Question
In this discussion, you will discuss the effects of changes in U.S. foreign policy after World War II from multiple perspectives.
Begin your discussion by addressing the following prompt:
Discuss the positive and negative effects of the United States foreign policy’s efforts to root out communist influences in the decade following World War II.
in a few sentences
Evidence:
As World War II drew to a close, the alliance that had made the United States and the Soviet Union partners in their defeat of the Axis powers—Germany, Italy, and Japan—began to fall apart. Leaders on both sides realized that their visions for the future of Europe and the world were in conflict.
Leader Wanted to . . . Planned to accomplish by . . .
Joseph Stalin
Expand Soviet influence
Protect the Soviet Union from future invasions
Establishing communist, pro-Soviet governments in eastern Europe
Bringing communist revolutions to Asia and to developing nations around the world
Harry Truman
Expand U.S. influence
Combat the influence of the Soviet Union and communism
Protecting or installing democratic governments around the world
Forming alliances with Asian, African, and Latin American nations
Helping other countries establish or expand free-market economies
By the time he became president, Truman was already troubled by Soviet actions in Europe. He disliked the concessions made by Franklin Roosevelt at Yalta. At the Potsdam Conference, held from July 17 to August 2, 1945, Truman opposed Stalin’s plans to demand large reparations from Germany. He feared this might lead to another cycle of German rearmament and aggression similar to what had happened after World War I. The United States and the Soviet Union managed to reach an agreement at Potsdam, but this was the last time the two nations cooperated for many years. Leaders of each remained convinced that their own economic and political systems were superior, and the way each nation’s goals diverged shaped U.S. foreign policy for decades to come.
Select the link to watch a video that helps explain how the Cold War began. As you watch the video, consider the different factors that contributed to the Cold War. Which factor was the most important in escalating tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union?
A Changed Nation
This portrait photograph of Harry S. Truman shows him from the chest up. He wears a tweed jacket with wide lapels, a light-colored shirt, and a striped tie. He wears wire-rimmed eyeglasses and looks straight at the camera with a neutral expression.
One of President Truman’s first priorities at the end of World War II was to prepare the United States for the reintegration of American troops into civilian life.
Imagine you’ve been in a foreign place, away from your family and friends, for months or even years. You write letters home, but there’s only so much you can communicate. The same is true for the letters you receive in reply. During your time away, you’ve changed quite a bit, and you know the same is probably true of the people still in your hometown. You’re anxious to go home, but you’re unsure what life will be like. Will you still fit in with your family and friends? Where will you live? What will you do with your time?
All of these questions, concerns, and more faced the servicemen and servicewomen who prepared to return to the United States at the end of World War II. For many, the transition was made much easier with assistance from the federal government. For others, however, the prospect of resuming or restarting a life back home proved much more challenging.
Complete the activity to learn more about the United States in the years after world war.
Begin your discussion by addressing the following prompt:
Discuss the positive and negative effects of the United States foreign policy’s efforts to root out communist influences in the decade following World War II.
in a few sentences
Evidence:
As World War II drew to a close, the alliance that had made the United States and the Soviet Union partners in their defeat of the Axis powers—Germany, Italy, and Japan—began to fall apart. Leaders on both sides realized that their visions for the future of Europe and the world were in conflict.
Leader Wanted to . . . Planned to accomplish by . . .
Joseph Stalin
Expand Soviet influence
Protect the Soviet Union from future invasions
Establishing communist, pro-Soviet governments in eastern Europe
Bringing communist revolutions to Asia and to developing nations around the world
Harry Truman
Expand U.S. influence
Combat the influence of the Soviet Union and communism
Protecting or installing democratic governments around the world
Forming alliances with Asian, African, and Latin American nations
Helping other countries establish or expand free-market economies
By the time he became president, Truman was already troubled by Soviet actions in Europe. He disliked the concessions made by Franklin Roosevelt at Yalta. At the Potsdam Conference, held from July 17 to August 2, 1945, Truman opposed Stalin’s plans to demand large reparations from Germany. He feared this might lead to another cycle of German rearmament and aggression similar to what had happened after World War I. The United States and the Soviet Union managed to reach an agreement at Potsdam, but this was the last time the two nations cooperated for many years. Leaders of each remained convinced that their own economic and political systems were superior, and the way each nation’s goals diverged shaped U.S. foreign policy for decades to come.
Select the link to watch a video that helps explain how the Cold War began. As you watch the video, consider the different factors that contributed to the Cold War. Which factor was the most important in escalating tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union?
A Changed Nation
This portrait photograph of Harry S. Truman shows him from the chest up. He wears a tweed jacket with wide lapels, a light-colored shirt, and a striped tie. He wears wire-rimmed eyeglasses and looks straight at the camera with a neutral expression.
One of President Truman’s first priorities at the end of World War II was to prepare the United States for the reintegration of American troops into civilian life.
Imagine you’ve been in a foreign place, away from your family and friends, for months or even years. You write letters home, but there’s only so much you can communicate. The same is true for the letters you receive in reply. During your time away, you’ve changed quite a bit, and you know the same is probably true of the people still in your hometown. You’re anxious to go home, but you’re unsure what life will be like. Will you still fit in with your family and friends? Where will you live? What will you do with your time?
All of these questions, concerns, and more faced the servicemen and servicewomen who prepared to return to the United States at the end of World War II. For many, the transition was made much easier with assistance from the federal government. For others, however, the prospect of resuming or restarting a life back home proved much more challenging.
Complete the activity to learn more about the United States in the years after world war.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
In the decade following World War II, U.S. foreign policy focused on rooting out communist influences, leading to both positive and negative effects. On the positive side, these efforts promoted the establishment of democratic governments in Europe and parts of Asia, fostering political stability and economic recovery through initiatives like the Marshall Plan. The United States also formed crucial alliances, such as NATO, which contributed to a united front against Soviet expansion. Conversely, the aggressive stance against communism resulted in negative consequences, including the escalation of the Cold War, characterized by military conflicts and proxy wars, such as in Korea and Vietnam. Additionally, the fear of communism led to domestic policies like McCarthyism, where individuals faced persecution and loss of civil liberties due to unfounded accusations of communist sympathies. Thus, the U.S. foreign policy of the era was marked by a complex interplay of promoting democratic ideals while simultaneously intensifying global tensions.