Ch. 35: The Cold War Begins
1930s Had a lot of Insecurity (job, food, home)
The increase in stress and anxiety had mental health impacts (suicide rates went up during Great Depression)
Marriage and birth rate declined because of economic insecurity
Americans were fearing the return to pre-war conditions and lead to a Depression
Signs of recession
GNP declined
during war years America was making war products at high levels
The war was over and demand dropped
The Ford motor company doesn’t have to make jeeps and airplanes and can go back to cars , so they have to reconfigure plant, which resulted in a decline in production
They needed to retrain staff/assembly line (relearning they did prior to the war)
Inflation: high employment rates during war (people were saving money), Americans want to spend (16 years of no spending from Great Depression and rationing for war)
Inflation: too many dollars chasing too few goods
Inflation rate was at 25% after WW2 was over
The reason was because of conservative congress and truman knew recession was going to happen
Wage ceiling during War years were removed during war years, resulting in an increase in wages and bosses don’t give it to them so wages are stuck at pre-war levels, but inflation has gone up 25% and their cost of living has gone up significantly and their wages haven’t gone up accordingly, so the workers strike
In 1919: 3000 work stoppages
In 1946: 4.5 million go on strikes
Taft Hartley Act: Truman was a democrat (more pro labor)
The act under a democratic president was pro-business & anti-labor peace of legislation
Truman was democrat, and this bill was vetoed by Truman but bill became act
Congress overrode the Presidential veto (need ⅔ of vote to override)
Key provisions:
The overall purpose was to curb growing power of Labor Unions (grown in strength; membership during WW2 and New deal years = increase political strength)
Outlawed the closed shop (Union only workers)
Right to work laws (have to give right the work)
Outlawed secondary boycotts
Granted the president the power to invoke a 60 day cooling off period
no strike for 2 months, need agreement between two sides
GI Bill: Servicemen’s readjustment act
Concerns of leader: what are we going to do with 15 million soldiers who are going back to civilian life (concern = go back to depression)
How can we delay veterans from going back to civilian life
Provisions
One year of unemployment benefits (take one year to relax)
$52/month (pay for rent, spending money, food)
Offer veterans opportunities to continue education at taxpayer expense (technical, vocational, college/university) and give them monthly stipend to take care of monthly expenses (off campus apt., dorming, food, etc.)
6 million veterans take advantage of that provision because before WW2, rich kids went to colleges (working class family = no college = went to work after high school)
Open access to colleges
Opened more colleges and expansion of colleges (more classrooms and dormitories) promoted new construction
New jobs (masons, framers, carpenters, electricians, plumbers, painters) were created
Brand new classroom facilities meant hire more teachers
Simple and effective, then when veterans graduate from school they would become more productive workers
Gi bill offered low interest loans to start new businesses, farms, or homes
Millions take advantage of buying new houses
People Have to build more houses, leading to a construction boom, which created jobs
The act Stimulated economic expansion and promoted new construction and a better educated workforce
Harry Truman was democratic president
one point in time his approval rating wassuper high (during dropping bomb on Japan)
inflation was blamed on Truman and his approval rating drops
Republicans were confident that they’re going to win the election, Truman has low approval rating, and then democratic party was divided (major split)
The liberal democrats believed that Truman’s foreign policy was too aggressive and it would disrupt international peace
The liberal dems form their own party (new-old party, new progressive party)
The southern democrats were upset with Truman because he stood for civil rights because he signed an executive order that integrated the military and in 1948,
the dem platform will contain a plank supporting African Americans, and southern dems form states right party (Dixiecrats; official name = the states right party)
In 1948, Truman is nominated by the democratic party, former VP wallace (FDR’s VP before Truman) ran for progressives
Strom Thurmond ran for the dixiecrats and served in Congress
He leaves dem party and becomes republican
when civil rights bill was being heard, he filibustered for 24 hours had floor for 24 hours and voted against civil rights bills
He kept talking to prevent it from being passed
Thomas Dewey was renominated by Republicans and had a dull, overly cautious campaign
Truman’ s give-em-hell Harry tour:
It was all across the country and blasting Congress (Do-Nothing-Congress) and on election night, all political prognosticators predicted thomas dewey landslide
Truman ends up winning the election (biggest upset/comeback in American presidential history w/exception of Southern whites)
Kept new deal coalition together and able to win election
Truman proposes Fair Deal
He wanted American people to know that this was going to be an extension of FDR’s new deal
Liberal reform program and ambitious in its scope
Measures proposed
National healthcare insurance
Federal aid to education (being funded at the state and local level)
Civil rights legislation
Funds for public housing (low income + poor people)
New farm program
Truman is trying to take care of the Forgotten Man
None of the measures get passed by Congress because Truman needs them to do something they said nothing (personal conflict w/congress) and Cold War (foreign policy = dominant problem from 1945-1991)
