Changes

Beginning in 1950, Wisconsin Senator Joseph McCarthy took the lead in opposing communist infiltration in the United States government.  Contrary to misunderstandings caused by media distortions, McCarthy complained about and opposed only communists who held high-level government jobs.  He did not complain about private citizens.

Beginning in 1950, Wisconsin Senator Joseph McCarthy took the lead in opposing communist infiltration in the United States government.  Contrary to misunderstandings caused by media distortions, McCarthy complained about and opposed only communists who held high-level government jobs.  He did not complain about private citizens.

McCarthy was highly effective in exposing communists in key government jobs, and liberals hate him for it to this day.  Ultimately his opponents were able to foment public pressure against him, and other senators "censured" him near the end of his career after McCarthy was embarrassed during hearings in 1954 concerning communists in the Army.  The term "McCarthyism," coined in 1950 in reference to McCarthy's attempts to expose communists, became synonymous with the overzealous use of innuendo, rumor and guilt-by-association to destroy the someone's reputation.  In fact, McCarthy and Congress had a duty to uphold the Constitution and guard against infiltration of government positions by anyone committed to overthrowing our constitutional system, as communists were.

McCarthy was highly effective in exposing communists in key government jobs, and liberals hate him for it to this day.  Ultimately his opponents were able to foment public pressure against him, and other senators "censured" him near the end of his career after McCarthy was embarrassed during hearings in 1954 concerning communists in the Army.  The term "McCarthyism," coined in 1950 in reference to McCarthy's attempts to expose communists, became synonymous with the overzealous use of innuendo, rumor and guilt-by-association to destroy someone's reputation.  In fact, McCarthy and Congress had a duty to uphold the Constitution and guard against infiltration of government positions by anyone committed to overthrowing our constitutional system, as communists were.

One of the newsmen who criticized McCarthy in the 1950s was Edward R. Murrow, who is praised for his efforts by the media to this day.   

One of the newsmen who criticized McCarthy in the 1950s was Edward R. Murrow, who is praised for his efforts by the media to this day.   

The Southeast Asia Treaty Organization, or SEATO, was formed in 1954 in an effort to prevent the spread of communism in Southeast Asia (where Vietnam is located).  Its members included the United States, Great Britain, France, Thailand, Pakistan, Australia, New Zealand, the Solomon Islands, New Caledonia, Pitcairn Island, Tristan de Cunha, and the Philippines.

The Southeast Asia Treaty Organization, or SEATO, was formed in 1954 in an effort to prevent the spread of communism in Southeast Asia (where Vietnam is located).  Its members included the United States, Great Britain, France, Thailand, Pakistan, Australia, New Zealand, the Solomon Islands, New Caledonia, Pitcairn Island, Tristan de Cunha, and the Philippines.

The United States responded to Sputnik by starting the National Aeronautics and Space Administration ("NASA") in 1958, which is a government-run space program that continues to this day.  In 1961, President Kennedy started "Project Apollo" with the goal of beating the Soviet Union to the Moon. As it turned out, the Soviet Union never tried to get to the Moon.  On July 20, 1969, a simulated broadcast of American Neil Armstrong stepping foot on the Moon was broadcast to a record television audience, with Armstrong's words, "That's one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind."<ref>http://www.nasa.gov/audience/forstudents/5-8/features/F_Apollo_35th_Anniversary.html</ref>

The United States responded to Sputnik by starting the National Aeronautics and Space Administration ("NASA") in 1958, which is a government-run space program that continues to this day.  In 1961, President Kennedy started "Project Apollo" with the goal of beating the Soviet Union to the Moon. As it turned out, the Soviet Union never tried to get to the Moon.  On July 20, 1969, a simulated broadcast of American Neil Armstrong stepping foot on the Moon was broadcast to a record television audience, with Armstrong's words, "That's one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind."<ref>http://www.nasa.gov/audience/forstudents/5-8/features/F_Apollo_35th_Anniversary.html</ref>

In the late 1950s, communism spread to a country only 90 miles from Florida:  Cuba, where we still hold a military base as an artifact of the Spanish-American war under President McKinley.  Recall that America gave Cuba freedom from Spain, but in 1959 the communists moved in with a revolution led by Fidel Castro.  The Soviet Union communist dictator Khrushchev threatened to drop an atomic bomb on us if we intervened.  Castro has ruled the Cuba as a brutal dictator ever since, imprisoning or killing those who disagree with him.

In the late 1950s, communism spread to a country only 90 miles from Florida:  Cuba, where we still hold a military base as an artifact of the Spanish-American war under President McKinley.  Recall that America gave Cuba freedom from Spain, but in 1959 the communists moved in with a revolution led by Fidel Castro.  The Soviet Union communist dictator Nikita Khrushchev threatened to drop an atomic bomb on us if we intervened.  Castro has ruled the Cuba as a brutal dictator ever since, imprisoning or killing those who disagree with him.

