Cold War

We begin our discussion in this podcast with the troubled presidencies of Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter.  President Ford faced a backlash from the Watergate era, and President Carter's policies in the Iran Hostage Crisis led to division.  Ronald Reagan defeated Carter and returned politics to a more conservative policy.  Listen for the rest of the story! 

The sixties brought with it much change and conflict.  The Cold War still existed between the US and the Soviets.  New optimism was spreading, however, as a result of the promise of the new President, John F. Kennedy.  His assassination would shock the world and lead to a new era with President Johnson and his "Great Society" vision.  Both presidents would be faced with racial conflict, and the civil rights movement would begin.  Dr. Martin Luther King and many others would lead the fight for justice and equality in our society.

One of the results of World War II was the emergence of two strong superpowers- The United States and the USSR.  Conflicting political and economic systems gave rise to tension short of war known as "The Cold War".  We also saw an economic boom in the 50's.  The GI Bill gave many returning veterans opportunities for education, homes and businesses.  It is the time of "the American Dream" with increased prosperity, consumerism, and a great deal of conformity in American Society.