APUSH Gang,
Just because it's FCAT Week doesn't mean that we have nothing to do! The APUSH exam is right around the corner, and we need to prepare ourselves. This week, we will take an intensive look at the early years of the Cold War, when Europe and Japan were in ruins, there were only two superpowers that stood ready to stand in each others' way, and the United States had a difficult choice to make: retreat to isolationism again, or recognize the potential threat to world domination that the Soviet Union had become.
"American Pageant" Ch. 36 Guidebook ("The Cold War Begins, 1945-1952") is on my McKeel webpage. You will also find answer keys for Ch. 29-35. There is a LOT of information to learn about the early years of the Cold War that may rear its head on the APUSH exam in a few weeks, so be prepared to know how to answer Ch. 36 Guidebook's ten "PART III: APPLYING WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNED" essays.
You will have an exam on Fri., 4/15, on Chapters 29-33 (Wilsonian Progressivism, WWI, the Roaring Twenties, the Great Depression, & the New Deal). This was posted on my blog last week, but I thought that WWII would be adding a little bit too much. You will report for this exam in Mrs. Fields' room after Advisory, and you may take up to 60 minutes to complete it. Bring #2 pencils!!
As for your assignments for "The Cold War, 1945-1952":
1.) You will need to get two videos from me: "America in the 20th Century: The Post-War Years" and "America in the 20th Century: The Cold War". You can stop the 2nd one after the segment on the Korean War ending with an armistice in 1953 after Gen. MacArthur is relieved of his command. Your assignment for both is to write an outline for both films, segment by segment. Each one should contain at least 25 fully-written points of interest. - Due Tues., April 19
2.) There is a DBQ from the 2006 APUSH exam on my website. Look at it, analyze the documents, and write it (only Section II, Part A). Remember, no matter how well-written it might be, if it contains no outside information, it will not score better than a 4 out of 9, so be sure to digest Ch. 36 in "American Pageant", watch the films, and plug through the Monterey Institute's offerings on the Cold War (listed below...Due Wed., April 20
3.) "American Pageant," Ch. 36 Guidebook - Due Thursday, April 21
4.) Monterey Institute's Unit 9, Chapter 22 ("HST & IKE"), Lessons 65-68
http://www.montereyinstitute.org/courses/AP%20US%20History%20II/nroc%20prototype%20files/coursestartc.html
a.) Key Terms - For each term, note the definition as well as the term's significance (Due Mon., 4/18)
b.) Writing Assignment - This is a free-response question from the 2002 APUSH exam. MAKE SURE YOU GO TO PAGE 8 & ANSWER ONLY #4. (Due Tues., 4/19)
c.) Discussion Question - Answer the following question as a response to this blog: "How did the U.S. policy of containment affect the decision-making of the government during the 1940s and 1950s? Did Americans overreact to the potential threat of communistic influence in the U.S.?" Your response should be at least 350 words, and should be posted by Thursday, 4/21.
KEY CONCEPTS
1. Explain the causes and consequences of the post–World War II economic boom.
2. Describe the large postwar migrations to the Sunbelt and the suburbs.
3. Explain changes in American society and culture brought about by the "baby boom".
4. Explain the origin and causes of the emerging conflict between the United States and the Soviet Union after Germany’s defeat and Truman’s accession to the presidency.
5. Describe the early U.S.-Soviet Cold War conflicts over Germany and Eastern Europe, and explain why the United Nations proved largely ineffectual in addressing them.
6. Discuss the American theory and practice of containment, as reflected in the Truman Doctrine, the Marshall Plan, and NATO.
7. Describe the concern about Soviet spying and communist subversion within the United States and the increasing climate of fear it engendered.
