• Describe the development of the atomic bomb, as well as the controversy surrounding its use on Japan.

• Discuss the origins of the Cold War, and trace the development and application of the U.S. policy of containment.

• Outline the domestic policies of the Truman administration from 1945 to 1950, discuss their political reception in Congress and elsewhere, and account for Truman’s upset victory in the 1948 presidential election.

• Describe the impact of the Cold War on the U.S. economy, science and technology, and the struggle of minorities in American society

• Explain the emergence of the Red Scare after World War II, and assess its impact on individuals and American society more generally.

1943 Establishment of Los Alamos lab.

Tehran conference.

1944 The Bretton Woods Conference.

Supreme Court strikes down all-white primary in Smith v. Allwright.

1945 The Yalta Conference.

Fire-bombing of Tokyo.

Roosevelt dies; Harry Truman becomes president.

Invasion of Okinawa.

United Nations established.

The Trinity test.

Potsdam Conference and Potsdam Declaration.

United States drops atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Japanese surrender.

First electronic computer (ENIAC) developed.

Nuremberg Trials begin.

1946 Price controls ended.

UAW, miners, and railroad workers strike.

Churchill’s "Iron Curtain" speech.

George Kennan publishes "Mr. X" article.

Strategic Air Command established.

Atomic Energy Commission established.

Republican Party wins control of Congress.

1947 Taft-Hartley Act passed.

Truman issues Truman Doctrine and institutes Loyalty Program.

National Security Act passed; establishes DOD, NSC, CIA.

Brooklyn Dodgers sign Jackie Robinson.

HUAC investigates Hollywood Ten..124

1948 Communist coup in Czechoslovakia.

Marshall Plan enacted.

Berlin airlift.

United States recognizes Israel.

Executive order calls for desegregation in the military.

Truman wins reelection.

1949 Creation of NATO.

Creation of the Federal Republic of Germany.

"Fall" of China.

Soviets explode atomic bomb.

1950 Alger Hiss convicted of perjury.

National Science Foundation established.

Klaus Fuchs case.

NSC-68.