Postwar America Topic 8 Assessment

What were the similarities and differences between the espionage cases of Alger Hiss and the Rosenberg's.

Alger Hiss: powerful government official, accused of stealing government documents, many believed he was innocent, sent to prison. The Roosenburgs: Poor Jewish immigrants, accused of helping Soviets with atomic bomb, executed. Both: later documents approved some communist connections, contributed to anti-Communist paranoia.

How the U.S. workforce changed in the 1950s.

The workforce shifted from industrial blue-collar jobs to white-collar jobs in the service sector. Agriculture declined because if you were farmers were needed to produce enough food. Women begin to enter the workforce.

How did World War II and the use of the atomic bomb influence U.S. foreign policy in Asia during the 1940s and 1950s?

After Hitler, the United States was reluctant to standby while a dictator expanded his territory. At the same time, the United States was reluctant to use atomic weapons again after seeking the tragic affects on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. This led to the stalemate of the Korean War.

Why did the Soviet launch of Sputnik 1 lead to increased funding for education?

Americans felt threatened by Soviet advances in science and technology. They did not want to be outdone by the Soviets. The government chose to find significant in technological education in order to compete with the Soviet Union.

What were some benefits of Eisenhower's military policy?

Benefits: Eisenhowers policy saved money. In 1953, the defense budget was $50.5 billion, in 1995, it dropped down to 35.8 billion. Drawbacks: the stock piling of nuclear weapons carried with it the danger of increasing, rather than decreasing, the chance of war and ran the risk of weakening conventional forces.

How did the rise of the automobile contribute to the growth of the suburbs?

Cars became more affordable and highways were built between cities in the suburbs. Both of these developments made it easier to live in the suburbs and communicate into the city.

Describe the relationship between the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War and arms race.

Cause: Mao Zedong and the Communist Party assume control of China. Effect: the United States and Soviet Union begin to stockpile nuclear weapons. Cause: Dwight D Eisenhower becomes president. Effect: convinced that any war with the Soviets would be nuclear rather than conventional, the United States downgrades conventional military forces in stock piles nuclear weapons and soviets also stockpile nuclear weapons. Cause: Stalin dies and Khrushchev (Russia) becomes premier. Effect: relations between the United States and Soviet Union improve slightly. Cause: The Soviets launched Sputnik. Effect: do United States forms NASA and the space race begins.

What do you think was the most significant impact of the Hollywood Ten and the blacklist?

Communist accusations and the blacklist caused filmmaking to avoid addressing controversial issues and instead create films solely for entertaining.

Why did Stalin's actions after World War II lead Truman to believe he was "planning world conquest" after the meeting at Potsdam in 1945?

Despite his promises at Yalta, Stalin wouldn't commit to free elections, and he kept Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Romania, and Bulgaria under soviet control.

What attracted Mexican immigrants to the bracero program?

Despite the exfoliation, the bracero program was better than the situations the immigrants had left in Mexico. They participated because they wanted to be American citizens, and they wanted a job.

How did the women's "ideal" role change in the 1950s?

During the 1950s, women were expected to be house makers and stay home with the children. This was a change from earlier years. Many women had worked in century at the turn of the industries. and women had worked in many factors are in the war.

People and Events The successes of the 1950s were often attributed to Eisenhower.

Eisenhower reaped the success of the improved economy and the G.I. Bill, which helped many people enter the middle class. Do United States was not finding any overseas wars, and the baby boom boosted the economy.

What were the effects of the rise in the median family income during the 1950s.

Families had more spending money. They used this additional income to buy cars and suburban houses. More people were able to afford household appliances such as fridges and washing machines, so household work became less time-consuming. Parents also spent more money on her children.

What was the philosophy of the United States and the Soviet Union in the late 1940s during the Cold War, towards the governance of Germany and Eastern Europe.

Form of government: United States capitalist democracy; soviet union: communist dictatorship. Political beliefs: United States wanted free elections, economic freedom including right to own private property, freedom of religion; Soviet union did not want free elections, no economic freedom or right to own private property, no freedom of religion. Philosophy toward governance of Germany/Eastern Europe: United States wanted a strong, united Germany, wanted nations in Eastern Europe to be independently governed; soviet union wanted a week, divided Germany and control of east Germany; wanted Eastern European nations to become Soviet satellite States.

