World War II Through the 1970s Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

World War II Through the 1970s - Essay Example This paper explores significant turning points in American history at the said time. In addition, the paper explores the impact that the developments had on America’s society, economy, politics, and culture. Moreover, the paper explores why Americans in the late 1930s did not wish to be engaged in the World War II. The paper also explores significant contributions made by women during World War II as well civil rights breakthroughs after World War II. Lastly, the paper explores the impact of Vietnam War on the new generation of young Americans as well as President Johnson’s â€Å"Great Society.† #1 Some of the two turning points in American history post World War II through to 1970s include the cold war era and Civil Rights Movements. The Cold War intensified moments after the end of the Second World War. When the war ended marked by an allied victory, material differences surfaced between America and the Soviets. Cold War was a period of tension, suspicions, and hostility between U.S. and Soviet Union spanning from mid-40s to the late 80s. During the period, there were indirect conflicts such as Vietnam War, Cuban missile crisis, and Korea wars (Armstrong, 1998). American civil rights movement had its roots in the century-long efforts of African slaves, as well as their descendants in efforts to get rid of institution of slavery and racial oppression. The U.S. Constitution amendments did not entirely emancipate the slaves as it did not secure federal protection of the civil rights. Significant happenings during the Civil Rights Movement include desegregating Little Rock (1957), sit-ins (1960), Freedom rides (1961), voter registrations, Albany Movement (1961-1962), Birmingham Campaign (1963-1964), March on Washington (1963), and Civil Rights Act of 1964. #2 The cold war shaped American foreign policy as well as political ideology. Cold War also had a substantial bearing on the American presidency. Similarly, Cold War has led to some politic ians using anti-communist hysteria to advance their rightist agenda. The Cold War also influenced domestic policy both socially and economically. The social impact includes regression of social reforms; the economic impact dwells on enormous industrial growth aided by heavy government expansion. Traces of hostility between the U.S. and Soviet Union, now Russia, are still evident in platforms such as UN Security Council where each party vetoes the other in defense of each party’s interests (Armstrong, 1998). The Civil Rights Movement in 1960s has had a remarkable influence on American society far beyond the struggle for racial justice and equality. Many of the principles, strategies and tactics employed by the civil rights organization such as peaceful protests and acts of civil disobedience such as sit-ins have informed and inspired the social movements of today. Civil Rights Movement has impacted on education and politics in terms of desegregation and other aspects centered on affirmative action. Civil Rights Movements have led to de-institutionalization of discrimination, which has changed America culturally. #3 From 1920s to the 1930s America’s foreign policy leaned towards isolationist. During the Great depression, the focus was on economic growth and the principal determination was to stay out of any conflict as espoused by its isolationist, non-interventionism, and neutrality policy. The isolationist sentiment was inspired partly by the depression. The U.S. thought that they could only fix the depression domestically, and involvement in conflicts was more of a sideshow. Isolationists wanted to stay out of war at any cost as the depression threatened to