The 50s and 60s

1. The 50s and 60s

2. Cold War Conflicts

3. What is the Cold War? • A state of hostility between the United States and the Soviet Union that fell short of military confrontation • From the end of World War II until the break up of the Soviet Union in 1991

4. Causes of the Cold War • The Soviets were Communists and the U.S. is a capitalist nation—they don’t mix well • Joseph Stalin, leader of the USSR, wanted to take reparations from Germany and keep as many Eastern European countries communist as possible • Harry Truman, the American president, wanted voting rights for all and was afraid of giving in to Stalin

5. The Truman Doctrine • Truman vowed to assist free people who were resisting takeovers by “armed minorities” • Included financial support to keep Communists from taking over Turkey and Greece

6. The Marshall Plan • Proposed by General George Marshall • Extended aid to all European nations in need • Approved when the Soviet Union took over Czechoslovakia in 1948

7. Problems in Germany • Remember Germany had been divided into four zones…so had the capital of Berlin • When the zones controlled by the U.S., France, and Great Britain reunited, the Soviet Union maintained control of its portion—of Germany and of Berlin • Led to two German nations—the Federal Republic of German (West Germany) with its capital in Bonn and the German Democratic Republic (East Germany) with its capital in East Berlin

8. Civil War in China • In the north—Communists and Mao Zedong • In the south—nationalists and Chiang Kai-shek • Civil War began as soon as the Japanese left after World War II • The Communists were able to gain the support of the peasants and by 1949 China was Communist Mao Zedong Chiang Kai-shek

9. The Communist Bugaboo • There was a concern that all American Communists were secretly working for the Soviet Union • Several agencies investigated possible Communist influence—even in Hollywood • Senator Joseph McCarthy accused everyone and anyone of being Communist • Some were actually found guilty: Alger Hiss and Ethel and Julius Rosenberg

10. War in Korea • Switch to separate presentation!

11. The Postwar Boom

12. Changes at Home • The GI Bill enabled WWII veterans to go to school, buy a home, or establish businesses • Marriages had ended in divorce • We faced inflation and unemployment • Truman called for Civil Rights, but Congress refused to act

13. Pop Culture • Most homes had TVs now • Radio was still popular • Hollywood focused on size, color, and stereo sound

14. Beatniks • Wore all black, were minimalists, and used the “hip” language of jazz musicians • Jack Kerouac wrote On the Road in 1957

15. The 50s Weren’t All Happy • Whites fled to the suburbs, leaving the cities full of poor African Americans • Mexicans had entered to work farms during WWII—the beginning of illegal immigrants • Native Americans worked to control their own lives and lands • The federal government withdrew financial assistance

16. The New FrontierandThe Great Society

17. The Election of 1960 • One of the closest elections ever • Kennedy/Johnson won by fewer than 120,000 votes! • Why? • Television • Civil Rights

18. Crisis in Cuba • The problem: Fidel Castro had declared himself a Communist and allied himself with the Soviet Union • Soviet premier Nikita Khrushchev sent tons of weapons to Cuba for defense—including nuclear weapons • After a tense two weeks, Kennedy agreed to leave Cuba alone and the Soviets agreed to remove nuclear missiles

19. Camelot • The Kennedys embraced art, music, and all cultures • He inspired hope • John was young and handsome; Jackie was beautiful and stylish; the children were adorable

20. November 22, 1963 • Kennedy is assassinated in Dallas • A nation mourned his death

21. LBJ’s Great Society • Johnson wanted to change America • Addressed poverty, civil rights, and the environment • Tried to renew the cities and protect consumers • Looked at ways to improve education and expand opportunities for college-bound students