Period 8 1945-1952 3/26-27/2025 Flashcards
What followed the brief period of economic uncertainty in postwar America?
Unprecedented prosperity
This prosperity was characterized by higher incomes and a significantly improved standard of living.
What was the impact of higher incomes in postwar America?
Increased savings accounts and the highest standard of living
The economic growth allowed many families to save more and improve their quality of life.
What legislation provided help for veterans after WWII?
G.I. Bill
Officially known as the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act of 1944.
How many servicemen returned from war after WWII?
15 million
This significant number of veterans required support for readjustment to civilian life.
What was one of the main benefits of the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act (1944)?
Education and low-interest loans
The act aimed to facilitate the reintegration of veterans into society.
How much money was allocated in low-interest, government-backed loans through the G.I. Bill?
Over $16 billion
These loans were primarily used to buy homes and farms.
How many veterans attended college as a result of the G.I. Bill?
2 million
This educational opportunity significantly increased the level of education among veterans.
What period is known as the Baby Boom?
1945-1960
Approximately 50 million babies were born during this time.
What was significant about Levittown, NY?
17,000 mass produced low priced family homes
It symbolizes suburban growth during the post-war era.
What social phenomenon is referred to as ‘white flight’?
Middle Class movement to the suburbs
Reflects demographic shifts in urban areas.
How did cities change during the post-war period?
Increased poverty and racial division
Urban areas faced significant social challenges.
What does the term ‘Sunbelt’ refer to?
States from Florida to California
Known for warmer climates and air conditioning.
What was a contributing factor to increased crime in urban areas?
Racial division
This social issue exacerbated challenges in cities.
Neat map of post war migration
What was the aim of the political change from FDR to Truman?
Attempt to continue New Deal tradition
The shift in political strategy aimed to uphold the principles established during the New Deal era.
What economic programs were part of Truman’s agenda?
Œmployment Act of 1946, national health insurance, increase in minimum wage, bill to maintain full employment
These programs were designed to enhance economic stability and improve living standards.
What is the role of the Council of Economic Advisors?
Counsel President & Congress on promoting economic welfare nationally
This council was established to provide expert advice on economic policy.
What coalition hindered domestic programs set forth by Truman?
Coalition between Republicans and conservative Southern Democrats
This coalition often opposed progressive domestic policies.
What was a major civil rights challenge during Truman’s presidency?
Challenge of racial discrimination
Addressing racial discrimination was a significant issue in the post-war era.
What was the purpose of the Committee on Civil Rights established in 1946?
To address issues of racial discrimination
This committee aimed to investigate and propose solutions to civil rights violations.
Fill in the blank: The report ‘To Secure These Rights’ was issued in _______.
October 1947
This report outlined the need for civil rights reforms in the United States.
What did Executive Orders 9980 and 9981 achieve?
Desegregated federal gov’t & armed forces
These orders were pivotal in promoting racial equality in government and military.
What was the function of the Fair Employment Practices Commission?
To prevent discrimination in employment
This commission aimed to ensure fair hiring practices across the nation.
What was the impact of the Election of 1946?
Republican majority in Congress
This election marked a significant shift in political power.
What does the 22nd Amendment (1951) establish?
Two-Term Limit
This amendment limits the President to two elected terms.
What is the Taft-Hartley Act (1947)?
A law that outlawed closed shops and secondary boycotts
It also established a presidential 80-day ‘cooling off period’ before strikes.
What are closed shops?
Contracts requiring workers to join a union before being hired
Closed shops were outlawed by the Taft-Hartley Act.
What are ‘right to work’ laws?
Laws outlawing union shops which required workers to join a union after being hired
These laws were also part of the Taft-Hartley Act.
What is a secondary boycott?
Several unions joining a boycott of a striking union
The Taft-Hartley Act outlawed secondary boycotts.
What is the presidential ‘cooling off period’ established by the Taft-Hartley Act?
An 80-day waiting period before striking
This period is meant to allow for negotiations before a strike occurs.
How did Congress respond to the Taft-Hartley Act?
Congress overrode the presidential veto
This action demonstrated the division between Republicans and Democrats in the 1950s.
What characterized the divide between Republicans and Democrats in the 1950s?
