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Postwar RecoveryPostwar Recovery
U.S. Wanted to: Help repair war-torn European nations Did not want to repeat mistakes that followed WWI
Led to a shift in American foreign policy
What was the major shift in foreign policy called?
Marshall Plan (1947)Marshall Plan (1947)
The Marshall Plan: Asked European nations to draw up a program for economic
recovery U.S. would then support program with financial aid
$13 billion to W. Europe over 4 years Economies recovered quickly U.S. strengthened trade ties
Soviet Union refused to participate in Plan Named after Sec. of State George C. Marshall See Marshall quote & Shipment chart on p. 645
Why did we want to help Europe?
The Berlin AirliftThe Berlin Airlift
By 1948 American, British, and French leaders are convinced that Stalin was not going to allow the reunification of Germany West Germany=republic, capitalism East Germany=communist
Berlin Capital of Germany Also split into east & west West Berlin used as a launching point to escape
communist E. Europe Stalin wanted to stop this by forcing Western powers to
abandon West Berlin
The Berlin AirliftThe Berlin Airlift
Stalin implements a blockade of West Berlin in 1948
Truman did not want to start a war, or give up West Berlin so… W/ Britain started an airlift 15 months, 200K flights, 13K tons of goods daily Read about “Operation Little Vittles” on p. 647
The Berlin AirliftThe Berlin Airlift
Stalin’s Blockade ended May 1949
Airlift ended in Sept. 1949
Berlin remained a focal point of the East/West conflict
Why didn’t Truman use military force to stop the blockade?
United NationsUnited Nations
After WWII looked to for protection, but…
Soviet Union used veto power
Weakened UN’s ability
W. Europe looked for new solutions…
NATO! What is it?NATO! What is it?
• NATO=North Atlantic Treaty Organization
• Formed in April of 1949
• U.S., Canada, & 10 Western European nations pledged to support each other against attack
• Collective Security
• Arguments against NATO• Not a “peace program,” a
“war program,” half of the world against the other half
• Mutual military assistance
• Soviet Response:
• Created the Warsaw Pact
• A military alliance between the Soviet Union and its satellite nations
• What are satellite nations?
NATO! What’s with that?NATO! What’s with that?
Why is NATO needed?
The U.S. did not want to be the only nation in the Western Hemisphere committed to fighting communism
Other reasons???
Communist AdvanceCommunist Advance
Soviet Atomic Threat Test atomic bomb in 1949
U.S. Response: Truman approves a hydrogen bomb; much more
destructive than atomic bomb Truman organized the Federal Civil Defense
Administration Info on how to survive an attack, plans for building bomb
shelters, etc.
Communist AdvancesCommunist Advances
In China Mao Zedong rose to power 1949 & created a Communist nation (the People’s Republic of China)
The defeated followers of Chiang Kai-shek fled to the island of Taiwan & continued as the Republic of China
“Loss of China” was viewed as a stain on Truman’s record Many called for increased effort to stop communism in
Asia
Cold War at HomeCold War at Home
Fear of Communist spies created mass suspicion in the U.S., a new red scare
Truman formed a federal employee loyalty program that checked all new and existing federal employees’ backgrounds The creation of this program added to American
suspicion Accusation alone ruined reputations
Cold War at HomeCold War at Home
HUAC (The House Un-American Activities Committee) est. in 1938
Searched for communist infiltration of gov’t agencies & Hollywood
HUACHUAC
• HUAC called a number of Hollywood writers, directors, and actors in 1947 to testify
• The Hollywood Ten
• Ten people ho refused to answer the HUAC’s questions were imprisoned for contempt of Congress
• Sentenced to jail (6 months—1 year)
• Hollywood studios compiled a blacklist• People that should not
be hired• Ruined many
careers/reputations
Cold War at HomeCold War at Home
McCarran-Walter Act (1952)
Re-affirmed quota system on immigrants
Esp. limited immigration from E. Europe & Asia
Vetoed by Truman, but overridden by Congress
SPIES!SPIES!
Two famous spy cases reinforced fears that Soviet spies in the U.S. were sharing American secrets with foreign Communists.
Hiss had been a high-ranking government official (State Dept.) was accused by a Time Magazine editor of being a Communist
Accused of lying while on trial, locked up for 4 yrs.