Sign into law in increase in minimum wages (40 cents to 75 cents)
Extend social security to include more workers
Economic boom
Brief recession
Long period of sustained growth (lasts for 2 decades through 1950s and 60s, some recessions, but in ‘20s = fewer people enjoyed prosperity and 50s/60s = more people enjoyed prosperity)
Signs of prosperity
National income doubled nearly twice
Size of middle class increased (more people sharing in the economic prosperity of the era)
people owned houses, cars, and tvs (didn’t have enormous debt people had in 1920s)
Top 10% of Americans control 36% of planet’s wealth
Differences between 1920s and 1950s/60s
Most new jobs went to women *American economy was in a period of transition (from colonial to civil war—agrarian to industrial economy)
After ww2 (economy was shifting from industrial to service-based economy—lawyer, accountant)
WW2 was a powerful stimulus because people had well-paying jobs and they saved
Defense spending (10% of GNP) spring up in Sunbelt
Cheap energy (price of oil was very low)
Better educated workforce
Social effects: major demographic changes in post ww2 period
Construction boom
most americans were moving to suburbs and leaving the cities, an example of 1950s suburbs
Example:
planned community of Levittown (Long Island), William levitt built military housing during war and recognized demand for new housing and bought a potato farm, and bought a forest for wood and then bought a railroad and trucks to transport
Controlling all aspects of production
Vertical integration (Carnegie)
American dream is to move to suburbs, good schools, houses and people all look the same
White Flight:
Americans were moving out of the cities to the suburbs (taking purchasing power and tax dollars)
Businesses move to the suburbs and taking their revenue out
White Flight
Urban decay and cities are going to decay for decades (Sanitation budget goes down, police budget, and school budget goes down)
Majority of Americans moved to Sunbelt (virginia to florida and across Gulf Coast and all the way to California) because:
Economic opportunity
Climate (better weather)
Lower taxes and cheaper living
Baby Boom:
Largest generation in American history
Renewed confidence in American economy
People get married at younger ages and have larger families (1946-1964): 50 million newborns (largest generation in American history)
Benefits: Baby industry thrives (clothes, food, furniture) and puts strain on economy (teacher shortages, strain on social safety net, crowded jobs, crowded schools), constructing infrastructure (tax bearers = addition of schools, but beneficial for creating jobs)
Cheap energy, defense spending, better educated workforce, world war ii (people had well paying jobs and started to consume)
Any kind of migration was an economic opportunity
Sunbelt migration was an economic opportunity
climate, lower taxes/cheaper living
Following WWII, tensions were high between the western Allies and the Soviets
Neither side trusted the other
Stalin was determined that the USSR would not be invaded again
Ideological Differences:
Soviet Union: communist (both political and economic system (no private ownership of businesses–gov controls it, no classes—everybody’s supposed to be equal); totalitarian dictatorship (no freedom of religion, speech, etc.)
United States: democratic, republic, capitalism (businesses were owned by individual citizens w/gov. regulation)
Both compete for global dominance
War Conflict
Disagreement over military strategy in WWII
Stalin wanted a front opened in Europe much earlier (After germany invaded USSR; Churchill and Roosevelt did not heed request; Second front doesn’t open in June 1944; 2 years where Hitler concentrated forces to fighting USSR, and stalin never forgave Allies)
Roosevelt did not trust Stalin (non aggression pact)
US secret development of the atomic bomb
Post War Disagreements
Americans feared what Stalin may do in Eastern Europe-had promised free elections and does not live up to it *began in Yalta
How did each president handle the cold war conflict? Did they increase or decrease tension
Stalin had promised free elections and self-determination (the right to decide how a nation should be ruled), but does not live up to that
Stalin felt that he was fully justified in wanting to control all of Eastern Europe (as a defense from Germany and others in Western Europe)---he wanted to create a buffer zone (especially since Germany invaded USSR twice)
Stalin outlawed political parties that opposed communism, jailed opponents, and rigged elections
Stalin decided that he must maintain control over Eastern europe in order to keep a buffer between the USSR and the nations of the West
STalin established satellite nations, or countries controlled by the Soviet Union, in several Eastern European countries
Satellite nations were controlled by USSR
Winston Churchill said in a speech, “A shadow has fallen… an iron curtain has descended across the continent”
Iron curtain was a phrase used to refer to the dividing line between Communist nations in Eastern Europe and Democratic nations in Western Europe
Satellite State
When a nation is under the control of another
Ex. part of Germany wasunder the control of the Soviet Union
Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria
1946: US diplomat George Kennan recommend that the US and its allies focus on a strategy of containment
Kennan believed that the Eastern Europe was firmly in Soviet hands and could not be saved from Communism
The US and its allies should focus on containing Communism to those countries it which it already existed and not let it spread any further
The Truman Doctrine stated that the US would not hesitate to intervene and aid nations overseas to resist Communism
*key application: in 1947
$400 million in aid to Greece and Turkey to fight against communism (gateways to Europe and Asia)
