Exploring American History

Exploring American Exploring American HistoryHistory

Unit X – Post War AmericaUnit X – Post War America

Chapter 27 – Section 1Chapter 27 – Section 1Adjusting to PeaceAdjusting to Peace

Adjusting to PeaceAdjusting to Peace

The Big IdeaAfter World War II, Americans adjusted to new challenges

both at home and around the world.

Main Ideas• As World War II ended, leaders began planning the future

of the postwar world.• The United States and the Soviet Union went from being

allies to enemies after World War II.• Americans adjusted to postwar life.

Harry S. Truman: One of America's Most Effective Presidents (02:58)Harry S. Truman: One of America's Most Effective Presidents (02:58)

Main Idea 1:Main Idea 1:As World War II ended, leaders began planning As World War II ended, leaders began planning the future of the postwar world.the future of the postwar world.

Yalta Yalta ConferenceConference

• Leaders met to discuss discuss Europe’s Europe’s future.future.

• Supported creation of international international peacekeeping peacekeeping organizationorganization

• Agreed on free elections for countries liberated from German control

Potsdam Potsdam ConferenceConference

• Allied leaders

divided conquered Germany into Germany into four zonesfour zones.

• Britain, France, the United States, and the Soviet Union would each control one zone.

• Berlin also Berlin also divided into divided into four zonesfour zones

War Crimes TrialsWar Crimes Trials• The Nuremberg Nuremberg

trialstrials put high-ranking Nazi officials on trial.

• The International International Military Tribunal Military Tribunal of the Far Eastof the Far East put Japanese officials on trial.

• Established that individuals must be held responsible for committing war crimes, even when acting on behalf of a government

Yalta Conference -February 12, 1945 (02:42)Yalta Conference -February 12, 1945 (02:42)

Military Leaders Face Trial for War Crimes (01:20)Military Leaders Face Trial for War Crimes (01:20)

The Nuremburg Trials and the Lessons of World War II (00:49)The Nuremburg Trials and the Lessons of World War II (00:49)

The United NationsThe United Nations In 19441944, American, British, Soviet, and Chinese

representatives met to draft a plandraft a plan for the United Nations– an organization dedicated to resolving international conflicts.

In 1945, representatives from 50 countries met 1945, representatives from 50 countries met to write the UN Charterto write the UN Charter.

One of its first major actions was to divide divide Palestine into separate Arab and Jewish statesPalestine into separate Arab and Jewish states. May 14, 1948May 14, 1948– Jewish leaders announced the

creation of nation of IsraelIsrael.. Arab leaders protested and invaded. Israeli forces drove Arabs back and a truce was

made.

The Birth of the United Nations and Post-War Recovery (01:51)The Birth of the United Nations and Post-War Recovery (01:51)

The Future of the Postwar WorldThe Future of the Postwar World

RecallRecall – What was the result of – What was the result of the Potsdam Conference?the Potsdam Conference?

AnalyzeAnalyze – What legal principle – What legal principle was established at the was established at the Nuremberg and Japanese Nuremberg and Japanese International Military Tribunals?International Military Tribunals?

EvaluateEvaluate – Why do you think – Why do you think France was not represented at France was not represented at the Yalta Conference?the Yalta Conference?

The Future of the Postwar WorldThe Future of the Postwar World

ExplainExplain – For what purpose – For what purpose was the United Nations was the United Nations founded?founded?

SummarizeSummarize – How did Israel – How did Israel become an independent nation?become an independent nation?

Main Idea 2:Main Idea 2:The United States and the Soviet Union went from being The United States and the Soviet Union went from being allies to enemies after World War II.allies to enemies after World War II.

After the war, differencesdifferences arose between United States and United States and Soviet Union.Soviet Union.

Americans committed to capitalism and democracycapitalism and democracy Soviets hoped to spread communismcommunism around the world.

Stalin established Communist governments in Poland and Eastern Europe, cutting them off from the rest of the world.

The term term iron curtainiron curtain came to be used to describe this division came to be used to describe this division. The phrase Cold WarCold War came to be used to describe the struggle for global struggle for global

powerpower between the Soviet Union and the United States.

