Truman Era 1945-1953 Flashcards
Potsdam Conference
Churchill, Truman, Stalin met to discuss the end of WWII and establish post-war peace. Decided that Germany would be split, demilitarized, and disarmed.
Nagazaki and Hiroshima 1945 (why?)
Detonation of two nuclear bombs by the US on Japan. Hiroshima was a hub for economy and military, but bc Japan didn’t surrender, they also bombed Nagasaki.
Neutrality (since Washington’s Farewell) broken after WWII
Attack on Pearl Harbor launched US into involvement bc it proved that isolation wouldn’t work if they were still trying to aid one side.
Polish buffer state
In between Russia and the Western world, provided a literal middleground
Arrogance of Power
Idea that US ad the power to change world issue if they had tried harder. McCarthyism, bi-polar view of the world
Iron Curtain Speech
Churchill’s speech that said communism is quickly spreading in the East and the US and UK had a duty to step in.
Truman Doctrine
Stated that the US will be supporting and lending aid to countries that were threatened by communism.
Marshall Plan
Recovery plan to rebuild Europe after facing damages from WWII
George Kennan and containment
Containment plan to stop Russia’s expansion of communism w/o excess force
Berlin Blockade and airlift
East blocked out the West from receiving supplies. The Airlift from the West sent food and toiletries to people in west Berlin.
NATO
NOrth American Treaty Organization created an international collection of countries that would help maintain order.
NSC 68
Security Act for increasing military budget to counter USSR efforts.
Korea as a “limited war”
Battles only reached Korean peninsula. Although they wanted to battle on a traditional win vs lose situation, it ended on a stalemate (split state)
Conflict between Truman and General MacArthur
Truman fires MacArthur after he wants to make attempts to fight Chinese forces after invading North Korea.