Stalin was industrializing USSR, US afraid of communist expansion
US believes it is responsibility to combat communism all over the world
Was the Truman doctrine successful? —does it heighten aggression? Does it stop communism (Greece and Turkey weren’t communist states, so Truman doctrine was successful, successfully prevents communism, but US and USSR were still competing for territorial possession and stalin accuses US of economic imperialism since the US was using industrial economic power to be a global influencer)
Success from literal point (prevents spread of communism). However, it increases division between US and USSR (most of truman’s policies)
Reinhold Neibuhr: Good v. Evil
Shows US and USSR competing for territory globally
The Marshall (European Recovery program) Plan provided nations in war-torn Europe with much needed financial support
Purpose of the Plan was to help prevent Communist revolutions, which are often started due to economic hardships, in Western European nations
Marshall received the Nobel peace Prize as a result
US infrastructure was unscathed
Europe was in need of a major rebuild and was in economic hardship
socialism appeals to people because people of Europe were fearful that the end of the war meant to return to the depression (their recession was worse than US after WWII and brutal winter in 1946/1947, so morale was low in Western Europe)
Italy and France saw a substantial increase in membership in communist parties
american leadership was concerned
The Marshall PLan
US wanted to strengthen Western Europe to make sure countries wouldn’t fall to Communism
1947: Plan called for $17 billion in aid to Europe
Soviets were offered aid, but they refused
Saw it as a plot to strengthen capitalism
Economic alliances increased division between US and USSR
Brilliant because it does help the European recovery
The health of US economy was dependent on European economy
Europe is rebuilding, and they’re going to buying from the US, so we send out money over there and its a return on investment (GI Bill + Marshall PLan= return on investment for American taxpayers)
When WWII ended, the Allies divided Germany among themselves
US, Britain, France, and the USSr all received a portion of Germany
The German capital, Berlin, was also divided the same way
Post WWI and WWII goals:
keep Germany weak but difference is that no harsh reparations were placed on germany (they contributed to economic collapse in Europe after WWI → global depression → rise of dictators) avoid this by occupying Germany and Berlin
This makes it difficult though (berlin falls into Soviet Occupation zones)
US, Britain and France saw division as temporary and believed Germany would become united again under a democratic government
But Stalin had no intentions of giving up the Soviet-controlled areas (serve as Buffer state)
US, Britain, and France unified their sectors into one nation, west germany, and declared west berlin to be part of this new nation
USSR responded by est. East Germany and the east. Berlin under communist rule
Thousands from East Germany fled to West Berlin to escape Communism
Stalin decided to force the West to surrender its portion of Berlin by blockading the city
Truman then authorized the Berlin Airlift—using planes to deliver supplies and food to those in West Berlin
He funded and performed overwhelmingly by US (dropped medical supplies, food, and clothing) (90 days of food supplies or they die)
Berlin lift was very important because the Europeans were skeptical of US (throwing money around but why?---altruism or selfishness?)
US used to be a moral leader of the free world (dropped gifts to children on Christmas)
Stalin calls off blockade
The Soviets finally gave up in May of 1949, but this bitterness served to fuel the fires of the “Cold War”
“Cold War” was first used in 1947 by Bernard Baruch; it referred to the tension between the US and the Soviet Union that dominated both nations’ foreign policies for decades
Cold war was an indirect conflict (1946-1991—dissolution of USSR)
NATO: North Atlantic Treaty Organization
Did not join league of nations after WWI but did after WWII
Collection of 26 nations (US, UK, France, Belgium, Italy, Canada, Denmark, Portugal, etc.)
Agreement that an armed attack against one member nation would be considered an attack against all (ex. Kosovo during Clinton administration)
Defense agreement
China and Korea
1949: china became a Communist nation following a revolution
Mao Tse-Tung (Zedong) led the revolution and assumed power as the new leader and defeated Chang Kai Shek (forced to flee to Taiwan)
US believed there was a communist plot to rule the world
Political impact: Republican blames 1950 midterms, blamed Truman and democrats for not doing enough for Communist
US uses its influence to make Chang Kai shek prominent
This Angered Stalin and he Did not participate in UN for a period of time (Soviets have no absolute veto power)
UN should sanction military action against North Korea and the resolution passed
By 1949, the Soviet Union develops an atomic bomb of its own
The arms race begins
Truman shared bomb info w/American public (September 23, 1949)
American public knows USSR has bomb; significance: start of the arms race between US and USSR
Ex. of Successful Containment: Truman Doctrine, Berlin Airlift, NATO, Marshall Plan
Ex. of Failing Containment: China falling to Communism, Vietnam, and Cuba in 1959
Korea was controlled by the Japanese before WWII
Allied leaders decided Korea should be free of defeated Japanese control at Yalta Conference
Meant to be temporary
Koreans on both sides wanted a unified nation
Decided to divide at 38th parallel
North Korea—controlled by the Soviets
Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (a totalitarian communist state)
South Korea—controlled by America
Republic of Korea
