APUSH Ch. 22-24 Test
In what ways do we see the seeds of domestic rebellion emerging in the 1950s emerging as well, and how might this attitude set the scene for the civil rights movement that is about to explode? ***
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What leads to the 1950s emerging as such an affluent, "golden age"?
After all the conflict of the 1940s (WWII, Operation Dixie, Civil Rights Push, the Cold War), Americans are ready for a return to traditional life.
What led to the "Republican resurgence" in 1946, hostility to Truman's Fair Deal, Truman's reelection in 1948?
Alarm over the labor crisis, pushed people to vote Republican. They wanted conservatism after the massive strikes that had taken place during Operation Dixie. Conservatives were also worried about desegregation. The conservatives who had then been elected to congress were opposed to the Fair Deal, as they wished to continue conservative economic values. Truman was then able to get reelected by using anti-Communism.
How did the end of the war begin to shape the postwar world? What sort of factions and dynamics do you see forming, even before the war was "officially" over?
At the end of the war, conferences occurred to plan the post war world. Treaties were formed dividing up the world. It can already been seen that two factions were being formed. One of the US and its allies, and the other being the Soviets and their allies. Even before the war had officially ended, tensions had arisen. The world essentially was split between an iron curtain. The West side being the US and its allies, and the East being the USSR and its allies. The US and the USSR would be at odds with each other for decades to come.
How did the Cold War reshape notions of American freedom?
Capitalism and free enterprise had become freedom, while also ensuring human rights. Anything opposite of the Soviet Union had become freedom.
How did the role of blacks in the war help launch the beginnings of a modern civil rights movement?
During the war, some blacks moved to the North and others joined the military. Blacks in the North moved up there seeking industrial jobs. They were met with much aggression, and were heavily discriminated against. Meanwhile, blacks in military service were the victims of racism as well. Some were stationed in the South where they met heavy discrimination, all were in desegregated units, and others were often discriminated against while Axis prisoners received preferential treatment over them. Also, the fact that the US opposed the Nazis for their idea of Aryan supremacy, was seen as contradictory since the US endorsed white supremacy. This leads to the buildup of resentment that would lead to the launch of the Civ Rights Movement.
What is the international outlook and foreign policy approach of the United States following WWI?
Following WWI, the U.S. attempts to isolate itself from the rest of the world. While still in the midst of a depression and after what had happened in WWI, the nation generally tried to avoid entanglement in foreign affairs, especially in Europe. Therefore, the U.S. generally was not aggressive, as evident through initiatives such as the Good Neighbor Policy which states that US would be less assertive and aggressive in Latin American affairs. However, the US still does pursue some of its economic interests.
What led to the conflict between President Truman and General MacArthur?
General MacArthur wanted to use nuclear weapons on the Chinese, who had been aiding the North Koreans. Truman denied his request, but MacArthur continued to insist on it publicly. He was soon fired.
How did Truman's approach to both domestic and foreign policy reflect the times in which he led?*
His approach reflects the times in which he led, as he was all about providing people with basic rights, and a good standard of living. Fear of Communism led to the Truman Doctrine.
How does McCarthy's speech simply embody the tensions of the time period, and in what way does the speech reveal a deeper threat to American freedom?
His speech represents the anti-Communism hysteria in America at the time. His speech reveals how he feels Communism is the ultimate threat to American freedom, as it godless and immoral.
What events, ideas, and ideologies prompted the onset of the Cold War?
Ideas- containment Ideology- Iron Curtain, Berlin Airlift, NATO/Warsaw Pact Ideologies- Communism and Totalitarianism vs Capitalism and Democracy
How would you characterize the tactics of the early days of the civil rights movement, and how would you assess Eisenhower's response?
They were nonviolent but inspired controversy. Eisenhower failed to do much, as he often turned a blind eye to the controversy.
Why is television such a transformative invention in terms of society, culture, and even politics?
It allows cultural, societal, and political messages to be brought directly into American living rooms. Americans could now be influenced right at home.
What do Roosevelt's "Four Freedoms" reveal about the evolution of American foreign policy and America's growing role as a global "superpower"?
It reveals that the U.S. foreign policy and its newly acquired status of global superpower, allow the U.S. to spread its influence around the globe. The Four Freedoms exemplify the American way of life. Americans now believe everyone deserves a good standard of living and the opportunity to live in a democratic society. It evolves into a policy of providing security, freedom, and peace to other nations. Overall, the American foreign policy is about ensuring liberty.
