The Cold War Era IThe Cold War Era I

TrumanTruman

1945 - 19521945 - 1952

Postwar AmericaPostwar America

► US a military superpower.US a military superpower.

► 15 million men returned to civilian life in 1945/6.15 million men returned to civilian life in 1945/6.

► Faced problem of finding jobs and housing.Faced problem of finding jobs and housing.

► Americans had saved a lot of money due to lack of Americans had saved a lot of money due to lack of consumer goods.consumer goods.

► Pent-up consumer demand for autos and housing Pent-up consumer demand for autos and housing combined with gov’t road-building led US to be the combined with gov’t road-building led US to be the most affluent society in history.most affluent society in history.

►GI Bill – Help for Veterans.GI Bill – Help for Veterans.

Serviceman’s Readjustment Act of 1944 – Serviceman’s Readjustment Act of 1944 – GI Bill of Rights.GI Bill of Rights.

Paid for education.Paid for education.

$16 billion in low-interest loans to buy $16 billion in low-interest loans to buy homes and farms.homes and farms.

Led to a more educated workforce and Led to a more educated workforce and promoted new construction.promoted new construction.

►Baby Boom.Baby Boom. Younger marriages and larger families.Younger marriages and larger families.

50 million new babies between 1945 and 50 million new babies between 1945 and 1960.1960.

As the baby boom generation matured they As the baby boom generation matured they profoundly affected American life.profoundly affected American life.

In 1950s women focused on family at In 1950s women focused on family at home, but by 1960 1/3home, but by 1960 1/3rdrd of all married of all married women worked outside the home.women worked outside the home.

►Suburban Growth.Suburban Growth.

Levitown – 17,000 mass-produced, low-Levitown – 17,000 mass-produced, low-priced housing on Long Island, NY.priced housing on Long Island, NY.

Low interest rates made it affordable to Low interest rates made it affordable to live in the suburbs.live in the suburbs.

By the 1960s most Americans lived in the By the 1960s most Americans lived in the suburbs leaving the cities poor and suburbs leaving the cities poor and racially divided – “white flight.”racially divided – “white flight.”

►Rise of the Sunbelt.Rise of the Sunbelt.

Millions of Americans moved to warmer Millions of Americans moved to warmer states – Florida, California etc.states – Florida, California etc.

Transferred tax dollars from mid-west and Transferred tax dollars from mid-west and Northeast.Northeast.

Military spending during the Cold War Military spending during the Cold War added to the shift of industry, people and added to the shift of industry, people and political power.political power.

California, 1950s

Postwar PoliticsPostwar Politics

► Truman attempted to continue in the New Deal Truman attempted to continue in the New Deal style of FDR.style of FDR.

► Conservative Congress and Cold War would hinder Conservative Congress and Cold War would hinder much of Truman’s domestic program.much of Truman’s domestic program.

► Economic Program and Civil Rights.Economic Program and Civil Rights.

Employment Act of 1946.Employment Act of 1946.

► Created the Council of Economic Advisors – to counsel Created the Council of Economic Advisors – to counsel president and Congress on means of promoting national president and Congress on means of promoting national economic welfare.economic welfare.

Inflation and strikes.Inflation and strikes.

►Congress weakened control of Office of Price Congress weakened control of Office of Price Administration – inflation rose 25% in 1946.Administration – inflation rose 25% in 1946.

►4.5 million workers went on strike – playing 4.5 million workers went on strike – playing catch up.catch up.

►Truman seized the mines to keep them Truman seized the mines to keep them working.working.

Civil Rights.Civil Rights.

►First modern president use his office to challenge racial First modern president use his office to challenge racial discrimination.discrimination.

►Committee on Civil Rights.Committee on Civil Rights.

►Strengthened the civil rights division of the Justice Strengthened the civil rights division of the Justice Department – aided black leaders to challenge segregated Department – aided black leaders to challenge segregated schools.schools.

