AMSTUD Chapters 23-26 Review Notes

Chapter 23: The United States and the Cold War

Origins of the Cold War

• After WWII:
  • The U.S. emerged as the world’s dominant power, both militarily and economically.
  • The Soviet Union, although devastated, gained influence by occupying Eastern Europe.
• U.S. Objectives:
  • Promote open markets and democratic governments.
• USSR Objectives:
  • Seek security through a buffer zone of pro-communist states.
• Key Developments:
  • George Kennan’s Long Telegram (1946): Warned that the USSR would expand unless contained.
  • Churchill’s “Iron Curtain” Speech: Framed the East-West divide as a long-term ideological conflict.

Truman Doctrine & Marshall Plan

• Truman Doctrine:
  • U.S. commitment to support nations resisting communism, specifically Greece and Turkey.
  • Framed the Cold War as a fight for global freedom.
• Marshall Plan:
  • U.S. funded European recovery to prevent the spread of communism via economic instability.
  • USSR rejected the plan, further dividing Europe.

Key Events

• Berlin Blockade (1948-1949):
  • USSR cut off West Berlin supply routes; U.S. responded with a massive airlift, marking the first major Cold War victory for the West.
• NSC-68 (1950):
  • Aimed at massive military buildup, portraying the Cold War as a battle between freedom and slavery.
• Korean War (1950-1953):
  • Initiated by U.S. involvement in Korea, led to a stalemate and the establishment of the 38th parallel.
  • Mao Zedong’s victory in China was a significant setback for U.S. containment efforts.

The Cold War at Home

• McCarthyism:
  • Senator Joseph McCarthy escalated fears of communism through baseless accusations, which were eventually discredited.
• HUAC (House Un-American Activities Committee):
  • Targeted Hollywood and intellectuals; the Hollywood Ten were jailed for refusing to testify.
• Rosenberg Trial (1951-1953):
  • Julius and Ethel Rosenberg were executed for espionage, causing national controversy.
• Violations of civil liberties and mass conformity resulted from the pervasive fear of communism.

Cold War Culture & Human Rights

• Cultural Cold War:
  • The U.S. used cultural diplomacy (e.g., supporting modern art and jazz) to promote freedom and individuality.
  • CIA’s support for artists like Jackson Pollock contrasted U.S. creativity with Soviet conformity.
• Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948):
  • Drafted by Eleanor Roosevelt, outlined global civil, political, and economic rights.
  • Soviets stressed economic rights; U.S. emphasized civil freedoms.

Civil Rights, Labor, and Native Americans

• Truman’s Fair Deal:
  • Aimed to build on the New Deal with reforms in civil rights, housing, and healthcare but was mostly blocked by Congress.
• Civil Rights Movement:
  • Major gains included military desegregation and the emergence of organizations advocating for civil rights.
  • The 1947 report "To Secure These Rights" called for federal civil rights protections.
• Termination Policy:
  • Targeted Native American reservations and threatened sovereignty, though faced resistance.

Chapter 24: The Baby Boom

The Baby Boom Post-WWII

• Caused by soldiers returning from war, leading to a significant population increase.
• Resulted in:
  • Massive urbanization, especially in the West (e.g., Levittown).
  • Creation of the interstate highway system by Eisenhower, increasing focus on domestic policies.

Minorities and Civil Rights

• Native American Relocation:
  • Policies that relocated Native Americans to urban areas with poor housing conditions.
• Civil Rights Advances:
  • Surge in activism led by figures like Rosa Parks, and Supreme Court cases like Brown v. Board of Education (1954) which ended segregation in schools.

Chapter 25: The Sixties, Civil Rights, & Vietnam

Key President of the Sixties

• John F. Kennedy (1961-1963):
  • Confronted Cold War tensions and was assassinated in 1963.
• Lyndon B. Johnson (1963-1969):
  • Known for the Great Society programs, including healthcare and education reforms.

Civil Rights Movements

• Black Civil Rights:
  • Key events like the Montgomery Bus Boycott and influential leaders including Dr. King.
• Women’s Rights:
  • Betty Friedan’s The Feminine Mystique catalyzed the women's movement.

The Vietnam War Pre-1968

• Domino Theory: Fear of communism spreading in Southeast Asia influenced U.S. involvement.
• Gulf of Tonkin Incident: Led to escalation of U.S. military presence in Vietnam.

Chapter 26: The Triumph of Conservatism

Introduction

• Conservatism emerged as a dominant political force during the late 1960s.
• Economic crises challenged liberal policies from the New Deal era.

Nixon Administration (1969-1974)

• Blurred lines between conservative and progressive policies through initiatives like the EPA and OSHA.
• Watergate scandal overshadowed foreign policy achievements and undermined public confidence in government.

Economic Crisis of the 1970s

• Stagflation marked by stagnant growth and high inflation.
• Decline of manufacturing industries and cuts in public services resulted in urban despair.

Ford and Carter Administrations

• Gerald Ford: Pardoned Nixon, focused on economic issues but faced rising unemployment.
• Jimmy Carter: Emphasized human rights and faced energy crises, his presidency is viewed as paving the way for the conservative rise led by Reagan.