Truman and the Cold War, 1945-1952
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Transcript Truman and the Cold War, 1945-1952
Chapter 26 AMSCO
Themes
Containment
Communism
UN
Nuclear Proliferation
Introduction
WWII
Isolationist to military superpower, world affairs leader
Revitalized American Economy
Cold War
Democratic United States vs. Communist Soviet Union
I. Postwar America
A. 15 million American Soldiers returning
Need jobs and housing
B. Economic Boom
Increased Per Capita Income
Increased Savings Accounts
Few consumer goods to buy during war
Consumer demand for autos = roads and
economic/growth and prosperity
Standard of Living
Americans had the highest in history by 1950s
C. GI Bill – Help for Veterans
1) Economic Expansion
Causes by gov. investment in ed and construction
2) Servicemen’s Readjustment Act of 1944 (GI Bill of
Rights)
Education
Half of 15 million paid by government
2 million attended college
Boom in higher ed
Low Interest Loans – government backed
Bought houses, farms, and started businesses
3) Baby Boom
Explosion in marriages and births
50 million babies born between 1945-1960
Baby Boom Generation
By 1960, 1/3 of women worked outside the home
4) Suburban Growth
Levittown
17,000 mass produced houses on Long Island
Low interest rates on mortgages
Gov. insured and tax deductible
City to suburb move became affordable
Single generation, majority of Americans became
suburbanites
Caused the development of the inner-city
Increasingly poor and racially divided
5) Rise of the Sunbelt
Southern States from Florida to California
Warmer climate, lower taxes, and defense related jobs
attracted GI’s and families to the Sunbelt states from
Florida to California
Military spending during Cold War
Helped shift industry, people , and political power
II. Postwar Politics
A. Truman
Democratic Senator from Missouri
Decisive leader, honest, and unpretentious
Attempted to continue New Deal Tradition of FDR
B. Economic Programs and Civil
Rights
1) Employment Act of 1946
Truman proposed progressive measures: national health
insurance, increase in minimum wage, a bill to maintain
full employment.
Bill was debated
Watered down version enacted in of Employment Act
1946
Created Council of Economic Advisers
Advised president and congress
Conservative Congress throughout next seven years
hindered Truman’s domestic program
2.Inflation and Strikes
Inflation
Truman wanted to continue price controls and limit
inflation.
South Dems. and Republicans recalled the OPA
Inflation rose 25% in first year and a half of peace
Strikes
4.5 million workers on strike in 1946
Railroads and mine strikes threatened national safety
UMW Strike
Truman sent soldiers to keep mines operating
3. Civil Rights
Truman was first modern president to utilize executive
office to challenge racial discrimination
Established Committee on Civil Rights in 1946
Strengthened Civil Rights division of Justice Dept.
Helped desegregate schools
1948 – Ended racial discrimination in the gov. and
segregation in the military
Supported funding for FEPC
Block by Southern Dems.
B. Republican Control of Eightieth
Congress
1) Republicans Congress
1946 - Elected majorities in both houses
Shift to conservative referendum
Attempted to pass two tax cuts for wealthy
Vetoed by Truman
Attempted to push back the New Deal
2) 22 Amendment (Ratified 1951)
President two full terms in office
3) Taft Hartley Act (1947)
Republican sponsored law to limit unions
Truman vetoed law twice as, “slave labor”
Outlawed close shop (requiring workers to join a union)
Permitting states to pass right to work laws outlawing the
union shop
Outlawing secondary boycotts
Presidential ordered – 80 day “cooling off” period
4) Election of 1948
Progressive party
Truman’s aggressive foreign policy threatened world peace
Nominated Henry Wallace
Dixiecrats
Southern Dems. Nominated Strom Thurmond
Republicans
Nominated NY Governor Dewey
Campaigned Cautiously
Democrats
Truman campaigned vigorously
NY Times mistakenly declared Dewey the victor
Truman won with 2 million in popular vote, 303 -189 electoral vote
5) Fair Deal (1949)
Truman proposed:
National health care insurance
Federal aid to education
Civil rights legislation
Funds for public housing
New farm program
Min wage and more workers under social security - only
aspect passed
Most aspects defeated b/c of Conservative Congress
and pressing foreign policy concerns
III. Origins of the Cold War
A) Dominated International Relations from the late
1940s to the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991
Occasional limited armed conflict
Several instances dangerously close to nuclear war.