The Iron Curtain

From Allies to Enemies

The Cold War Begins (04:51)The Cold War Begins (04:51)

U.S. Foreign PolicyU.S. Foreign Policy

Truman DoctrineTruman Doctrine– policy of providing aid to help foreign countries fight communism

North Atlantic Treaty OrganizationNorth Atlantic Treaty Organization– a coalition of the United States, nine Western European countries, Canada, and Iceland.

– Members promised to defend each other if attacked.– Soviet Union responded by creating Warsaw Pact, a military alliance with its Eastern European satellite countries.

Goal– containment,containment, or preventing the Soviet Union from expanding its influence around the world

Marshall PlanMarshall Plan– Western Europe received more than $13 billion in U.S. loans and grants for European economic recovery between 1948 and 1952.

The Truman Doctrine (02:37The Truman Doctrine (02:37) )

The Marshall Plan (03:05) The Marshall Plan (03:05)

Berlin Airlift - June 30, 1948 (02:46)Berlin Airlift - June 30, 1948 (02:46)

From Allies to EnemiesFrom Allies to Enemies

DescribeDescribe – What was the purpose of – What was the purpose of the Truman Doctrine?the Truman Doctrine?

Make InferencesMake Inferences – How did the – How did the Marshall fit with the goals of the Marshall fit with the goals of the Truman Doctrine?Truman Doctrine?

EvaluateEvaluate – Why do you think Soviet – Why do you think Soviet Leaders did not Eastern European Leaders did not Eastern European nations to accept aid from the nations to accept aid from the Marshall Plan ?Marshall Plan ?

Main Idea 3:Main Idea 3:Americans adjusted to postwar life.Americans adjusted to postwar life.

More than 35 percent of non-farm workers were union members in 1946.

With inflation on rise, many went on strikestrike. Labor unions became a major political problem. Government worked to reduce power of labor unions.

Passed the Taft-Hartley Act in 1947Taft-Hartley Act in 1947 that outlawed closed shops, or business that could hire only union members.

Economy

Government urged women to give up their jobs once veterans returned.

The Servicemen’s Readjustment Act, or GI Bill of Rights,Servicemen’s Readjustment Act, or GI Bill of Rights, offered veterans money for school, as well as loans for houses, farms, and businesses.

Inflation roseInflation rose as people rushed to buy products that were limited during war.

Labor

G.I. Bill- Servicemen’s Readjustment ActG.I. Bill- Servicemen’s Readjustment Act

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"That GI Bill was the best piece of legislation ever passed by the US Congress, and it made modern America. The educational establishment boomed. The suburbs, starting with Levittown and others, were paid by GIs borrowing on their GI Bill at a very low interest rate. Thousands and thousands of small businesses were started in this country and are still there thanks to the loans from the GI Bill. It transformed our country." — Historian Steven Ambrose

G.I. Bill of RightsG.I. Bill of Rights

Revolutionary War Veterans' benefits- life-long pensions for

disabled veterans and dependents of soldiers killed in battle.

War of 1812, the Mexican War, the Civil War, the Indian wars, and the Spanish-American War

Benefits- common type was "mustering

out" pay. Also land grants to vets. Rehabilitation Act of 1919

veterans disabled in World War I a monthly education assistance allowance

June 22, 1944- "Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944," or"GI Bill of Rights.”

education and training loan guaranty for a home, farm, or business unemployment pay of $20 a week for up to 52

weeks job-finding assistance top priority for building materials for VA

hospitals military review of dishonorable discharges

World War II veteran had to serve 90 days or more after Sept. 16, 1940.

Total cost of the World War II education program was $14.5 billion

$500 a year for tuition, books, fees, and other training costs.

2,230,000 in college 3,480,000 in other schools 1,400,000 in on-job training 690,000 in farm training

G.I. Bill of RightsG.I. Bill of Rights Korean Conflict GI Bill Public Law 550, the "Veterans Readjustment

Assistance Act of 1952, " was approved by President Truman on July 16, 1952. To be eligible for Korean GI Bill benefits, a veteran had to:

serve 90 days or more after June 27, 1950,

enter service before Feb. 1, 1955, and receive an other than dishonorable

discharge. Total cost of the Korean Conflict GI Bill

education and training program was $4.5 billion.

