Even though today we spent the period talking about the Civil Rights Movement and all the hardships that African American's faced I feel like it is also important to look at what was happening in other areas of the world. I know we are in an American history class but I feel that all nations have interesting history that sometimes is left out because of the lack of media coverage and lack of information in texts books. Also America and other European powers usually have something to do with it.
First off after the War although America had escaped the grasp of the Great Depression the rest of the world was not having too much fun. Most of Europe was forced into the conditions that mirror medieval times, Russia had lost 13 million people, and Germany and Japan were no longer self governing nations. This just shows the awful conditions that proceeded a war.
At the end of the War Japan had fallen and with it all of its territories had fallen as well. This was a green light for many allies as the French returned back to Indochina and tried to recolonize the territory they had lost. We all know what happened to Korea but what happened to Indochina or Veitnam was just as significant. From the Wars end to 1954 France was fighting Vietnamese soldiers known as the Viet Minh led by Ho Chi Minh. These soldiers had tried to fight off Japanese occupation and continued fighting when it came to occupation by the French. The war lasted for seven years until France recognized that they had lost. However after this America got involved which started the know very well known Vietnam war which lasted for 20 years (from 1955-1975). This was one of the worst wars that America was involved with mostly because many people didn't even know what we were fighting for. Truman's doctrine was not as powerful as the idea of a safer world for democracy which we fought for during the first war. Anyway the wars in Indochina completely devastated the region and killed millions of people. Most Veterans alive today come from this war and have been greatly effected by it.
Another even that in my opinion shattered the 50's was the Coup D'etat in Iran in the year 1953. The story here dates from the early days of the 20th century where Iran a monarchial nation created a constitutional revolution establishing great power in the branches of government as well as the king. However, In 1953 the prime minister Mohammad Mossadegh was overthrown and the current king Mohammad Reza Shah presumed absolute power. Now during this time period Putsches happened in many countries including Syria and Guatemala but what make this significant is what happened behind the scenes. It is evident that the CIA and America supported this Coup and actually help make sure it occurred. Why you ask would the CIA be interested in America. The answer is very simple oil, and in a time in which the soviets were no longer our ally oil was an important commodity.
I hope this gives you a pretty nice description of Americas foreign affairs during this time period and somethings happening outside our continent. I believe it is important to understand all history to better understand why things happen.
(Side note* My Grandmother met Eisenhower when he came to Iran in 1956 on a visit my family and I speculate it had something to do with the Coup but we are not completely sure)
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