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McCarthyismSenator Joseph McCarthy became synonymous with fear and paranoia. This Senator often accused people of being Communist spies, going as far as to accuse World War II heroes. Many of the American public believed him, after fear from the 'fall' of China to Communism. The views presented by him, and others contributed to the Red Scare.
On June 29th, 1940, the Alien Registration Act passed in the US. This Act makes it illegal for anyone to advocate for, abet, or teach the overthrowing of the government. The Act aimed to undermine the Communist Party in the US. |
Korean WarThe Cold War was called such because there was no fighting between the US and the USSR. Several proxy wars took place, however, the first of which was the Korean War.
A proxy, is something that takes the place of something else, or a stand-in/representative. Korea was fought because the ideals of Communism and Capitalism do not match. North Korea was Communist, and had Kim Il-Sung as its leader, while the Capitalist South had Syngman Rhee as its leader. The South was attacked by the North, and asked the UN for help. Unfortunately, the USSR was a part of the UN, and could have vetoed this action. However, the USSR was protesting China not being a part of the UN, and could not vote at the time. As a result, UN and US troops were sent to fight North Korea. These forces made it all the way up to the Yalu River (the border between North Korea and China), but were pushed back down to where they started when China sent in about half a million soldiers. The war ended with 50,000 American losses, and 4 Million Korean deaths. |
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Mutually Assured DestructionThe development of nuclear weaponry on both sides of the Cold War eventually led to the concept of Mutually Assured Destruction. This concept basically says that if one side tried to use nuclear weapons on the other side, the other side would retaliate with equal or worse force. The world was closer and closer to being completely destroyed because of man-made weapons.
Eventually, Stain died in March of 1953. 5 Months later, the USSR finally detonated their first successful Hydrogen Bomb, the second and more powerful version of the nuclear bomb. At that point, people had to live with the fear of Mutually Assured Destruction. |
Affluent SocietyThe 1950's, like the 1920's, was a time of a dramatic shift in cultural values. Levittown was a prime example of that shift in values. It was caused by what was called the "White Flight." As more and more minorities and other groups began to live in the cities, whites started to leave and buy more houses in suburbs.
This Affluent society quickly became one of homogeneity, as these suburbs were largely white neighborhoods that had nearly identical houses. The suburbs then had a nearly 99% white population, with less than 1% representing other minority groups. The last part of this affluent society was the shift toward equal rights. While the 60's are mostly known for Civil Rights movements, these movements began in the 50's, by fighting segregation. States like California completely integrated their schools for both Whites and Blacks, and soon this was the norm. This movement hit a 'barrier' in the South, however, as there people simply closed down schools. |
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Women in the 1950sWomen in the 1950's had a very stereotypical image. Social propaganda drove them towards early marriage, having children, stay-at-home, and care for a Nuclear Family. Most advertisements depicted women as happy when they were caring for their families, or doing chores around the house.
This depiction of women, as happy when doing just what they needed to do around the house was very deceptive. The incredibly repetitive, and boring schedule based around her husband's schedule often led to depression. Women were encouraged to take part in politics, not for themselves, but for the betterment of their families. |