►1948 – ordered the end to segregation in all departments of 1948 – ordered the end to segregation in all departments of the federal government and all three branches of the the federal government and all three branches of the military – including southern military bases.military – including southern military bases.

►Southern Democrats blocked the creation of the Fair Southern Democrats blocked the creation of the Fair Employment Practices Commission.Employment Practices Commission.

►Republican Control of Congress.Republican Control of Congress.

►Rolled back some of the New Deal gains for Rolled back some of the New Deal gains for labor.labor.

Taft-Hartley Act (1947) – checked the Taft-Hartley Act (1947) – checked the power of the unions:power of the unions:

►Outlawed the closed shop.Outlawed the closed shop.►Permitted states to pass “right to work” laws.Permitted states to pass “right to work” laws.►Outlawed secondary boycotts.Outlawed secondary boycotts.►Gave the president the right to call for an 80-Gave the president the right to call for an 80-

day cooling off period.day cooling off period.

Twenty-Second Amendment (1951) – limited Twenty-Second Amendment (1951) – limited presidents to two terms.presidents to two terms.

► Election of 1948.Election of 1948.

Liberal Democrats formed a new Progressive Liberal Democrats formed a new Progressive Party under Henry Wallace – saw Truman’s Party under Henry Wallace – saw Truman’s foreign policy as too aggressive.foreign policy as too aggressive.

Southern Democrats formed the States’ Rights Southern Democrats formed the States’ Rights Party – “Dixiecrats” under Strom Thurmond – Party – “Dixiecrats” under Strom Thurmond – opposed civil rights.opposed civil rights.

Republicans nominated Thomas E. Dewey – Republicans nominated Thomas E. Dewey – again.again.

►Truman won despite looking like he Truman won despite looking like he didn’t have a chance.didn’t have a chance.

Truman holds up the newspaper, which had prematurely called the election for Dewey

(1948)

► The Fair Deal.The Fair Deal.►Urged Congress to enact national healthcare, federal Urged Congress to enact national healthcare, federal

aid to education, civil rights legislations, funds for public aid to education, civil rights legislations, funds for public housing, and a new farm program.housing, and a new farm program.

►Conservative blocked most legislation except Conservative blocked most legislation except enactment of an increase in the minimum wage – to 75 enactment of an increase in the minimum wage – to 75 cents – and the expansion of Social Security.cents – and the expansion of Social Security.

Reasons for defeat:Reasons for defeat:►Conflicts with Congress and pressing concerns with Conflicts with Congress and pressing concerns with

foreign policy.foreign policy.

Credited with:Credited with:►Making civil rights part of the liberal agenda.Making civil rights part of the liberal agenda.

Origins of the Cold WarOrigins of the Cold War

► Shaped international relations from late 40s Shaped international relations from late 40s to 1991.to 1991.

► Competition between the communist USSR Competition between the communist USSR and the capitalist USA.and the capitalist USA.

► Conflict often took place in proxy states.Conflict often took place in proxy states.

► Several times the world came close to Several times the world came close to nuclear war.nuclear war.

The Cold War Alignment, 1980

► Historians debate the origins of the Cold War.Historians debate the origins of the Cold War.

Some analysts see Truman’s response to Soviet Some analysts see Truman’s response to Soviet efforts to increase Communist influence as efforts to increase Communist influence as reasonable.reasonable.

Critics argue that Truman misunderstood and Critics argue that Truman misunderstood and overreacted to Russia’s historic need to secure its overreacted to Russia’s historic need to secure its borders – 19 million killed in WWII.borders – 19 million killed in WWII.

Conservatives at the time criticized Truman for Conservatives at the time criticized Truman for being “soft” on communism.being “soft” on communism.

►U.S.-Soviet Relations to 1945.U.S.-Soviet Relations to 1945.

Alliance during WWII a temporary halt in bad Alliance during WWII a temporary halt in bad relations.relations.

Bolshevik Revolution seen as a threat to Bolshevik Revolution seen as a threat to capitalism – led to Red Scare in 1919 (Palmer capitalism – led to Red Scare in 1919 (Palmer raids) – Comintern.raids) – Comintern.

