Guidelines: All Three Parts Must Be Addressed

Guidelines There Are 3 Parts All Three Parts Must Be Address And All

There are three parts to this assignment, and all must be addressed and submitted together in a single document. Part 1 requires research and citations, using your textbook, videos, or other outside sources. Direct quotes from the textbook and videos need only the author's last name in parentheses, while all information from outside sources must be cited fully and included in a works cited or bibliography. Use Chicago, MLA, or APA citation styles. Direct quotes do not count toward the word count.

Part 1 questions include analyzing Franklin D. Roosevelt’s characterization of World War II and fascism, comparing his potential views on the Cold War and the Soviet Union, summarizing arguments from Documents 2 and 3 about the Soviet threat and U.S. responses, providing examples from the textbook on how these ideas influenced U.S. foreign policy, and examining Eisenhower’s farewell speech in relation to prior documents and Roosevelt’s characterization.

Part 2 asks for a 350-word assessment of how World War II reshaped ideas about American nationality by comparing the experiences of first-generation immigrants, second-generation immigrants, and Black Americans during the war.

Part 3 requires a 350-word evaluation of Harry Truman’s domestic policies, noting which reflected the New Deal, discussing the challenges in implementing them, and examining how these policies expanded or restricted American freedoms.

Paper For Above instruction

The aftermath of World War II marked a significant turning point in American history, not only shaping foreign policy and international relations but also redefining notions of national identity and domestic freedom. This essay will explore how Franklin D. Roosevelt viewed the global threat of fascism and Nazi Germany, whether his perspective would have extended to the Cold War era, summarize key arguments from primary documents about the Soviet threat, analyze the influence of these ideas on U.S. foreign policy, and compare Roosevelt’s and Eisenhower’s leadership visions. Additionally, it will assess how World War II impacted American identity among various groups and evaluate Truman’s domestic policies in terms of their origins, challenges, and effects on American freedoms.

Roosevelt’s Characterization of Fascism and the Potential Cold War Perspectives

Franklin D. Roosevelt characterized World War II as a battle between democracy and dictatorship, highlighting fascism and Nazi Germany as dire threats to freedom and peace. In his speeches, especially the famous "Four Freedoms" speech, Roosevelt emphasized the importance of defending democratic ideals against totalitarian regimes that sought to dominate and suppress individual liberties (Roosevelt, 1941). He saw fascism as an existential threat not just to Europe but to the entire world order, advocating for American intervention and leadership to combat tyranny. Had Roosevelt survived beyond 1945, it is plausible he would have viewed the Cold War and the Soviet Union through a similar lens—seeing communism as an expansionist threat incompatible with democratic values. His emphasis on liberty and opposition to authoritarianism suggest he would have perceived the Soviet challenge as a new form of totalitarianism that needed containment.

Views from Documents 2 and 3 on the Soviet Threat and U.S. Responses

Documents 2 and 3 show contrasting perspectives on Soviet communism and U.S. strategies. George Kennan’s “Long Telegram” and subsequent "X Article" articulate a deep understanding of the USSR's strategic weaknesses, portraying the Soviet system as inherently fragile and bureaucratically inefficient. Kennan argued that the Soviet leadership was primarily driven by fear of internal collapse and external threats, which could be exploited through a policy of containment. The National Security Council (Document 3) echoed this approach, emphasizing the need for the U.S. to contain communism wherever it spread and to counter Soviet influence through diplomatic, economic, and military means. Both documents reflect a shared belief that the Soviet Union was fundamentally insecure and that firm, strategic resistance was essential to preserve American and global security (Kennan, 1947).

Influence of Ideas on U.S. Foreign Policy

The doctrines articulated in these documents profoundly shaped U.S. foreign policy during the Cold War. The containment strategy became the cornerstone of American actions, leading to initiatives like the Marshall Plan, NATO, and military interventions in Korea and Vietnam. These policies aimed to prevent the spread of communism, aligning with Kennan's and the NSC’s recommendations, marking a shift from isolationism to proactive engagement across the globe (Gaddis, 2005). The emphasis on containing Soviet power reflected a recognition of the perceived existential threat and laid the groundwork for decades of Cold War diplomacy and confrontation.

