The End Becomes A New Fear
At the end of World War II, Americans begin to be haunted by a new fear. The Soviets have embraced a tightly controlled political system called communism. Many believe it threatens the American way of life. Throughout the nation, suspected communists are called before a House subcommitte for questioning. Anyone accused of un-American activity faces public humiliation and professional ruin. (The Americans, pg.601)
Key Players
Harry S. Truman
Harry S. Truman, the son of a Missouri livestock trader and his wife, did not seem destined for greatness. When he graduated from high school in 1901, he drifted from job to job. After WWI, he invested in a men's clothing store, but the business failed.
Discouraged by his business failure, Truman sought a career in politics. As a politician, his blunt and outspoken style won both loyal friends and bitter enemies. As president, his decisiveness and willingness to accept responsibility for his decisions ("The Buck Stops Here" read a sign on his desk) earned him respect that has grown over the years. (The Americans, pg.603)
Joseph Stalin
As a young revolutionary, losif Vissarionovich Dzhugashvili took the name Stalin, which means "man of steel" in Russian.
His father was a failed shoemaker and an alcoholic. His mother helped support the family as a washerwoman.
Stalin is credited with turning the Soviet Union into a world power but at a terrible cost to its citizens. he ruled with terror and brutality and saw "enemies" everywhere, even among friends and supporters. He subdued the population with the use of secret police and labor camps, and he is believed to have been responsible for the murder of millions of Soviets. (The Americans, pg.603)