U.S. History module 6

6.01 The Fifties and Sixties
Veterans/What did they gain in World War II?
They gained the loss of unemployment. They gained the opportunity to travel overseas to fight, and to country untouched by destruction. Veterans came back to America with benefits of the GI Bill.
Veterans/what challenges did they face at the end of the war?
Returning veterans came back to take their former jobs, and along the war, they had to set society's homemaking standards as the women were unwilling to give up their World War II occupations. Veterans who lived far from major cities has no channel or one channel to watch on televisions in 1951. Not many could afford televisions immediately after the war. They also needed homes for their new families, and the cities were too crowded.
Veterans/What progress did they make for their postwar period?
Veterans were educated and thanks to the GI Bill, could start businesses or buy homes with low-interest rates. Most settled in the new suburban Levittowns. Returning veterans made families, thus causing the baby boom, which lasted from 1946-1964.
Veterans/What struggles might this group have in the decades to come?
There will be war again in the following decades for the veterans and their children. Some veterans will be traumatized by the experiences during WWII and the wars after that.
Women/What did they gain in World War II?
Women gained the right to exercise their knowledge. Some who went to college found use of it as they take men's occupations temporarily, such as mending aircraft or running businesses.
Women/What challenges did they face at the end of the war?
Women faced unemployment again as returning veterans take their jobs back. The posters recruiting women to help during World War II had no purpose in the following decade. Their ambitions are clouded by society's expectations.
Women/What progress did they make in the postwar period?
Women decided to speak out how they felt about society's standards. Betty, a homemaker, mother, and article writer, interviewed Smith College's alumni, who reported dissatisfaction with their roles. Betty found no one to publish her article because it went against the ideal belief of women, so she published her novel, The Feminine Mystique.
Women/What struggles might this group have in the decades to come?
Women will probably fight, or protest, to alter their public image. They will speak to revert back to those days when they could take occupations of men. As more women become educated and determined, society will soon have to cross out the idealistic homemaker.
African Americans/What did they gain in World War II?
African Americans gained the equal privilege to fight. They also had jobs during World War II.
African Americans/What challenges did they face at the end of the war?
They knew that they would be returning home to face discrimination.
African Americans/What progress did they make in the postwar period?
African Americans founded a kind of music, known as rhythm and blues. This soon became Rock-and-Roll. African Americans' music were broadcasted on radios. Jackie Robinson was a baseball champion. African Americans changed history through the integration of sports and music.
African Americans/What struggles might this group have in decades to come?
Although the baby boomers enjoyed rhythm and blues as well as Rock and Roll, their parents are concerned of the music roots. As another decade arrives, there will be tension as the schools integrate races. The discrimination will decrease in the following decades, and the 1980s will have influential African Americans like in the 1950s and the Jazz Age.

6.04 The Korean War
North Korea wanted to stay with its communist government and spread communism throughout the peninsula, but the United States feared communism aggression and the domino theory, so the United States and the United Nation sent troops to South Korea, thus creating a seesaw war.
General MacArthur wanted to attack North Korea troops from the west coast, which was a success widely praised, but his confidence led to a disrespectful encounter with President Truman and commanding the soldiers as he saw fit, so he was relieved from his duty.
President Truman wanted General MacArthur to follow his orders since the president is the commander-in-chief, but MacArthur wanted to eliminate Chinese communism, which led to Republicans smearing Truman's reputation, so Truman decided to fire General MacArthur and nor run for reelection.
China wanted to keep American troops off their border assist North Korea, but their help only made the Korean War a seesaw conflict, so the Chinese drove the UN force south of the 38th parallel before the cease-fire and armistice.
The United Nations wanted to help South Korea, but the war was ongoing and both sides had advantages at different times, so North and South Korea signed an armistice in 1953 and there is a demilitarized zone with United States troops in South Korea.
1.How did General Douglas MacArthur react to the events in Korea? What was his stance on the Korean War?
 General Douglas MacArthur made a counterattack towards North Korean troops. Whatever his moves were, it was to support his belief to eliminate communism. He underestimated China's army, but meant to prevent the domino theory. He is anti-communism.
2.How did President Truman respond to the events in Korea? What was his stance on the Korean War?
 President Truman sent troops to the Korean peninsula to keep Korean communism from spreading all over Korea and maybe Asia. He was anti-communism as well, but knew his limits and didn't want to create a greater threat to Asia's communism and provoke China. He also knew that he was failing his popularity, and blamed for "losing China." All this explained where he stood and the lengths that he went.
3.Which leader's actions were the most justifiable—General McArthur's or President Truman's? Support your claim with evidence from the lesson.
I think that General MacArthur's actions were the most justifiable. Although I don't agree with his rising confidence that would soon doom his intentions, he had creativity and knew where he wanted his troops to go, which faded when he was relieved. President Truman relieving him was like the sudden death of President Roosevelt. I believe that if he was temporarily relieved and his confidence died down, then granted a second chance, he would have seen things differently and win the cause America has hoped for.
4.Would the outcome of the Korean War have been different had General MacArthur not been fired? Why or why not? Support your claim with evidence from the lesson.
Yes and no. I think that at some point, every general will have their strengths and weaknesses. Victory at one time does not predict another. I think that China's advances were underestimated and General MacArthur should have been prepared for that. His confidence led to his downfall. So letting him stay would not make the ending different. But if he was temporarily relieved, that is to hope that he doesn't come back with a grudge, or better yet, have a month-long return-to-America vacation to think things thoroughly, he might return to the war clear-minded and with advantageous plans towards victory.

6.07 Disillusionment
Question: Explain how events such as the Vietnam War and Watergate affected the American public’s opinion of the U.S government.
    The majority of the American public before the 1960s trusted their government. They believed that with the rights they have, it is sensible to believe that there's much truth to what their government say or does. In other words, they have no reason to doubt their government. In an attempt to contain communism, however, the U.S. government sent young soldiers across the ocean. People began to resent that, but only some. Mostly college students, whose education were interrupted or blocked. They thought that the Vietnam War was going to be short-term, but although years of the executive power heightening, they saw otherwise. The living room war was televised, and the people saw what happened to the American troops that were sent there. They wanted an end; the war dragged on. Distrust of the president arose. Pentagon papers were published. The court overruled Nixon and his administration when they wanted an end to these Pentagon Papers. The Supreme Court decided that freedom of the press will assure the people that their government is not deceiving them. These publications shocked the public and the early 70s were a time of disillusionment. The Watergate scandal was the next upcoming thing that shattered American trust. The burglars that tried to break into the Watergate headquarters had ties to the executive branch. The president tried to soften FBI investigation. The Washington Post undermined his denial of involvement with the Watergate event. He refused to show his video tapes. However, he eventually had to give up these tapes. Americans realized that he was a crook. People in the executive branch have done wrong deeds and the so during the 70s, American believed that their government was run by criminals. Distrust of authority led to reformed opinions of the government.