Monday, March 21st

Advanced American History

To resume our discussions of the Cold War, we began class by examining a primary source from the autobiography of Harry Truman.  In it, he recounts the decision to fire General Douglas MacArthur. Then, to demonstrate the nuclear hysteria of the 1950's, we watched an episode of the iconic show The Twilight Zone entitled "The Shelter".

Assignment:  Read Chapter 16, Section 4 -- The Second Red Scare

American Studies

As former allies turn against each other in the immediate postwar era, a global competition will ensue to between the US and USSR.  The United States under president Harry Truman, will seek to Contain the expansion of communism.  Events like the Truman Doctrine, the Marshall Plan, the Berlin Blockade and the formation of NATO were all early examples of this foreign policy.