In what ways was the Brown case the catalyst that set off the rest of the civil rights movement, and set the scene for leaders like Martin Luther King to emerge into the spotlight?
It was a massive step forward for the Civil Rights movement, therefore it helped to jumpstart it.
Why did Pearl Harbor happen? In what way are the German and Japanese fronts of the war related?
Pearl Harbor happened as tensions between the U.S. and Japan built up. As Japan began to expand its empire, the U.S. became concerned. At first, we only involved ourselves through things like the sanctions upon Japan acquiring American oil, which they relied on. Do to all of this pent up aggression, Pearl Harbor occurred. Each front is related as Germany and Japan were part of the Axis powers which made up the side that the U.S. and its allies were at war with. Also, they both had imperialistic ambitions, evident through their attempts to expand physically with the use of their respective militaries and economic.
In what ways is conservatism transformed and "modernized" in the 1950s -- can you see echoes of this debate in today's politics?
Modern Conservatism accepts the government's role of protecting industry, but still do not want the FG to go too far. Debates on how much the government should interfere in the economy and on moral issues like gay rights and abortion are all echoes of this debate.
How did the war usher in a new era for women's rights, and in what ways was this new role for women really more of an evolution from previous gender equality movements?
Once the war began, most working men had been shipped off. Therefore, women were left with the task of filling their jobs. Previously women had been restricted to mainly service and clerical jobs, but now all different types of jobs were available to them. Unlike during WWI, women were granted things like equal pay and maternity leave. This gave them a taste of freedom, and for a few years they enjoyed a much for broad role. This was an evolution from previous gender equality movements because never before had such a large amount of women been in the role of a man for so long. This allowed them to experience freedom, and make make desperately want it back once they lost it again.
What visions of America's postwar role begin to emerge during the war, and how do these visions include -- and not include -- American minority groups?
One dream for the postwar was one where the US was a dominant, world power spreading democracy throughout the world. It would also spread American free enterprise and consumerism. The second one was one in which where the common man reigned. Rather than the US dominating, international cooperation was envisioned. It was also wanted that money would be redistributed to stop poverty and hunger. A global New Deal was this dream. It includes minority groups because America wanted to be the opposite of the Nazis. They embraced diversity in order to combat Nazis. However, blacks were still discriminated against and so were other ethnicities like Mexicans and Asians.
In what ways were policies like The Truman Doctrine and The Marshall Plan necessary, and in what ways did they exacerbate the conflict?
Policies like the Truman Doctrine and the Marshall Plan were necessary in order to contain Communism. The Truman Doctrine affirmed that the US would seek to contain communism to Eastern Europe. The Marshall Plan would then provide Western European countries with economic aid to jumpstart their economies. By rebooting the economies of Western Europe, they would turn to communism out of desperation. However, these policies exacerbated the conflict as the Truman Doctrine basically stated that the US would oppose Communism anywhere it spread to. This created hot zones where the US was to contend with Communism.
What effects did the anti-Communism of the Cold War have on American politics and culture?
Politicians and social groups both used anti-Communism as a weapon for achieving their goals. Politicians like Senator McCarthy used it as a weapon for his surmise to political power. He helped add to the hysteria by claiming he had the names of Communists and was ready to convict them. Culturally, an extreme aura of patriotism arose. Libraries banned un-american books and private organizations persecuted members who were found to be communists. Overall, the culture shifted to one of extreme anti-Communism and Americanism.
How does the ongoing Cold War spark a near "religious" adherence to the ideas of capitalism and free enterprise?
Religious leaders are able to play a role by using the godlessness of communism as reasons for adherence to capitalism.
What similar patterns do you notice from past economic booms, and what new patterns do we see?
Similar patterns such as spending on the military can be seen. However, new patterns such as the shift from an industrial economy to service economy can be seen.
What societal forces continue to preserve old racist patterns, and what counter-forces can you see emerging?
Societal forces such as housing preserved old racist values. Suburbs became an opportunity only afforded to whites, and ensured the traditional division of white and black areas. Meanwhile, the Cold War's influence on racism continued.
How does the Cold War, both in its rhetoric and actions, escalate under the watch of Eisenhower and Dulles?*
They escalate the Cold War through having bomb shelters built, adding to education, developing the H Bomb, stockpiling nukes, and through preaching massive retaliation.
