Centralized State Power Outline 2

1. Domestic Events during World War 2
During World War Two, the government had to make certain laws and agencies in order to support the war and to keep the domestic situation organized. One decision that was made was to recruit soldiers to fight in the war with a draft. Agencies like the Office of Price Association and the War Productions Board were also created. The OPA was used with laws such as the Revenue Act of 1942 to help regulate the economy, and War Productions Board decided whether companies would convert to wartime productions. The government also encouraged people to support the war through rationing.
2. The Cold War
The Cold War caused a fear of communism within the United States. This fear seemed to extend into the government. America decided on a policy known as containment, meaning it wanted to stop the spread of communism. Also, the government created the House Un-American Activities Committee, an organization that searched for the influence of communism in America. Domestic anticommunism became popular, and some people, such as Senator McCarthy used it to their advantage. Many people were unfairly accused because these people wanted power.
3. Presidents-Kennedy, Johnson and Nixon
Presidents Kennedy, Johnson, and Nixon all had thoughts on the amount of power that should be given to the federal government. Generally, It seemed that Johnson and Kennedy agreed. Both wished to increase the government's responsibility, and Johnson passed some of the laws that Kennedy was unable to get to congress. Their ideas were the foundations of the "Great Society" plan of Johnson's term as president. However, Nixon did not agree with them. He believed that this plan gave to much responsibility to the federal government, and so he wanted to distribute some powers to state and local governments.


This is only a rough draft. I will add more details and paragraphs into the final product.