Many Cubans fled to the United States to escape communism, and still flee by risking their lives in handmade boats.  These emigrants from Cuba are fervent opponents of communism because they see how it destroyed their own country, and many long to return to restore freedom there.

Many Cubans fled to the United States to escape communism, and still flee by risking their lives in handmade boats.  These emigrants from Cuba are fervent opponents of communism because they see how it destroyed their own country, and many long to return to restore freedom there.

In 1961, soon after the inauguration of the new President John F. Kennedy (the only Catholic president, who had defeated Richard Nixon in a very close election in 1960), the communists built the "Berlin Wall" quickly while Kennedy was enjoying a long vacation weekend.  This Wall sealed off the East German section of Berlin from the West German section in order to stop the migration of people from communism to freedom.  It was a humiliation to Kennedy that he did nothing to stop this, and many Americans were outraged by this barbarism of a massive wall to cage people in and extinguish their freedom to leave.

In 1961, soon after the inauguration of the new President John F. Kennedy (the only Catholic president, who had defeated Richard Nixon in a very close election in 1960), the communists built the "Berlin Wall" quickly while Kennedy was enjoying a long vacation weekend.  This Wall sealed off the East German section of Berlin from the West German section in order to stop the migration of people from communism to freedom.  It was a humiliation to Kennedy that he did nothing to stop this, and many Americans were outraged by this barbarism of a massive wall to cage people in and extinguish their freedom to leave.

Then, in 1962, the Soviet Union challenged President Kennedy again, whom the communists did not respect.  They installed missiles in Cuba, which the communist Fidel Castro had taken over, and aimed them directly at American cities and targets.  Cuba, a mere 90 miles from Florida, could then destroy American cities in a very short period time.  This created the "Cuban Missile Crisis"; an Air Force general immediately put bombers on high alert for the possible bombing of Cuba.  President Kennedy then ordered a blockade of Cuba until the missiles were removed, and the Soviet Union backed down and apparently took the missiles back by ship.

Then, in 1962, the Soviet Union challenged President Kennedy again, whom the communists did not respect.  They installed missiles in Cuba, which the communist Fidel Castro had taken over, and aimed them directly at American cities and targets.  Cuba, a mere 90 miles from Florida, could then destroy American cities in a very short period time.  This created the "Cuban Missile Crisis" when U-2 spy planes photographed these missiles, and an Air Force general immediately put bombers on high alert for the possible bombing of Cuba.  President Kennedy then ordered a blockade of Cuba until the missiles were removed, and the Soviet Union backed down and apparently took the missiles back by ship.

Throughout the 1960s, both the United States and the Soviet Union built ever-bigger nuclear weapons, pointing them at each other.  This became known as the "arms race," and newspapers began to clamor for peace treaties that would limit the building of these weapons.  In 1972, the Strategic Arms Limitation Treat ("SALT") was ratified by the U.S. Senate and contained promises to reduce these "arms" or weapons pointed at the enemy.  Conservatives opposed this treaty because it embraced the approach of "Mutual Assured Destruction" and prevented each side from building defensive systems.  In addition, there was no way to enforce the communists' side of the bargain; many expected the communists to break their own promises, while the Americans abided by theirs.

Throughout the 1960s, both the United States and the Soviet Union built ever-bigger nuclear weapons, pointing them at each other.  This became known as the "arms race," and newspapers began to clamor for peace treaties that would limit the building of these weapons.  In 1972, the Strategic Arms Limitation Treat ("SALT") was ratified by the U.S. Senate and contained promises to reduce these "arms" or weapons pointed at the enemy.  Conservatives opposed this treaty because it embraced the approach of "Mutual Assured Destruction" and prevented each side from building defensive systems.  In addition, there was no way to enforce the communists' side of the bargain; many expected the communists to break their own promises, while the Americans abided by theirs.

== The 80th Congress ==

== The 80th Congress ==

While the era after World War II was filled with prosperity and growth, the nation was anxious to get back to normal after the war ended in 1945.  But President Truman kept the wartime government controls on wages and prices in effect even after the war ended.  This infuriated voters, who wanted to return to normal life as quickly as possible.  In addition, the nation was hit by waves of big and sometimes violent strikes as soon as the war ended.  Unions had avoided strikes during the war out of patriotism, but their membership and power had grown enormously and the pent-up demand exploded when the war ended:<ref>http://www.bitsofnews.com/content/view/6638/</ref>

While the era after World War II was filled with prosperity and growth, the nation was anxious to get back to normal after the war ended in 1945.  But President Truman kept the wartime government controls on wages and prices in effect even after the war ended.  This infuriated voters, who wanted to return to normal life as quickly as possible.  In addition, the nation was hit by a wave of big and sometimes violent strikes as soon as the war ended.  Unions had avoided strikes during the war out of patriotism, but their membership and power had grown enormously and the pent-up demand exploded when the war ended:<ref>http://www.bitsofnews.com/content/view/6638/</ref>

:[In] 1945 there were 4,750 strikes involving 3,470,000 workers for 38 million days, and in 1946 there were 4,985 strikes involving 4,600,000 workers for 116 million days. The US strike wave of 1945-1946 is one of the great episodes in working class history.