Why did urban renewal projects often fail to meet their of revitalizing urban areas?

In an effort to renew aging urban neighborhoods, the government often destroyed them by clearing large tracts of older housing and building freeways and other developments. Instead of helping renew the areas, the projects often succeeded only in displacing poor people from their homes. They were then forced to look for housing in overcrowded, rundown neighborhoods.

Why did the Rosenberg case attract so much controversy?

It touched upon deep fears of the American people. People were terrified that the Soviets might be able to make an atomic bomb and Minnie were convinced they could not have done it without help. After World War II mistreatment of Jewish people was also a sensitive subject.

What were the tactics, sentiments, and events that contributed to Senator Joseph McCarthy's success?

McCarthys accusation played on the existing fear about high-level officials having ties to communism. The conviction of Algar Hiss and the dismissal of many government officials contributed to this paranoia. McCarthy attacked relentlessly and many people believed his claims that hundreds of public officials had communist ties.

What central idea about McCarthyism is conveyed throughout the texts in this lesson?

Paranoia, like the anti-Communist feelings created by McCarthyism, can severely damage individuals and even compromise basic freedoms.

How did some people justify the idea of the termination policy for Native Americans?

People claim to the policy would allow native Americans to become accumulated into the rest of American society. However, the law ended tribal government as well as government responsibility for the health and well-being of Native Americans. This meant that Native Americans lost economic support as well as political power.

How did television contribute to the creation of a national mass culture during the 1950s?

Popular national radio programs had already created a mass culture in the United States, but television sped up and reinforced of the process because across the United States people watch the same shows, so same commercials, and wanted the same consumer goods.

What steps did President Truman take to solve issues with "China Turns Communist" and "U.S. Involvement in Korea,"

Problem: communist threaten take over of China. Solution: the United States send several billion dollars in aid to Jaing Jieshi. Problem: communist forces led by Mao Zedong dominate Civil War in China. Solution: United States refuses to support the corrupt Jiang Jieshi by sending troops to support his forces. Problem: Soviet-backed North Korean forces attack across the 38th parallel in Korea, overtaking the South Korean capital city of Seoul. Solution: supported by a United Nations resolution, Truman send US troops to South Korea. Problem: in late 1950, a large force of Chinese soldiers attacked South Korea and United States positions in North Korea, forcing back United Nations troops. Solution: Truman decides to fight a limited war, without making a communist to send large numbers of troops or to use nuclear weapons.

"Causes and Effects of Prosperity in the 1950s,"

Problem: returning soldiers need jobs. Solution: G.I. Bill. Problem: almost overnight the focus on war production came to an end. Solution: switch to manufacturing consumer goods. Problem: inflation. Solution: as businesses and manufacturers worked to me increased demand for goods, the rate of inflation went down.

What "push" and "pull" factors led people to move to the suburbs in the 1950s?

Push: the nation suffered from severe shortage in urban housing. Housing construction the client during the great depression and World War II. Paul: FHA loans allowed people to get a mortgage with a small down payment. Suburbs like Levitown introduced affordable, comfortable housing. States and the federal government funded highway construction. Cars were more widely available.

Describe the roots of rock-n-roll music.

Rock music originated in African-American rhythm and blues. Other types of music that contributed to development of rock 'n' roll include blues and boogie-woogie.

Many innovations during the 1950s improved the quality of life for people in the United States.

Several innovations in agriculture improved farming efficiency. For example, irrigation systems helped farmers water their crops. Machines help them plant and harvest those crops, and pesticides kept weeds and insects away. This allowed the United States to feed itself more easily and also sell food to other countries.

What was Truman's and Eisenhower's responses to Soviet aggression.

