AMERICA CHANGING:THE COLD WAR ERA5th Grade – American History

LIFE IN THE US – THE 1950S! The years after World War II were

sometimes called the “boom years…”

Because the country was experiencing a “boom” of economic growth and prosperity!

The following factor most contributed to the growth of suburbs after World War II:

Greater availability of automobiles and highway systems!

LIFE IN THE US – THE 1950S What is the main idea of the following information?

Rock and Roll Music becomes popular. Television becomes the cetner of American family

entertainment. Advertised goods such as slinkies and coon skin caps are

in high demand.

The Impact of Mass Media after World War II!

American “consumerism” had a major effect: Service industries expanded to meet consumers’ needs.

LIFE IN THE US – THE 1950S

New technology was changing the lives of Americans during the 1950s…

More people began to use commercial airlines!

THE COLD WAR The US had a main goal for their Cold

War Foreign Policies:

We wanted to stop the spread of communism!

The end of the Cuban Missile Crisis had a major effect – a good one!

The Nuclear Test Ban Treaty was signed.

THE COLD WAR There was a special word that described the post-war

era known for spreading the fear that communist spies were attempting to overthrow the government… McCarthyism

What would make a good title for this list? highlighted the need for an excellent education system promoted the development of consumer technology was a unifying force for American industry

Effects of the Space Race on the United States

AFTER THE WAR What became a symbol of the differences

between the Soviet Union and western democracies?

The Berlin Wall

What is the main purpose of the United Nations? Find peaceful solutions to international

issues.

AFTER THE WAR – MORE! NATO is an acronym – what do the

letters stand for?

North Atlantic Treaty Organization

Why is OPEC an important organization to the US?

OPEC determines the price of petroleum (oil).

USE THE T-CHART TO COMPARE THE GOALS OF THE US TO THOSE OF THE SOVIET UNION!

• Democratic Government

• Promoted personal freedom

• Promoted free enterprise

• Communist Government

• Little personal freedom

• Government owns all businesses and land

United States Soviet Union (USSR)

THE U.S. INVOLVEMENT IN THE KOREAN AND THE VIETNAM WARS

KOREAN WAR VIETNAM WAR• US fought to stop the

spread of communism.• Most Americans supported

the war.

• The US helped win the war, and South Korea remained non-communist.

• More than 33,000 US troops were killed

• Lasted from 1950-53

• US fought to stop the spread of communism.

• Many Americans disagreed about the US involvement in the war - Hawks and Doves

• The US lost, and South Vietnam became communist.

• More than 57,000 US troops were killed

• Lasted longer from 1963-1973

A Comparison:

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POLITICAL CARTOON #1 Use the cartoon to answer the following

questions. 1. What does the caption say?

2. What are President Kennedy and the leader of the Soviet Union trying to do?

3. What message do you think the creator of the cartoon was trying to send?

POLITICAL CARTOON #2 Use the cartoon to answer the following

questions. 1. Read the text in the political cartoon below. Explain the significance of this cartoon during the Cold War Era.