June 1950: The Korean War began when North Korea crossed the 18th parallel
The United Nations decided to come to South Korea’s aid, and Truman chose General Douglas MacArthur to lead the troops; The US does most of fighting
North korean forces took over 90% of South Korea
First war of “Containment’ policy to stop communism
Forgotten war in history
General Douglas MacArthur commands US and UN troops
MacArthur’s troops pushed the enemy back across the 38th parallel and advanced to the Chinese border
MacArthur believes that he can drive communism back, but Truman was apprehensive
MacArthur believes that if he rids Korea of Communism, he would get elected as President (he also led the Army against the Bonus Marchers)
The Chinese sent troops across the Yalu River to help the North Koreans
MacArthur asked Truman to authorize the use of nuclear weapons against China, but Truman refused
Battle of Yalu: 400,000 Chinese “volunteers” joined North Koreans (overwhelmed American forces) and it was the worst American defeat in history
War turns again and the north koreans and chinese are forcing SOuth Koreans and US across 38th parallel
THis was a humiliating defeat for MacArthur (egotistical jarhead) so he has a plan which includes:
A Naval Blockade around China (escalates war), Chang Kai Shek and nationalists of Taiwan to help invade China, and use 50 nuclear weapons against China
China and USSR have mutual defense agreement
The US drops bombs on China or the USSR drops bombs on us
MacArthur thinks the will end the war and end communism in Korea and in China, but truman said no
MacArthur starts to publicly criticize President of US (commander in chief of US)
MacARthur got fired, but gets his job back
70% of AMerican public agreed with MacArthur
Matthew Ridgeway takes over war and drives north koreans back across 38th parallel
A stalemate soon developed
Truman fired MacArthur after the general criticized Truman’s handling of the war
After 2 more years of fighting, both sides signed a truce in 1953
North Korea is still communist and South Korea is Democratic; The 38th parallel is a demilitarized zone
This agreement left the country divided at almost the same point as before the war began
Containment is successful
50,000 Americans died, cost US $30 Billion, the Republicans used Korean war as political capital against Truman and Democrats for being soft on Communism, truman’s approval rate is low (doesn’t seek reelection for presidency)
Korean war was the main issue for election of 1952 (Repubs win Congress + white house)
Contributes to Second red scare
US was the first nation to sign charter of UN
Early UN Successes
Helped est. Jewish state of Israel in Palestine
Helped some former colonies to independence
UN’s biggest initial failure was inability to agree to ban nuclear weapons (USSR wants it but US says no since at that time we are only one with it; The US liked its power)
The Founding of ISrael
The Holocaust increased support for the founding of a Jewish homeland
May 14, 1948: With the support of the newly formed UN, the new state of Israel officially became an independent state
Arab nations greatly resented the decision to give part of Palestine to the Jews
They claimed the entire region belonged to Arabs
Israel’s boundary also had an impact on the Cold War
US and Israel became allies and the Soviets began supporting Arab nations
US was the first nation to recognize Israel
Middle east was oil-rich and it resulted in foreign policy problems for US forever
Soviet menace resulted in creation of huge new national security apparatus
National Security Act of 1947:
Created Department of Defense
Headed by new cabinet office, Secretary of Defense
Under the secretary, were civilian secretaries of the navy, the army, and the air force
Uniformed heads of each service brought together as Joint Chiefs of Staff
Established National Security Council (NSC) to advise president on security matters and Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to coordinate gov.’s foreign fact gathering
Congress:
Authorized “Voice of America” (1948) to beam American radio broadcasts behind Iron Curtain
Resurrected military draft: conscription of selected young men from 19 to 25
Selective Service System shaped millions of young people’s educational, marital, and career plans
Reconstruction in Japan:
Simpler than Germany because a one-man show
MacArthur led program for democratization of Japan
Top “war criminals” tried in Tokyo 1946-1948
18 sentenced to prison terms; 7 hanged
Met Hirohito, was a dictator in est. in Democrat
MacArthur successful and Japanese cooperated to an astonishing degree
MacArthur-dicated constitution adopted in 1946:
Renounced militarism; provided for women’s equality
Introduced Western-style democratic government
Paved way for Japan’s phenomenal economic recovery
H-Bomb:
To outpace Soviets in nuclear weaponry, Truman ordered development of Hydrogen bomb
H bomb is much more powerful than atomic bomb
J Robert Oppenheimer led group of scientists in opposition to development of thermonuclear weapons
Albert Einstein declared “annihilation of any life on earth has been brought within the range of technical possibilities”
US exploded first hydrogen device in 1942
Soviets countered w/their first H-Bomb explosion in 1953
Nuclear arms race entered perilously competitive cycle
ONly constrained by recognition that truly hot Cold War would be destroy the world
The Cold War Home Front
COld war deeply shaped political and economic developments at home after WWII
New anti-red chase accelerated by fears of communist spies in USA:
In 1947, Truman launched massive “loyalty” program:
Smith Act: First peacetime anti-sedition law since 1798
HUAC: House Un-American Activities Committee —investigate subversion
In 1948, Richard Nixon led chase after Alger Hiss
Prominent ex-New Dealer
Distinguished member of eastern est.
