Transcript File
Truman • Fair Deal- Truman’s domestic policy • Based on FDRs New Deal policies • Public housing • Health care • Education 2nd Red Scare • After WWII, America enters into ANOTHER Red Scare • Due to fears about the atomic bomb, this Red Scare lasts longer and creates more intense feelings than the Red Scare after WWI Loyalty Program • Purpose: investigate government employees ensuring their loyalty to the U.S. government and its ideology • It came about in an effort for Truman to prove that he wasn’t soft on communism • Over 3,200,000 employees were investigated and 212 were dismissed; another 2,900 resigned over their beliefs that the government was over-stepping its bounds. Communist in the United States?? • HUAC- stands for House Un-American Activities Committee • Meant to investigate the movie industry about their involvement with the U.S.S.R., communism, or both • They believed communists were sneaking propaganda into films • At first, many of those interviewed were friendly, however…as time went on, more resistance was found • Hollywood Ten: group of 10 men who were “uncooperative” because they refused to cooperate with the questioning • They were sent to prison • In response, Hollywood executives instituted a blacklist • Approximately 500 writers, actors, producers, and directors had their careers ruined because they could no longer work The McCarran Walter Act • Made it illegal to have any plan or action that might lead to the establishment of a totalitarian government • This VAGUE wording made it really easy to investigate/lock-up any government enemies • Truman is vehemently against this law and vetoes it- calls it “The most unAmerican law” • Congress overrode his veto Spies in the United States?? • Alger Hiss• Accused of spying for the Soviet Union (by another ex-spy, Whittaker Chambers) • Evidence against him: government documents supposedly typed on Hiss’s typewriter • Statue of limitations had run out, but he is charged and convicted of perjury • His conviction makes Richard Nixon famous; he is soon elected Vice President • Ethel and Julius Rosenberg• September 3rd, 1949, Americans learned that the Soviet Union had exploded an atomic bomb (much earlier than Americans believed it would/could happen) • This made Americans wonder if information had been leaked from America to the Soviets • Due to their connection with admitted spy Klaus Fuchs, Julius and Ethel Rosenberg were suspected, tried, and convicted. They were sentenced to death. Witch Hunts • Joseph McCarthy- Republican Senator from Wisconsin • First 3 years: known as ineffective, needed an issue to stand for in order to be re-elected • McCarthyism: witch-hunt style tactics used against members of government accusing them of communist beliefs • At one point he claimed to have the names of 205 communists working for the U.S. government (he never produced a single name) • His downfall finally comes when he accuses the U.S. Army of being communist…on live TV • Effects of McCarthyism: • • • • Millions of Americans forced to take loyalty oaths Activism by labor unions goes into decline Many people are afraid to speak out on public issues Anti-communism continues to drive U.S. foreign policy Additional Information • Typical American Life • CONFORMITY (best word to describe 1950’s American society) • People were moving to the suburbs (Levittowns) • Men were supposed to get jobs and get married • Women were supposed to get married, have babies, cook/clean, and be pretty • People were afraid to stand out- they would be labeled as communists Additional Information • Baby Boom: time period from 1948-1965 were the birthrate in the United States soared. The height of the Baby Boom was 1957; one American infant was born every 7 seconds! (over 4 million that year alone) • Advances in medicine • Jonas Salk- developed the Polio vaccine • Dr. Spock- wrote Common Sense Book of Baby and Child Care where he argued against spanking and scolding children • Penicillin- first antibiotic developed Additional Information • American entertainment • Television was incredibly popular • Biggest shows: • Leave it To Beaver • American Bandstand • “I Love Lucy” • Rock’n’Roll was the music of the youth • Represented a rebellious threat to authority • Biggest name: ELVIS! Additional Information • Beatniks • Followers of Jack Kerouac • Author of On the Road as well as many other works • Main idea: challenge authority…don’t blindly follow others • This group will lead to the hippie/counterculture movement of the 1960’s