WWII COLD WAR KOREAN WAR American History II

WWII, COLD WAR, KOREAN WAR American History II - Unit 5 Ms. Brown

Review • What was the result of the Chinese Civil War after WWII? • Mao’s communists vs. Chaing’s nationalists Mao’s Communists win = communist China • Chaing’s nationalists set up gov’t in Taiwan • The Korean War consisted mostly of which 2 countries fighting each other? • US (democracy and SK) vs. China (communism and NK) • Why did Truman remove Mac. Arthur from command of the US troops in South Korea? • Mac. Arthur advocated for the use of a nuclear weapon on China, which Truman believed would lead to another world war • What was the result of the truce in the Korean War? • NK (communist) and SK (democratic) split along the existing battle line, close to the 38 th parallel • For what major reason was Eisenhower elected POTUS in 1952? • Americans sick of Democratic party and wars • How was Khrushchev different from Stalin? • Believed communism would take over world, but peacefully thought US and USSR could coexist and compete • What was the Eisenhower Doctrine of 1957? • US would defend any Middle Eastern country against an attack by a communist country

5. 8 – THE COLD WAR AT HOME

Fear of Communist Influence • Early 1950 s - Americans believed good reason to fear for US security • USSR spread communism to satellite nations • Communism in China • Height of WWII, 100, 000 Americans claimed Communist Party affiliation loyalty to the USSR?

Loyalty Review Board • Truman accused of being “soft” on communism March 1947, Truman issued an exec. order establishing the Federal Employee Loyalty Program • Included the Loyalty Review Board to investigate fed. employees and dismiss those disloyal to the US gov’t • 1947 -1951 • 3. 2 M investigated • 212 dismissed • 2, 900 resigned – did not want to be investigated or felt rights were violated • Individuals under investigation were NOT allowed to see evidence against them (6 th Amendment violation)

The House of Un-American Activities Committee • House of Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) • 1947 – began to investigate Communist influence in the film industry suspected subliminal communist propaganda in films • Hollywood Ten – 10 “unfriendly” witnesses from the film industry chose not to participate in investigation, believed it unconstitutional sent to prison • Hollywood executives issued a blacklist (list of unfavorable people) condemned for having a Communist background • 500 actors, writers, producers, directors ruined careers

The Mc. Carran Act • 1950 – Mc. Carran Internal Security Act • How would this make Truman seem “soft? ” VS might lead to the establishment of a totalitarian dictatorship in the US • Truman VETOED – can only punish people for crimes committed… NOT for beliefs/opinions held • Congress OVERRODE VETO and passed the act anyway . • Unlawful to plan any action that Sen. Pat Mc. Carran

Alger Hiss • 1948 – Alger Hiss accused of spying for USSR by former Communist spy • Evidence: microfilms of gov’t documents claimed to have been typed on his typewriter • Could not charge with espionage due to statute of limitations charged with perjury, sent to prison, released after 3. 5 years • Claimed innocence, document forged 1990 s Soviet documents released seem to prove guilt

The Rosenbergs • Background • Sept. 3, 1949 – US finds out about USSR atomic bomb test • US scientists predicted another 5 yrs… Had US Communist sympathizers known about the US bomb during WWII and leaked secrets? • 1950 – German-born physicist Klaus Fuchs admitted to providing the USSR with US bomb secrets • Fuchs also implicated Ethel and Julius Rosenberg, minor activists in the American Communist Party

The Rosenbergs • Rosenberg charged with espionage – sending diagrams and information about US atomic bomb development • When asked if Communists and spies, both pleaded the 5 th Amendment (right to not selfincriminate) claimed charges were for being Jewish and holding radical beliefs • March 9, 1951 - Found guilty of espionage, “worse than murder” sentenced to death

The Rosenbergs • People from around the globe pleaded for clemency (forgiveness/leniency) for the Rosenbergs but evidence too weak • SCOTUS refused to overturn conviction or sentence • June 19, 1953 – Rosenbergs executed via electric chair • Julius died after the first shock • Ethel shocked several more times, declared dead while smoke rose from her head • First US civilians executed for espionage • Later evidence revealed the Rosenbergs did share classified info

Mc. Carthy’s Witch Hunt • Joseph Mc. Carthy • Republican Senator Wisconsin • Needed a winning platform for reelection in 1952 “Communists are taking over the gov’t!” • Took advantage of US fears about communism, made unsupported accusations • Claimed to have 205 Communist names in the State Dep’t – never actually named a single man • Democratic party – “ 20 years of treason” for allowing communism to infiltrate the gov’t • Made all accusations in the Senate where he had congressional immunity from slander charges

Mc. Carthy’s Witch Hunt • Republicans did little to stop Mc. Carthy’s attacks • Republicans may be favored in 1952 elections if the party was seen as purging Communists from gov’t • 6 republican senators spoke out, led by Maine Sen. Margaret Chase Smith “I speak as a Republican. I speak as a woman. I speak as a United States senator. I speak as an American… I am not proud of the way in which the Senate has been made a publicity platform for irresponsible sensationalism. I am not proud of the reckless abandon in which unproved charges have been hurled from this side of the aisle. ” – Margaret Chase Smith

Mc. Carthyism • Mc. Carthyism – the unfair tactic of accusing people of disloyalty to the US without providing evidence. Causes Effects • Soviets established Communist gov’ts in satellite nations (eastern Europe) • Soviet atomic bomb developed quicker than expected • Communism in China, containment failed in Korea • Republicans gain political ground by calling Truman “soft” on communism • Mc. Carthyism – paranoia in gov’t and society • Millions of Americans are forced to take loyalty oaths and undergo loyalty investigations • Activism by labor unions goes into decline (labor unions seen as socialist) • Many Americans scared to speak out on public issues • Anti-communism continues to drive US foreign policy.

Mc. Carthy’s Downfall • 1954 – Mc. Carthy made accusations against the US Army • Televised Senate hearings • Mc. Carthy publically bullied witnesses alienated the audience, lost public support • Senate condemned Mc. Carthy for improper conduct that “tended to bring the Senate into dishonor and disrepute. ” viewed as a liability to the Republican party • 1957 – Mc. Carthy an alcoholic, died

Other Anti-Communist Measures • By 1953, 39 states and many cities/towns had passed laws making it illegal to advocate the violent overthrow of the gov’t • Later these laws found unconstitutional due to violation of free speech • Seemingly all professions suspect to loyalty oaths and investigations • Professional wrestlers, union leaders, librarians, newspaper reporters, scientists, etc

Beginning of Cold War IMMEDIATE EFFECTS CAUSES - Soviet domination of eastern Europe - Communist victory in China - Mutual suspicion between US and USSR COLD WAR - Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan - East-West tensions over Berlin - Establishment of NATO and Warsaw Pact - Mc. Carthyism LONGTERM EFFECTS - Arms race between superpowers - Superpower rivalry for world power