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First recall that in 1947 President Truman announced what became known as the 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.  Despite this, communism continued to spread.  China became communist in 1949.

First recall that in 1947 President Truman announced what became known as the 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.  Despite this, 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 when they could resist communist revolutions.  Historians say the Marshall Plan was effective, and European economies grew rapidly after the war, as in the United States.

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.  Historians say the Marshall Plan was effective, and European economies grew rapidly after the war, as did the economy in the United States.

The United States also sought to protect Latin America from communism by founding The Organization of American States in 1948.  It was an organization of Latin American nations.  The United States thereby sought to stop communist expansion in the western hemisphere, and to promote democracy, improve communication and encourage cooperation among its members.  The Organization of American States, or OAS, continues to function today, but nine months prior to the Cuban Missile Crisis (discussed below) Cuba was suspended on January 31, 1962, due to its communist government and the threat it posed to regional stability.

The United States also sought to protect Latin America from communism by founding The Organization of American States in 1948.  It was an organization of Latin American nations.  The United States thereby sought to stop communist expansion in the western hemisphere, and to promote democracy, improve communication and encourage cooperation among its members.  The Organization of American States, or OAS, continues to function today, but nine months prior to the Cuban Missile Crisis (discussed below) Cuba was suspended, on January 31, 1962, due to its communist government and the threat it posed to regional stability.

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, and members of such an organization were not allowed to work in any national defense-related job.  This strong law even authorized the use of internment camps for communists if that 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, and members of such an organization were not allowed to work in any national defense-related job.  This strong law even authorized the use of internment camps for communists if that became necessary.  

In 1979, Democratic President Jimmy Carter agreed with the Soviet Union to reduce "arms" further by signing "SALT-II".  This time conservatives were successful in defeating it in the U.S. Senate (because the treaty was better for the Soviet Union than the U.S.), and it was never ratified to become law.

In 1979, Democratic President Jimmy Carter agreed with the Soviet Union to reduce "arms" further by signing "SALT-II".  This time conservatives were successful in defeating it in the U.S. Senate (because the treaty was better for the Soviet Union than the U.S.), and it was never ratified to become law.

The Cold War lasted until the early 1990s, when communism was overthrown in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe.  But communism continues to this day in China (the world's most populated country), Cuba, Venezuela (with oil, one of the most powerful countries in South America), Vietnam and North Korea.  Meanwhile, others recognize communism as being pure evil, as it imposes material equality on all and overrides God's will for different people to have different gifts and purposes.  Communism also requires suppressing freedom of religion, speech, and the right to homeschool.

The Cold War lasted until the early 1990s, when communism was overthrown in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe.  But communism continues to this day in China (the world's most populated country), Cuba, Venezuela (with oil, one of the most powerful countries in South America), Vietnam and North Korea.  Meanwhile, others recognize communism as being pure evil, as it imposes material equality on all and overrides God's will for different people to have different gifts and purposes.  Communism also suppresses freedom of religion, speech, and the right to homeschool.

'''Debate:  What is your view of communism, and the American response to it?'''

'''Debate:  What is your view of communism, and the American response to it?'''

This "80th Congress" that began in 1947 was the most productive and influential session of Congress in American history.  (Note that a "session" of Congress is the two-year period between is elections; each session is numbered starting with the first Congress in 1789.  The 80th Congress convened 79 times 2 (158) years after the First Congress in 1789: 1789 plus 158, which equals 1947.)

This "80th Congress" that began in 1947 was the most productive and influential session of Congress in American history.  (Note that a "session" of Congress is the two-year period between is elections; each session is numbered starting with the first Congress in 1789.  The 80th Congress convened 79 times 2 (158) years after the First Congress in 1789: 1789 plus 158, which equals 1947.)

The Republicans moved quickly to pass important legislation.  They passed (and the states ratified) the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution in order to limit future presidents to two full terms in office, so that no one could ever again repeat what President Franklin Roosevelt did in dishonoring President Washington's precedent of remaining in power no more than two terms.  President Roosevelt died in office only a few months after his last inauguration, as his illness was concealed from the American people and they were deprived an opportunity to vote in an informed manner for the person who would really serve as president.

The Republicans moved quickly to pass important legislation.  They passed (and the states ratified) the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution in order to limit future presidents to two full terms in office, so that no one could ever again repeat what President Franklin Roosevelt did in dishonoring George Washington's precedent of remaining as president for no more than two terms.  President Roosevelt died in office only a few months after his last inauguration, as his illness was concealed from the American people and they were deprived an opportunity to vote in an informed manner for the person who would really serve as president.

The 22nd Amendment also has an effect of reducing the power of the president while he is in office.  It requires by law that he leave by a time definite, in contrast with congressmen and justices who have no set limit.  That shifts power from the presidency to the other branches of government.  By limiting the duration in power of any particular president, the 22nd Amendment limits the extent of his power to control and influence others.

The 22nd Amendment also has an effect of reducing the power of the president while he is in office.  It requires by law that he leave by a time definite, in contrast with congressmen and justices who have no set limit.  That shifts power from the presidency to the other branches of government.  By limiting the duration in power of any particular president, the 22nd Amendment limits the extent of his power to control and influence others.

'''Debate:  Do you think union power should be strengthened or weakened by Congress today?'''

'''Debate:  Do you think union power should be strengthened or weakened by Congress today?'''

Several years later, in 1952, another important law was enacted over President Truman's veto: The McCarran-Walter Act.  This Act limited immigration to one-sixth of one percent of the population of the continental United States in 1920.  This was similar to the national-origins quota system of 1924, which also limited immigration.

