Cold War/40s-50s SG

  1. Causes of Cold War

    • Ideological differences: Communism vs. Capitalism

    • Power vacuum post-World War II

    • Distrust between the US and USSR due to the wartime alliances.

  2. Marshall Plan

    • American initiative to aid Western Europe after WWII; aimed to prevent spread of Communism by stabilizing economies.

    • Funded reconstruction with $12 billion.

  3. Rosenberg Case

    • Julius and Ethel Rosenberg were convicted of espionage for allegedly passing atomic bomb secrets to the USSR.

    • Executed in 1953, controversial due to limited evidence.

  4. Containment

    • US foreign policy aimed at preventing the spread of Communism.

    • Advocated by George Kennan.

  5. Berlin Blockade (1948-1949)

    • Soviet attempt to cut off West Berlin from Western Allies.

    • Response: Western Allies organized the Berlin Airlift to supply the city.

  6. Berlin Airlift (1948-1949)

    • An operation where US and British planes delivered food and resources to West Berliners during the blockade.

    • Highlighted commitment to protect West Berlin.

  7. NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization)

    • Military alliance formed in 1949 with Western European nations, US, and Canada.

    • Aimed at collective defense against Soviet aggression.

  8. Eisenhower Doctrine

    • Policy to provide military and economic assistance to Middle Eastern countries resisting Communist aggression.

    • Reflects US interests in oil-rich regions.

  9. Shah of Iran

    • Mohammad Reza Shah; pro-Western ruler reinstalled by CIA coup in 1953.

    • His regime was supported for geopolitical reasons.

  10. Truman Doctrine

    • Policy of providing political, military, and economic assistance to countries threatened by Communism.

    • Originated in response to crises in Greece and Turkey.

  11. Sputnik (1957)

    • First artificial Earth satellite launched by the USSR.

    • Initiated the space race and heightened American fears about Soviet advancements.

  12. Chinese Civil War (1945-1949)

    • Conflict between the Nationalists (Guomindang) and Communists led by Mao Zedong.

    • Resulted in communist victory and establishment of the People's Republic of China.

  13. Korean War (1950-1953)

    • Conflict between North Korea (supported by China and USSR) and South Korea (backed by UN, primarily US).

    • Ended in an armistice with Korea remaining divided.

  14. Harry Truman fires Douglas MacArthur

    • MacArthur was dismissed for insubordination regarding war policies in Korea.

    • Tension over the conduct of the Korean War.

  15. CIA (Central Intelligence Agency)

    • Formed in 1947; conducted covert operations to protect US interests abroad, including coups.

  16. Coup in Guatemala (1954)

    • CIA orchestrated coup to overthrow democratically elected President Jacobo Árbenz, fearing his land reform policies were communist.

  17. Warsaw Pact (1955)

    • Military alliance of Communist countries in response to NATO.

    • Solidified Eastern Bloc division.

  18. Hollywood Ten

    • Group of writers and directors who were blacklisted for refusing to testify before HUAC about alleged communist ties.

  19. House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC)

    • Established to investigate disloyalty and subversive activities; targeted leftist individuals and groups.

  20. Harry Truman

    • US President from 1945-1953, known for implementing the Marshall Plan and the Truman Doctrine.

  21. Dwight Eisenhower

    • President from 1953-1961; emphasized containment policy and nuclear deterrence.

  22. Fair Deal

    • Truman's domestic program to expand social security, healthcare, and civil rights.

    • Met with mixed success.

  23. Dixiecrats

    • Breakaway faction of Southern Democrats who opposed civil rights; nominated Strom Thurmond for President in 1948.

  24. Impact of Television

    • Increased political engagement, and shaped public opinion; important platform for the civil rights movement.

  25. Impact of Automobiles

    • Transformative effect on American life, leading to suburban growth, the development of the interstate system, and changes in social dynamics.

  26. Urban Renewal

    • Government initiatives to revitalize urban areas; often displaced low-income residents.

  27. Termination Policy

    • Federal government policy aimed at assimilating Native Americans into mainstream society; resulted in loss of tribal lands and cultural erosion.

  28. Michael Harrington

    • Social Democratic activist; author of "The Other America," drew attention to poverty in the US during the 1960s.

  29. Television

    • Major cultural force in the 1950s, influencing lifestyle, politics, and perceptions of race and class.

  30. Elvis Presley

    • Cultural icon and symbol of rock 'n' roll; played a significant role in the music of the 1950s and the racial integration of music.

  31. Affluent Society in 1950s

    • Characterized by economic prosperity, consumerism, and increased spending on education and the economy.

  32. Suburbs

    • Rapid growth of suburban areas due to post-war economic boom and the availability of affordable housing.

  33. Beat Movement

    • Literary and artistic movement challenging societal norms; focused on spiritual and cultural liberation during the 1950s.

  34. Native Americans as the Poorest Socio-Economic Group

    • Faced significant poverty and discrimination, often marginalized in federal policies.

  35. Jackie Robinson

    • First African American to play Major League Baseball; major figure in the civil rights movement.

  36. Alger Hiss

    • Government official accused of being a Soviet spy; convicted of perjury, reflecting Cold War anxieties.

  37. Suez Canal Incident (1956)

    • British, French, and Israeli invasion of Egypt to regain control of the canal; revealed limitations of Western power in the region and rising influence of the US and USSR.