Similarities: both policies were influenced by the need to respond to Soviet aggression yet reluctance to begin an all out war. Differences: truman's policy of limited war relied on carefully defined objectives that were to be met through conventional warfare and weapons. Eisenhower focused on stockpiling nuclear weapons in building the planes, missiles, and submarines needed to deliver them because he assumed there any war that might break out would be nuclear, not conventional.

Characteristics of urban and rural poverty in the 1950s.

Similarities: both the urban and rural poor did not receive adequate help from government. Differences: urban poor- we are concentrated in large cities, were the recipients of government housing project, we're sometimes displaced and otherwise victimized by urban renewal, suffered from high crime rates. Rural poor- were victims of the farming decline, left behind as economy changed.

What were the social issues that caused discontent among some Americans in the United States.

Social problems: minorities did not receive equal opportunities to succeed. A quarter of the nation lived in poverty. Urban areas began to decline as the middle class moved into the suburbs.

How did the conflict between North and South Korea draw the United Nations into the Cold War?

Soon after Truman announced that the United States would support South Korea, the United Nations Security Council recommended that the members of the United Nations furnish such assistance to the Republic of Korea as maybe necessary to repel the armed attack and to restore international peace and security in the area. By showing support for the United States-backed democracy rather than Soviet-backed communism, the United Nations was brought into the cold war.

Why did Stalin refuse U.S. aid to the Eastern European countries? What message did his refusal send?

Stalin refused United States aid to eastern European countries because he saw the aid as a threat to his regime. By refusing aid, Stalin sent the message that he did not want anything to do with United States and that the Soviet Union and its satellite states did not need United States help.

What events led to the formation of NATO and the Warsaw Pact?

Stalin's hostile response to United States aid showed that he wanted to continue the spread of communism. The United States saw this as a threat, and so it gathered allies to protect itself. Stalin then responded by gathering his own allies with the Warsaw Pact. On both sides, an attack on one was considered an attack on them all.

Which action was more significant, the Berlin airlift or the U.S. aid to Greece and Turkey?

The Berlin aircraft was more significant because West Berlin was located right by the Soviet union. The Soviets saw West Berlin as "a bone in the throat" of the Soviet union because it's prosperity was evidence that the Western philosophy worked. Stalin actively tried to blockade West Berlin, but the United States and Britain opposed him by flying in food, fuel, medical supplies, clothing, and other kinds of aid and dropping it from the sky.

What did the United States learn from the Chinese Civil War and the Korean War?

The Chinese Civil War in the Korean War confirmed suspicions of many of the United States that if one country fell to Communism, it would have a ripple effect throughout the region.

Explain how the GI bill started a chain of events that strengthened the American economy during the 1950s.

The G.I. Bill gave veterans financial aid to attend college. This allowed many veterans to find good jobs that help to them enter the middle class. Because of their jobs in the strong economy, many of these veterans married and began to have babies, which resulted in the baby boom. The baby boom, in turn, increased consumption which also boosted the economy.

What benefits did the Marshall Plan bring to the United States?

The Marshall plan fostered positive relationships between the United States in the western European countries. It also stimulated the United States economy and accelerated the growth of capitalism.

What factors led to Mao Zedong's victory in China?

The Soviets supported Mao Zedong by helping him achieve his military and economic goals. The United States tried to support the nationalist government, led by Juing Jieshi, but their support wasn't as effective because corrupt officials did not distribute United States aid appropriately. This meant that Mao Zedongs vow to feed the people resonated with the public. More Chinese people had begun to support his ideas.

Did the United States overestimate or underestimate the Soviet Union in the early 1950s?

The United States had a tendency to underestimate the Soviet union. For example, the United States was surprised when the Soviets developed an atomic bomb and when the Soviets launched the sputnik. However, the United States felt threatened by the Soviet union and wanted to show its dominance. It responded to the Soviet threats by developing the hydrogen bomb and by participating in the space race.

The Truman Doctrine.

The United States must support countries whose governments are threatened by communist takeover, such as Greece and Turkey, in order to contain the spread of communism.

Does mutually assured destruction prevent countries from actually using weapons of mass destruction against each other.

