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[[American History Lecture Twelve|Lecture]] - [[American_History_Homework_Twelve|Questions]] - [[American History Homework Twelve Answers|Student Answers]]

[[American History Lecture Twelve|Lecture]] - [[American_History_Homework_Twelve|Questions]] - [[American History Homework Twelve Answers|Student Answers]]

This lecture covers from the end of World War II (1945) to the election of President Ronald Reagan as President in 1980.  The next and final lecture will then complete the course, covering from 1980 to the terrorist attack on September 11, 2001 (known simply by its date, "[[9/11]]").

This lecture covers from the end of World War II (1945) to the election of Ronald Reagan as President in 1980.  The next and final lecture will then complete the course, covering from 1980 to the terrorist attack on September 11, 2001 (known simply by its date, "[[9/11]]").

This period of 35 years in American culture saw a huge transformation that began with over a million young men returning from the war, marrying, having families, and benefiting from a rapidly growing economy in the 1950s.  Then, in the late 1960s, great cultural change began with counterculture, rock music, questioning of authority and institutions, and outright rebellion.  This upheaval continued into the 1970s, resulting in harsh political conflict that included the resignation of a President and a massive battle over an attempt to amend the Constitution.

The period of 35 years from 1945 to 1980 saw a huge transformation in American culture that began with over a million young men returning from the war, marrying, having families, and benefiting from the rapidly growing economy in the 1950s.  Then, in the 1960s, great cultural upheaval began with counterculture, rock music, questioning of authority and institutions, and outright rebellion.  This upheaval continued into the 1970s, resulting in harsh political conflict that included the resignation of a President and a massive battle over an attempt to amend the Constitution.

The culmination was in 1980, when the nation elected the most conservative president in history in a landslide.

The culmination was in 1980, when the United States elected the most conservative president in history in a landslide.

==The Cold War (continued from last lecture) ==

==The Cold War (continued from last lecture) ==

Let's begin by reviewing some key aspects of the Cold War that continued into the 1950s and beyond.

Let's begin by reviewing some key aspects of the Cold War that continued into the 1950s and beyond.

First recall that in 1947 President Truman announced what became known as Truman Doctrine to counter the communist threat:  "support free peoples who are resisting attempted subjugation by armed minorities or outside pressures."  Truman declared that assistance shall be “primarily through economic and financial aid."  Also in 1947, a theory of "containment" to keep communism from spreading beyond Russia became popular.  But communism continued to spread.  China became communist in 1949.

First recall that in 1947 President Truman announced what became known as Truman Doctrine to counter the growing communist threat:  "support free peoples who are resisting attempted subjugation by armed minorities or outside pressures."  Truman declared that assistance shall be "primarily through economic and financial aid."  Also in 1947, a theory of "containment" became popular to keep communism from spreading beyond the Soviet Union.  But communism continued to spread.  China became communist in 1949.

The United States sought to protect western Europe against inroads by communism by enacting The Marshall Plan of 1947, which provided financial assistance to European economies struggling in the wake of World War II.  A primary motive of this assistance was to strengthen the countries to the point that they could resist communist revolutions.  The Marshall Plan was extremely effective, and led to a period of the most rapid growth in European history.

The United States sought to protect western Europe against inroads by communism by enacting The Marshall Plan of 1947, which provided financial assistance to European economies struggling in the wake of World War II.  A primary motive of this assistance was to strengthen the countries to the point when they could resist communist revolutions.  The Marshall Plan was extremely effective, and led to a period of the most rapid growth in European history.

Similarly, the United States sought to protect Latin America from communism by founding The Organization of American States in 1947.  It was an organization of Latin American nations and the United States which sought to stop communist expansion in the western hemisphere, promote democracy, improve communication and encourage cooperation among its members.  The Organization of American States, or OAS, continues to function today, but Cuba has been excluded because of its communistic government.

Similarly, the United States sought to protect Latin America from communism by founding The Organization of American States in 1947.  It was an organization of Latin American nations.  The United States thereby sought to stop communist expansion in the western hemisphere, promote democracy, improve communication and encourage cooperation among its members.  The Organization of American States, or OAS, continues to function today, but Cuba has been excluded because of its communist government.

Alarmed by the growing ''internal'' threat of communism in the United States, in 1950 Congress passed The McCarran Internal Security Act.  It required every Communist organization to register with the Attorney General.  Members of these organizations were not allowed to work in any national defense-related job, and the law even authorized the use of internment camps for communists if it became necessary.  

Alarmed by the growing ''internal'' threat of communism in the United States, in 1950 Congress passed The McCarran Internal Security Act.  It required every Communist organization to register with the Attorney General.  Members of these organizations were not allowed to work in any national defense-related job, and the law even authorized the use of internment camps for communists if it became necessary.