American Soldiers in Russia, 1918

► Communist International (1919) proposed theCommunist International (1919) proposed the

inevitability of the replacement of the capitalist inevitability of the replacement of the capitalist system by the Communist social systemsystem by the Communist social system

necessity of the proletarian revolutionary struggle necessity of the proletarian revolutionary struggle for the overthrow of bourgeois governmentsfor the overthrow of bourgeois governments

destruction of the bourgeois state and its destruction of the bourgeois state and its replacement by a new type of state, a proletarian replacement by a new type of state, a proletarian state of the Soviet type, which would insure the state of the Soviet type, which would insure the transition to Communist society. transition to Communist society.

US and USSR suspicious of each other in WWII.US and USSR suspicious of each other in WWII.

Postwar conflicts over Central and Eastern Postwar conflicts over Central and Eastern Europe already apparent at Yalta and Potsdam in Europe already apparent at Yalta and Potsdam in 1945.1945.

Potsdam, July, 1945

►Post-War cooperation-UN.Post-War cooperation-UN.

UN founded in 1945.UN founded in 1945.

15-member Security Council given 15-member Security Council given responsibility for maintaining international responsibility for maintaining international security.security.

Permanent seats and veto power granted to Permanent seats and veto power granted to wartime allies: China, US, Britain, USSR, wartime allies: China, US, Britain, USSR, France.France.

Soviets agreed to Atomic Energy Commission.Soviets agreed to Atomic Energy Commission.

But rejected plan to regulate atomic But rejected plan to regulate atomic energy and eliminate atomic weapons.energy and eliminate atomic weapons.

►Fuelled American suspicions.Fuelled American suspicions.

Soviets declined participation in World Soviets declined participation in World Bank – set up to rebuild war-torn world – Bank – set up to rebuild war-torn world – an instrument of capitalism.an instrument of capitalism.

Participated in Nuremberg trials.Participated in Nuremberg trials.

►Satellite states in Eastern Europe.Satellite states in Eastern Europe.

Soviets occupied central and Eastern Soviets occupied central and Eastern Europe.Europe.

Stalin allowed elections as promised at Stalin allowed elections as promised at Yalta.Yalta.

1946-48 Communist took control of Poland, 1946-48 Communist took control of Poland, Romania, Bulgaria, Albania, Hungary, and Romania, Bulgaria, Albania, Hungary, and Czechoslovakia.Czechoslovakia.

Apologists said USSR Apologists said USSR needed a buffer.needed a buffer.

Western powers Western powers argued it was a argued it was a violation of self-violation of self-determination, genuine determination, genuine democracy, and open democracy, and open markets.markets.

►Occupation Zones in Germany.Occupation Zones in Germany.

The division of Germany and Austria into The division of Germany and Austria into French, Soviet, British, and U.S. zones French, Soviet, British, and U.S. zones meant to be temporary.meant to be temporary.

Eastern zone gradually evolved into a Eastern zone gradually evolved into a Communist state – German Democratic Communist state – German Democratic Republic.Republic.

Soviets wanted a weak Germany and Soviets wanted a weak Germany and reparations.reparations.

Western powers wanted a stable, but weak Western powers wanted a stable, but weak Germany – said no reparations – but . . . Germany – said no reparations – but . . .

►““intellectual reparations” valued at $10 billionintellectual reparations” valued at $10 billion►““industrial disarmament” - Saar region center of industrial disarmament” - Saar region center of

industrialization made a protectorate of France industrialization made a protectorate of France until 1957.until 1957.

►Morgenthau Plan – industrial output reduced by Morgenthau Plan – industrial output reduced by 50% of 1938 output50% of 1938 output

Soviets feared restored Germany – Soviets feared restored Germany – tightened control over East Germany.tightened control over East Germany.

