1945-1961 Flashcards
Impact of Cold War on domestic politics (5)
- increased power of presidency
- dominated Republican and Democrat clashes
- Second Red Scare
- US involvement in Korea
- Affected American society and the economy
Impact of the involvement in Korea on Truman’s presidency
- Unpopular, damaged Truman’s presidency
- Lost the control of Congress, made it harder to lead the country
What was the policy of ‘containment’
Stopping communist influence spreading by helping countries that might otherwise end up communist
What was the ‘Truman doctrine’ (1947)/ the Marshall Plan
the USA would provide assistance to those under threat to communism
What effect did the Korean War have on the economy (3)
- Cost $67 billion
- increased US defence expenditure boosted the GNP
- inflationary
What federal government organisations were set up in 1947?
The National Security Act (1947) created the CIA, and the National Security Council (NSC)
How did the National Security Act 1947, increase presidential power (2)
- Provided the president with information about foreign threats that he could avoid sharing with Congress
- both the CIA and the NSC reported to the White House, not Congress
Examples of Truman not consulting Congress (2)
-ordered the Berlin Airlift 1948
-Went to war with Korea
Causes of the Second Red Scare (2)
- Communism appeared to be dangerously expansionist (China and the Soviets having an atomic bomb 1949)
- Republican desire for party political advantage
What was set up to investigate communist threats
HUAC (dominated by Republicans), Loyalty boards
Examples of high profile spy cases
- State department official Alger Hiss (1950)
- Rosenberg 1951
What is the number of investigations in the Red Scare estimated
Approx. 3 million, between 1945-53
What did Senator McCarthy do in 1950?
Made an anti-communist speech, claiming there were communists in the Truman State Department
What was McCarty on?
Influential on Congressional committees on the investigation of Communists
How many people lost their jobs due to McCarty (3)
-500 government employees
-600 school teachers
-150 college professors
How many people watched the McCarthy hearings
-upwards of 20 million
How were civil liberties curbed in the Second Red Scare (2)
- FBI allowed to open letters, tap phones and bug homes
- People had their freedom of speech severely limited
Public perception of Truman + relationship with Congress
- didn’t appeal to the public, unpopular after Korea
- Didn’t work well with Congress, Truman vetoed 250 bills passed by Congress
Public perception of Eisenhower + relationship with Congress
-Good public manner
- Worked well with Congress, good at political bargaining
Example of Eisenhower exercising unprecedented presidential authority
1955- when Communist China threatened Taiwan, Congress ceded its constitutional authority to declare war
Truman and Congress
- Congress increasingly assertive, rejected most of Truman’s proposals
- Truman vetoed 250 bills passed by Congress, which overrode him 12 times
Eisenhower’s ‘dynamic conservatism’
“conservative when it comes to money, liberal when it comes to people”
believed in self sufficiency
Eisenhower more liberal policies
Social Security benefits were increased and coverage extended to 10 million more (1954)
Truman’s personality and public appeal
- Not confident, not charismatic
- Didn’t appeal to the public and didn’t explain strategy for Korean War
Eisenhower personality and public appeal
- cultivated an optimistic, friendly manner
- good public manner
Truman being influenced by FDR
Truman’s Fair Deal 1949- recommended that all Americans have health insurance and minimum wage increase
How did Truman redefine the role of the presidency (2)
- clearer distinction between cabinet members undertaking delegated work and advisory roles
- president as chief executive decision-maker
How did Eisenhower shape the office of the president
- enlargement and increased organisation of the executive staff
- E.g introduction of chief of staff and a congressional liaison office