B) Truman’s Supporters
Reasonable response to Soviet efforts to increase
Communist influence
C) Truman’s Critics
Misunderstood and overreacted to USSR
Conservatives said he was being soft on communism
D) Soviet Relations to 1945
Bolshevik Revolution was considered a threat to all
capitalistic countries
US – Red Scare of 1919
US did not recognize the Soviet Union Until 1933
Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact
Allies in WWII
US Soviet Alliance was one of convenience not of mutual trust
Stalin wanted a western front earlier
Conflicts were evident during the Big 3 Conferences at Yalta
and Potsdam
E) The U.N. – Postwar Cooperation
Founded in 1945
General Assembly
Created to provide representations to all member nations
UN Security Council
15 Members
Responsible for maintaining international security
5 Permanent Seats (Fiver Major Allies of WWII)
US, Great Britain, France, China, and the Soviet Union
Hope was that nations would compromise on international issues
Atomic Energy Commission
Soviets rejected Bernard Baruch’s plan to regulate nuclear energy and
eliminate atomic weapons
Critics cited this as a lack of peaceful Soviet intentions
UN World Bank (1944)
Created to fund re-building of the war torn world
Soviets declined to join
Nuremberg Trials
Soviet participated in prosecution
22 Nazi War Criminals put on trial
F. Satellites in Eastern Europe
Soviet military forces occupied countries of Eastern and
Central Europe
Elections were held by the Soviets as promised by Stalin at
Yalta
Results were manipulated in favor of the Communist candidates
Dictators loyal to Moscow were installed in power
Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Poland, Romania, Bulgaria, and
Albania
Apologists said Soviets needed buffer states (satellites) to protect
against another Hitler-like invasion
Alarmed US and British
Regarded Soviet Actions as the antithesis of FDR’s four freedoms
Especially wanted independence for WWII
G. Occupation Zones in Germany
Division was meant to be temporary
Controlled by Soviet, French, British, and the US
Eastern Zone under Soviet Occupation
Evolved into a new Communist State
(German Democratic Republic – Oxymoron?)
Soviets wanted a weak Germany for security and war
reparations
US refused war reparations – not to commit the same
mistakes of WWI
Attempted to control all of Berlin
H. Iron Curtain
US Gets tough on Soviets
Canadian spy ring – atomic secretes
Soviet occupation of Northern Iran
Churchill espoused that the Iron Curtain had fallen on
Europe
Called for Western democracies to halt the westward
expansion of communism
Did Churchill’s speech anticipate or help cause the cold war?
IV. Containment in Europe
A) Truman adopted the advice of three top advisers to
“contain” soviet aggression
Sec. of State – General George Marshall
Undersecretary of State – Dean Acheson
Expert on Soviet Affairs – George Keenan
Patience and containment of Russian expansionism would cause the
Soviets to back of world domination and live in peace with other
nations
B) Critics of Containment
Walter Lippmann – some areas were vital others were not
C) Containment Supporters
We had learned the lesson of Munich
D. The Truman Doctrine
Implemented for two reasons
1) A communist led uprising against the government in Greece
2) Soviet demand for Turkey’s Dardenelles
The Doctrine
Truman asked Congress in March 1947 for 400 million in aid
to Greece and Turkey against “totalitarian” regimes.