Occupation Zones + Saar Protectorate

► Iron Curtain.Iron Curtain. Canadian spy ring stole atomic secrets for the Soviets. Soviets Canadian spy ring stole atomic secrets for the Soviets. Soviets

occupation of northern Iran – encouraged “get tough” policy.occupation of northern Iran – encouraged “get tough” policy.

► March 1946 – Winston Churchill, Fulton, Missouri:March 1946 – Winston Churchill, Fulton, Missouri:

““From Stettin in the Baltic to Trieste in the Adriatic an iron curtain From Stettin in the Baltic to Trieste in the Adriatic an iron curtain has descended across the Continent. . . The safety of the world, has descended across the Continent. . . The safety of the world, ladies and gentlemen, requires a unity in Europe, from which no ladies and gentlemen, requires a unity in Europe, from which no nation should be permanently outcast. . . Twice the United States nation should be permanently outcast. . . Twice the United States has had to send several millions of its young men across the has had to send several millions of its young men across the Atlantic to fight the wars. . . Surely we should work with Atlantic to fight the wars. . . Surely we should work with conscious purpose for a grand pacification of Europe within the conscious purpose for a grand pacification of Europe within the structure of the United Nations and in accordance with our structure of the United Nations and in accordance with our Charter.”Charter.”

► Historians argue whether Churchill anticipated or Historians argue whether Churchill anticipated or helped cause the Cold War.helped cause the Cold War.

Containment in EuropeContainment in Europe

►Truman adopted containment policy in Truman adopted containment policy in 1947.1947.

George F. Kennan – “a long-term, patient George F. Kennan – “a long-term, patient but firm and vigilant containment of but firm and vigilant containment of Russian expansive tendencies.”Russian expansive tendencies.”

Containment would lead Soviets to live in Containment would lead Soviets to live in peace with other nations.peace with other nations.

►Criticism of containment.Criticism of containment.

Journalist Walter Lippmann.Journalist Walter Lippmann.

Some areas vital to US interests others not.Some areas vital to US interests others not.

Some areas required US support others did Some areas required US support others did not.not.

Many leaders said lesson of appeasement Many leaders said lesson of appeasement had to be heeded.had to be heeded.

► The Truman Doctrine and NSC-68.The Truman Doctrine and NSC-68.

Truman implemented containment policy (Dean Truman implemented containment policy (Dean Acheson, George F. Kennan, George Marshall) in Acheson, George F. Kennan, George Marshall) in response to:response to:

►Communist led uprising in Greece.Communist led uprising in Greece.►Soviet demand for control of Turkey’s Dardanelles.Soviet demand for control of Turkey’s Dardanelles.►Soviet refusal to leave northern IranSoviet refusal to leave northern Iran►Fear of Soviet ability to cut off access to oil in event of warFear of Soviet ability to cut off access to oil in event of war

Truman asked Congress for $400 million to aid the Truman asked Congress for $400 million to aid the “free people” of Greece and Turkey against “free people” of Greece and Turkey against “totalitarian” regimes.“totalitarian” regimes.

►Gained bipartisan support.Gained bipartisan support.

Dardanelles: Separates Europe (the Gallipoli Peninsula) from Asia. Links the Black Sea to the Mediterranean Sea.

►Marshall Plan (Europe).Marshall Plan (Europe).

Discontent encouraged growth of communist Discontent encouraged growth of communist party.party.

June 1947 George Marshall outlined a $17 billion June 1947 George Marshall outlined a $17 billion recovery plan.recovery plan.

$12 billion approved for distribution to countries $12 billion approved for distribution to countries of western Europe.of western Europe.

►Soviets declined aid.Soviets declined aid.

Successfully stabilized western Europe – Successfully stabilized western Europe – bolstered US exports.bolstered US exports.

Deepened rift between East and West.Deepened rift between East and West.

Relative Amount of Aid Per Country

► The Berlin Blockade and Airlift.The Berlin Blockade and Airlift.

First crisis of Cold War.First crisis of Cold War.

June 1948 – Soviets cut off land access to Berlin – wanted to June 1948 – Soviets cut off land access to Berlin – wanted to be the sole supplier of food to Berlin giving them effective be the sole supplier of food to Berlin giving them effective control of the city.control of the city.

