APUSH unit 8

Period #8 (1945 - 1980)

Cold War America Overview

  • Instructor: Mr. Brick

  • Course: APUSH

  • Semester: Spring 2026

The Early Cold War (1945-1953)

Question: Continuity & Change in US Foreign Policy

  • Following WWII, how did US foreign policy and intervention change to combat the growth of the USSR?

WWII Context

US and USSR Relations

  • Alliance: United due to necessity during WWII.

  • Mutual Misunderstandings: Political, economic, and military conflicts from 1945-1991 without direct battlefield war.

  • Tensions: Growing tensions existed before WWII, including the 1920s Red Scare.

  • Presidential Approaches:
      - FDR: Cautiously engaged with the USSR.
      - Truman: Believed Stalin posed a significant danger that needed addressing.

Growing Tensions

Potsdam Conference (July 1945)

  • Held in Germany as WWII was concluding.

  • Agreements:
      - Free elections in Eastern Europe.
      - Germany and Berlin divided into four occupation zones.

  • US Strength: The only nation with an atomic bomb; booming economy.

  • failed Loan: US offered a loan to USSR but withdrew it when Stalin undermined free elections in Poland.

  • Atomic Arms Race: USSR demanded the US dismantle its atomic arsenal, while the US wanted to maintain it.

Post-WWII Developments

Soviet Actions

  • USSR began constructing its atomic bomb, borrowing resources from Eastern Europe.

  • Stalin's Stance: Predicted unavoidable future wars unless communism triumphed.

Truman’s Policy of Containment

  • Aimed to help rebuild European nations to support capitalism and reduce appeal of communism.

  • Churchill’s Iron Curtain Speech: Raised awareness of political divisions in Europe, prompting fear in the US.

US Foreign Policy

Key Policies

  • Exaggeration of Communist Threat: Truman Administration claimed that if Greece fell to communism, Eastern Europe would follow.

  • Truman Doctrine: US commitment to contain communism, forming the basis of American foreign policy throughout the Cold War.

  • Marshall Plan (1946): Post-WWII aid package to Western Europe; aimed to bolster global perception of the US and lower communism's appeal.

Military and National Security Enhancements

National Security Act of 1947

  • Established the Department of Defense.

  • National Security Council: Provided military and foreign policy advice to the president.

  • Central Intelligence Agency (CIA): Conducted intelligence gathering and counterintelligence to combat Soviet operations.

Emergence of the Imperial Presidency

  • Growth and consolidation of presidential power regarding foreign interventions.

The Berlin Airlift (1948-1949)

Key Events

  • The US, UK, and France merged their German occupation zones.

  • Response to Blockade: After the USSR blockaded Western access to Berlin, the Berlin Airlift was initiated to transport food and supplies to West Berlin.

  • Impact: Boosted US image and worsened USSR’s perception.

Cold War Alliances

Military Alliances

  • Warsaw Pact: Military alliance of USSR and seven satellite nations.

  • NATO (1949): North Atlantic Treaty Organization formed with US and 11 European nations.

Key Events (1949-1953)

Soviet Atomic Bomb Testing (1949)

  • A significant shift in the global balance of power.

National Security Council Document NSC-68 (April 1950)

  • Advocated for intensified containment, proposing the creation of a hydrogen bomb and establishing global alliances.

Background Events

  • Chinese Civil War (1945-1949): Communist forces overthrew US-backed Nationalist government, marking a setback for US interests.

The Korean War (1950-1953)

Context

  • Korea split at the 38th Parallel: North was communist, South was anti-communist.

  • Start of War: North invaded South on June 25, 1950.

US Involvement

  • Truman authorized aid to South Korea with UN Security Council support (not Congress) and assembled a multinational peacekeeping force.

  • Leadership: General Douglas MacArthur led UN troops, successfully pushing North Koreans back.

  • Turning Point: UN forces advanced to the Yalu River, prompting China to enter the conflict on North Korea's side.

Result of the Korean War

Major Developments

  • Stalemate: By January 4, 1951, Seoul fell to Chinese and North Korean forces.

  • Proxy War: Example of US efforts to contain communism without direct confrontation.

  • Armistice Agreement (July 1953): Formed the official separation of North and South Korea.

The Second Red Scare

Causation

  • Increased fear and government responses to communist influences in the US.

Government Actions

  • HUAC (House Un-American Activities Committee): Investigated alleged communist influences; particularly in Hollywood.

  • Federal Loyalty Employee Program (1947): Sought to dismiss federal employees based on political beliefs and affiliations.

Notable Figures and Events

Hollywood Blacklist

  • Directors and screenwriters faced career ruin for refusing to disclose political beliefs.

Alger Hiss Case

  • A State Department official accused and convicted of perjury regarding communist ties, damaging the Democratic Party’s reputation.

