UNIT13 ch 36

Baby Boom

• Explosion in marriages and births post-WWII, leading to 50 million babies in the U.S. (1945-1960)

• Influenced women's roles towards homemaking, yet 1/3 of married women worked by 1960.

Truman Doctrine

• In March 1947, President Truman requested $400 million for Greece and Turkey against totalitarian regimes.

• Gained bipartisan support despite oversimplification of the situations.

Containment

• U.S. strategy during the Cold War to prevent communism's spread within existing borders.

• Articulated by George Kennan and implemented through Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan.

Marshall Plan

• U.S. economic aid program for post-war Europe (including USSR nations), led to reconstruction and prosperity.

• Subdued the USSR threat.

NATO

• North Atlantic Treaty Organization established to defend members from attacks.

• Eisenhower became the first supreme commander.

Servicemen's Readjustment Act (GI Bill)

• Provided WWII veterans with educational funds and housing loans, significantly aiding their transition.

The Sunbelt

• Region in the southern U.S. known for a mild climate and economic opportunities, promoting migration post-war.

Yalta Conference

• 1945 meeting of Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin to shape post-war peace.

Cold War

• Geopolitical tension between the U.S. and USSR from 1947 to 1991, marked by ideological conflicts and arms races.

United Nations (Big Five)

• Established in 1945 with major powers (U.S., UK, France, China, USSR) holding veto powers.

• Aimed at maintaining international security.

IMF & World Bank

• IMF focused on global financial stability; World Bank aimed at reducing poverty.

Nuremberg Trials

• Trials of Nazi leaders for war crimes.

Satellite Nations

• Soviet control over Central and Eastern Europe post-WWII; communist governments established in multiple countries.

Iron Curtain

• Term coined by Churchill referring to the division between democratic West and communist East.

HUAC

• House Un-American Activities Committee; blacklisted suspected communists.

Hollywood Ten

• Group refusing to answer HUAC inquiries, citing First Amendment rights.

Rosenbergs/Alger Hiss

• Government figures accused of espionage; Hiss was convicted of perjury.

NSC-68

• 1950 report outlining U.S. strategy against Soviet communism.

Causes of Korean War

• Post-Japan defeat, Korea divided, triggering conflict as North invaded South in 1950.

Economic Growth Post-WWII

• Middle-class expansion; military spending and rising productivity bolstered the economy.