The Early Cold War Years
Fear of communism spreading and not being containable impacted government decisions before, during, and after the Cold War.
The Truman Doctrine was one of the first government efforts in trying to contain communism.
The Truman Doctrine was brought up to congress March 12, 1947 by President Truman. Truman asked
congress for $400 million dollars to fight Communist aggression in Greece and Turkey. The goal of this policy was to, “free peoples who are resisting attempted subjugation by armed minorities or by outside pressures.” Truman’s
immediate goal was to help the Greek government become stable once again and help Turkey resist Soviet demands.
Communism spreading was fearful because it created indifferences socially, politically, and economically.
Social
Society changed after world war one from a rural focus to an urban industrial focus. During this time the socialist and communist members became more prevalent. Also many immigrants were coming into America and communism was more socially acceptable since many thought the immigrants were communists. The U.S. has struggled with the battle of democracy vs. communism for many years, and the government sanctioned anticommunism which began in 1938. At about the same time the House Un-American Activities Committee was formed, which is a group with the purpose of keeping the nation safe from an invasion of communists.
Society changed after world war one from a rural focus to an urban industrial focus. During this time the socialist and communist members became more prevalent. Also many immigrants were coming into America and communism was more socially acceptable since many thought the immigrants were communists. The U.S. has struggled with the battle of democracy vs. communism for many years, and the government sanctioned anticommunism which began in 1938. At about the same time the House Un-American Activities Committee was formed, which is a group with the purpose of keeping the nation safe from an invasion of communists.
Political
Politically communism was a huge topic. It was the debate on whether to have a democracy or
communist society. On the democracy side people believed the political system should be carried out by the people directly or by elected representatives. Communists thought that a socio economic structure would be best. Which means that they wanted a classless, equal, stateless society. President Truman was an anti-communist that argued communists, “If Communism is allowed to absorb free nations, then we would be isolated from our sources of supply and detached from our friends.”
Economic
The Cold War changed the world not only socially and politically, but economically as well. The Cold War affected industries because they had to grow and expand because there was a lot of government expansion through the Cold War. Increasing industries meant more employees and more commission, so more consumers for the industries. Also it was economically good for veterans because as the government spent many resources to help them buy homes and/or receive an education.
The Cold War changed the world not only socially and politically, but economically as well. The Cold War affected industries because they had to grow and expand because there was a lot of government expansion through the Cold War. Increasing industries meant more employees and more commission, so more consumers for the industries. Also it was economically good for veterans because as the government spent many resources to help them buy homes and/or receive an education.
The U.S. government has made many decisions over the years, and looking into past time periods and events can help the government make better decisions for the country.
United States as a World Power
America through Anglo-Saxonism wanted to expand its international influence. America wanted to
influence language, religion, political habits, and traditions in other
countries, especially in Cuba and Spain. Since America had power they felt like
they had to teach the other countries about things like democracy.
America through Anglo-Saxonism wanted to expand its international influence. America wanted to
influence language, religion, political habits, and traditions in other
countries, especially in Cuba and Spain. Since America had power they felt like
they had to teach the other countries about things like democracy.
Progressive Era
As immigrants started coming into the country, many believed that they wanted anarchy and were
later assumed to be communists. This created fear in the immigrants and they
tried to prove that they were anti-communists.
As immigrants started coming into the country, many believed that they wanted anarchy and were
later assumed to be communists. This created fear in the immigrants and they
tried to prove that they were anti-communists.
World War One
League of Nations was created at the end of World War I and was an international association that
could minimize the destruction created by opposing views. The League was there to help prevent future conflicts through arbitration between the nations. Sadly this failed, but if it had succeeded, it might have prevented the Cold War from happening.
League of Nations was created at the end of World War I and was an international association that
could minimize the destruction created by opposing views. The League was there to help prevent future conflicts through arbitration between the nations. Sadly this failed, but if it had succeeded, it might have prevented the Cold War from happening.
Roaring Twenties
People wanted different classes because they thought the economy would thrive off of its
structure. Most of the U.S. consisted of white and Christian folk who had the most power in society. These powerful, white Christians were anti-communists and influenced others decisions greatly on their thoughts on communism.
People wanted different classes because they thought the economy would thrive off of its
structure. Most of the U.S. consisted of white and Christian folk who had the most power in society. These powerful, white Christians were anti-communists and influenced others decisions greatly on their thoughts on communism.
Great Depression and The New Deal
The House Un-American Activities Committee had great power between 1947 and 1953, when
Americans felt most threatened by communism. Communism, a system eliminating exclusive ownership of property and businesses, therefore, making produced goods equally shared by all. Under communism, people are not guaranteed individual liberties. In communist countries, religious practices are not allowed. The idea of everyone being equal scared some people, especially the rich, so they tried to support anti-communism.
The House Un-American Activities Committee had great power between 1947 and 1953, when
Americans felt most threatened by communism. Communism, a system eliminating exclusive ownership of property and businesses, therefore, making produced goods equally shared by all. Under communism, people are not guaranteed individual liberties. In communist countries, religious practices are not allowed. The idea of everyone being equal scared some people, especially the rich, so they tried to support anti-communism.
The War on Terror is a current event that relates back to the Cold War and how government decisions are affected by the fear of communism spreading.
Many would the say the War on Terror relates to the Cold War because they both have to do with communication with the Soviets. Also some would say the tactics for dealing with the wars are similar. For example: Communists became socially unaccepted and not wanted before the Cold War, and now Terrorists are also socially unaccepted and some races are now socially "unacceptable" because of the war on terror. This
goes back to how the government learns from past events and sometimes uses the same tactics as the past to deal with current issues.
goes back to how the government learns from past events and sometimes uses the same tactics as the past to deal with current issues.
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