Significant political and legislative disagreements
This divide was evident in various labor and economic policies.
Who was the Democratic candidate for the Election of 1948?
Harry Truman
Truman was seeking his 2nd term as President.
What was J. Strom Thurmond’s position regarding states’ rights?
Wanted more states’ rights
Thurmond represented the Dixiecrat faction.
What political faction did J. Strom Thurmond belong to?
Dixiecrat
The Dixiecrats advocated for states’ rights.
Who was the Republican candidate in the Election of 1948?
Thomas E. Dewey
Dewey was noted for being overly confident and unexciting.
What was the slogan used by Truman during his campaign?
Give ‘em hell, Harry
This slogan was part of Truman’s national tour.
What percentage of the popular vote did Truman receive in the Election of 1948?
50%
Truman won with 2 million more votes than his opponent.
How many electoral votes did Truman secure in the Election of 1948?
303 Electoral
This was a significant victory in the Electoral College.
Fill in the blank: The Election of 1948 featured Truman and _______ as the Democratic candidates.
J. Strom Thurmond
True or False: Thomas E. Dewey was a charismatic candidate in the Election of 1948.
False
Dewey was described as overly confident and unexciting.
What was the name of the set of proposals put forward by President Truman?
The Fair Deal
The Fair Deal included various social and economic reforms aimed at improving the welfare of Americans.
What was the outcome of most bills proposed in the Fair Deal?
Most bills defeated in Congress
Only the minimum wage increase and Social Security expansion were successful.
What were two reasons for the failure of the Fair Deal proposals?
- Truman’s political conflict with Congress since congress was republican
- Pressing foreign policy concerns with the Cold War
These factors hindered Truman’s ability to pass his domestic agenda.
What was proposed in the fair deal
National health care, federal aid to education, civil rights legislation, public housing, farming programs, minimum wage increase (0.48 -> 0.75 cents per hour), expand social security
What event is referred to as the Bolshevik Revolution?
Bolshevik Revolution (1919)
A significant event that led to the establishment of the Soviet Union.
What was the first Red Scare?
A period of fear regarding the threat of communism and the Soviet Union to capitalism and liberty.
When did the U.S. officially recognize the Soviet Union?
Official Recognition (1933)
This recognition was made despite FDR’s distrust of the Soviets.
What was the Non-aggression Pact of 1939?
An agreement to split Europe with Germany.
What was the nature of the alliance between the U.S. and the Soviet Union during World War II?
Alliance based on convenience not mutual trust.
What was a significant postwar cooperation effort between the U.S. and the Soviet Union?
The establishment of the United Nations.
What was the purpose of the Atomic Energy Commission?
To regulate nuclear energy.
What was the Baruch Plan?
A proposal for the regulation of nuclear energy and elimination of atomic weapons.
What was the USSR’s response to the Baruch Plan?
Rejection of the Baruch Plan.
What was the World Bank’s goal as established at Bretton Woods in 1944?
To fund the rebuilding of war-torn Europe.
How did the USSR view the World Bank?
As an instrument of capitalism.
What was the significance of the Nuremberg Trials (1945-46)?
Cooperation in the trial of 22 Nazi leaders for war crimes and violations of human rights.
What are the satellite states in Eastern Europe?
Poland, Romania, Bulgaria, Albania, Hungary, Czechoslovakia
These countries were established as satellite states under Soviet influence post-World War II.
What was the need for buffer states after World War II?
To protect against a possible attack of a Hitler-like invasion from the West
Buffer states were seen as a strategic defense against potential invasions.
How did the West view the establishment of satellite states?
As a violation of self-determination and open markets
The West believed that these actions undermined democratic principles.
What were the occupation zones in Germany?
Soviet Sector and others divided among Allies
Germany was divided into zones controlled by the US, UK, France, and the Soviet Union.
What was formed in the Soviet sector of Germany?
German Democratic Republic
This was established as a socialist state under Soviet influence in 1949.
What does the term ‘Iron Curtain’ refer to?
A call for stand against Communism
This metaphor was famously used by Winston Churchill to describe the division between Western democracies and Eastern communist countries.
Who called for a stand against Communism in 1946?
Winston Churchill
Churchill’s speech in Missouri is credited with popularizing the term ‘Iron Curtain’.
