World War II

Cold War Years 1946 - Iron Curtain Speech - Winston Churchill to 1991 - Warsaw Pact Votes itself out of existence (45 years).

Who won the Cold War?

United States

  • Post WWII Focus/Outlook: Promote democracy with free elections and individual rights, capitalism with private ownership, free markets, and competition; rebuild Europe; fight communism; strong military presence.

Soviet Union Post WWII Focus/Outlook

  • Communist dictatorship with a one-party system controlled by the Communist Party.

  • State-controlled industries and central planning; build up military strength; spread communism.

Cold War Definition

  • An era of high tensions, competition, and bitter rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union that did not escalate into direct, large-scale armed conflict. Instead, it involved ideological competition, economic pressure, propaganda, espionage, proxy wars, and an arms race.

United Nations Creation and Purpose

  • Created in 1945 to replace the League of Nations (which failed to prevent WWII).

  • Purpose: To maintain international peace, promote human rights, provide humanitarian aid, and encourage diplomatic solutions to global problems. Today it has 193 members.

Actions of the United Nations

  1. Outlawed genocide

  2. Issued the Declaration of Human Rights

  3. Banned nuclear weapons in outer space and military bases on the moon or planets.

  4. Sent peacekeeping forces to maintain order in various trouble spots.

  5. Aided refugees, cared for child victims of war or poverty, and fought epidemics.

Who was one of the first US delegates to the United Nations?

Eleanor Roosevelt was appointed in 1945 by President Harry Truman and played a crucial role in drafting and advocating for the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted in 1948.

Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) - Definition

  • To prevent human rights abuses seen in WWII, this document outlines fundamental human rights for all people with 30 articles.

  • Although it is not legally binding, it influences international laws and human rights treaties worldwide.

Satellite Countries Defined

  • Eastern European countries under the political, economic, and military control of the Soviet Union during the Cold War.

  • They were considered "satellites" because they were dominated by the Soviet Union but officially remained independent.

Containment Theory

  • A U.S. foreign policy strategy aimed at preventing the spread of communism during the Cold War, credited to George Kennan.

  • The idea was to contain Soviet influence within its existing borders.

Iron Curtain

  • A political and ideological barrier separating Soviet-controlled Eastern Europe from Western Europe post-WWII.

  • Coined by Winston Churchill in 1946, it symbolized the division between communist and capitalist nations during the Cold War.

First Use of Containment Policy

  • Turkey and Greece: Used Containment and the Truman Doctrine, which provided military and economic aid to prevent the spread of communism.

  • Truman Doctrine: America would support "free peoples who were resisting subjugation by an outside aggressor" essentially supporting any nation threatened by Communism.

Marshall Plan

  • A plan for economic recovery in European nations after WWII to stabilize and rebuild countries and prevent the spread of communism.

After World War II, Germany Divided into 4 Zones

  • Germany was divided into four occupation zones controlled by the U.S., Britain, France, and the Soviet Union, which later merged into 2 zones in 1949: West Germany (Western zones) and East Germany (Soviet zone).

  • Berlin, the capital in East Germany, was also divided similarly.

Berlin Blockade

  • After forming West Germany, the Soviet Union blocked all land and rail access to West Berlin, cutting off food and fuel to its 2.1 million residents.

  • Berlin Airlift: In response, the U.S. and its allies delivered food and supplies to West Berlin for 327 days until the blockade was lifted—one of the first major crises of the Cold War.

NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization)

  • Military alliance created in 1949 with 12 non-Communist countries, including the U.S., pledged mutual defense if attacked.

Joseph Stalin

  • Leader of the Soviet Union (1924-1953), key figure in WWII and early Cold War, ruled as a dictator, implemented communist policies, and expanded Soviet influence in Eastern Europe.

Forgotten War

  • Nickname for the Korean War due to it being overshadowed by larger conflicts (WWII and Vietnam).

How did China become communist?

  • In 1949, Mao Zedong led the Chinese Communist Party to victory against the American-backed Chiang Kai-shek (Chinese Nationalist Party), who fled to Taiwan.

How/Why was Korea Divided after WWII?

  • After Japan's surrender in 1945, Korea was divided at the 38th parallel: the Soviet Union controlled the North and the U.S. the South.

  • Two rival nations emerged because a single government for Korea was supposed to be set up post-elections.

How did the Korean War Start?

  • In June 1950, Communist troops from North Korea crossed the 38th parallel and attacked South Korea, capturing the capital, Seoul.

How did the United Nations get Involved in the Korean War?

  • The UN Security Council voted to intervene (Soviet Union boycotted and couldn't veto). A UN coalition led by the U.S. sent troops to defend South Korea. It was the FIRST military action by the UN against aggression.

