Chapter 36: The Cold War Begins, 1945-1952
APUSH - Homework Questions
Big Questions: (1) Why did so many Americans accept McCarthyism? Was it a new fear or an old fear? (2) Who was to blame for the Cold War?
1. What were the most significant demographic shifts in post-WWII America? What helped create the great economic boom for America after WWII?
2. What kinds of impacts did the "Baby Boom" have on American life?
3. What was the Cold War, and why did it happen?
4. What are the strengths and weaknesses of the United Nations?
5. Explain George F. Kennan's theory of containment. Was it a necessary response to Soviet aggression, or did it needlessly drive the two superpowers farther apart?
6. What were the purposes of the Marshall Plan? How were America's interests served as well as Europe's and Japan's?
7. What was the original purpose of NATO? How well has it achieved its intent?
8. Who were the leading promoters of the Red Scare of the 1950's? How did the Red Scare impact American society?
9. Why was Truman's election in 1948 such a surprise? How did he do it?
10. How did Truman respond to North Korea's invasion of South Korea in 1950? Why was NSC-68 such an important "Cold War document"?
11. Describe the basic events of the Korean War
12. Why did Truman fire MacArthur? In your opinion, was Truman's decision a wise one?
13. How do the "New Left Revisionist" historians differ with the traditional interpretation of responsibility for the Cold War? (See Varying viewpoints)
14. Is the Cold War really over? How do you know?
15. Identify:
o Julius and Ethel Rosenberg
o Alger Hiss
o Richard Nixon
o McCarran Internal Security Act
o Berlin Airlift
o Nuremberg War Crimes Trials
o Benjamin Spock
o Servicemen's Readjustment Act
o Truman Doctrine
o Taft-Hartley Act
o The Fair Deal