After the end of World War 2, the major concerns of the United States were preventing another world war and stopping the spread of communism. To achieve these goals the United States participated in the formation of the United Nations and NATO, articulated the Truman Doctrine, paid for the MArshall Plan, and operated the Berlin Airlift. During the 1950's many people shared anxieties about communism and nuclear war. Publicly, the U.S. government pursued a policy of brinkmanship, while covertly conducting antigovernment operations. Civil rights battles increased and the conformity and consumerism culture of the time were often criticized.

John F Kennedy led the United States through a series of foreign-policy crisis. As the North Vietnamese fought to reunify their country, President Kennedy continued to support the corrupt, anti-Communist government in South Vietnam. Lyndon Johnson became president when Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas in 1963. President Johnson increased U.S. participation in the war. As U.S. casualties rose and it became clear the U.S. leaders had not been fully honest about the progress of the war, public support for the war eroded. In 1973 the United States announced a cease-fire and withdrew its troops from Vietnam.

By the end of this period of exploration in history, you will be able to do the following:
- Discuss measures the allies took to prevent another war.
- Identify the main events of the Korean War and how it ended.
- Explain how popular culture after WW2 reflected Cold War fears.
- Describe U.S. methods to fight communism.
- Explain President Kennedy's methods for dealing with Cold War crises.
- Identify reasons for the student protests of the 1960's.
- Identify why many South Vietnamese opposed their government and how they expressed their disapproval.
- Describe some of the war's legacies.