% American Troops that Fought in the Korean War

  • 90% of troops sent by the U.S.

  • Overall, 16 nations sent 520,000 troops to assist South Korea.

Pusan Perimeter (Korean War)

  • Initially, North Korea captured Seoul and advanced toward Pusan, making them look unstoppable.

  • Inchon Landing: General MacArthur launched a surprise counterattack, which, combined with UN troops pushing north, led to the North Korean surrender.

Turning Point of the Korean War

  • Over 200,000 Chinese soldiers entered North Korea, pushing UN forces into South Korea.

Ceasefire Negotiations (Prolonged)

  • Took two years, deadlocked over prisoner exchanges. Negotiations ended with the principle of voluntary repatriation accepted.

Korean War and the Potential for WWIII

  • The conflict could escalate to WWIII due to China's involvement and General MacArthur's consideration of using nuclear weapons.

Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) - Definition

  • After the ceasefire in July 1953, North and South Korea withdrew 1 ¼ miles from the battle line, creating a 2 ½ mile buffer zone (DMZ).

North Korea and South Korea Today

  • North Korea: Totalitarian, military-focused, isolated economy, nuclear capabilities. Known as a "Hermit Kingdom."

  • South Korea: Democracy, strong Western alliances, technologically advanced.

Women's Armed Services Integration Act of 1948

  • Signed by President Truman allowing women a permanent role in military services.

M.A.S.H. (Mobile Army Surgical Hospital)

  • First used in Korean War, allowed for immediate treatment of soldiers, revolutionizing battlefield medical care.

Second Red Scare

  • Late 1940s-1950s; marked by widespread fear of communist influence in the U.S.

McCarthyism

  • Associated with Senator Joseph McCarthy's search for communists in America through the House Un-American Activities Committee.

Subversives

  • Individuals or groups believed to be undermining or overthrowing established governmental systems.

House of Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC)

  • Investigated allegations of communist activity, creating an intimidating atmosphere that led to questionable revelations about subversive actions.

Hollywood 10

  • A group of writers, directors, producers blacklisted after refusing to testify before HUAC, resulting in jail time.

Blacklist

  • List of around 500 entertainers barred from Hollywood for alleged communist connections.

Alger Hiss

  • U.S. official accused of being a communist spy and convicted of perjury.

Ethel and Julius Rosenberg

  • Married couple executed for passing atomic secrets to the Soviets, controversial case highlighting Cold War paranoia.

Richard Nixon and Red Scare

  • Nixon gained prominence as an anti-communist leader, investigating Hiss and helping HUAC.'s visibility.

Witch Hunt

  • Unfair investigations fueled by fear and paranoia, linked back to McCarthyism.

Paul Robeson

  • African American actor and singer, civil rights activist, criticized for pro-Soviet views leading to his blacklisting.

Lavender Scare

  • Targeted the homosexual community in the 1950s, believing they were security risks due to potential blackmailing by communists.

Dooms Day Clock & Current Time

  • Represents humanity's proximity to catastrophe. Set to 89 seconds to midnight as of January 28, 2025.

Nuclear Arms Race

  • Competition between U.S. and Soviet Union to develop advanced nuclear weapons.

When did the Soviet Union get the atomic bomb?

Hydrogen Bomb vs. Atom Bomb

  • Atom Bomb: fission (splits atoms).

  • Hydrogen Bomb: fusion (hydrogen isotopes fuse), much more powerful.

Brinkmanship

  • Willingness to approach the verge of war in foreign policy.

Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)

  • Agency created post-WWII for coordinating American intelligence activities abroad.

Israel Created

  • UN-approved plan for creating a Jewish homeland by dividing Palestine, leading to the Arab-Israeli War.

Eisenhower Doctrine

  • Extension of Truman Doctrine; U.S. would defend the Middle East against Communist attacks.

Hungry Uprising & Results (1956)

  • Hungarian uprising against Soviet-installed government for reforms, brutally crushed by Soviet forces.

Nikita Khrushchev

  • Leader of the Soviet Union (1953-1964), succeeded Stalin.

Sputnik

  • The first artificial satellite launched by the Soviet Union on October 4, 1957, marking the start of the Space Race.

Space Race

  • Intense competition between the U.S. and Soviet Union over milestones in space exploration.

U2 Program

  • CIA-led effort to gather intelligence using high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft.

U-2 Incident

  • American U-2 spy plane was shot down, worsening U.S.-Soviet relations.

G.I. Bill

  • Servicemen Readjustment Act aiding veterans in transitioning to civilian life.

Bill Levitt and Levittowns

  • Developer credited for mass-producing suburban housing post-WWII.

Post-WWII Divorce Rates

  • Increased due to changing gender roles, economic stability, and emotional trauma from the war.

