WWII forced America to change how they interact with the world
America takes the role of putting down potential aggressors before they become a threat
"Munich Mentality"
If America had joined the Munich Conference, the Nazi rise might have been prevented
America is one of the only remaining superpower, needs to supervise the world
Only other is the Soviet Union
Iron Curtain develops as Russia builds a buffer zone to protect itself from aggressors
Greece has a communist uprising
U.S. develops the Marshall Plan, to give aid to Turkey and Greece to prevent communist uprising
Also builds an American presence in these countries
Creates trade in Europe
America could have prevented WWII atrocities, but didn't have enough intelligence on Ger/Jap
Truman creates CIA to help America keep tabs on the world
Study of Social Sciences accelerates after WWII
Race to Berlin
Soviets take East Berlin, Allies take the west
Eastern Berlin was poor
Pacific
Korean War
Starts June 1950 when N. Korea attacks S. Korea
S. Korea appeals to the UN (Formed 1945)
League of Nations has failed
UN
General Assembly
Each nation gets one vote
Deals with resolutions, trade, human rights
Security Counsel
Made up of 15 members
5 Permanent: USSR, China, Fr, Great Britain, U.S.
Can veto
Other 10: Elected by GA
Communist Chinese take over China in the 1950's
Pushes Chiang Kai Shek to Taiwan
U.S. and U.N. recognizes Taiwan as the real China
This upsets the Soviet Union and causes them to boycott the Security Counsel in 1949
USSR backs N. Korea
U.N. backs South Korea and builds a force to drive the North Koreans out
Gov't Changes
300 Billion dollars spent on the war
Most spent ever
Government contracts and purchases from overseas creates economic boom
WWII ends the Depression
National War Labor Board
Strikes not allowed during wartime
Expansion of the Federal Gov't
Economic and Social Changes
Full Employment
Migration to the West
No discrimination in Gov't contracts (in theory)
Full production needed
Rise in Union membership
Military Service expands
15 Million
Social expectation to enlist for young people
Service of blacks, minorities, women
Women's branches and jobs created
Units segregated based on race
Japanese 442nd from camps and Hawaii
Fought in Europe, not Pacific
Navajo code talkers
Results
Rising expectations and post-war activism-but delayed
Job Opportunites for Blacks minorities and women increase
6 million women join the work force during the war
Proved women could do men's jobs
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