MODERN AMERICA From WWII until today USII.7A-D. USII.7A.

MODERN AMERICA

From WWII until today

USII.7A-D

REBUILDING AFTER THE WAR

• Germany divided (East & West)– American, British, French, & Soviet

• Marshall Plan – gave money to prevent the spread of Communism

• Japan was occupied by the US and now is a strong ally

• United Nations is founded to prevent any future wars

USII.7A

REASONS FOR RAPID GROWTH OF THE AMERICAN ECONOMY

• Business converted from war materials to consumer goods

• Credit was available

• Most women returned to the home

• Labor Unions became more powerful; higher salaries and benefits

• Economic prosperity

USII.7B

THE COLD WAR• “a state of tension between the U.S. and the

Soviet Union without actual fighting that divided the world into two camps”

• Causes:– Differences in goals and ideologies between the

super powers (US=democratic & capitalist; USSR=dictatorial & communist)

– USSR dominated Eastern Europe

– US policy of “containment”

– NATO vs. Warsaw Pact

USII.7C

MAJOR CONFLICTS• Korean War (1950)

– North Korea backed by China invaded South Korea backed by the US

– War ended in a stalemate

• Cuban Missile Crisis (1962)– USSR placed missiles in Cuba

– US blockaded Cuba & Soviets removed missiles

• Vietnam War (1957)– US intervened due to “Domino Theory”

– Anti-war riots in the US

– Cease-fire agreement and the US withdrew its troops

USII.7C

USII.7C (Map)

Korean War

USII.7C (MAP)

VIETNAM WAR

COLLAPSE OF COMMUNISM IN EUROPE

Breakup of the Soviet Union into independent countries.

Destruction of the Berlin Wall

NEW CHALLENGES

1. Role of U.S. military intervention

2. Environmental challenges

3. Global issues, including trade, jobs, diseases

USII.7C

FACTORS LEADING TO CHANGING PATTERNS IN THE U.S.

• Strong economy (healthy job market, increased productivity, increased demand for US goods)

• Greater investment in education• “The Baby Boom”• Interstate Highway System• Evolving role of women• Role of Eleanor Roosevelt in expanding women’s

rights• African Americans’ desire for equal

opportunities• New immigrants after 1965 (Hispanic & Asian)

USII.7D

EXPANSION OF EDUCATIONAL AND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

• G.I. Bill of Rights – gave educational, housing, and employment benefits to World War II veterans

• Truman desegregated the armed forces• Civil Rights legislation

– Increased educational, economic, and political opportunities for women and minorities

USII.7D

CIVIL RIGHTS• Effects of Segregation

– Separate schools– Separate public facilities– Social Isolation of races

• Civil Rights Movement:– Plessy v. Ferguson (Separate but Equal)– Brown v. Board of Education (desegregated)– Martin L. King – Passive Resistance; “I have a dream…”– Rosa Parks – Montgomery bus boycott– Freedom riders, sit-ins, marches– NAACP– Civil Rights Act of 1964– Voting Rights Act of 1965

USII.8A

Changing Role of Women

• Workplace – discrimination in hiring; low wages

• NOW (National Organization of Women)

• Federal laws to support women’s athletics

• Equal Rights Amendment (failed)

USII.8A

NEW TECHNOLOGIES• Airlines – jet

• Automobiles – interstate highways

• Entertainment & news media

• Space exploration

• Computers

• Satellite systems – pagers, cell phones, television

• Internet

USII.8B

IMPACT OF NEW TECHNOLOGIES• Increased travel for business & pleasure

• Greater access to news (live)

• Cheaper & convenient communication

• Greater access to heating and air conditioning

• Decreased regional variation (fewer differences)

USII.8B