Gained bi-partisan support
E) The Marshall Plan
Causes
Europe lay in ruins after the war
Harsh winter in 1946-1947
Growth of communist party in France and Italy
Economic depression in Europe
Details of the Plan
Extensive economic aid to Europe
Strengthen democratic governments
12 billion approved by Congress for European Recovery Plan
Soviet Union and Soviet Satellites declined economic support
Effects
Helped Western Europe achieve sustained economic growth by the 1950s
Ended real threat of Communism in the region
Increased US Prosperity
Increasing US exports to Europe
Increased non-Communist West and the Communist East
F) The Berlin Airlift
Soviets cut off all land access to Berlin in June 1948
US Response
Truman ordered US plans to fly in supplies West Berlin
Truman sent 60 atomic capable bombers to England bases
Truman’s stand was partly responsible for his 1948 victory
Stalin’s Response
Decided not to challenge the airlift
May 1949 Soviets opened highways to Berlin
Long Term Consequence
Creation of West Germany (US Ally) and East Germany (Soviet
Satellite)
G) NATO and National Security
Since 1976 US avoided permanent alliances with European nations
Truman broke tradition in 1949
Recommended the US join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
Ten nations joined
General Eisenhower first Supreme Commander
Truman stationed troops in Western Europe
Warsaw Pact (1955)
Soviet answer to NATO
H) National Security Act (1947)
1) Created Department of Defense to coordinate Army, Navy, and Air
Force
2) Created National Security Council (NSC) – foreign policy
3) CIA – employ spies to gather information
4) 1948 – permanent peacetime draft
I) Atomic Weapons
US and Soviet Scientists engaged in an arms race
Vied for former German scientists who left Nazi Germany
after WWII.
Soviet Bomb
First tested in 1949
Hydrogen Bomb
Approved by Hoover – 1000 times more powerful than the bomb
dropped on Hiroshima
US National Security Council Recommendations
Quadruple US spending on defense
Form global alliances with non-Communist countries
Convince public that a costly arms buildup was necessary.
J) Evaluating US Policy
Critics of NATO cite that defense buildup only
intensified Russian Fears and the arms race
Supporter s of NATO
One of the most successful military alliances in history
In combination with nuclear weapons
Outcome
Checked Soviet Expansion in Europe and maintained uneasy
peace until the Soviet Union collapsed
V. Cold War in Asia
A) Containment obtained in Europe was different to
achieve in Asia
B) Imperialist system in Asia crumbled after WWII
C) Less responsive to US influence due to legacy of
western colonialism
D) Japan became closely tied to the US defense system
E) Japan
Solely under control of the United States
Douglas MacArthur – Supreme Commander for the
Allied Powers in Japan
Tokyo Trials – Seven Japanese Generals were tried for
war crimes and executed
Changes in Japan – new constitution (1947),
parliamentary democracy, renouncement of war,
liberated women, ended samurai feudal system, and
limited Japan’s military
F)US Japanese Security Treaty
Occupation of Japan ended in 1951
Japan signed a peace treaty: surrendered claims to Korea and islands in
Pacific
Second treaty ended US occupation and provided for permanent US
military bases
G) The Philippines and the Pacific
July 4, 1946 Philippines gained independence
US retained important naval and air bases during Cold War
H) China
US supported Chiang Kai-Sheik's Nationalist party during the war
Loosing power due to inflation and corruption
Civil war renewed between Chiang’s Nationalists and the Chinese
Communists led by Mao Zedong.
Gaining favor of poor landless peasants
I) US Policy in China
Sent George Marshall to negotiate the civil war
Compromise fell apart in months
Truman ruled out armed intervention and sent 400 million in aid to
Shek
80% of the money fell into communist hands
J) Two Chinas
By 1949 mainland China fell to the Communists
Chang and the Nationalists took refuge in formerly controlled
Taiwan
US refused to recognize Mao and the People’s Republic of China
until 1979
Republicans were alarmed and blamed the Democrats for the loss
Sino-Soviet Pact signed in 1950 served as proof of a Communist
Conspiracy
K) The Korean War
After the defeat of Japan
Korea was divided at 38th Parallel
North was occupied by the Soviets
The US occupied the South
By 1949 both armies withdrew
North controlled by Communist leader Kim Il Sung
South controlled by conservative nationalist Syngman Rhee
1) North Korea Invades the South
June 25, 1950 North Korean army surprised the world an possibly Moscow by
invading South Korea
Truman called for a special session of the UN Security Council
Took advantage of Soviet boycott and UN authorized force to defend South
Korea
MacArthur commanded troops
Congress supported use of US troops but failed to declare war.