Several years later, in 1952, another important law was enacted over President Truman's veto: The McCarran-Walter Act.  This Act limited immigration to one-sixth of one percent of the population of the continental United States in 1920.  This was similar to the national-origins quota system of 1924, which had also limited immigration.

The 80th Congress also cut taxes, sparking an economic boom that would last through the 1950s.  It balanced the federal budget for the first time in years.  It implemented the joint income tax return for married couples, which gives a financial benefit to a working man in sharing his income for tax purposes with a wife who is raising the children rather than earning an income.

The 80th Congress also cut taxes, sparking an economic boom that would last through the 1950s.  It balanced the federal budget for the first time in years.  It implemented the joint income tax return for married couples, which gives a financial benefit to a working man in sharing his income for tax purposes with a wife who is raising the children rather than earning an income.

The hippies and others who disliked authority and tradition had help from our court system, and particularly from the "Warren Court."  Just as an "Administration" is named after the president at the time (e.g., the "Truman Administration"), a period of time on the Supreme Court is named after the person who was the Chief Justice at the time (e.g., the "Warren Court" refers the Supreme Court years when Earl Warren was Chief Justice).  

The hippies and others who disliked authority and tradition had help from our court system, and particularly from the "Warren Court."  Just as an "Administration" is named after the president at the time (e.g., the "Truman Administration"), a period of time on the Supreme Court is named after the person who was the Chief Justice at the time (e.g., the "Warren Court" refers the Supreme Court years when Earl Warren was Chief Justice).  

Earl Warren was appointed to the Supreme Court in 1953 based on a political bargain with President Eisenhower.  When Eisenhower was in a close race for the Republican nomination for president in 1952 (against the more conservative Robert Taft), Warren was governor of California and promised the support of the California delegation to Eisenhower if he would promise to appoint Warren to fill the first vacancy on the U.S. Supreme Court.  By chance, that first vacancy in 1953 (after Eisenhower was elected president) was the position of Chief Justice, and Warren threatened to speak out against Eisenhower if he did not honor the deal.  Eisenhower then nominated him, and the U.S. Senate confirmed him (approved the nomination by a majority vote).  Warren then became the most "activist" Chief Justice in the history of the Court.

Earl Warren was appointed to the Supreme Court in 1953 based on a political bargain with President Eisenhower.  When Eisenhower was in a close race for the Republican nomination for president in 1952 (against the more conservative Robert Taft), Warren was governor of California and promised the support of the California delegation to Eisenhower if he would promise to appoint Warren to fill the first vacancy on the U.S. Supreme Court.  By chance, that first vacancy in 1953 (after Eisenhower was elected president) was the position of Chief Justice, and Warren threatened to speak out against Eisenhower if he did not honor the deal.  Eisenhower then nominated him, and the U.S. Senate confirmed him (approved the nomination by a majority vote).  Warren subsequently became the most "activist" Chief Justice in the history of the Court.

In fact, Chief Justice Earl Warren was probably the most powerful person in all of American politics during his service from 1953 to 1969.  The Warren Court was an "activist court," extending judicial powers into areas where it previously showed restraint.  For example, the Warren Court applied the Bill of Rights against the States, despite their clear language and intent to apply only against the federal government.  On a more controversial level, the Warren Court expanded the power of the Supreme Court and invented many new constitutional rights, while denying the rights of teachers and students to begin class with a prayer.   

In fact, Chief Justice Earl Warren was probably the most powerful person in all of American politics during his service from 1953 to 1969.  The Warren Court was an "activist court," extending judicial powers into areas where it previously showed restraint.  For example, the Warren Court applied the Bill of Rights against the States, despite their clear language and intent to apply only against the federal government.  On a more controversial level, the Warren Court expanded the power of the Supreme Court and invented many new constitutional rights, while denying the rights of teachers and students to begin class with a prayer.   

At Kent State University in 1970, peaceful protesters were shot at by National Guardsmen and several were killed.  Unrest continued.  The United States began looking for ways to get out of the war in any way possible.

At Kent State University in 1970, peaceful protesters were shot at by National Guardsmen and several were killed.  Unrest continued.  The United States began looking for ways to get out of the war in any way possible.

Henry Kissinger, a foreign-born adviser to Nixon who essentially ran the Nixon Administration, repeatedly made the mistake of calling for a "cease-fire" to discuss settlement, during which the communists would use the cease-fires to obtain replacement of all their ammunition and supplies from China and the Soviet Union.  Kissinger finally settled the war in the Paris peace talks in 1972 and 1973 by giving the communists everything they wanted, including a complete pull out by the United States.  Vietnam then fell to the communist takeover.   

Henry Kissinger, a foreign-born adviser to Nixon who essentially ran the Nixon Administration, repeatedly made the mistake of calling for a "cease-fire" to discuss settlement, during which the communists would use the cease-fire to obtain replacement of all their ammunition and supplies from China and the Soviet Union.  Kissinger finally settled the war in the Paris peace talks in 1972 and 1973 by giving the communists everything they wanted, including a complete pull-out by the United States.  Vietnam then fell to the communist takeover.   

A decade later, a memorial was built in D.C. that commemorates those who gave their lives.  Some say that the fighting was not in vain, because it slowed down the growth of communism long enough to save the neighboring countries until the Soviet Union itself collapsed.  Future presidential candidate John McCain (nominated by Republicans in 2008, but who then lost to Obama) was a prisoner of war (POW) for many years of the war, before being released back to the United States.

A decade later, a memorial was built in D.C. that commemorates those who gave their lives.  Some say that the fighting was not in vain, because it slowed down the growth of communism long enough to save the neighboring countries until the Soviet Union itself collapsed.  Future presidential candidate John McCain (nominated by Republicans in 2008, but who then lost to Obama) was a prisoner of war (POW) for many years of the war, before being released back to the United States.