The Cold War Characteristics of the Cold War

The Cold War

Characteristics of the Cold War • Presence of Atomic Weapons influenced diplomacy • Who would control Eastern Europe? Communist USSR or Democratic US? • US President Harry Truman very hostile to USSR • Obsession with Containing Communism

Major Diplomatic Policies • Truman Doctrine, 1948 = Defense of “freedom” • Marshall Plan = Provided US support for Europe’s economic recovery, “Prosperity makes you free”

East & West Germany Divide • Germany divided in 4 sections: Britain, France, US, and USSR all control 1 part • Berlin run by all 4 but located in USSR’s section • Berlin Airlift: US cargo planes dropped supplies every 3 minutes • May 1949: West Germany separates from USSR’s East Germany

Cold War at Home • Bomb shelters, bomb drills, “Sky Watchers”

The “Red Scare” • (HUAC) House of Un-American Activities Committee uncovered members of the Communist Party • Executive Order 9835, “Federal Employee Loyalty Program, ” 1947 : Banned members or sympathizers of the Communist Party from federal employment • 39 states had loyalty oaths

The Hollywood Ten, 1947 • HUAC hearings exposed Communists in the Film Industry • People pressured to reveal names • Ten directors/writers/ actors sent to prison for contempt of Congress • Directors/writers/actors blacklisted

The Pumpkin Papers: Alger Hiss and Whitaker Chambers, 1948 – 1950 • Whitaker Chambers: Editor of Time magazine, former Soviet agent • Chambers named Alger Hiss to HUAC, 1948 • Richard Nixon

Joseph Mc. Carthy • Republican Senator from Wisconsin • Created hysteria over finding Communists in government