Truman rejected both withdrawal and the use of force.Truman rejected both withdrawal and the use of force.

Ordered US and allied planes to fly supplies to people in Ordered US and allied planes to fly supplies to people in West Berlin.West Berlin.

Sent 60 bombers to Britain.Sent 60 bombers to Britain.

Stalin did not interfere.Stalin did not interfere.

May 1949 Soviets reopened the land routes.May 1949 Soviets reopened the land routes.

Berlin crisis cemented a divided Germany.Berlin crisis cemented a divided Germany.

Berlin Airlift, 1948-49

►NATONATO North Atlantic Treaty Organization.North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

Military alliance for defending members from Military alliance for defending members from attack.attack.

General Dwight D. Eisenhower – first Supreme General Dwight D. Eisenhower – first Supreme Commander.Commander.

U.S. troops in Western Europe.U.S. troops in Western Europe.

Soviet Union countered in 1955 by forming Soviet Union countered in 1955 by forming Warsaw Pact.Warsaw Pact.

►National Security Act (1947).National Security Act (1947). Centralized the Department of Defense Centralized the Department of Defense

(replaced War Dept).(replaced War Dept). Created National Security Council.Created National Security Council. Created the CIA to gather information on Created the CIA to gather information on

foreign gov’ts.foreign gov’ts.

►Atomic Weapons.Atomic Weapons. Soviets tested their first one in 1949.Soviets tested their first one in 1949. Truman approved H-bomb a thousand Truman approved H-bomb a thousand

times more powerful than that dropped on times more powerful than that dropped on Hiroshima.Hiroshima.

Cold War in AsiaCold War in Asia

Containment harder in Asia.Containment harder in Asia.

Decolonization made new nations less responsive Decolonization made new nations less responsive to US.to US.

► Japan.Japan. General Douglas MacArthur controlled General Douglas MacArthur controlled

reconstruction of Japan.reconstruction of Japan. Depended on military protection from US.Depended on military protection from US. Occupation ended in 1951.Occupation ended in 1951. Treaty provided for US troops to remain in military Treaty provided for US troops to remain in military

bases on Japan.bases on Japan.

►Philippines.Philippines.

July 4July 4thth, became independent state (act , became independent state (act passed in 1934).passed in 1934).

US retained naval bases.US retained naval bases.

►China.China.

Civil War: Communist v. nationalists.Civil War: Communist v. nationalists. 1949 mainland China Communist – Mao 1949 mainland China Communist – Mao

Zedong.Zedong. Stalin and Mao signed Sino-Soviet Pact in Stalin and Mao signed Sino-Soviet Pact in

1950.1950.

The Korean WarThe Korean War

► Japan’s former colony Korea divided at the 38Japan’s former colony Korea divided at the 38thth parallel.parallel.

► Soviet army occupied north, U.S the South.Soviet army occupied north, U.S the South.

► 1949 both armies withdrawn.1949 both armies withdrawn.

► North in hands of Communist Kim Il Sung.North in hands of Communist Kim Il Sung.

► South in hands of Conservative nationalist Syngman South in hands of Conservative nationalist Syngman Rhee.Rhee.

► Invasion.Invasion.

June 25June 25thth, 1950 North Korea invaded the South., 1950 North Korea invaded the South.

Truman called for special session of UN Security Truman called for special session of UN Security Council.Council.

Truman more interested in protecting Japan than Truman more interested in protecting Japan than South KoreaSouth Korea

Authorized UN force to defend South Korea – Authorized UN force to defend South Korea – Soviets boycotted.Soviets boycotted.

US made up bulk of troops – commanded by US made up bulk of troops – commanded by MacArthur.MacArthur.

Congress called it a “police action.”Congress called it a “police action.”

North Koreans pushed combined force to North Koreans pushed combined force to the tip of the peninsula.the tip of the peninsula.

