What Was The Impact Of The World Wars On Domestic Policies? Flashcards
Reasons for a return to normalcy Harding
WASPs understood normalcy to be a return to things as they had been pre war- would remove problems of unemployment, poverty and protest
Reduce taxation that had increased during war
Introduce tariffs and balance gov’t books
1920s isolationism
Immigration restrictions
Import tariffs
Didn’t joint League of Nations but attended meetings, member of International Labour Organisation
US involved in European economy as they lent $
Dawes plan to reschedule Germany’s repayments
Young plan cut separation payments to $9billion in 59 years
Fordney McCumber Act 1922
Highest import tariffs
Examples of immigration restrictions
Quota Act 1921
Johnson Reed Act 1924
Cut down number of immigrants from Asia
Military isolationism
US played world role in disarmament- publicly popular, cut military spending in order to cut taxes
4 Power Treaty- (US, Britain, Japan, France)Ap- matters in Pacific
9 Power Treaty- respect territorial position of China- Japan resents
Kellogg- Briand pact advocates national policy against ‘international controversies’, despite popularity, no real meaning
Not isolationist in Latin America- withdrew troops yet invested in
1934 Trade Agreements Act
US emergence as a superpower from Cold War
US and USSR fought together in WWII- ideological differences always there; Truman very anti- communist
Became Cold War when countries established communist gov’t
Truman announces ‘containment’: Truman doctrine followed by Marshall plan
Nuclear defence after Cold War
USSR had nuclear capability, USA prepared
Fed Defence Administration- organised evacuations/ pamphlets
Arms race
Funding is controversial
1947- 48: US holding of bombs rose from 13-50
The armed services
Large, permanent forces cost domestic economy- yet provided jobs and customers for businesses
Republican vs democrat and Hawks vs doves
Impact of the Cold War on presidency
Increase in power
President could move forces without congress
CIA and National Security Council report to WH
Power to react to nuclear war
Korean War impact on domestic policy
Shift in presidential attention to international policy
Domestic policy is congress responsibility
Excessive defence spending
Truman administration raises taxes
Every gov’t since in US has had problems with balancing tax/ burrowing contribution
Korean War on presidency
Way media dealt with presidency; Truman held back, took info from other sources
Hard to regain media support for ‘limited war’
Feelings of disillusionment from public, felt American Dream cooperation was violated
Pressure from republican and democrats to scale up war
Vietnam war on domestic policy
Defence budget concerns and contributed to rising inflation
Loss of credibility for president and gov’t
Unpopular decision eg the draft
Protestors and Vietnam Veterans Against the War (VVAW)
Role of the media in Vietnam War
Intensive coverage
At start of war, media reported to WH press conference or military press office
Reported increasingly shocking stories, surprised by ethos
1968 Walter Cronkite returned from Vietnam after Tet Offensive and broadcast scathing criticism
Vietnam war on presidency
Shadows 4 presidencies and successors with unpopularity
Seen as driving policy in war
‘Hey! Hey! LBJ’…
‘Planned withdrawal’- shambolic helicopter evacuation of Saigon- left many citizens
Fought ‘dirty war’ and left badly