2) Counterattack
North Korean forces pushed South Korean and
American forces to the tip of the Peninsula
Inchon Assault
MacArthur led an assault behind enemy lines in North Korea
UN forces destroyed much of North Korean Army towards
China
China warned US of encroachment
1950 Masses of Chinese troops crossed border and dealt UN
and forces a defeat, one of greatest in US history, drove US out
of North Korea
3) Truman Versus MacArthur
MacArthur Stabilized fighting near the 28th Parallel
Called for an expanded war
Including the bombing and invasion of mainland China
Truman cautioned MacArthur concerning public statements
MacArthur Recalled
By Truman and Joint chiefs of Staff for insubordination
Truman and the Democrats were considered appeasers for not trying
to destroy communism in Asia
4) Armistice
Signed in 1953, first year of Eisenhower's presidency
54,000 Americans had died in Korea
5) Political Consequences
a) Truman’s supporters believed containment policy in
Korea worked and stopped another World War
b) Korean War used as justification for expanding the
military and building the new jet bomber (B-52) and
putting more troops overseas
c) Republicans
Characterized Truman and the Dems. As soft on communism
“Dean Acheson's Cowardly College of Communist
Containment
VI. The Second Red Scare
A) Truman’s administration believed Communists were
behind civil wars overseas and believed that Communist
conspirators had infiltrated the US State Department,
military, and all institutions of American Society
B) Security and Civil Rights
Organized Loyalty Review Board in 1947
Investigated more than 3 million federal employees
Thousands resigned or lost their jobs (1947-1951)
C) Smith Act
Leaders of American Communist party jailed
Dennis et al. v. United States
Illegal to teach the overthrow of the gov. by force or to
associated with a group with this objectives
D) McCarran Internal Security Act (1950)
Over Truman’s veto Congress passed the Act
Unlawful to advocate or support est. of totalitarian gov.
Restricted employment and travel of those joining Communist
organizations
Authorized creation of detention camps for subversives
E) Un-American activities
Un American Activities Committee in House of Reps
Established in 1939 to seek out Nazis, now chartered with finding
communists
Investigated gov. officials, Boy Scouts, Hollywood film industry
Many in Hollywood were blacklisted or tried for contempt
ACLU
Argued First Amendment protected free speech of unpopular
political parties
F) Espionage Cases
1) The fear of communist conspiracy supported by a series of cases.
2) However methods used to identify Communist spies raised
serious questions
3) Hiss Case (1950)
Worked for State Department
Nixon and Chambers supported charges
Accused of giving away US secrets
Public wondered?
4) Rosenberg Case (1951)
Klaus Fisch (UK Scientist) gave A Bomb secrets to the Russians
Julius and Ethel Rosenberg
Accused of providing A Bomb secrets and convicted of treason and
executed for allegedly spying for the Russians
G) Rise of Joseph McCarthy
1) Republican Senator from Wisconsin, used growing concern over communism
2) In 1950 reelection speech stated that 250 Communists were still working for
US State Department.
3) Became one of the most powerful men in America
4) McCarthy’s Tactics
Unsupported Accusations about Communists in Government
Aimed to discredit Truman and wealthy Americans
5) McCarthy Hearings
1954 on Television – McCarthy was seen as a bully
Republicans and Democrats joined in a Senate censure of McCarthy
F) Truman in Retirement
Second Red Scare, stalemate in Korea, the loss of China and scandals
surrounding Truman’s advisors made his prospects for reelection minimal
In the election of 1952 he was highly criticized
Historians now view Truman as one of the top ten US Presidents