Fighting the Cold War at Home

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Marlene Baker
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1 Fighting the Cold War at Home

During the Great Depression, communism had attracted some American supporters. Favored the ideal that poverty would fade away under Communism.

2 During the Great Depression, communism had attracted some American supporters. Favored the ideal that poverty would fade away under Communism. By 1950, there were only 43,000 who made up Communist Party membership; but there were additional sympathizers. As the Cold War intensified, many Americans came to hold fears of Communist subversion, or the overthrow of the US government by communists who would establish a dictatorship. Loyalty Oaths, by 1947 President Truman required all federal employees to take pledges of loyalty to the United States to help calm public anxiety. 5 million+ background investigations occurred, leading to hundreds losing federal jobs due to their risk of being potentially disloyal.

3 Formed in 1938 to investigate subversive organizations. By 1947, it was revived and began to focus on communist influence in the film industry. Called on writers, actors, and directors to testify about their political beliefs. The Hollywood 10 refused to answer the committee s questions. Charged them with contempt of Congress. The Hollywood Blacklist: (3:54) Worried, Hollywood refused to hire anyone with Communist sympathies such individuals or suspected individuals became blacklisted.

4 In later years, HUAC began to investigate other organizations for Communist sympathies. 1954, it called on John Watkins to testify about Communist influence in labor unions. He refused and was found to be in contempt of Congress. He appealed his conviction. Watkins v. United States, 1957 Ruling: Congress is not given unlimited power by the Constitution to investigate the private lives of citizens. It must be related to its business of making laws. There is no general authority to expose the private affairs of individuals without justification in terms of the functions of the Congress Investigations conducted solely for the personal [glorification] of the investigators or to punish those investigated are indefensible.

Alger Hiss Case Rosenberg Trial A former communist. State Department official who had served as an adviser to President Roosevelt at the Yalta Conference.

1995: Secrets documents made public suggests he probably DID spy for the Soviet Union. 1950 German Klaus Fuchs, confessed he had spied for the Soviet Union while working on the Manhattan Project.

5 Alger Hiss Case Rosenberg Trial A former communist. State Department official who had served as an adviser to President Roosevelt at the Yalta Conference. 1948: Accused by Whittaker Chambers (a former Communist) of passing secrets to the Soviet Union. 1950: He was convicted of perjury, but continued to proclaimed his innocence. 1995: Secrets documents made public suggests he probably DID spy for the Soviet Union German Klaus Fuchs, confessed he had spied for the Soviet Union while working on the Manhattan Project. His confessions led espionage investigators to Ethel and Julius Rosenberg. They were charged with passing atomic secrets to the Soviet Union. They were sentenced to death and executed for espionage in At the time, many argued the evidence was inconclusive and that their conviction was wrong.

Senator Joseph McCarthy Claimed Communism had spread so strongly in the world because of American traitors in government positions. Claimed to have a list of 205 traitors never produced list.

6 Senator Joseph McCarthy Claimed Communism had spread so strongly in the world because of American traitors in government positions. Claimed to have a list of 205 traitors never produced list. With widespread support from fearful Americans, he led a crusade and search for Communist traitors. Led to reckless investigations and baseless persecutions of many innocent Americans. Extra Credit Opportunity: Watch Good Night and Good Luck and write a summary, as well as a critique of accuracy.

7 Senator McCarthy increased fear in United States about Communism. Rise in loyalty oaths and fear about disagreeing with injustices of government actions. But he went too far by accusing President Eisenhower of being soft on Communism in 1954 and the Army-McCarthy hearings showed the American public how ruthless his tactics were. In late 1954, the Senate passed Resolution 301 which scolded McCarthy for his destructive behavior. Welch-McCarthy Exchange; June 9, 1954 (4 Min)

8 Civil Defense: the organization and training of citizens to work with the armed forces and emergency services during a war or natural disaster. Federal Defense Administration: Created to help Americans survive a nuclear attack. Published Manuals Promoted Safety Drills Who participated? Communities set up bomb shelters and emergency supply centers Children duck and cover drills Families fallout shelters Dog Tags that would help identify children in case of nuclear attack.

9 "Duck and Cover" (9:14)

Many strategies were calculated based on knowledge about atomic bombs. By the time of the Hydrogen Bomb, questions were raised about effectiveness.

10 Many strategies were calculated based on knowledge about atomic bombs. By the time of the Hydrogen Bomb, questions were raised about effectiveness. By then, the FCDA began to focus on how to evacuate target cities as the only real practical measure. Operation Alert in 1955 Many began to focus on peace as the only real defense against nuclear war. The only way to keep people safe, was to prevent it from happening.

11 From President Truman to President Eisenhower

12 Dwight D. Eisenhower had been a very successful commander in WWII, and when on to become the head commander of NATO.

13 Ran for President against Adlai Stevenson (D, Illinois) Ran as a modern Republic on the campaign, Korea, Communism, & Corruption Promised that if elected he would go to Korea Nominated Richard Nixon as VP

15 New Look Policy: Focused on Brinkmanship Authored by Secretary of State J. Foster Dulles Push the communists back to their pre-1945 borders by any means necessary If they say no, be willing to use nuclear force. Used covert action by the CIA to interfere with communist governments abroad.

16 Eisenhower Doctrine U.S. foreign-policy pronouncement by President Dwight D. Eisenhower promising military or economic aid to any Middle Eastern country needing help in resisting communist aggression. The doctrine was intended to check increased Soviet influence in the Middle East. Arms supply to Egypt by communist countries Communist support of Egypt during Suez Crisis from Communist Arab Nations Eisenhower proclaimed, with the approval of Congress, that he would use the armed forces to protect the independence of any Middle Eastern country seeking American help. Truman Doctrine had offered same support earlier, especially with regard to Greece and Turkey.

18 Political Coups in Iran and Guatemala: Iran Guatemala Began in 1953 Iranian leader-mohammed Mossadeq Iran wanted to nationalize its oil fields [held by the British], establishing government control over the fields. Also hinted that he might seek Soviet Aid. Operation AJAX-remove Mossadeq from power and install Shah Reza Pahlavi Tried to teach Pro-Western values July 1954 Second instance of CIA involvement Overthrew the Arbenz government Why? United Fruit Company had land taken away. Arbenz wanted to give land of United Fruit Company to landless peasants. Arbenz also had been important soviet weaponry.

NASA and the Space Race In 1957, the USSR used its first ICBM to launch Sputnik, the first satellite into space ICBM - intercontinental ballistic missile Sputnik shocked

19 NASA and the Space Race In 1957, the USSR used its first ICBM to launch Sputnik, the first satellite into space ICBM - intercontinental ballistic missile Sputnik shocked Americans who feared the U.S. had fallen behind the USSR in science & technology As a result of Sputnik, the Cold War escalated into a space race to show American & Soviet dominance

20 In 1958, the USA created National Aeronautics & Space Administration (NASA) to catch up to the USSR U.S. schools promoted math, science, & technology The USSR repeatedly beat the USA in space by launching the first man into orbit & orbiting the moon In 1962, President John Kennedy committed the USA to beating the Soviet Union in the race to the moon In 1969, Apollo 11 landed U.S. astronauts on the moon

Chapter 18: Cold War Conflicts

Chapter 18: Cold War Conflicts Section 1: Origins of the Cold War United Nations Satellite Nation Containment Iron Curtain Cold War Truman Doctrine Marshall Plan Berlin Airlift North Atlantic Treaty Organization