How does the Cold War shape the legal context of the 1940s, and the emerging focus on loyalty?
The Cold War shapes the legal context of the 1940s as because of McCarthyism the law allowed for violations of freedom in order to "protect" the countries from Communism. For example, it was made a legal requirement that states allow blacks to vote. The Cold War also shaped the emerging focus on loyalty as it created a anti-Communist scare. Americans were constantly be charged with disloyalty and many were forced to prove their loyalty to the government. Committees like HUAC constantly questioned people's loyalty as well,
How and why did the Cold War spread to Asia, and why did we intervene in Korea?
The Cold War spread to Asia as the Soviets tried to spread Communism to their first. They succeeded in China, by backing Mao Zedong. Now in Korea, they attempted to spread it once again. This time however, the US, was forced to intervene and contain the threat since it too close to Japan and Russia.
In what ways do we see a new/emerging focus on military spending, and the militarization of foreign affairs?*
The FG begins to spend heavily on the military to keep up with Russia. The nation feels it needs to build up its arsenal and military to help contain the threat of Communism.
What did the internment of Japanese Americans reveal about the limits to America's wartime goals, and Roosevelt's Four Freedoms?
The Japanese internment camps revealed that though America was attempting to become more racially inclusive, it still was racist at the heart. It also revealed that in times of war, do to our hysteria and fear, freedom can be repressed in the name of protecting the country.
Why do we resist entry into the brewing conflict in Europe, despite the obvious abuses of Hitler and the Nazi regime?
The US turns a blind eye to the brewing conflict in Europe, as it is worried about the war's effects on its already struggling economy and because it does not want to damage its economic ties with Germany and Japan.
As the Civil Rights movement continues to develop, what do you see as its main catalysts, and how is the movement tied to the Cold War talk of freedom?
The main catalysts were resentment over their treatment, a necessity to change American ways as they conflicted with out argument that we were a more free nation than the USSR, the backing of Truman, and increased militancy following the war.
What had changed about the role of government that made such a massive domestic transformation and mobilization possible?
The role of the federal government had expanded into the everyday life of its citizens. This allowed the government it spread its influence through propaganda and control the economy, in order to prepare for the war.
How did the domestic economy recover/sustain itself in the post-WWII years?
To begin with wages decrease as there is already too much labor and no overtime, inflation was rampant, and the economy was demobilized. Thousands of veterans were also returning from the war, who were hungry for work. Through Truman's Fair Deal, the domestic economy was able to sustain itself after the War. The Fair Deal continued on with the momentum of the New Deal, and provided Americans with a good standard of living. Acts such as the GI Bill also helped to get returning veterans back on their feet, notably by providing them with an education. Though, the Taft Harley Act was passed which overturned the progress of labor unions.
How did the war transform the home front? In what ways was this transformation similar to that in WWI, and it what ways did it go much further?
WWII revolutionized the home front as the Great Depression came to a close, huge war production commenced, military bases were built in the West and South, and a large expansion of the FG occurred. The FG regulated subsidies, wages, and prices. Labor shortages were eliminated, as businesses were required to allow unions in return for a guarantee they would not strike. It is similar to WWI because women again filled in for men and the economy thrived.
What do the documents on pages 872-823 reveal about America's role, and pursuit of peace, in the post-war world?
White Americans want the US to be a global world power that can spread its ideals. Black Americans want inclusion at home and then freedom for colonies around the world. Essentially, Americans want the power to spread their ideals around the world.
Is it the Eisenhower administration that is responsible for setting the scene for the Vietnam War? In retrospect, was all-out war inevitable, given our Cold War stance?
Yes, as the Eisenhower administration helped to fund the conflict. Yes, as it is the US' mission at the time to prevent the spread of communism. It must oppose it.
Can you see links between the fight for the Third World in the 1950s and the same sort of conflict today?
Yes, as the US often intervenes in third world countries today.
Was the Cold War inevitable?
Yes, the Cold War was inevitable because of the way the world had been divided up. There was resentment on both sides over the divisions, and the US and USSR's ideologies were complete opposites. A showdown between the two countries was bound to occur, as they both wanted to spread their ideologies. Also the fact that there was a power vacuum and that the US had a monopoly on the atomic bomb.
