CHRONOLOGY

1945

  • Roosevelt dies; Truman becomes president.

    • 1946

  • Postwar labor unrest affects major industries.

  • President’s Committee on Civil Rights created.

  • George F. Kennan drafts containment policy.

  • United States grants independence to Philippines.

  • Employment Act passes.

  • Republicans gain control of Congress.

    • 1947

  • National Security Act passes.

  • Truman announces Truman Doctrine.

  • United States sends aid to Greece and Turkey.

  • Truman establishes loyalty program.

  • Mendez v. Westminster decided.

    • 1948

  • Marshall Plan approved.

  • Truman orders desegregation of military.

  • American GI Forum founded.

  • United States recognizes Israel.

  • Truman elected president.

    • 1948–1949

  • Berlin crisis precipitates airlift drops.

    • 1949

  • Communists take over China.

  • North Atlantic Treaty Organization formed.

  • Soviet Union explodes atomic bomb.

  • Truman approves hydrogen bomb.

    • 1950

  • Senator Joseph McCarthy claims U.S. government harbors Communists.

  • Korean War begins.

    • 1951

  • Truman fires General Douglas MacArthur.

  • U.S. occupation of Japan ends.

    • 1952

  • Dwight D. Eisenhower elected president.

    • 1953

  • Korean War ends.