U.S .

HIS TO RY : 1 8 6 5 TO THE P R ES EN T
ST UDY G UIDE – PO S T - WWI I CHAN G E S
HISTORY AND SOCIAL SCIENCE STANDARDS OF LEARNING CURRICULUM FRAMEWORK –2015 STANDARDS
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S TA N D A R D U S II. 8 A – RE B UIL D ING

EURO P E & JAP AN
The student will demonstrate knowledge of the economic, social, and
political transformation of the United States and the world between
the end of World War II and the present by
a) describing the rebuilding of Europe and Japan after World War
II, the emergence of the United States as a superpower, and the
establishment of the United Nations.
The Allied victory in World War II led to the
emergence of the United States and the Soviet Union
as global superpowers.
The United States’ involvement in World War II
reshaped America’s role in world affairs.
United States helps rebuild postwar Europe and Japan
Much of Europe was in ruins following World War II.
− East Germany remained under the domination of
− Soviet forces occupied most of Eastern and Central the Soviet Union and did not adopt democratic
Europe and the eastern portion of Germany. institutions.
− The United States felt it was in its best interest to help • Following its defeat, Japan was occupied by American
rebuild Europe and prevent political and economic forces.
instability.
− It soon adopted a democratic form of
Rebuilding efforts government, resumed self-government, and
• The United States instituted George C. Marshall’s plan to became a strong ally of the United States.
rebuild Europe (the Marshall Plan), which provided
Establishment of the United Nations
massive financial aid to rebuild European economies and
prevent the spread of communism. • The United Nations was formed near the
end of World War II to create a body for
• Germany was partitioned into East and West Germany. the nations of the world to try to prevent
− West Germany became democratic and resumed self- future global wars.
government after a few years of American, British, and
French occupation.

S T A N D A R D U S I I . 8 B - W A R T I M E T O P E A C ET I M E E C ON O M Y
b) Conversion from a wartime to a peacetime economy. • With rationing of consumer goods over, businesses
The economic, social, and political climate of the converted from production of war materials to
United States changed after World War II because of consumer goods.
the development of new technologies, changes in − Americans purchased goods on credit.
mass media, and growth of mass markets.
• The work force shifted back to men, and most
women returned full time to family responsibilities.
Reasons for rapid growth of the American economy
• Labor unions merged and became more powerful;
following World War II workers gained new benefits and higher salaries.

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S TA N D A R D U S II. 8C – C O LD W AR
c) The role of America’s military and veterans in defending freedom during the Cold War, including the wars in Korea and
Vietnam, the Cuban missile crisis, the collapse of communism in Europe, and the rise of new challenges.

The United States and the Soviet Union • The United States intervened to stop the spread of
emerged from World War II as world communism into South Vietnam (Domino Theory).
powers, triggering a rivalry over ideology
− Americans were divided over whether the United
and national security.
States should be
The Cold War was the central organizing involved
principle in foreign affairs for 40 years. militarily in
Terms to know Vietnam.
• Cold War: The state of tension without actual fighting − The conflict
between the United States and the Soviet Union, which ended in a
divided the world into two camps cease-fire
agreement in
which U.S.
troops withdrew.
• The Space Race between the United States and the Soviet
Union was a contest to gain technological superiority (e.g.,
Sputnik, landing on the moon).
• The Arms Race was the stockpiling of nuclear weapons as
a deterrent to nuclear war.

Origins of the Cold War

• Differences in goals and ideologies between the United
States and the Soviet Union (the two superpowers).
− The United States was democratic and capitalist;
− the Soviet Union was dictatorial and communist.
• The Soviet Union’s domination over Eastern European
countries (Iron Curtain)
• American policy of containment (to stop the spread of
communism)
Collapse of communism in Europe
• North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) vs. Warsaw
• Breakup of the Soviet Union into independent countries
Pact (defense alliances)
• Destruction of the Berlin Wall
Major conflicts in the post-World War II era
New challenges
• South Korea and the United States resisted Chinese and
North Korean aggression. The conflict ended in a • Role of United States military intervention
stalemate. • Environmental challenges
• Disagreements arose between the United States and the • Global issues, including trade, jobs, diseases, energy
Soviet Union over the status of Berlin, eventually leading
to the construction of the Berlin Wall • Rise/emergence of China as a global economic and
military power
• The Cuban Missile Crisis occurred when the Soviet Union
placed missiles in Cuba.
− The Soviets removed the missiles in response to a
United States blockade of Cuba, and the United
States removed missiles from Turkey

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S TA N D A R D U S II. 8 D – C H AN G I N G S O C I E T Y
d) describing the changing patterns of society, including expanded educational and economic opportunities for military
veterans, women, and minorities.
The United States experienced an • Expansion of human rights
economic boom and social transformation
• African Americans’
after World War II that changed the way
aspirations for equal
most Americans lived and worked.
opportunities
Factors leading to changing patterns in United States
society Policies and programs expanding
• Strong economy (healthy job market, increased educational and employment
productivity, increased demand for American opportunities
products) • G.I. Bill of Rights gave
educational, housing, and
• Greater investment in education so Americans
employment benefits to
would have the ability to compete globally
veterans.
(National Defense Education Act)
• Harry S. Truman desegregated the armed forces.
• The “Baby Boom,” which led to changing
demographics • Civil Rights legislation led to increased
educational, economic, and political opportunities
• Interstate highway system
for women and minorities.
• Evolving role of women (expected to play a
supporting role in the family while increasingly
working outside the home)
• Large number of women entering the labor force

S TA N D A R D U S II. 8 E – TR A D E & G LOBA LIZA T IO N

e) describing how international trade and globalization have impacted American
life.
Impact of globalization and international trade on
After World War II, American life
there was an • Improvement of all communications (e.g., travel,
increase in telecommunications, Internet)
globalization,
international • Availability of a wide
trade, and variety of foreign-
interdependence. made goods and
services
• Outsourcing of job
Globalization is the linking of nations through trade, and decline of some
information, technologies, and communication. American cities and
industries
Globalization involves increased integration of different
societies. • Rise of international corporations

Interdependence involves nations, countries, and • Shift from manufacturing to a high-tech and service
societies depending on one another for goods, services, economy
action, or influence.
During the two decades following World War II,
international trade expanded at a rapid pace.