Post-WWII Unemployment Rates

  • Increased temporarily post-WWII but stabilized quickly.

Desegregated Military

  • 1948, Executive Order 9981 abolished segregation in the U.S. military.

Dixiecrats

  • Southern Democrats opposing Truman's civil rights focus, indicating a split in the Democratic Party.

Truman's 1948 Election Upset

  • Truman's surprising victory over Dewey, highlighted as one of the greatest upsets in U.S. political history.

Fair Deal

  • Truman's domestic policy extending FDR's New Deal, aiming for social welfare and civil rights.

Eisenhower 1952 Election Campaign

  • Focused on the ongoing Korean War, combating Communism, and eliminating government corruption.

Checkers Speech

  • Richard Nixon's speech defending against accusations of financial improprieties, saving his political career.

Blue Collar vs. White Collar Jobs & Post WWII Shift

  • Blue-Collar: manual labor jobs; White-Collar: office/professional jobs. Shift to more white-collar roles post-WWII.

Conglomerate

  • A group of diverse companies operated under a single ownership.

Franchise

  • A company offering similar products/services in various locations.

Baby Boom

  • A significant increase in U.S. birth rates post-WWII (1946-1964).

Dr. Jonas Salk

  • Developed a polio vaccine, widely made available, leading to near eradication of the disease.

Dr. Benjamin Spock

  • Pediatrician and author transforming parenting advice with a focus on child-centered care.

Automania

  • U.S. obsession with automobiles in the 1950s driven by cheap gas, easy credit, and advertising.

Eisenhower Interstate Highway System

  • Established to create a national network of highways for efficient travel and defense.

Planned Obsolescence

  • Designing products to wear out or become outdated swiftly, encouraging frequent replacement.

Buying on Credit/Installment Plans

  • Allowed purchasing goods without upfront payment, facilitating consumerism but increasing debt levels.

Advertising Age

  • Ads became pervasive during the 1950s, promoting consumption and appealing to status and belonging.

Suburbia: Positives and Negatives

  • Positives: Affordable housing, community building; Negatives: Segregation, environmental damage, dissatisfaction among women.

Little Richard

  • Celebrated African American rock-n-roll singer known for breaking racial and gender norms.

Golden Age of Television

  • TV became a dominant entertainment form, but representation of women and minorities was minimal.

Traditional Gender Roles

  • Women as homemakers; Men as breadwinners, reinforcing societal expectations.

Lucille Ball

  • Star of "I Love Lucy", broke significant barriers for women in television and comedy.

Radio Adjusts to TV

  • Local programming becomes key strategy for radio stations to maintain relevance in an era dominated by television.

Movies Adjust to TV

  • Movies began exploring advantages (screen size, color) and experimental formats like smell-o-vision.

Beatniks [Beats]

  • Nonconformist cultural movement in the 1950s focusing on alternative lifestyles and social critique, often criticized for laziness.

Rock n' Roll Creation

  • A blend of musical genres appealing to diverse audiences, influencing youth culture and rebellion.

Rock n Roll Musical Roots

  • Blues, jazz, folk, gospel, rhythm and blues, country.

Criticism of Rock n Roll

  • Viewed as a threat to social order, accused of promoting immorality and racial integration.

Teenagers in the 1950s

  • Emerging as a market and cultural force with influence from music, fashion, and leisure.

Jackson Pollock

  • Abstract expressionist painter known for his drip painting technique.

Elvis Presley

  • Iconic rock singer who blended different musical styles, reshaping the music landscape and cultural norms.

White Flight

  • The movement of middle-class Americans to suburbs, leading to economic and racial isolation.

Urban Renewal

  • City programs to transform blighted neighborhoods, often displacing residents.

Longoria Incident

  • Case of discrimination faced by WWII soldier Felix Longoria, leading to heightened civil rights activism.

Termination Policy

  • U.S. government decision to end federal responsibility for Native American tribes.

Best Years of Our Lives

  • A film exploring WWII veterans' struggles in civilian life, addressing PTSD and economic shifts.

Pledge of Allegiance Revision

  • 1954 revision added "under God" reflecting Cold War influences.

Duck and Cover Video

  • Civil defense film teaching schoolchildren how to protect themselves during nuclear attacks.

Little Boxes Song

  • Folk song criticizing suburban conformity and gender roles.

Yellow-Grey-Black Painting

  • Preceding Pollock's famous works; showcases his evolution towards abstract expressionism.

Hound Dog [Big Mama Thornton and Elvis]

  • Thornton's raw version versus Elvis's pop-hit rendition, examining themes of disloyalty.

How to be a Good Wife Article

  • Reinforced traditional roles for women, emphasizing homemaking and support of husbands.

1950s Short Educational Conformity Films

  • Addressed social expectations, manners, and the ideal adult behavior.