The Cold War Era Flashcards
USA and Soviets dislike and distrust each other.
Despite WWII alliance. They see each other as rivals
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America still wants to be a global superpower. They shape the worlds foreign affairs to their benefit
Soviets never want to be invaded again. They also want to spread communism
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The Cold War
to determine which nation’s ideals better sever humanity (in each country’s mind)
-US believes that Communism/Soviets want to expand
Bretton Woods Agreement
creates global economic structures (ex. International Monetary Fund) to tie nations together through globalization and free trade
United Nations
-founded post-WWII
-capture belief in idealism
-America dominated
-USA and SU in it
Containment Doctrine by George Kennan
-argues the Soviets wants to expand until they receive pushback
-Truman adopts this as “Get Tough” America
Truman Doctrine
America would support any country opposing the Soviet’s ‘expansion’ (Communism)
Marshall Plan
-USA gives money to European nations to help rebuild their country after WW2
-so they don’t fall to communism
-Soviets and their allies reject US money
During the Cold War, the US will support those with dictatorships as long as not communism
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Winston Churchill uses the term “Iron Curtain”
used to describe the European states who fell under Soviet Control
Germany splits into East and West
East (Soviets)
West (USA)
both countries have different visions for Germany
-Soviets want it weak
-USA wants to make it strong
1948-1949 Berlin Airlift
-Stalin tries to force the Allies out of Berlin
-US flew supplies and moved aircraft capable of dropping nuclear bombs to Europe
-Stalin backs down and ensures Germany will be divided for the remaining of the war
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
a military alliance between US and European countries to deter Soviet expansion into Europe as response to the Berlin Airlift
National Security Act 1947
modernized US military by
-centralizing the Department of Justice
-created the National Security Council
-created the CIA
After Berlin, the two countries competed in a race to see who could make the biggest nuclear bombs
-1949 Soviets tested the first atomic bomb
-Truman orders development of the Hydrogen Bomb
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America has agreements with Japan and Philippines to keep control over the Pacific
…
China in their open Civil War
Nationalists (led by Chiang Kai-Shek) and Communists (led by Mao Zedong)
-America supported the Nationalists
-but Communists are more popular, forced the Nationalists to Taiwan
-USA in horror as most popular nation falls to comunism
next sign of Communist aggression: Korea splits
the Communism in the North and the Nationalists in the South
-Communism North invades the South sparking the Korean War
-N. Korea invades the South
Korean War
-N. Korea invades South
-USA with United Nations send troops to S. Korea
-warned by China not to advance or China will
enter the war with N. Korea
-war drags on over disputes of POWs
-38th Parallel divides N. and S. Korea
General Douglass MacArthur
-important in Korean War
-wants nukes to be used in fighting, fired by Truman
-still somehow seen as hero
The Servicemen’s Readjustment Act/GI Bill (1944)
returning servicemen had the opportunity to go to college and buy houses
led to more skilled workforce and stable lives
Truman’s goals post WW2
create his own New Deal, national health insurance, increase minimum wage, governmental commitment to maintaining full employment
BUT a renewed Republican Party and
Southern Democrats block these
Truman advances Civil Rights
late 1940s-early 1950s
officially desegregates the US military
BUT Southern Democrats (still racist) block Truman’s more ambitious programs
During Truman’s presidency, Republicans regained control in the House and Senate and they wanted to make change
….
Republicans pass the 22nd Amendment
a president cannot serve more than two terms
Republicans pass Taft-Hartley Act of 1947
restricts the power of labor unions
get a job, then you can join a union
Truman promises “Fair Deal” to secure second term
national healthcare insurance, federal aid to
education, civil rights legislation, funds
for public housing, and a new farm
program
BUT plan fails because Southern Democrats, Republicans with fear of communism spreading in USA
2nd Red Scare
belief that communist spies had infiltrated the
highest levels of American government and culture
Loyalty Review Board
created by the Truman Administration to investigate suspected Communists
does not find any, but they find other “suspects” (LGBTQ) and use this as an excuses to go after them
Smith Act
made it illegal for people to advocate or join organizations for the overthrow of the US government
-violation of freedom of speech
McCarran Internal Security Act (1950)
-Congress made it unlawful to support an establishment of a totalitarian government (communism)
-restricted the employment and travel of those joining a communist front group
-authorized the creation of detention camps for subversives