1960.
- Influenced social institutions and economic life, especially in the 20th century.
- Increased focus on homemaking, though women's workforce participation rose to one-third by 1960.

Housing Demand
- Led to construction booms, exemplified by Levittown (17,000 affordable homes on Long Island).
- Low mortgage rates made suburban living accessible.
- Resulted in a majority of middle-class families becoming suburban residents; inner cities suffered economically and racially.

American Migration
- Millions relocated for economic opportunities in warmer climates and defense industries.
- Military spending during the Cold War shifted population and political power southward.

Harry S. Truman
- Assumed presidency after FDR’s death; his presidency characterized by domestic challenges and Cold War onset.
- Focused on New Deal legacy and civil rights for African Americans.
Economic Proposals
- Truman's progressive measures included national health insurance, wage increases, and full employment commitments.
- Employment Act of 1946 established the Council of Economic Advisers.
Inflation and Labor Strikes
- Price controls dropped, leading to significant inflation (approx. 25% initially post-war).
- 4.5 million workers went on strike in 1946; Truman seized mines to maintain operations during strikes.

Executive Actions
- Created the Committee on Civil Rights in 1946 to address discrimination.
- Ended racial segregation in the federal government and military; established Fair Employment Practices Commission (blocked by Southern Democrats).

Election of 1946
- Growing public discontent with inflation and striking led to conservative Republican wins in Congress.
- 22nd Amendment (1951)—limited presidents to two terms due to FDR’s elections.
- Taft-Hartley Act (1947)—limited union powers and increased governmental control over strike actions.

Truman’s Low Popularity
- Faced competition from the Dixiecrats and Progressive party candidates (Wallace).
- Despite predictions, Truman won decisively, reuniting Roosevelt's New Deal coalition, except for some Southern states.

Reform Agenda Post-1948 Election
- Proposed healthcare, education aid, civil rights legislation; met with opposition from Congress.
- Success included minimum wage increase and expanded Social Security coverage.

Superpower Rivalry
- U.S. vs. Soviet Union post-WWII; questioned how the Cold War started; analyses of Truman’s policies varied.
- Historical context: Cold War estranged U.S.-Soviet relations dating back to the 1917 Bolshevik Revolution.
Postwar Relations
- Wartime alliance masked underlying distrust; suspicions heightened post-Yalta and Potsdam conferences.

United Nations Formation
- Aimed at maintaining international peace and security with permanent member veto power.
- U.S. offered participation in the World Bank; Soviets declined due to capitalist suspicions.
Soviet Occupation of Eastern Europe
- Soviet manipulation of elections led to Communist governments across Central and Eastern Europe (1946-1948).

Iron Curtain Speech
- Churchill’s metaphor for Communist Europe; called for Western unity against Soviet expansion.

Adoption by Truman
- Began with aid to Greece and Turkey against Communist uprisings; known as the Truman Doctrine (March 1947).
- Marshall Plan: Massive U.S. economic aid (about $17 billion) for European recovery post-war to prevent Communist influence.
Berlin Airlift
- Soviet blockade led to U.S.-led airlift of supplies to West Berlin, lasting 11 months.

NATO Formation (1949)
- U.S. shift from isolationism, creating an alliance with ten European nations.
- Military commitments and buildup to deter Soviet aggression.
Military Modernization
- National Security Act established a coordinated military approach and arms race.

Japan's Reconstruction
- Under U.S. control, Japan established a parliamentary democracy and became an American ally.
Korean War
- Occupation divided Korea; Truman applied containment after North Korean invasion in 1950.
- Stalemate resulted in Armistice in 1953; conflict halted without resolved victory.

Second Red Scare
- Loyalty Review Board established post-WWII, many lost jobs amidst fears of Communist infiltration.
Espionage Cases
- Alger Hiss, Rosenberg trials heightened fears; McCarthy's accusations fueled anti-Communist hysteria.
McCarthyism
- Senator McCarthy's accusations influenced American public perception and policies; reached peak but eventually led to his downfall in televised hearings.