8. Describe the expansion of the Cold War to East Asia, including the Chinese communist revolution and the Korean War.
9. Other important stuff: the Warsaw Pact, the Berlin Airlift, Communist insurgencies in Greece & Turkey in 1947-1948
11 comments:
The purpose of the US policy of containment was to stop Soviet Union expansion. This caused the American government to come up with an economic plan to provide direct fiscal aid to Europe. They also felt the need to keep helping other European countries when the Soviet Union wouldn’t cooperate. The Berlin Blockade is a great example because the United States started providing provisions to those in Western Germany. It showed how America was coming out of her isolationist period and trying to expand abroad. It also caused the formation of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. The United States made alliances with countries to help each other if the others got attacked. If this had been proposed even a few years or months earlier, it would not have passed at all; with a new policy, the United States started seeking and finding power and influence around the world. America started putting all her effort in to helping out European nations and started pushing for more nationalism, which had never even been thought of until about that time period. The United States was trying to have other countries so prosperous that they would not plunge in to the ways of communism. In general, because of the containment policy, the United States started helping out other nations to protect her own interest and attempt to bring to an end to communism.
I don’t think that America overreacted too much, but maybe a little. Like when congress approved $400 million to help out Turkey and Greece to help them not fall in to the Soviet Sphere; I feel that’s a lot of money. However, I do see how they were just trying to help and stop communism since it has a bad rep. The government started doing things to “help” out people who were being forced in to a totalitarian regime (the Truman Doctrine). With things like this, you have to step back and think of that time period; and we may think now that it was a silly idea or an overreaction, but for that moment it was the right thing to do and anyone would have done the same thing. Therefore, I feel that the United States did not overreact to the threat of communism. They were just protecting what they believed in.
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The U.S. policy of containment affected the decision making of the government during the 1940s and 1950s in many ways. It especially affected the decision making in U.S. foreign policy. There were many new policies during those decades were a huge change from the previous U.S. policy of isolationism. One big change of policy was the Truman Doctrine. The Truman Doctrine was a policy created by President Truman which stated "it must be the policy of the United States to support free people who are resisting attempted subjugation by armed minorities or by outside pressures". It also requested $400 million to prevent the fall of Greece and Turkey to the communists. This doctrine was a huge change from the previous U.S. policy of isolationism and noninvolvement unless U.S. interests were threatened. Another policy that was a huge change from the previous U.S. policy was the Marshall Plan. This policy followed the Truman Doctrine and proposed that Congress send money to countries to prevent their governments from becoming communistic so that they could stop the spread of communism. This was proposed by Secretary of State George C. Marshall in June 1947 and was meant to help rebuild the European economy as well. This was another change from the previous U.S. policy of isolationism. The biggest way that the U.S. policy of containment affected the decision making of the government during the 1940s and 1950s was the decision of the U.S. to join NATO. NATO, or the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, was a mutual defense pact that originally included twelve countries from both North America and Europe. This treaty was used as a threat against the growing strength of the Soviet Union by creating an alliance that would make the Soviets think twice before attacking any of the countries involved. This was a huge change from the U.S. doctrine of not getting involved in entangling alliances and forever changed the U.S. policy from isolationist to internationalist. At home, Americans reacted strongly towards the potential threat of communistic influence in the United States. Many Americans overreacted to the potential threat. The threat was not from the communists, but from the Soviets. The Soviets were the ones who were creating nuclear weapons, not communists in general. In their reactions against communism, many innocent people were hurt. Overall, many Americans overreacted to the potential threat of communistic influence in the U.S.
Word Count: 396
The u.s. policy of containment was made to stop the spread of communism that our government believed was sure to happen without it.
With this policy in place, at the beginning of the cold war, America began to financially support many European countries. In Berlin especially, our help was noticed. Half of Berlin was under Russian control, fighting, even just for a higher bread ration, according to the video 'America in the 20th century: the cold war'. The other half was receiving food and other essentials from America.
Aside from financial help, America and many other nations formed alliances similar to the unsuccessful League of Nations. As a nation, we promised to help if another country was attacked or at war.