Accused of being a communist agent in 1930s
Hiss demanded right to defend himself
Dramatically met chief accuser before HUAC in August 1948
Hiss denied everything but was caught in falsehoods, so he goes to jail
Julius and Ethel Rosenberg:
Allegedly leaked atomic data to Moscow
Convicted in 1951 of espionage
Went to electric chair in 1953
Only people in American history ever executed in peacetime for espionage
Sensational trial and electrocution, combined w/ sympathy for 2 orphaned children, began to sour some citizens on excesses of red-hunters
Anti-semitism after WWII
Part of red history
Julius Rosenberg was in fact a spy (only a courier) but Ethel - was not
US was More interventionist after WWII:
Marshall Plan, Joining the UN, Truman Doctrine, Berlin Airlift, Joining NATO, korean war
After WWI:
more isolationist (rejected league of nations)
Containment was successful (south korea was democratic republic, north korea used communism)
Republicans win white house and Congress
$30 billion
The POlitical career of truman ended
HUAC and Alger Hiss play role in Nixon’s political career, who is a Rising conservative star w/ republican party
1930s Had a lot of Insecurity (job, food, home)
The increase in stress and anxiety had mental health impacts (suicide rates went up during Great Depression)
Marriage and birth rate declined because of economic insecurity
Americans were fearing the return to pre-war conditions and lead to a Depression
Signs of recession
GNP declined
during war years America was making war products at high levels
The war was over and demand dropped
The Ford motor company doesn’t have to make jeeps and airplanes and can go back to cars , so they have to reconfigure plant, which resulted in a decline in production
They needed to retrain staff/assembly line (relearning they did prior to the war)
Inflation: high employment rates during war (people were saving money), Americans want to spend (16 years of no spending from Great Depression and rationing for war)
Inflation: too many dollars chasing too few goods
Inflation rate was at 25% after WW2 was over
The reason was because of conservative congress and truman knew recession was going to happen
Wage ceiling during War years were removed during war years, resulting in an increase in wages and bosses don’t give it to them so wages are stuck at pre-war levels, but inflation has gone up 25% and their cost of living has gone up significantly and their wages haven’t gone up accordingly, so the workers strike
In 1919: 3000 work stoppages
In 1946: 4.5 million go on strikes
Taft Hartley Act: Truman was a democrat (more pro labor)
The act under a democratic president was pro-business & anti-labor peace of legislation
Truman was democrat, and this bill was vetoed by Truman but bill became act
Congress overrode the Presidential veto (need ⅔ of vote to override)
Key provisions:
The overall purpose was to curb growing power of Labor Unions (grown in strength; membership during WW2 and New deal years = increase political strength)
Outlawed the closed shop (Union only workers)
Right to work laws (have to give right the work)
Outlawed secondary boycotts
Granted the president the power to invoke a 60 day cooling off period
no strike for 2 months, need agreement between two sides
GI Bill: Servicemen’s readjustment act
Concerns of leader: what are we going to do with 15 million soldiers who are going back to civilian life (concern = go back to depression)
How can we delay veterans from going back to civilian life
Provisions
One year of unemployment benefits (take one year to relax)
$52/month (pay for rent, spending money, food)
Offer veterans opportunities to continue education at taxpayer expense (technical, vocational, college/university) and give them monthly stipend to take care of monthly expenses (off campus apt., dorming, food, etc.)
6 million veterans take advantage of that provision because before WW2, rich kids went to colleges (working class family = no college = went to work after high school)
Open access to colleges
Opened more colleges and expansion of colleges (more classrooms and dormitories) promoted new construction
New jobs (masons, framers, carpenters, electricians, plumbers, painters) were created
Brand new classroom facilities meant hire more teachers
Simple and effective, then when veterans graduate from school they would become more productive workers
Gi bill offered low interest loans to start new businesses, farms, or homes
Millions take advantage of buying new houses
People Have to build more houses, leading to a construction boom, which created jobs
The act Stimulated economic expansion and promoted new construction and a better educated workforce
Harry Truman was democratic president
one point in time his approval rating wassuper high (during dropping bomb on Japan)
inflation was blamed on Truman and his approval rating drops
Republicans were confident that they’re going to win the election, Truman has low approval rating, and then democratic party was divided (major split)
The liberal democrats believed that Truman’s foreign policy was too aggressive and it would disrupt international peace
The liberal dems form their own party (new-old party, new progressive party)
The southern democrats were upset with Truman because he stood for civil rights because he signed an executive order that integrated the military and in 1948,
the dem platform will contain a plank supporting African Americans, and southern dems form states right party (Dixiecrats; official name = the states right party)
In 1948, Truman is nominated by the democratic party, former VP wallace (FDR’s VP before Truman) ran for progressives
Strom Thurmond ran for the dixiecrats and served in Congress
He leaves dem party and becomes republican
when civil rights bill was being heard, he filibustered for 24 hours had floor for 24 hours and voted against civil rights bills
He kept talking to prevent it from being passed
Thomas Dewey was renominated by Republicans and had a dull, overly cautious campaign
Truman’ s give-em-hell Harry tour:
It was all across the country and blasting Congress (Do-Nothing-Congress) and on election night, all political prognosticators predicted thomas dewey landslide
Truman ends up winning the election (biggest upset/comeback in American presidential history w/exception of Southern whites)
Kept new deal coalition together and able to win election
Truman proposes Fair Deal
