USA and Canada during the Cold War

Academic World History II

After WWII• The U.S. and Canada emerged from WWII with

strong economies.– Technology improved, production and wages increased,

and demand for goods was high.– The U.S. began to use automation, the operating of a

production system using mechanical devices.• Because of the growing auto industry, people no

longer had to live near their place of work.– This led to the growth of suburbs.• The Highway Act of 1956 helped this by adding 41,000 miles of

highways.

– Television made people more aware of national and world events.

According to this image, what may happen to America as a result of Communism?

The Cold War at Home• Fear of Communism led to a “red scare” in the U.S. – The government launched a controversial crusade to

expose suspected Communists in the U.S.• Both the Senate and House of Representatives set

up panels to investigate suspected Communists.– The House focused on identifying Communism in the

entertainment industry and labor unions.– The Senate, led by Senator Joseph McCarthy, also tried

to identify Communists.• Not a single case of Communism was proven.• McCarthyism came to mean the leveling of public accusations

of political subversion without regard to evidence.

“Duck and Cover” drills became common in public schools in the 1950s.

What was the purpose of these drills?

Cold War at Home, cont. • American presidents used military power to fight

the Cold War.– In an effort to contain Communism, the U.S. sent troops

to fight Communist forces in Korea.– In 1954, the U.S. shouldered France’s efforts to stop

Communism in Vietnam.

The Vietnam War• Lyndon B. Johnson became president in 1963, after

the assassination of John F. Kennedy.– The most controversial issue during this time was the

United States’ involvement in Vietnam.• The U.S. assisted South Vietnam in resisting a Communist

takeover.

– Under Johnson, large numbers of American soldiers were sent to Vietnam to fight.

• Johnson did not run for re-election, and Richard M. Nixon was elected president.– Nixon pledged to stop the war and restore American self-

esteem.

The Vietnam War, cont.• Nixon found out ending the war was difficult.– As he tried to find an acceptable solution, his

administration was besieged by antiwar protests.– Men burned their draft cards and fled to Canada.– Demonstrators marched in front of the White House.• Most protests were peaceful, but some turned violent.

– Nixon’s plan for troop withdrawal was to gradually remove troops while handing over control of the war to South Vietnam.• It wasn’t until 1973 when the last Americans left Vietnam.

– 58,000 Americans died and another 365,000 were wounded, and it cost the U.S. $150 billion.

Struggle for Civil Rights• The struggle for civil rights for African Americans

became a major issue in the 1950s and 1960s.– The actions of the Nazis made more Americans sensitive

toward racism.• The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that racial

segregation was illegal in public schools.– Brown vs. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas (1954)

• Martin Luther King, Jr. advocated the use of non-violent demonstrations to make people aware of discrimination.

Struggle for Civil Rights, cont.• Major civil rights laws were passed under President

Johnson.– They banned discrimination in public places and

education.– After Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated in 1968,

the movement for civil rights continued.• Women, Hispanics, and Native Americans also fought for social

equality.

Changes in the U.S.• During the Cold War, U.S. Presidents began to

exercise powers beyond those in the Constitution.• Korean War and Vietnam War.

– People felt the imperial presidency was subject to abuse and in violation of the Constitution.

• In the 1970s, the Watergate Scandal forced President Nixon to resign.– The White House tried to cover up a break in to the

Democratic National Committee offices.– Nixon denied participation, but Oval Office recordings

proved he participated.

The U.S. Economy• The U.S. economy suffered in the late 1960s and

early 1970s.– Inflation and high unemployment led to stagflation.– An oil embargo damaged economic stability.

• Sharp increases in the price of goods led to double-digit inflation.– The U.S. also experienced a trade deficit and the loss of

American jobs.

Canada• Canada thrived after World War II.– Canada developed into a middle power, a country that

has a strong economy but not a strong military.• Canada struggled to find its own national identity.– In 1965, Canada adopted the maple leaf flag.– Canada became more multicultural as many people from

Europe moved there.• The separatism movement wanted to make Quebec

an independent country.– Pierre Elliott Trudeau promised to protect French culture

and language in Canada.