AMH2020 Discussion Board
YolyMN
AMH2020Week10-TheColdWar1.pptxWeek 10: Cold War America
AMH 2020: US History Since 1877
Dr. Glenn Dyer
Post-World War II
After Allied victory in WWII, United States emerges as world’s super power, with the Soviet Union (USSR) a close rival
Soviets want to expand in order to create a larger sphere of influence in the world & to buffer themselves from Germany (who invaded twice!)
USSR controls former territory of Russian Empire and creates a variety of satellite states, including Ukraine, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, and Bulgaria
Cold War Europe 1956
Cold War
Truman Doctrine: policy of containment towards Soviet Union, acting to stop its expansion
Truman adopts rhetoric of freedom vs slavery to cast the conflict
Cold War understood to be an ideological conflict where USA and USSR were trying to promote their way of life and their idea of freedom
Marshall Plan
Western and Central Europe devastated by war’s destruction
US provides billions to help rebuild Europe postwar
Belief was that economic and social instability would lead to Soviet gains
Goal is to create a market for American goods and bolster non-communist allies
“Prosperity Makes You Free”: promoted higher standard of living, much like ideas promised in Second New Deal
US is also occupying Japan for
The Communist Challenge
Germany is split East-West, including Berlin
1948 Soviets blockade the city to try and impose their power but US and UK air drop supplies
China’s 20 year civil war ended, and Communist emerge victorious
Korean War 1950-1953: Korea occupied by Soviets in North and US in South (had been Japan); North Korea invades south in 1950 and US uses troops to push back
The Cold War & Decolonization
Cold War Rhetoric
Totalitarianism becomes way of understanding Soviet Union, “ideologically driven states that sought to subdue all of civil society, including churches, unions, and other voluntary associations; no room for individual rights or values”
Newly formed United Nations adopts Universal Declaration of Human Rights, became new language of treatment around fair treatment and non-discrimination.
Cold War Civil Rights
War efforts inspires black soldiers and activists, NAACP membership grows
Voter registration drives in upper south increase number of black voters
Many cities pass nondiscrimination laws covering public accommodations and workplaces, but not in South
1948 Truman orders armed forces desegregated
Cold War concerns spur action on civil rights by some government officials but not all
Cold War Labor
CIO launches Operation Dixie to organize the South, but meets staunch opposition from southern politicians
Labor unions push Truman to promote a Fair Deal, continuing New Deal programs and expanding national health insurance, public housing, minimum wage increase and more
Postwar, millions of workers launch massive strikes as inflation exploded, some successful, but Republicans launch counter attack to curtail workers rights.
Taft-Hartley Act (1947): severely limits labor’s power
Postwar Political Divisions
1948 Democratic Platform: healthcare, civil rights plank, federal aid to public schools, etc.
Progressive Party splits with Dems on foreign policy, wants to cooperate with USSR (does poorly in election)
Dixiecrats: Southern Democrats who don’t support Truman in 1948 due to civil rights goals. Presages realignments of the 1960s due to Civil Rights Movement.
Truman ultimately defeats his Republican rival
Anticommunism
Truman establishes loyalty review system, requiring government employees; Gay men targeted because government thought their sexual preference could be used to blackmail them
House Un-American Activities Committee investigated Hollywood, leading to blacklisting of some 200 actors and film makers
McCarythism: Senator Joe McCarthy leads campaign accusing many government officals of being Soviet agenst; shown to be a complete fraud, but few wanted to stand up to his false claims for fear of being accused of being communist
Anticommunism Trickles Down
At local level, anticommunism creates environment of fear and accusation
Many are forced to take loyalty oaths and states conduct their own investigations
“Patriotic” organization publicized the names of people who participated in political campaigns that were seen as leftwing or communist-led
Used to attack labor movement and civil rights groups; many socialists, communists, radicals, were expelled from groups (often more militant)
Civil Rights groups used its language, arguing that not fighting racism strengthened Soviet Union