Eisenhower’s Farewell Message and Its Relationship to Cold War Ideas

In his farewell speech, President Dwight D. Eisenhower warned of the "military-industrial complex," emphasizing the potential dangers of entrenched defense interests and perpetual conflict, which could undermine democratic institutions. His message reflected many ideas from Documents 2 and 3 by acknowledging the importance of a strong defense while cautioning against unchecked military influence and unnecessary escalation. Eisenhower’s emphasis on balanced foreign policy and vigilance aligned with Roosevelt’s earlier call for leadership and resistance against totalitarian threats. Both leaders underscored the importance of safeguarding democracy amid Cold War tensions, though Eisenhower highlighted the need for prudent restraint to avoid falling into a permanent state of conflict (Eisenhower, 1961).

World War II and American Identity: Immigrants and Black Americans

World War II fundamentally reshaped American notions of nationality, with the diverse experiences of first-generation immigrants, second-generation immigrants, and Black Americans illustrating this transformation. First-generation immigrants often faced suspicion but contributed significantly to wartime production, experiencing newfound pride in their American identity amid suspicion and discrimination (Ngai, 2004). Second-generation immigrants increasingly identified with American ideals, leveraging their contributions to claim full citizenship rights, yet they still faced racial and ethnic prejudices. Black Americans, despite their critical role in the war effort, encountered systemic racism and segregation, which limited their freedoms domestically. However, their service and activism during this period laid the foundation for the Civil Rights Movement, challenging perceptions of racial inferiority and demanding equal rights (Mullen, 2015). Consequently, the war effort catalyzed debates over national identity, emphasizing unity in diversity and exposing persistent inequalities.

Harry Truman’s Domestic Policies: Origins, Challenges, and Impact on Freedoms

Harry Truman’s domestic policies, notably the Fair Deal, reflected both continuation and expansion of New Deal principles. Truman aimed to increase economic security, provide universal health insurance, and promote civil rights. Many of these initiatives, such as the expansion of Social Security and increased minimum wages, were rooted in New Deal ideas emphasizing government intervention to ensure economic stability and social justice (Leuchtenburg, 1995). Nonetheless, implementing these policies faced significant opposition from Congress, especially from Southern Democrats and Republicans who viewed them as excessive government intervention or threats to traditional freedoms. The political battles over civil rights and social welfare measures also exposed racial and ideological divides, sometimes restricting the full realization of these policies. Despite obstacles, Truman’s reforms broadened Americans’ access to economic protections and civil rights, gradually expanding the scope of individual freedoms and social justice while also facing ideological resistance that limited their immediate impact.

Conclusion

The post-World War II era profoundly influenced America’s foreign and domestic landscape. Roosevelt’s leadership set the tone for confronting totalitarian threats, while Cold War strategies rooted in containment shaped U.S. foreign policy for decades. Internally, the war challenged and expanded ideas of American identity across diverse groups, laying groundwork for civil rights. Truman’s domestic policies reflected both the legacy of the New Deal and ongoing struggles over freedom and equality. These developments underscore the complex interplay between national security concerns and the ideals of liberty and justice—a tension that continues to influence American history.

References

• Eisenhower, D. (1961). Farewell Address.
• The Cold War: A New History. Penguin Books.
• Leuchtenburg, W. E. (1995). The FDR Years: On Roosevelt and His Legacy. Columbia University Press.
• Mullen, C. (2015). Citizenship, Racial Conflicts, and the Civil Rights Movement. University of Chicago Press.
• Ngai, M. M. (2004). Impossible Subjects: Illegal Aliens and the Making of Modern America. Princeton University Press.
• Roosevelt, F. D. (1941). Four Freedoms Speech. American Rhetoric Resource.
• Kennan, G. F. (1947). The Sources of Soviet Conduct. Foreign Affairs.