:[In] 1945 there were 4,750 strikes involving 3,470,000 workers for 38 million days, and in 1946 there were 4,985 strikes involving 4,600,000 workers for 116 million days. The US strike wave of 1945-1946 is one of the great episodes in working class history.

On June 25, 1950, communists in nearby North Korea invaded South Korea.<ref>http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/events/kowar/kowar.htm</ref>  The United States was alarmed that the communists from China were expanding and would take over the entire Korean peninsula and its millions of people.  The United States reacted immediately by sending troops to defend against the invasion, and other countries in the United Nations also sent troops to a lesser extent.  But the North Korean army was quick and powerful, and the conflict took much longer to resolve than anyone expected.

On June 25, 1950, communists in nearby North Korea invaded South Korea.<ref>http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/events/kowar/kowar.htm</ref>  The United States was alarmed that the communists from China were expanding and would take over the entire Korean peninsula and its millions of people.  The United States reacted immediately by sending troops to defend against the invasion, and other countries in the United Nations also sent troops to a lesser extent.  But the North Korean army was quick and powerful, and the conflict took much longer to resolve than anyone expected.

The North Korean army quickly conquered South Korea's capital (Seoul), which fell in a mere four days.  Despite the disapproval of the rest of the world and the mobilizing of troops by the United States and members of the United Nations, the communists made it clear that they were not going to back down.  The North Koreans continued to defeat and push back troops of the Republic of Korea (ROK, or South Korea) and the Americans.  By early September the ROK, American and United Nations troops were trapped into the southeastern corner of the Korean peninsula (where the town of Pusan is on the map on the next page).

The North Korean army quickly conquered South Korea's capital (Seoul), which fell in a mere four days.  Despite the disapproval by the rest of the world and the mobilizing of troops by the United States and members of the United Nations, the communists made it clear that they were not going to back down.  The North Koreans continued to defeat and push back troops of the Republic of Korea (ROK, or South Korea) and the Americans.  By early September the ROK, American and United Nations troops were trapped into the southeastern corner of the Korean peninsula (where the town of Pusan is on the map on the next page).

General Douglas MacArthur, who like George Patton had been homeschooled, was the leader of the American troops in the Pacific during World War II and remained in charge to handle this Korean War.  General MacArthur then made one of the most daring military decisions in world history.  All of his advisers were against it, thinking it was too risky.   

General Douglas MacArthur, who like George Patton had been homeschooled, was the leader of the American troops in the Pacific during World War II and remained in charge to handle this Korean War.  General MacArthur then made one of the most daring military decisions in world history.  All of his advisers were against it, thinking it was too risky.   

We did not run the war any better under President Richard Nixon, who was the next president after Johnson.  We would win a battle and then our leaders, particularly Nixon's adviser Henry Kissinger, would call for a "cease-fire" to discuss settlement.  But the communists had no intention of settling, and they would just use the cease-fires to obtain replacement of all their ammunition and supplies from China and the Soviet Union.  Some of our military leaders could have done better also.  Many of our planes were shot down early in the war, including the one carrying John McCain, and it took years before we improved and better protected our pilots.  We did not anticipate or sweep the territory for land mines as well as we do today, although the jungle in Vietnam made that more difficult than in a desert.

We did not run the war any better under President Richard Nixon, who was the next president after Johnson.  We would win a battle and then our leaders, particularly Nixon's adviser Henry Kissinger, would call for a "cease-fire" to discuss settlement.  But the communists had no intention of settling, and they would just use the cease-fires to obtain replacement of all their ammunition and supplies from China and the Soviet Union.  Some of our military leaders could have done better also.  Many of our planes were shot down early in the war, including the one carrying John McCain, and it took years before we improved and better protected our pilots.  We did not anticipate or sweep the territory for land mines as well as we do today, although the jungle in Vietnam made that more difficult than in a desert.