He wanted American people to know that this was going to be an extension of FDR’s new deal
Liberal reform program and ambitious in its scope
Measures proposed
National healthcare insurance
Federal aid to education (being funded at the state and local level)
Civil rights legislation
Funds for public housing (low income + poor people)
New farm program
Truman is trying to take care of the Forgotten Man
None of the measures get passed by Congress because Truman needs them to do something they said nothing (personal conflict w/congress) and Cold War (foreign policy = dominant problem from 1945-1991)
Sign into law in increase in minimum wages (40 cents to 75 cents)
Extend social security to include more workers
Economic boom
Brief recession
Long period of sustained growth (lasts for 2 decades through 1950s and 60s, some recessions, but in ‘20s = fewer people enjoyed prosperity and 50s/60s = more people enjoyed prosperity)
Signs of prosperity
National income doubled nearly twice
Size of middle class increased (more people sharing in the economic prosperity of the era)
people owned houses, cars, and tvs (didn’t have enormous debt people had in 1920s)
Top 10% of Americans control 36% of planet’s wealth
Differences between 1920s and 1950s/60s
Most new jobs went to women *American economy was in a period of transition (from colonial to civil war—agrarian to industrial economy)
After ww2 (economy was shifting from industrial to service-based economy—lawyer, accountant)
WW2 was a powerful stimulus because people had well-paying jobs and they saved
Defense spending (10% of GNP) spring up in Sunbelt
Cheap energy (price of oil was very low)
Better educated workforce
Social effects: major demographic changes in post ww2 period
Construction boom
most americans were moving to suburbs and leaving the cities, an example of 1950s suburbs
Example:
planned community of Levittown (Long Island), William levitt built military housing during war and recognized demand for new housing and bought a potato farm, and bought a forest for wood and then bought a railroad and trucks to transport
Controlling all aspects of production
Vertical integration (Carnegie)
American dream is to move to suburbs, good schools, houses and people all look the same
White Flight:
Americans were moving out of the cities to the suburbs (taking purchasing power and tax dollars)
Businesses move to the suburbs and taking their revenue out
White Flight
Urban decay and cities are going to decay for decades (Sanitation budget goes down, police budget, and school budget goes down)
Majority of Americans moved to Sunbelt (virginia to florida and across Gulf Coast and all the way to California) because:
Economic opportunity
Climate (better weather)
Lower taxes and cheaper living
Baby Boom:
Largest generation in American history
Renewed confidence in American economy
People get married at younger ages and have larger families (1946-1964): 50 million newborns (largest generation in American history)
Benefits: Baby industry thrives (clothes, food, furniture) and puts strain on economy (teacher shortages, strain on social safety net, crowded jobs, crowded schools), constructing infrastructure (tax bearers = addition of schools, but beneficial for creating jobs)
Cheap energy, defense spending, better educated workforce, world war ii (people had well paying jobs and started to consume)
Any kind of migration was an economic opportunity
Sunbelt migration was an economic opportunity
climate, lower taxes/cheaper living
Following WWII, tensions were high between the western Allies and the Soviets
Neither side trusted the other
Stalin was determined that the USSR would not be invaded again
Ideological Differences:
Soviet Union: communist (both political and economic system (no private ownership of businesses–gov controls it, no classes—everybody’s supposed to be equal); totalitarian dictatorship (no freedom of religion, speech, etc.)
United States: democratic, republic, capitalism (businesses were owned by individual citizens w/gov. regulation)
Both compete for global dominance
War Conflict
Disagreement over military strategy in WWII
Stalin wanted a front opened in Europe much earlier (After germany invaded USSR; Churchill and Roosevelt did not heed request; Second front doesn’t open in June 1944; 2 years where Hitler concentrated forces to fighting USSR, and stalin never forgave Allies)
Roosevelt did not trust Stalin (non aggression pact)
US secret development of the atomic bomb
Post War Disagreements
Americans feared what Stalin may do in Eastern Europe-had promised free elections and does not live up to it *began in Yalta
How did each president handle the cold war conflict? Did they increase or decrease tension
Stalin had promised free elections and self-determination (the right to decide how a nation should be ruled), but does not live up to that
Stalin felt that he was fully justified in wanting to control all of Eastern Europe (as a defense from Germany and others in Western Europe)---he wanted to create a buffer zone (especially since Germany invaded USSR twice)
Stalin outlawed political parties that opposed communism, jailed opponents, and rigged elections
Stalin decided that he must maintain control over Eastern europe in order to keep a buffer between the USSR and the nations of the West
STalin established satellite nations, or countries controlled by the Soviet Union, in several Eastern European countries
Satellite nations were controlled by USSR
Winston Churchill said in a speech, “A shadow has fallen… an iron curtain has descended across the continent”
Iron curtain was a phrase used to refer to the dividing line between Communist nations in Eastern Europe and Democratic nations in Western Europe
Satellite State
When a nation is under the control of another
Ex. part of Germany wasunder the control of the Soviet Union
Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria
1946: US diplomat George Kennan recommend that the US and its allies focus on a strategy of containment
Kennan believed that the Eastern Europe was firmly in Soviet hands and could not be saved from Communism
The US and its allies should focus on containing Communism to those countries it which it already existed and not let it spread any further
The Truman Doctrine stated that the US would not hesitate to intervene and aid nations overseas to resist Communism
*key application: in 1947
$400 million in aid to Greece and Turkey to fight against communism (gateways to Europe and Asia)
