Most Significant Events in History
The decades of the 50’s, 60’s 70’s 80’s and 90’s had many significant events that shaped America into the nation that it is today. The events of these decades shaped the United States into the nation that it is today consist of the Cold War, the Vietnam War, the Watergate Scandal, Reaganomics, and the end of the Cold War.
1950’s – Cold War
After World War II, the United States and the Soviet Union emerged as the two new superpowers and as archrivals. The United States wanted to keep the Soviet Union from spreading communism by force so the United States came up with a plan of containment, which was to block the Soviet Union wherever possible to contain the spread of communism therefore beginning the Cold War. (Davidson et al., 2005) The end of World War II was also the beginning of prosperity for the middle and upper class citizens in the United States. Additionally, it was also a time of nuclear threats and scare tactics because of the Cold War. World War II had ended and the economy was flourishing with new products such as fancy cars and television sets. People within the United States felt safe after the war was won and started spending money, having babies and buying new homes in suburban areas away from the big cities. However, a Senator from Wisconsin by the name of Joe McCarthy “entered the public spotlight by claiming that communist had “infested” the State Department, dramatically waiving a sheet of paper which purportedly contained the traitors’ names.” (Schultz, 1999) Joe McCarthy shattered the tranquility of a nation with his statements even though he did not have any proof and the names on the list were people who had already left the State Department. The notion of high-ranking officials within the government having communist ties sent a tide of persecution and witch hunts throughout the United States because people were afraid that the communist were trying to take over by getting communist sympathizers in the United States government.
1950’s – Cold War
After World War II, the United States and the Soviet Union emerged as the two new superpowers and as archrivals. The United States wanted to keep the Soviet Union from spreading communism by force so the United States came up with a plan of containment, which was to block the Soviet Union wherever possible to contain the spread of communism therefore beginning the Cold War. (Davidson et al., 2005) The end of World War II was also the beginning of prosperity for the middle and upper class citizens in the United States. Additionally, it was also a time of nuclear threats and scare tactics because of the Cold War. World War II had ended and the economy was flourishing with new products such as fancy cars and television sets. People within the United States felt safe after the war was won and started spending money, having babies and buying new homes in suburban areas away from the big cities. However, a Senator from Wisconsin by the name of Joe McCarthy “entered the public spotlight by claiming that communist had “infested” the State Department, dramatically waiving a sheet of paper which purportedly contained the traitors’ names.” (Schultz, 1999) Joe McCarthy shattered the tranquility of a nation with his statements even though he did not have any proof and the names on the list were people who had already left the State Department. The notion of high-ranking officials within the government having communist ties sent a tide of persecution and witch hunts throughout the United States because people were afraid that the communist were trying to take over by getting communist sympathizers in the United States government.