The wealthier European countries got, the more likely they were to refuse communism, or any socialistic ideas, for that matter. This is understandable. When a person is working hard and making a lot of money, they don't want to share their wealth. And, winning over nations to capitolism was worth the financial help we gave out, at least in the opinion of the United States government. Because, in America in the 20th century, communism was considered to be low, barbaric, and a hated economic system; being called a communist was definitley not a good thing. And, also, the more countries accepted and practiced communism, the more countries we considered to be on the side of the Soviets. We weren't simply working to end communism, in the opinion of many, we were working to end Russia.
(Posting from my phone only allows so mny characters at a time, sorry)
And the end of Russia was no where near. Though, Americas new policy seemed to show the oposite. The alliances we formed separated the Soviet Union from the rest of the world. And, it caused major setbacks in Russian expansion. According to a source from the 2006 AP united states history exam's document based question, 56 percent of the surveyed Americans believed that Russias goal was ultimately to rule the world and everyone in it. So, when deciding whether or not America was in the wrong for going above and beyond to finance countries to keep them away from comunism, this statistic must be considered. If enough people thought that Russian domination was an issue, then our government did the right thing. After all, in our democratic society, the people are meant to decide what happens. If we didn't practice this basic idea, then how could we bring other countries towards capitalism and democracy?
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Communism changed America greatly. Although it never took over our governmental system, our country was affected by this philosophy like no other. Our policies changed dramatically, especially in the area of foreign policy.
Since President Monroe had been in office, our country abided by a generally isolationist policy. In other words, we did not get our hands dirty in other countries affairs. Once communism was brought into the picture, the Monroe Doctrine was given a makeover. When Greece and Turkey were in danger of falling into Communist hands, the United States adopted the Truman Doctrine. This policy promoted protection of established governments against revolutionary minorities, especially Communist revolts. America went from a isolationist country to an interventionist nation in short amount of time. This sudden change shows how much the goal of containing communism affected America's policies.
Another way America changed its foreign policy was the Marshall Plan. This plan's purpose was to stimulate the economy in Europe after World War 2. The plan consisted of a huge amount of money to go over to the European nations. Before this, America had never really put this much financial effort into a foreign cause besides the two World Wars. The Marshall Plan was a totally new area for the US government.
One other dramatic change in US foreign policy was the American entrance into NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization). The purpose of NATO was to provide for the defense of European nations against the Communist Soviet Union. This organization consisted of 12 countries to begin with, which included France and Great Britain. With the US joining this committee of foreign nations, it went against a policy that dated back to George Washington. America was putting itself in a binding treaty with foreign nations. It was not necessarily a bad thing. However, it was another big change in America's policies. This change was again caused by the containment policy of the US.
American citizens were significantly affected by the Communist system. Most were overreactive and caused a wave of hysteria against the Communist party. Communists and Soviet Unionists were commonly mixed up. The actual Soviets were the ones to be wary of, not the whole Communist party.
Overall, America was dramatically changed by communism. Many of our long held policies were overturned because of the containment policy concerning communism.
Word Count: 387
The “Grand Alliance” between Brittan, United States, and the Soviet Union was created purely out of necessity. The phrase “my enemy’s enemy is my ally” fully embodies the attitude America and the Soviet Union had for one another. So, when Hitler died, America and the Soviet Union were kind of suspicious and apprehensive. America became worried about the Soviet Union expanding, so the containment doctrine was created.
After consulting Soviet specialist George F. Kennan, Truman adopted a “get-tough-with-Russia” policy, and brought forth the Truman doctrine. This doctrine specifically proposed to give Greece and Turkey 400 million dollars in order to “resist communist aggression.” This was such a surprising move on America’s part. It was a huge step from previous isolationism to suddenly propose this plan. The pay off was supposed to “support free peoples who are resisting attempted subjugation by armed minorities or outside pressures.” In other words, America was to help places that were in danger of forced communism.