Stalin was industrializing USSR, US afraid of communist expansion
US believes it is responsibility to combat communism all over the world
Was the Truman doctrine successful? —does it heighten aggression? Does it stop communism (Greece and Turkey weren’t communist states, so Truman doctrine was successful, successfully prevents communism, but US and USSR were still competing for territorial possession and stalin accuses US of economic imperialism since the US was using industrial economic power to be a global influencer)
Success from literal point (prevents spread of communism). However, it increases division between US and USSR (most of truman’s policies)
Reinhold Neibuhr: Good v. Evil
Shows US and USSR competing for territory globally
The Marshall (European Recovery program) Plan provided nations in war-torn Europe with much needed financial support
Purpose of the Plan was to help prevent Communist revolutions, which are often started due to economic hardships, in Western European nations
Marshall received the Nobel peace Prize as a result
US infrastructure was unscathed
Europe was in need of a major rebuild and was in economic hardship
socialism appeals to people because people of Europe were fearful that the end of the war meant to return to the depression (their recession was worse than US after WWII and brutal winter in 1946/1947, so morale was low in Western Europe)
Italy and France saw a substantial increase in membership in communist parties
american leadership was concerned
The Marshall PLan
US wanted to strengthen Western Europe to make sure countries wouldn’t fall to Communism
1947: Plan called for $17 billion in aid to Europe
Soviets were offered aid, but they refused
Saw it as a plot to strengthen capitalism
Economic alliances increased division between US and USSR
Brilliant because it does help the European recovery
The health of US economy was dependent on European economy
Europe is rebuilding, and they’re going to buying from the US, so we send out money over there and its a return on investment (GI Bill + Marshall PLan= return on investment for American taxpayers)
When WWII ended, the Allies divided Germany among themselves
US, Britain, France, and the USSr all received a portion of Germany
The German capital, Berlin, was also divided the same way
Post WWI and WWII goals:
keep Germany weak but difference is that no harsh reparations were placed on germany (they contributed to economic collapse in Europe after WWI → global depression → rise of dictators) avoid this by occupying Germany and Berlin
This makes it difficult though (berlin falls into Soviet Occupation zones)
US, Britain and France saw division as temporary and believed Germany would become united again under a democratic government
But Stalin had no intentions of giving up the Soviet-controlled areas (serve as Buffer state)
US, Britain, and France unified their sectors into one nation, west germany, and declared west berlin to be part of this new nation
USSR responded by est. East Germany and the east. Berlin under communist rule
Thousands from East Germany fled to West Berlin to escape Communism
Stalin decided to force the West to surrender its portion of Berlin by blockading the city
Truman then authorized the Berlin Airlift—using planes to deliver supplies and food to those in West Berlin
He funded and performed overwhelmingly by US (dropped medical supplies, food, and clothing) (90 days of food supplies or they die)
Berlin lift was very important because the Europeans were skeptical of US (throwing money around but why?---altruism or selfishness?)
US used to be a moral leader of the free world (dropped gifts to children on Christmas)
Stalin calls off blockade
The Soviets finally gave up in May of 1949, but this bitterness served to fuel the fires of the “Cold War”
“Cold War” was first used in 1947 by Bernard Baruch; it referred to the tension between the US and the Soviet Union that dominated both nations’ foreign policies for decades
Cold war was an indirect conflict (1946-1991—dissolution of USSR)
NATO: North Atlantic Treaty Organization
Did not join league of nations after WWI but did after WWII
Collection of 26 nations (US, UK, France, Belgium, Italy, Canada, Denmark, Portugal, etc.)
Agreement that an armed attack against one member nation would be considered an attack against all (ex. Kosovo during Clinton administration)
Defense agreement
China and Korea
1949: china became a Communist nation following a revolution
Mao Tse-Tung (Zedong) led the revolution and assumed power as the new leader and defeated Chang Kai Shek (forced to flee to Taiwan)
US believed there was a communist plot to rule the world
Political impact: Republican blames 1950 midterms, blamed Truman and democrats for not doing enough for Communist
US uses its influence to make Chang Kai shek prominent
This Angered Stalin and he Did not participate in UN for a period of time (Soviets have no absolute veto power)
UN should sanction military action against North Korea and the resolution passed
By 1949, the Soviet Union develops an atomic bomb of its own
The arms race begins
Truman shared bomb info w/American public (September 23, 1949)
American public knows USSR has bomb; significance: start of the arms race between US and USSR
Ex. of Successful Containment: Truman Doctrine, Berlin Airlift, NATO, Marshall Plan
Ex. of Failing Containment: China falling to Communism, Vietnam, and Cuba in 1959
Korea was controlled by the Japanese before WWII
Allied leaders decided Korea should be free of defeated Japanese control at Yalta Conference
Meant to be temporary
Koreans on both sides wanted a unified nation
Decided to divide at 38th parallel
North Korea—controlled by the Soviets
Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (a totalitarian communist state)
South Korea—controlled by America
Republic of Korea
June 1950: The Korean War began when North Korea crossed the 18th parallel
The United Nations decided to come to South Korea’s aid, and Truman chose General Douglas MacArthur to lead the troops; The US does most of fighting
North korean forces took over 90% of South Korea
First war of “Containment’ policy to stop communism
Forgotten war in history
General Douglas MacArthur commands US and UN troops
MacArthur’s troops pushed the enemy back across the 38th parallel and advanced to the Chinese border
MacArthur believes that he can drive communism back, but Truman was apprehensive
