Post-War World and Cold War Overview

Study Notes

Post-War World and Cold War Beginnings

World War II's End: Marked the beginning of a new global order and the rise of the Cold War.
Iron Curtain: The symbolic division of Europe between communist East and capitalist West.
Post-War Healing and Prevention: Efforts focused on creating international bodies like the UN to address future conflicts and prevent war.
United Nations: Established to maintain international peace and security, prevent conflicts, and foster cooperation.
World Bank/IMF: Created to aid in economic reconstruction and stability after the war.
NATO: A military alliance formed by Western nations to counter the Soviet Union and prevent the spread of communism.
Marshall Plan: A massive U.S. aid package to rebuild Western European economies.
GI Bill: Led to a baby boom.
Desegregation of the U.S. Military: Partial steps toward dismantling racial segregation in the military, though significant challenges remained.

Truman's Cold War Policies

Truman Doctrine: U.S. policy of providing financial aid to countries threatened by communist expansion.
Containment Policy: American strategy to limit the spread of communism by containing it within existing communist regimes, preventing it from taking root elsewhere.

Causes of Cold War Tension

Capitalism vs. Communism: Fundamental ideological difference in economic and political systems pitted the U.S. against the U.S.S.R.
Eastern Europe: Soviet political control over Eastern European countries influenced Cold War tensions.
Germany and Berlin: Berlin's division and the Berlin Blockade/Airlift highlighted the deep-seated conflict.
China: The rise of communism in China created fears of communist expansion in Asia.
Atomic Bomb: The U.S. atomic bomb created a powerful military capability that increased fear and prompted the arms race.

The Second Red Scare & McCarthyism

Second Red Scare: Post-war fear of communist subversion within the United States.
McCarthyism: A period of intense anti-communist suspicion and accusations.
HUAC: The House Un-American Activities Committee, investigated suspected communists.
Blacklisting: A practice that banned people, especially in Hollywood, perceived as communists, from working.
Examples: Hollywood Ten, Alger Hiss, Ethel and Julius Rosenberg
Smith and McCarran Acts: Legislation responding to fears of communist subversion as part of general anti-communist efforts.
Reasons for Growing Fear: Soviet atomic bomb acquisition, communist triumph in China, and overall anxieties about the Cold War.

Korean War

Causes: North Korean invasion of South Korea.
38th Parallel: Division line between North and South Korea.
Involved: North Korea, South Korea, U.S., United Nations forces.
Effects: Division of Korea, further escalation of the Cold War.

Eisenhower's Cold War Policies

Eisenhower Doctrine: U.S. strategy of using military force and financial aid to contain the spread of communism.
Differing from Truman Doctrine and Containment: The Eisenhower Doctrine emphasized the use of direct military intervention unlike the non-military approach from Truman.
Brinkmanship: Policy of pushing dangerous situations to the brink of war to achieve diplomatic aims.
Massive Retaliation: Policy threatening a devastating response with nuclear weapons to deter attack.
CIA: U.S. intelligence agency involved in Cold War covert operations.
Warsaw Pact: A military alliance organized for Soviet-led Eastern Bloc countries.

Cold War "Hot Spots"

Vietnam: Conflict involving communism.
Israel/Egypt: Complex political and territorial disputes in the Middle East.

Federal Civil Defense Administration

Prepared the public for nuclear war by promoting shelters and civil defense measures.

Arms Race

Definition: Competition between the U.S. and U.S.S.R. to develop more powerful weapons.
New Military Innovations: Development of new weapons, including nuclear weapons.

Space Race

Reasons: Competition to be the dominant superpower in technology and space exploration.

New Developments of the 1950s

TV: Emergence of television as a major form of entertainment and communication.
Polio Vaccine: Development and widespread use of a vaccine to eradicate this disease.
Computers: Advancements in technology and development of computers in societal uses.
Suburbs: Growth of suburban communities.
Rock n' Roll: Emergence of rock music as a powerful form of cultural expression.

Primary Sources

Importance: Studying primary sources provides insights into the period and gives deeper understanding.

Analysis Skills

Periodization: Ordering events chronologically, understanding the period's context.
Primary Source Analysis: Understanding documents' origins and content to draw conclusions and answer questions.
Comparison: Identifying similarities and differences between events in history.
Continuity vs. Change Over Time: Examining how certain aspects of a period changed or remained the same.
Geography/Map Analysis: Using maps and geography to understand location or historical context.
Causation: Identifying events and their causes and effects.

Description

This quiz explores the significant events and concepts that shaped the world after World War II, focusing on the beginnings of the Cold War. Topics include the establishment of the United Nations, the Iron Curtain, NATO, and economic recovery plans like the Marshall Plan. Test your understanding of how these elements contributed to the new global order.