During European economic crisis, the U.S. constituted the Marshall plan (a sort of relief plan that financially contributed to suffering countries.) This plan was generously presented to the Soviet Union, but (here’s the catch) only if USSR would institute political reform. America was confident that the USSR would accept, but they did not, and suspicious Soviets even called the Marshall plan a “capitalist trick.” The U.S. even gave 2 billion dollars to the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration (UNRRA.)
Average American civilians had an intense fear of communism. Communism was viewed as atheistic, lethargic, and just plain un-American. Part of this was due to propaganda against the Soviet Union during the Cold War, promoting the “American way” while disapproving of communism. The reactions, fears, and strong feelings against communistic ideals, I feel, were unnecessary overreactions.
Although the U.S. spent quite a bit of money, it was well worth it. Because of the “economic miracle” caused by U.S. dollars, European countries thrived, and communist parties practically ceased to exist (as the ones in Italy and France did.) Even though average Americans dramatized the communist way, I feel that actions taken by the government were necessary and beneficial.
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During the Potsdam conference President Truman would have no idea of the years of cold warfare that we about to ensue. Their ally in WWII, the Soviet Union, was making plans to take over all of Europe an impose communism on its nations. President Truman would have to make important decisions that would curb the spread of communism but not agitate the Soviets enough to start WWIII. Truman’s policies changed drastically when the Soviet Union rapidly gained power after WWII and he enacted policies that would not only snuff out communism abroad but also at home. With Eastern Europe falling under the Soviet Sphere of influence the United States aided Western Germany so that it may not also fall to communism. When Stalin got word of what the United States was doing he decided to blockade Berlin in an attempt to expel the United States forces. Truman wanted to aid Germany but did not want to engage in battle so he took a risky chance and choose to airlift supplies to Berlin. Stalin could do nothing against the United States Air force and removed the blockade in humiliation. After the blockade of Berlin the United States created NATO in attempt to create a combined defense against the Soviet menace. At home there was a fear of atomic bombs being dropped on the nation by a foreign enemy. Americans overreacted to communist influence mainly because they were only told that it was evil and un-American. Most Americans did not even know what communism was or what motives were of The Soviet Union, the instigator for the spread of communism in Europe. It took a long telegram by U.S. diplomat George F. Kennan to explain that the Soviets” goal was to expand and it would take containment to effectively prevent the spreading of communism. This would become the official policy of the United States along with the Truman doctrine – Preventing the subjugation of peoples by an outside source by containing Soviet influence. When an uprising in Korea showed signs of Soviet influences the United States made it their mission to aid South Korea in their fight against Soviet supplied North Korea. China had already fallen to communism and the United States did not want another country to be overrun by the communist scourge. The United States may not have had a clear victory in the Korea war but it the United States would keep a watchful eye on the Soviet Union and any actions they would take in the following decades of the Cold War.
word count:423
During 1940 to 1950 the U.S. policy for containment was banging on the door of congress. President Truman wanted to make sure that the spread of communism was not going to happen, because of this two new federal documents got passed: the Truman Doctrine and the Marshall Plan. The Truman Doctrine made it so that if there was any country that was trying to be suppressed by another country then America could help out that country, because no country should have to be suppressed. The real reason why this was passed is because the Soviet Union was trying to bring communism to Greece, and if that happened then there was a chance that Turkey could turn communist. If that happened then communism could control the eastern half of the Mediterranean Sea. The other plan that went into effect was the Marshall Plan; this is where the government was able to assist the other Ally countries in after the war financial debts. This plan was able to strengthen the Ally countries and help the United States economy by allowing companies to ship extra goods to the needy countries.