1,213,000 in institutions of higher learning

860,000 in other schools 223,000 on the job 95,000 in institutional on-farm training

Post-Korean - Vietnam Era GI Bill

Home and farm loans, job counseling, and an employment placement service were other benefits provided to veterans, who served between August 5, 1964, and May 7, 1975. Veterans had to serve more than 180 continuous days.

By 1984 Veterans were receiving about $376/month for education- training, books and tuition.

VA spent more than $42 billion during this time to provide educational assistance.

5.1 million in colleges 2.5 million in other schools 591,000 on the job 56,000 in on farm training

G.I. Bill of RightsG.I. Bill of Rights

Current Montgomery GI Bill--Active Duty (MGIB):

To help the members of the Armed Forces adjust to civilian life after separation from service

To give those who cannot afford a higher education the chance to get one

To restore lost educational opportunities and vocational readjustment to service members who lost these opportunities as the result of their active military duty

To promote and assist the All-Volunteer Force program of the Armed Forces

To aid in the retention of personnel in the Armed Forces

To enhance our Nation's competitiveness through the development of a more highly educated and productive work force

The following briefly summarizes major MGIB provisions: Served on active duty after June 30,

1985. Must fulfill one's basic service

obligation. Must have completed high school. Received an honorable discharge. Maximum entitlement is 36 months. Additional "kicker" as determined

by DOD. Generally must use benefits within

10 years following discharge.

Civil Rights after the WarCivil Rights after the War

African American veterans faced African American veterans faced segregation and prejudice at homesegregation and prejudice at home. Helped lead a major effort to gain equal

rights Truman appointed Committee on Civil Committee on Civil

RightsRights to investigate discrimination and suggest solutions. Congress failed to act on the committee’s

report. In 1948 Truman issued an executive 1948 Truman issued an executive

order toorder to End segregation in the armed forcesEnd segregation in the armed forces, and Ban discriminationBan discrimination in the hiring of federal

employees.

Executive Order 9981Executive Order 9981

Executive Order No. 9981 issued by President Truman provided for "equality of treatment and "equality of treatment and opportunity in the armed forces opportunity in the armed forces without regard to race, color, without regard to race, color, religion, or national origin."religion, or national origin."

This was the first time that a president used an executive order to implement civil rights principles and was a major victory for civil rights advocates in the quest for full citizenship.

Despite these orders, full integration of African Americans in the armed services was carried out slowly. It was not until the end of the Korean conflict that full integration of the armed forces had been achieved.

Taft-Hartley Act - 1947Taft-Hartley Act - 1947 When it was passed by Congress over When it was passed by Congress over

Truman’s veto, Truman denounced it as a Truman’s veto, Truman denounced it as a "slave-labor bill". "slave-labor bill".

The act declared the The act declared the closed shop illegalclosed shop illegal. . Permitted the union shop only after a vote of Permitted the union shop only after a vote of

a majority of the employees. a majority of the employees. Forbade jurisdictional strikes and secondary Forbade jurisdictional strikes and secondary

boycotts.boycotts. Forbade unions from contributing to political Forbade unions from contributing to political

campaigns and required union leaders to campaigns and required union leaders to affirm they were not supporters of the affirm they were not supporters of the Communist Party. Communist Party.

Gave the United States Attorney General the Gave the United States Attorney General the power to obtain an power to obtain an 80 day injunction80 day injunction when when a threatened or actual strike that he/she a threatened or actual strike that he/she believed "imperiled the national health or believed "imperiled the national health or safety". safety".

Election of 1948Election of 1948 President Truman faced many challengeschallenges for reelection.

Southern DemocratsSouthern Democrats opposed his support for civil rights laws. Republicans controlled CongressRepublicans controlled Congress and felt their candidate, New

York governor Thomas DeweyThomas Dewey, could beat Truman. TrumanTruman took his case for reelection to the American people.