U.N. forces then advanced northward to U.N. forces then advanced northward to the Chinese border.the Chinese border.

November, 1950 China crossed the border November, 1950 China crossed the border – drove UN and US forces out of North – drove UN and US forces out of North Korea.Korea.

MacArthur called for an invasion of China – nuclear MacArthur called for an invasion of China – nuclear weapons.weapons.

April 1951 Truman recalled MacArthur for April 1951 Truman recalled MacArthur for insubordination.insubordination.

Truman viewed by many as an appeaser.Truman viewed by many as an appeaser.

1953 armistice signed (first year of Eisenhower’s 1953 armistice signed (first year of Eisenhower’s presidency).presidency).►No actual peace treatyNo actual peace treaty

54,000 Americans died.54,000 Americans died.

Truman used Korea to expand military – not Truman used Korea to expand military – not enough for Republicans.enough for Republicans.

Armistice, July 27, 1953

U.S. Marines, Seoul, 1950

The Second Red ScareThe Second Red Scare

► Belief that Communist conspirators and spies Belief that Communist conspirators and spies in the State Dept., the U.S. military, etc.in the State Dept., the U.S. military, etc.

► Loyalty Review Board – 1947-1951.Loyalty Review Board – 1947-1951.

► Smith Act of 1940: Illegal to advocate the Smith Act of 1940: Illegal to advocate the overthrow of the gov’t by force - leaders of overthrow of the gov’t by force - leaders of American Communist Party jailed.American Communist Party jailed.

Smith upheld by SC in Smith upheld by SC in Dennis et al v. USDennis et al v. US (1951). (1951).

►McCarran Internal Security Act (1950).McCarran Internal Security Act (1950).

Unlawful to advocate establishment of Unlawful to advocate establishment of totalitarian gov’t.totalitarian gov’t.

Restricted employment and travel of Restricted employment and travel of Communist organizations.Communist organizations.

Authorized the creation of detention Authorized the creation of detention camps for subversives.camps for subversives.

► Un-American Activities.Un-American Activities.

House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC).House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC).

Investigated gov’t officials, organizations like the Investigated gov’t officials, organizations like the Boy Scouts, and Hollywood actors and writers.Boy Scouts, and Hollywood actors and writers.

Those refusing to testify were tried for contempt.Those refusing to testify were tried for contempt.

Many blacklisted.Many blacklisted.

Opponents argued the First Amendment Opponents argued the First Amendment protected free expression.protected free expression.

HUAC Report on Radio & TV

Nixon, HUAC

►Espionage Cases.Espionage Cases.

Alger Hiss (1948).Alger Hiss (1948).

►State Dept official accused by ex-Communist State Dept official accused by ex-Communist Whittaker Chambers.Whittaker Chambers.

►1950 convicted of perjury and imprisoned. 1950 convicted of perjury and imprisoned. Pumpkin Papers – State Department papers on 5 Pumpkin Papers – State Department papers on 5

rolls of film.rolls of film.

►Rosenbergs.Rosenbergs.

Klaus Fuchs and others admitted giving A-bomb secrets to Klaus Fuchs and others admitted giving A-bomb secrets to the Soviets.the Soviets.

Julius and Ethel Rosenberg implicated.Julius and Ethel Rosenberg implicated.

1951 found guilty of treason and executed in 19531951 found guilty of treason and executed in 1953..

► Joseph McCarthy.Joseph McCarthy.

1950 claimed there were 205 communists in the 1950 claimed there were 205 communists in the State Dept.State Dept.

Played on fear.Played on fear. Used unsupported accusations.Used unsupported accusations. Even went after George Marshall.Even went after George Marshall.

► Army-McCarthy Hearings.Army-McCarthy Hearings.

Edward R. Murrow – “See it Now.”Edward R. Murrow – “See it Now.” 1954 hearings televised and America saw 1954 hearings televised and America saw

McCarthy as a bully.McCarthy as a bully. In December Senate and House censured him.In December Senate and House censured him.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anNEJJYLU8Mv=anNEJJYLU8M