Williams 1 Sam Williams English III: A-2 Mrs. Cox 6 April 2018 A Time of Great Change The 1950s, but more specifically 1950 to 1955, were a time of incredible progress and change for America and the world as a whole. The period between 1950 and 1955 was one of the most influential times in history because of the unique political landscape, groundbreaking scientific achievements, and major world events. The first half of the 1950s was extremely important to world history because the political landscape shaped much of the policy and ideologies of today. The Red Scare of the 1950s still influences Americans’ opinions of the government, communism, and Russia. The Red Scare of the 1950s, or the second Red Scare, brought widespread distrust of the …show more content…
Another incredible scientific advancement of the 1950s was the invention of the hydrogen bomb in 1952. The bomb’s unfathomable power was colossal as the bomb “weighed 65 tons and yielded 10.4 megatons of TNT, the unimaginable equivalent of 1,000 atomic bombs” (Falk 1). This was a massive and terrifying watershed in human history. For the first time, humans had the means with which to annihilate most of the life on Earth, including themselves. This development was not independent of international politics however, as the Soviet Union had created their own hydrogen bomb by 1953 which greatly accelerated the arms race between the US and the USSR. “America’s hydrogen bomb, so quickly matched by the Soviets, also marked an acceleration of the arms race. Throughout the 1950s, the superpowers continued to seek nuclear advantage through the deployment of powerful delivery systems” (Falk 2). The 1950s saw some of the most influential events that still affect millions of people today. One major event of the 1950s was the Korean War which lasted from 1950 to 1953. The war began in 1950 when the communist North Korea invaded the non communist South Korea. The United States and UN sent troops to aid the south in fending off the
In America’s past events there are many moments in which were impactful to this country’s history. One of the most impactful eras would have to be World War II and the 1940s. The growth of technology through atomic bombs leaving an impact on America’s view in modern times for future events and political events such as GI Bill of Rights to help veterans with certain programs when they come home from a war that continues to be used today. As well as issues of race and gender were faced with women and African Americans working in which influenced the working environment today. Comparing all the eras that were discussed, the least impactful era was during the 1970s.
Several influential social, political, and economic events occurred during the time period of 1960 to 2014, including the Cold War, the Civil Rights initiative that began with Kennedy, mass immigration, as well as several major turning points in American politics, such as the presidential elections of 1964 and 1980. These events collectively led to power shifts between the two major parties in the United States’ government, especially the shift from Carter to Reagan in the presidential election of 1980. The first major power shift in the time period of 1960 to 2014 was the shift from Jimmy Carter to Ronald Reagan, in the election of 1980. The 1980 election was a critical point in U.S. politics because it signaled the rise of conservatism, which began in the early 1960s and rose to prominence during the late 1970s and 1980s.
The Red Scare of 1919-1920 was a nationwide fear of communists, socialists, anarchists, and more. The September 11th terrorist attack that took place in 2001 in New York City, Manhattan, Arlington County and Virginia was a four series coordinated terrorist attack by a Islamic terrorist group. They both have many similarities. In the Red Scare a post office discovered 38 bombs that had been mailed to leading Americans politicians and capitalist after that an Italian anarchist was blown up. The nation’s top law enforcement official then became convinced that there was a plot underway.
In a news article published during the Red Scare, the author describes the Communist red flag as symbolizing “defiance of law, order, and constitutional government. It is an insult to the stars and stripes.” It also states, “There is no room in this country for any flag but our own.” (source) The article goes on to say that the federal government must do whatever it takes to eradicate any forms of communism.
During the time of the red scare of 1919 and 1920. The red scare was a major threat to United States was plotted by anarchist to overthrow the government and eventually take of the United States. The red scare was not the only threat to society. On September 11, 2001 better known as 9/11 was a series of terrorist attacks on held by suicidal Islamic an attempt to overthrow the government and to get the attention of American citizens. These were great tragedies that had happened over a period of time to American citizens.
Paranoia of communism filled the country of the United States from the 1940s to the 1950s. The Red Scare during this time had become the continuance of the first scare from communism coming into America like they had in other European countries. To secure the safety of a capitalist society, the citizens decided to not take any sort of risk and accuse anyone with the slightest suspicious behavior. Likewise, the villagers of the Crucible were afraid of an enemy of the own way of life they know now, into what they see as a corrupt community. When society becomes of afraid of something new, it makes new ideas about what is right and wrong, especially to include that the old way is still superior.