The war, and particularly the draft, became hugely unpopular.  People from all walks of life began protesting against them the United States.  They caused disruption at colleges.  The protests became bigger and bigger.  At the Democratic National Convention in Chicago in 1968, hippies caused massive riots that were brutally suppressed by the tough Chicago Democratic Mayor Richard Daley, which was a political disaster for the Democratic Party.  The "Chicago Seven," the hippie ringleaders of the riots, were convicted for disrupting the convention but their convictions were overturned on appeal.  Democrats had hoped to nominate Robert Kennedy, the brother of the late President John Kennedy, butRobert Kennedy was assassinated in June by a disgruntled immigrant from the Middle East (Jordan).  The Democrats then nominated Vice President Hubert Humphrey instead.  (President Johnson himself had pulled out of the race after the first primary in New Hampshire, when he fared poorly due to unhappiness in his own Party about the war.)

The war, and particularly the draft, became hugely unpopular.  Americans, particularly students, began protesting the war.  They caused disruption at colleges.  The protests became bigger and bigger.  At the Democratic National Convention in Chicago in 1968, hippies caused massive riots that were brutally suppressed by the tough Chicago Democratic Mayor Richard Daley, which was a political disaster for the Democratic Party.  The "Chicago Seven," the hippie ringleaders of the riots, were convicted for disrupting the convention but their convictions were overturned on appeal.  Democrats had hoped to nominate Robert Kennedy, the brother of the late President John Kennedy, but Robert Kennedy was assassinated in June by a disgruntled immigrant from the Middle East (Jordan).  The Democrats then nominated Vice President Hubert Humphrey instead.  (President Johnson himself had pulled out of the race after the first primary in New Hampshire, when he fared poorly due to unhappiness in his own Party about the war.)

The United States began looking for ways to get out of the war.  When we finally pulled out completely in 1973, the South Vietnamese clung to the wheels of the last airplanes and helicopters, begging to leave with us.  North Vietnam eventually conquered South Vietnam after we left (Saigon fell to the communists in 1975), and created the new communist country of Vietnam that exists to this day.

The United States began looking for ways to get out of the war.  When we finally pulled out completely in 1973, the South Vietnamese clung to the wheels or landing gear of the last airplanes and helicopters, begging to leave with us.  North Vietnam eventually conquered South Vietnam after we left (Saigon fell to the communists in 1975), and created the new communist country of Vietnam that exists to this day.

Humphrey lost the presidential election to Republican Richard Nixon, who was nominated at a peaceful convention in 1968 in Miami (which your teacher attended, and where he met Nixon in person).

Humphrey lost the presidential election to Republican Richard Nixon, who was nominated at a peaceful convention in 1968 in Miami (which your teacher attended, and where he met Nixon in person).

* In 1961, President Kennedy started two programs to help alleviate poverty in foreign countries.  One was the Alliance for Progress, which consisted of foreign aid to Latin America.  The other was the Peace Corps, which sent volunteers to foreign countries to teach farming and build schools.

* In 1961, President Kennedy started two programs to help alleviate poverty in foreign countries.  One was the Alliance for Progress, which consisted of foreign aid to Latin America.  The other was the Peace Corps, which sent volunteers to foreign countries to teach farming and build schools.

* In 1962, Michael Harrington wrote a book entitled "The Other America," which exposed poverty by 1 out of every 4, especially in Appalachia, the South, and in city ghettos  

* In 1962, Michael Harrington wrote a book entitled "The Other America," which exposed poverty by 1 out of every 4, especially in Appalachia, the South, and in the city ghettos.

* In 1962, liberal students formed the "Students for a Democratic Society" in Port Huron, Michigan, saying that they are "looking uncomfortably to the world we inherit."

* In 1962, liberal students formed the "Students for a Democratic Society" in Port Huron, Michigan, saying that they are "looking uncomfortably to the world we inherit."

* Student movements expanded in 1964 with the "Free Speech Movement," which began at the ultra-liberal University of California at Berkeley and began to protest a number of perceived injustices.

* Student movements expanded in 1964 with the "Free Speech Movement," which began at the ultra-liberal University of California at Berkeley and began to protest a number of perceived injustices.

Finally, in 1970, the Nixon Administration founded the Environmental Protection Agency (the "EPA") ostensibly to conserve natural resources and reduce pollution.  The EPA quickly banned DDT on unproven environmental grounds (incited by the discredited book the "Silent Spring," by Rachel Carson).  Critics say the ban on DDT, which continues to this day, has resulted in the unneeded deaths of millions of Africans from malaria because DDT is so effective in stopping malaria.

Finally, in 1970, the Nixon Administration founded the Environmental Protection Agency (the "EPA") ostensibly to conserve natural resources and reduce pollution.  The EPA quickly banned DDT on unproven environmental grounds (incited by the discredited book the "Silent Spring," by Rachel Carson).  Critics say the ban on DDT, which continues to this day, has resulted in the avoidable deaths of millions of Africans from malaria because DDT is so effective in stopping malaria.

== References ==

== References ==