Smith Act (1940)

  • Allowed prosecution of communist threats; landmark court case: Dennis v. United States (1951) upheld convictions of communist leaders.

The Rosenbergs

  • Julius and Ethel Rosenberg convicted of espionage for passing atomic secrets to the USSR, executed in 1953.

Joseph McCarthy

  • Senator known for wild accusations against supposed communists within the government, leading to widespread paranoia and censure by the Senate in 1954.

Continued Developments

Supreme Court Cases and Political Environment

  • The Supreme Court limited the government's ability to prosecute ideological speech in Yates v. United States (1957).

  • Communist Control Act (1954): Disallowed communist party membership within government positions.

Social Developments in Post-WWII America (1950s)

Economic and Social Changes

  • Post WWII America faced significant challenges like inflation and labor strikes.

  • GI Bill (Servicemen Readjustment Act, 1944) assisted veterans in financial and educational opportunities.

The Boom Years (1946-1964)

  • Economic growth led to increases in GDP and middle-class prosperity.

  • Demographics: Baby Boom due to economic prosperity, healthcare improvements, and early marriages.

Changes in Living Patterns

Rise of Suburbs

  • Suburbanization: Families relocated for space and a healthier lifestyle, with government loans fostering home ownership.

  • Levittown: First mass-produced suburb, highlighting post-war housing trends.

Cultural Shifts in the 1950s

Television and Social Influences

  • Television shaped American culture with programs often depicting traditional family values and social norms.

  • Rise of a distinct teenage consumer culture characterized by Rock ‘n’ Roll music and increased public school attendance.

Women's Roles in American Society

  • While women were traditionally expected to carry homemaker roles, many began to enter the workforce. Female labor during the late 1950s doubled from 15% (1940) to 30% (1960).

  • Anxiety and depression were common among women who felt unfulfilled by societal limitations.

Religious Resurgence in the 1950s

  • Marked by the introduction of “Under God” into the Pledge of Allegiance and “In God We Trust” as the national motto.

  • Church membership rose, aided by media contrasting the Soviet Union’s ideology.

Civil Rights Movement in Conformity (1960s)

Post-WWII Context

  • African Americans saw some advancements, but violence and voter suppression persisted.

Truman's Initiatives

  • President's Committee on Civil Rights established in 1946 connected civil rights efforts to America's global image during the Cold War.

School Desegregation

  • NAACP efforts led to significant court rulings against school segregation, with Brown v. Board of Education (1954) declaring that “separate but equal” has no place in education.

The Montgomery Bus Boycott

  • Triggered by Rosa Parks' arrest in December 1955; led to MLK Jr.'s prominence and organized nonviolent protests.

Rise of Civil Rights Organizations

MLK Jr. and Nonviolent Protests

  • Formation of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) in 1957 to challenge segregation nonviolently.

The Little Rock Nine Incident 1957

  • National Guard initially blocked black students from entering Central High School; federal intervention highlighted tensions over school desegregation.

The Fight for Civil Rights in the 1960s and 1970s

Influence on Voting Rights

  • Voting Rights Act of 1965 eliminated barriers to voting for African Americans, resulting in increased voter registration and electoral participation.

The Rise of Black Power Movements

  • Emergence of more militant groups advocating for Black empowerment, notably the Black Panther Party, contrasting with earlier civil rights strategies.

The Conservative Political Shift in the 1970s

Overview

  • A significant political shift towards conservativism occurred leading up to and following Richard Nixon's presidency.

Key Themes in Conservatism

  • Pushback against liberal policies, advocating for individual rights and limited government.
     - New Right Movement: Focused on issues like lowering taxes, opposing affirmative action, and enhancing family values.

The Watergate Scandal and its Implications

Key Events

  • The 1972 break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters led to Nixon's resignation in 1974 after evidence of a coverup emerged.

The Post-Watergate Era and Foreign Policy Challenges

Carter's Presidency Highlights

  • Emphasized human rights, resulting in strained relations with repressive regimes.

  • Domestic economic challenges included rising oil prices and inflation (stagflation).

The Iranian Revolution and Hostage Crisis

  • The 1979 incident led to long-term diplomatic consequences for the US and highlighted the tensions in Middle Eastern politics.

Legacy of Civil Rights and Social Movements

Continued Activism

  • The social movements of the late 20th century built on earlier efforts; facing continued resistance, particularly in areas like equal rights legislation and education access.

Important Developments in Women's Rights

  • The unfinished battle over the Equal Rights Amendment signifies ongoing inequalities.

  • The Second Wave Feminism movement advocated for gender rights alongside broader civil rights causes.

Conclusion

Reflection on the Eras

  • The history from 1945 to 1980 defined by Cold War tensions, civil rights struggles, and cultural shifts in American identity, which still resonate today.