The 1950s harbored one of the largest witch hunts in world history, the second Red Scare. This brutal political movement targeted Communists, Socialists, and members of subversive groups, physically and socially maiming those citizens. Led by Joseph McCarthy, innocent members of society were figuratively “burned at the stake” in public trials and accused them of Communism and espionage. McCarthy’s ruthless tactics sparked the development of “McCarthyism,” which today refers to any unfounded accusation of a person with immaterial evidence. The second Red Scare is comparable to Salem Village, Massachusetts where the original witch hunt began, based off of mass hysteria, just like the Red Scare.
The Red Scare started right after the civil war was over. There had been many riots to accrue during the time of the red scare. In the term the red scare had been a form of lose to many successful people. It took at huge toll on the government as they tried to stop and contain the many job losses, but as the time went by people start to riot in the streets because the of the cuts from their jobs had really affected them. People were losing their lives and the government did all they could to try and stop it.
The causes of the Red Scare was a major deal going on back in the day. Around that time World War 1 Americans was vulnerable and scared. They had many workers joining major unions. Polices was going on strike in September in 1919 even though they wanted to contribute fears. They led many immigrants from Russia to attend the United States Government.
As World War II came to an end, the United States entered the 50s. This decade became a major influential time that brought many cultural and societal changes. Categories such as the economy, where a boom in new products increased, the technology world which incorporated new medicines and computers, entertainment when the television became popular and the overall lifestyles that Americans adapted to. All of these topics reshaped and created several advancements throughout society during the 1950s.
As tensions intensified between, the Soviet Union and America during the Cold War between the late 1940’s and the early 1950’s, frenzied-hysterics overcame the American people and public policy which mirrored reflection of the Red Scare era. Furthermore, the second wave of Anslinger came on strong, using the well-established levers of control through the media the director of the FBN linked marijuana to Heroin and all drugs to communism. During the Red Scare era no politician could afford appearing weak against communism and many claims no matter how outlandish with threat of communism were taking deathly serious. Consequently, president Truman by recommendation of Anslinger passes the Boggs act in 1951, which was a mandatory sentencing for
Aidan O’Haire-Jack Hubbard Cassidy US History 1 16 March 2023 The post-war economy of the 1950s The 1950s was a weird time for Americans. With the war ending and many new things being brought up the Postwar economy was Crazy. The post-war economy of the 1950s saw increased consumer spending, technological advances, and economic growth, but it was also characterized by rising inequality and limited economic opportunities.
Overall, The Manhattan Project led to a substantial improvement to the American military, giving the U.S. power over military conflicts, such as the Cold War and World War II. In addition, not only did The Manhattan Project have a beneficial effect on the American military for war uses, but also altered the world of science by constructing an advancement in medicine and biology. This article published by a Princeton University historian, Angela Creager, illustrates how constructing the atomic bomb resulted in “knowledge and technology that grew out of the secret U.S.-led effort to build atomic bombs delivered on that promise — making possible important breakthroughs in medicine and biology.” (Creager
In a time of economic prosperity, a rise in the standard of living and rock and roll, also known as the “happy days”, the 1950s were a time looked back on with nostalgia. On the other hand, the 1950s were also met with many problems involving civil rights, the Cold War and McCarthyism. After the end of World War II, Americans came home to jobs available and a period of consensus. Consensus meaning there wasn’t much debate in politics. However tensions quickly rose throughout the nation when Joseph McCarthy made serious accusations about the State Department.
The Korean War occurred during the 1950s just a few years after the brutal Second World War. When the world was recovering in the aftermath of warfare, conflicts continued and led to another global conflict between the superpowers, the United States and Soviet Union. The initial conflict between the superpowers was known as the Cold War, which lasted for 45 years and ended in 1991. The Korean War was the first actual battle fought during the Cold War between two world powers on foreign soil. The Korean War was also considered the “forgotten war” fought between the superpowers, who both wanted to further their ideal political regime--communism for the USSR and democracy for the U.S. Overall, the Korean War has had a tremendous impact on international