Traveled thousands of milesTraveled thousands of miles and gave hundreds of speeches Defended his views and attacked CongressDefended his views and attacked Congress

In 1948 election, Truman won a surprise victoryTruman won a surprise victory. Urged Congress to support his plan for a package of domestic

programs called the Fair Deal Congress approved some parts, including higher minimum wage

and expanded Social Security benefits. Congress rejected other parts, including civil rights legislation.

Election of 1948 and Thomas E. DeweyElection of 1948 and Thomas E. Dewey

Election of 1948-World Issues, Election of 1948-World Issues, shortages, strikes, shortages, strikes,

Democrat Candidate- Truman - Issues- Democrat Candidate- Truman - Issues- Repeal Taft-Hartly, Act; Recognize Repeal Taft-Hartly, Act; Recognize Israel: Strong Civil Rights legislation Israel: Strong Civil Rights legislation needed (an issue that split the party); needed (an issue that split the party); Anti-lynching; Fair employment and end Anti-lynching; Fair employment and end segregation in military.segregation in military.

The upheaval at the July convention led The upheaval at the July convention led to Democratic splinter-party presidential to Democratic splinter-party presidential candidates: J. Strom Thurmond ran on candidates: J. Strom Thurmond ran on the State's Rights ticket, known more the State's Rights ticket, known more familiarly as the "Dixiecrats," and Henry familiarly as the "Dixiecrats," and Henry Wallace ran on the Progressive Ticket- Wallace ran on the Progressive Ticket- (Convinced that liberals and Communists (Convinced that liberals and Communists could work together. Repeal the draft; could work together. Repeal the draft; strong civil rights; cooperate with Russia; strong civil rights; cooperate with Russia; ban the bomb.)ban the bomb.)

Republican Candidate- Dewey - Issues- Republican Candidate- Dewey - Issues- “Time for a change”; Approved some “Time for a change”; Approved some New Deal policies; and wanted bi-New Deal policies; and wanted bi-partisan foreign policypartisan foreign policy

The Election By election day, the polls showed that Truman had managed to cut Dewey's lead, but all media sources still believed Dewey would win by a landslide.

As the reports filtered in that night, Truman was ahead in the popular votes, but the newscasters still believed Truman didn't have a chance.

By four the next morning, Truman's success seemed undeniable. At 10:14 a.m., Dewey conceded the election to Truman. The final results:

Popular States Electoral

Harry S. Truman: 24,105,812 28 303

Thomas E. Dewey: 21,970,065 16 189

Strom Thurmond: 1,169,021 4 39

Henry A. Wallace: 1,157,172 0 0

Fair DealFair Deal New civil rightscivil rights legislation

Federal housing programs

Unemployment insuranceUnemployment insurance benefits

New tax cutstax cuts for the poor

Federal funding for educationeducation

A federal health care and health federal health care and health insurance programinsurance program

In the end, Truman's attempt to introduce his Fair Deal was largely a failure. Few of his initiatives became law. Congress refused to create a national health care program, did little to reform education (with the exception of the G. I. Bill), extended unemployment benefits only slightly, and put off new civil rights legislation.

Postwar AmericaPostwar America

DescribeDescribe – What happened to the – What happened to the American economy at the end of the American economy at the end of the war?war?

RecallRecall – What was another name for – What was another name for the Serviceman’s Readjustment Act the Serviceman’s Readjustment Act and what was its purpose?and what was its purpose?

PredictPredict – How do you think women – How do you think women who had been employed in good who had been employed in good paying jobs during the war might paying jobs during the war might have felt about the government’s have felt about the government’s request that they give up their jobs?request that they give up their jobs?

Postwar AmericaPostwar America

RecallRecall – How did President Truman – How did President Truman end the 1946 mine and railroad end the 1946 mine and railroad strikes?strikes?

SummarizeSummarize – How did Truman – How did Truman advance the civil rights movement?advance the civil rights movement?

DevelopDevelop – Why do you think the – Why do you think the president decided to issue an president decided to issue an executive order to end segregation in executive order to end segregation in the armed forces?the armed forces?

Postwar AmericaPostwar America

SummarizeSummarize – What was the – What was the Fair Deal?Fair Deal?

EvaluateEvaluate – Why do you think – Why do you think Truman used the term Fair Deal Truman used the term Fair Deal for his domestic policy?for his domestic policy?