Communism: Post World War Ii Events and Their Impact on the American People.
Communism: Post World War II events and Their Impact on the American People.
America has experienced social, political and economic events that have greatly shaped this nation and impacted its people in the decades following World War II. Most political and social events had an influence on the citizens of America. Certain events were so profound that they remain in the minds of generations not born in these times. The impact of these events will be touched on throughout this paper analyzing events for post World War II America. 1. The 1950s - Fear of Communism
World War II left much of the world in political and economic disaster. The fear of a nuclear war, the spread of communism and the unknown, created a political environment full of fear that was ripe for the rise of McCarthyism. As troops returned from World War II, the United States enjoyed unprecedented power and President Truman initiated a number of actions to protect against the spread of communism. He was involved in the Marshall Plan, the Truman Doctrine and NATO. These efforts kept stronger alliances among non-communist nations and facilitated economic growth by many European nations crippled by the war. Despite these efforts, communism spread and fear grew. Fears of espionage related to the Manhattan project were confirmed and in 1949 the United States identified Russia’s ability to use an atomic bomb. Senator McCarthy exploited these fears to his political gain. His speeches impacted the lives and political thinking of most Americans. His play on fear led to broad generalizations concerning the communists and many political leaders were labeled as “commies”. (Navasky, Victor 1980, p.1). Fear and the quest for power have played a major role in history. Fear of foreign powers and poverty were instrumental in the rise of McCarthyism. Wealth, strength and knowledge brought the United States back from this way of thinking.
2. The Cold War Follows World War II
The cold war
America has experienced social, political and economic events that have greatly shaped this nation and impacted its people in the decades following World War II. Most political and social events had an influence on the citizens of America. Certain events were so profound that they remain in the minds of generations not born in these times. The impact of these events will be touched on throughout this paper analyzing events for post World War II America. 1. The 1950s - Fear of Communism
World War II left much of the world in political and economic disaster. The fear of a nuclear war, the spread of communism and the unknown, created a political environment full of fear that was ripe for the rise of McCarthyism. As troops returned from World War II, the United States enjoyed unprecedented power and President Truman initiated a number of actions to protect against the spread of communism. He was involved in the Marshall Plan, the Truman Doctrine and NATO. These efforts kept stronger alliances among non-communist nations and facilitated economic growth by many European nations crippled by the war. Despite these efforts, communism spread and fear grew. Fears of espionage related to the Manhattan project were confirmed and in 1949 the United States identified Russia’s ability to use an atomic bomb. Senator McCarthy exploited these fears to his political gain. His speeches impacted the lives and political thinking of most Americans. His play on fear led to broad generalizations concerning the communists and many political leaders were labeled as “commies”. (Navasky, Victor 1980, p.1). Fear and the quest for power have played a major role in history. Fear of foreign powers and poverty were instrumental in the rise of McCarthyism. Wealth, strength and knowledge brought the United States back from this way of thinking.
2. The Cold War Follows World War II
The cold war