Origins of the Cold War
How was containment related to U.S. policy during the Cold War?
Containment was the strategy used by multiple presidents starting with Harry Truman as how we would deal with the Soviet Union. (Don't fight communism where it is but don't let it spread.)
What was the purpose of the Marshall Plan?
The Marshall Plan provided money to rebuild Western Europe as both a humanitarian measure and as a way to lessen the appeal of communism.
How did the Interstate System Change American society?
It changed where people lived contributing to suburbanization. Also allowed for more transportation around the country.
What happened to most women who worked in factories during WWII after it ended?
Most returned home or back to their old job.
What was the Truman Doctrine?
President Truman said the United States would help free people who were resisting attempts to be taken over by other nations. (Communist nations) For the most part the help primarily be economic.
How did the American people prepare for the threat of nuclear attack?
Children had duck-and- cover drills in school and some people built fallout shelters underground in their backyards.
What was the Servicemen's Readjustment Act?
It is better known as the GI bill. It provided financial aid to WWII veterans to use for loans to start businesses, go to college or buy houses.
Who was Joseph McCarthy, and why is his name perceived negatively today?
He was a senator who lead a search for communists within Hollywood, the government, and the army. It resulted in many people losing their jobs. His activities have been compared to a witch hunt.
What changed at the end of WWII between the United States and the Soviet Union?
As the Soviet Union advanced across Eastern Europe, their troops remained and installed communist governments, although they had agreed to allow free elections earlier at the Yalta conference. This lead to huge distrust between the 2 countries.
What changed in China in 1949?
The Communists led by Mao Zedong won after years of civil war (against the U.S. backed nationalists) and set up a communist backed government.
What were some of the changes and trends in housing and demographics for the middle class after World War II?
People got married and had lots of children. They moved to new, affordable housing in new developments in the suburbs.
What did the House- Un American Activities Committee do?
HUAC engaged in the same activities that McCarthy did except in the House of Representatives. (Focusing on communists after WWII existed until 1975.)
What and where was the Iron Curtain and what was it like on both sides?
The Iron Curtain divided Eastern and Western Europe. (In many cases it what an actual border guarded by soldiers) On the Eastern side their were satellite states backed by the Soviet Union. While the U.S. established a long term presence in Western Europe.
Why did the United States get involved in the Korean War, and what was the outcome?
North Korea, which was communist and supported by China invaded South Korea to unite the Korean peninsula. U.S. troops helped defend South Korea, which remains democratic today.
What were some groups that did not benefit from postwar affluence?
Although some African Americans benefited from the GI bill it still discriminated against them and many remained poor. Others in poverty included Mexican immigrants, residents of Appalachia, and Native American people.
How did the Soviets launching Sputnik scare and change American policy?
With the Soviets launching Sputnik many feared the Soviets had a technological advantage over us as they now had to satellite above the Earth. (Could they spy on us) as a result of Sputnik NASA was launched by President Eisenhower.
How were NATO and the Warsaw Pact related and what was the purpose of each?
NATO and the Warsaw Pact were defensive alliances where if one country was attacked we would take it as an attack against all and go to war with that country. NATO (which is still present today) included the United States Canada and Western European Nations, while the Warsaw Pact was made a couple years after NATO consisted of the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe.
In what ways did the American people have mixed feelings about the atomic weapons?
On the one hand they helped end in WWII, but people realized that the world could be destroyed very quickly.
How did many cities change after WWII?
As white people moved out of cities, racial and ethnic minorities from poor and rural areas moved in. With middle class tax payers gone conditions in many cities deteriorated into slums.