great moments in the history of liberalism
[I keep forgetting that this is the 60th anniversary of the
remarkable year 1947, which is kind of when the structure of the
American empire took form. All this happened, and there was the
famous autoworker contract that served as the master capital-labor
accord…]
http://sunsite.berkeley.edu/~ucalhist/archives_exhibits/loyaltyoath/timeline1940_1948.html
1947
American President Harry Truman establishes the “Truman Doctrine”
stating as policy worldwide American opposition to communism. The
policy is coupled with Congressional action to send military and
economic aid to Turkey and Greece, where civil wars are underway.
George Kennan, writing under a pseudonym in Foreign Affairs,
promulgates the goal of “containment” of the Soviet Union, which
becomes a cornerstone of American foreign policy.
President Truman initiates loyalty oaths for Federal employees, and
the use of such oaths spreads rapidly through public and private
agencies. Many Americans, fearful of the spread of communism, start
or support what are later called “witch hunts” for suspected
communists in American society.
The Marshall Plan is instituted, providing massive American economic
and military aid to western Europe to rebuild war damaged countries
and strengthen anti-communist governments.
Civil war continues in Greece, but American and British aid,
including military advisers, starts to erode the advance of communist
forces. The Chinese Communists make military gains against the
Nationalists. In Hungary, a short-lived democratic government ends as
Soviet occupation forces install a one-party communist government.
The Central Intelligence Agency is created in the United States.
[text of Truman loyalty executive order: http://coursesa.matrix.msu.edu/~hst203/documents/loyal.html]