Personally I think that the Americans at the time did not overreact about the spread of communism, I think that they were doing the exact same thing that the Soviet Union was doing, but the U.S. was far more aggressive then the Soviet Union was. America had the full right to want to protect their foreign business partners, but I think that they were wrong in trying to say that a communistic country was horrible and wrong. Americans wanted to get rid of the Soviet Union because they were creating nuclear bombs, and the American government thought that they were going to bomb us. America was also scared about a communistic counties influence on American society because communistic societies went against every American society ideal. Americans like the idea of letting people have their own rights and freedoms. In a communistic county you have no personal rights; you have rules and mandatory things that have to happen. This to Americans are unfair, and anything that we think are unfair we have to stick our noses in and make it so that we are happy and we eventually get the way that we want.
Soviet communism government.
With the idea of using containment was in the government’s mind they put it in place for their decision making. Since the U.S. saw that some countries had little to defend themselves with because the lack of an economy system, the U.S. sent money to places like Greece and Turkey. If Greece and Turkey had the money to protect themselves then they wouldn’t have to worry about being taking over by communist. Also the U.S. government aided Great Britain with the Marshall Plan that sent them money to keep from falling to communist as well.
Then there was Germany. Germany was divided up into 4 zones. The Soviet controlled the eastern part of Germany. So Berlin and half of Germany was under Soviet control, which was forcing half of Germany to become communist. Since the U.S. didn’t want that to happen they sent aid. Aid such as goods and supplies to keep Berlin strong while they were under a blockade.
Also you had North and South Korea. Communist vs. Capital and Democracy. The U.S aided South Korea so the communist North Korea wouldn’t take everything over. Even though China was already under the influence of communist rule.
Since the U.S. didn’t want to start World War 3, they tried to keep out of fighting and just aided countries that were weak so they wouldn’t be able to be taken over. So the U.S. pretty much paid there way to keep the world safe from communism, instead of going head first into another war that would have ultimately might have destroyed everything we know.
I don’t think just the U.S. overacted, but the whole world overacted to the outbreak of communism. Its hard to say that if America would have done anything different that thinks would have been any better or worst. But I think that the U.S. did the best that they could to keep the world together and to eventually find peace.
Word count: 376
The U.S. policy of containment did indeed affect America in a very great way during the 1940’s-1950’s. There were various policies and ideas proposed during containment and these ideas also changed American’s involvement with foreign countries. America shifted from their isolationist ideals during this time of containment. A very well known policy introduced was the Truman policy. This policy was proposed by none other than President Truman on March 12, 1947. As word found its way to the President’s ear that Britain strained to defend Greece financially and militarily, Truman was quick to jump to Congress and request his idea. The fall of Greece would leave Turkey in shambles which would have left the eastern Mediterranean into the clutches of the Soviet orbit. Therefore, Truman asked for $400 dollars to aid Turkey and Greece and in the end, due to American involvement, the two countries found freedom away from the communists.
Not only was the Truman Doctrine a ground breaking point during the Cold War but the policy was then followed up by another impacting plan. The Marshall Plan, a plan proposed by Secretary of State George C. Marshall in June 1947. The plan provided to Europe a sum total of $17 billion to assist in Europe’s economic recovery. The President was nervous about the fact that if European countries fell they would be sucked into socialist or Soviet inspired communist government. Even Truman stated: “We must be prepared to pay the price of peace, or assuredly we shall pay the price of war.”
As if the U.S. weren’t involved enough, one action went against that of isolationism completely. After WWII Germany and its capital, Berlin, was separated into four sections manned by a country; America, Great Britain, the Soviets or France. As the Soviets found the capitol to be within perimeter of their territory the y decided to cut off all trade from West Berlin hurting the peopling who lived there. As a plan of retaliation, American decided to airlift supplied to Berlin without becoming involved with the Soviets. This other great action by the U.S. caused the Soviets to crumble under the pressure and trade was once again restored. Thus, during the Cold War, America was absolutely involved in foreign troubles.
As for the American reaction to communism, American did overreact with the idea of communism but their fear may have lied more into the Soviets themselves. Though, McCarthy is a good example of the overreacting to the communist threat. He went as far as interrogation the Hollywood business as he held a conspiracy the communism may be strong in that department.
Word Count: 434
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