The argument is that no country will use weapons of mass destruction against another country that has these weapons or is supported by a country that has them for fear of relation and mutual annihilation

Describe events that led to the increase in educational opportunities in the 1950s.

The baby boom created a shift and priorities for Americans. Because of the number of children that needed to be educated, funding increased. States such as California and Texas committed to public school funding at all levels.

Why did so many Americans move to the Sunbelt during the 1950s?

The invention of the conditioner made it much easier to live in hot climates. Additionally, increasing numbers of immigrants from Cuba and Mexico begin to settle in southern cities. Because so many people moved to the Sunbelt, the southern states in Texas begin to gain political power.

Were the 1950s a good time or a bad time for labor unions?

The labor unions lost power in momentum in the 1950s because of corruption economic and political changes. The teamiters Union was involved in a scandal that harm to its reputation. Many new white collar workers did not join unions, which weakened the unions. The Taft-Hartley act outlawed work places that could only hire union members.

How did the migration of African Americans into urban areas and the migration of middle-class whites out of the cities and into the suburbs affected U.S. cities?

The loss of the middle class hurt cities economically because they began to lose their tax base. The middle class paid a large share of their taxes and with their migration to the suburbs, the city last tax money it needed to maintain urban areas. The loss of the middle class also hurt cities politically because they lost some of their political clout. As the suburbs gained population, they also gained representation in state and national governments. Greater representation, in turn, meant that the suburban issues were more likely to get money and attention than did urban issues.

What was the main purpose of the Address Before a Joint Session of Congress that President Truman delivered on March 12, 1947?

The main purpose was to persuade Congress to give Greece and Turkey $400 million in aid. Truman's word choice helps support the purpose by painting a negative picture of communist forces threatening Greece and Turkey.

What did the downfall of Senator Joseph McCarthy demonstrate about the power of media?

The media served as a check to Senator McCarthy's power. When people saw his bullying tactics on television, public sentiment turned against McCarthy. This show to the television could have a major impact on the government.

Compare and Contrast Roosevelt's New Deal and Truman's Fair Deal.

The new deal was more successful because America needed more relief in the 1930s. The great depression and the dust bowl left many people starving and in poverty. The economy was stronger in the 1950s and American financial resources were already spread thin because of sending relief in military support to Europe. Additionally, Roosevelt had stronger public support than Truman day.

What was the theory of "the culture of poverty."

The poor are more vulnerable than other parts of society, and this perpetuate their poverty. For example, unsanitary conditions caused them to get sick more easily, and the resulting loss of wages results in a further decline in living standards.

What does the quote "no one was above suspicion" of communist activities really mean?

The red scare lead to communist suspicions of people from all walks of life. Over 3000 government officials left after the investigations. Even J Robert Oppenheimer, who helped build the atomic bomb that won World War II, was denied access to classified information because his relatives had links to the communist party.

How did events during the Cold War shape future developments in the Middle East?

The struggle over the Suez Canal was significant because it showed the increasing importance of oil in the middle east and its role in international trade. It also placed Israel in an important role that will continue. The government in Iran was established during the cold war, and it was a product of tensions between the United States and Soviet Union

What was President Truman's and General MacArthur's positions on war with China.

Truman's position was that the United States should pursue a limited war that would not involve sending large numbers of troops or using weapons that could cause decisive and widespread distraction, such as the atomic bomb. Germans World War II experiences probably informed his position. He did not want to risk all out war with China or the Soviet union, and he did not want to use atomic weapons again. In contrast, McArthur wanted to invade China and engage in an all out war. His position was probably informed by his successful experiences as a soldier. He believed in complete victory, and he had a hard time walking away from a battle that he felt like he could win.

How did U.S. involvement in the conflict between North and South Korea illustrate the Truman Doctrine?

Under the Truman doctrine, it was the duty of the United States to support countries whose governments were threatened by communist takeovers.

How did U.S. foreign policy during the late 1940s and early 1950s affect the U.S. economy?

United States provided relief to Europe after World War II through the Marshall plan. It also began to have a larger worldwide military presence with the Korean War. Military spending, as well as other forms of relief such as food, stimulated the economy.