MacArthur believes that if he rids Korea of Communism, he would get elected as President (he also led the Army against the Bonus Marchers)
The Chinese sent troops across the Yalu River to help the North Koreans
MacArthur asked Truman to authorize the use of nuclear weapons against China, but Truman refused
Battle of Yalu: 400,000 Chinese “volunteers” joined North Koreans (overwhelmed American forces) and it was the worst American defeat in history
War turns again and the north koreans and chinese are forcing SOuth Koreans and US across 38th parallel
THis was a humiliating defeat for MacArthur (egotistical jarhead) so he has a plan which includes:
A Naval Blockade around China (escalates war), Chang Kai Shek and nationalists of Taiwan to help invade China, and use 50 nuclear weapons against China
China and USSR have mutual defense agreement
The US drops bombs on China or the USSR drops bombs on us
MacArthur thinks the will end the war and end communism in Korea and in China, but truman said no
MacArthur starts to publicly criticize President of US (commander in chief of US)
MacARthur got fired, but gets his job back
70% of AMerican public agreed with MacArthur
Matthew Ridgeway takes over war and drives north koreans back across 38th parallel
A stalemate soon developed
Truman fired MacArthur after the general criticized Truman’s handling of the war
After 2 more years of fighting, both sides signed a truce in 1953
North Korea is still communist and South Korea is Democratic; The 38th parallel is a demilitarized zone
This agreement left the country divided at almost the same point as before the war began
Containment is successful
50,000 Americans died, cost US $30 Billion, the Republicans used Korean war as political capital against Truman and Democrats for being soft on Communism, truman’s approval rate is low (doesn’t seek reelection for presidency)
Korean war was the main issue for election of 1952 (Repubs win Congress + white house)
Contributes to Second red scare
US was the first nation to sign charter of UN
Early UN Successes
Helped est. Jewish state of Israel in Palestine
Helped some former colonies to independence
UN’s biggest initial failure was inability to agree to ban nuclear weapons (USSR wants it but US says no since at that time we are only one with it; The US liked its power)
The Founding of ISrael
The Holocaust increased support for the founding of a Jewish homeland
May 14, 1948: With the support of the newly formed UN, the new state of Israel officially became an independent state
Arab nations greatly resented the decision to give part of Palestine to the Jews
They claimed the entire region belonged to Arabs
Israel’s boundary also had an impact on the Cold War
US and Israel became allies and the Soviets began supporting Arab nations
US was the first nation to recognize Israel
Middle east was oil-rich and it resulted in foreign policy problems for US forever
Soviet menace resulted in creation of huge new national security apparatus
National Security Act of 1947:
Created Department of Defense
Headed by new cabinet office, Secretary of Defense
Under the secretary, were civilian secretaries of the navy, the army, and the air force
Uniformed heads of each service brought together as Joint Chiefs of Staff
Established National Security Council (NSC) to advise president on security matters and Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to coordinate gov.’s foreign fact gathering
Congress:
Authorized “Voice of America” (1948) to beam American radio broadcasts behind Iron Curtain
Resurrected military draft: conscription of selected young men from 19 to 25
Selective Service System shaped millions of young people’s educational, marital, and career plans
Reconstruction in Japan:
Simpler than Germany because a one-man show
MacArthur led program for democratization of Japan
Top “war criminals” tried in Tokyo 1946-1948
18 sentenced to prison terms; 7 hanged
Met Hirohito, was a dictator in est. in Democrat
MacArthur successful and Japanese cooperated to an astonishing degree
MacArthur-dicated constitution adopted in 1946:
Renounced militarism; provided for women’s equality
Introduced Western-style democratic government
Paved way for Japan’s phenomenal economic recovery
H-Bomb:
To outpace Soviets in nuclear weaponry, Truman ordered development of Hydrogen bomb
H bomb is much more powerful than atomic bomb
J Robert Oppenheimer led group of scientists in opposition to development of thermonuclear weapons
Albert Einstein declared “annihilation of any life on earth has been brought within the range of technical possibilities”
US exploded first hydrogen device in 1942
Soviets countered w/their first H-Bomb explosion in 1953
Nuclear arms race entered perilously competitive cycle
ONly constrained by recognition that truly hot Cold War would be destroy the world
The Cold War Home Front
COld war deeply shaped political and economic developments at home after WWII
New anti-red chase accelerated by fears of communist spies in USA:
In 1947, Truman launched massive “loyalty” program:
Smith Act: First peacetime anti-sedition law since 1798
HUAC: House Un-American Activities Committee —investigate subversion
In 1948, Richard Nixon led chase after Alger Hiss
Prominent ex-New Dealer
Distinguished member of eastern est.
Accused of being a communist agent in 1930s
Hiss demanded right to defend himself
Dramatically met chief accuser before HUAC in August 1948
Hiss denied everything but was caught in falsehoods, so he goes to jail
Julius and Ethel Rosenberg:
Allegedly leaked atomic data to Moscow
Convicted in 1951 of espionage
Went to electric chair in 1953
Only people in American history ever executed in peacetime for espionage
Sensational trial and electrocution, combined w/ sympathy for 2 orphaned children, began to sour some citizens on excesses of red-hunters
Anti-semitism after WWII
Part of red history
Julius Rosenberg was in fact a spy (only a courier) but Ethel - was not
US was More interventionist after WWII:
Marshall Plan, Joining the UN, Truman Doctrine, Berlin Airlift, Joining NATO, korean war
After WWI:
more isolationist (rejected league of nations)
Containment was successful (south korea was democratic republic, north korea used communism)
Republicans win white house and Congress
$30 billion
The POlitical career of truman ended
HUAC and Alger Hiss play role in Nixon’s political career, who is a Rising conservative star w/ republican party