Postwar Policies

American postwar policy was initially based on international cooperation and collective security through the United Nations (UN). Increasing confrontation with the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), however, caused changes in U.S. foreign policy. American policymakers sought to contain Soviet expansion and Communist influence through economic and military aid, but eventually committed troops to active engagement during the Korean War (1950-1953) and the Vietnam War (1959-1975).

Judiciary is the branch of government made up of courts and judges.

Law is a set of rules that public governments make and enforce.

Left Wing is a group of people and parties holding radical views. Many left wing groups support socialist or Communist views.

Legislature is the lawmaking branch of a government.

Legislature, branch of government empowered to make, change, and repeal its laws and to levy and regulate its taxes. Most modern legislatures are representative–composed of many members who are chosen directly or indirectly by popular vote.

Nearly all modern governments have bicameral, or two-house, legislatures. The so-called lower house is elected generally on a basis of direct representation, while the upper house is elected generally on a basis of indirect representation or direct representation limited to certain groups. The traditional theoretical justification for an upper house is that it restrains the effects of impulsive or excessive fluctuations of public opinion.

Various legislatures throughout the world are known by different names, such as Congress, Parliament, Knesset, Diet, and Assembly. Most are limited in their powers by the constitution or organic law of the government of which they are a part.

Legitimacy is the widespread acceptance of the authority of a public government.

Liberalism is a political philosophy that favors rapid social change as a means of correcting economic and social inequality. Liberalism, attitude, philosophy, or movement concerned with the development of personal freedom and social progress. Liberalism eventually became identified with movements to change the social order through democracy. In domestic politics, liberals have opposed restraints that prevent the individual from rising out of a low social status; barriers such as censorship that limit free expression; and arbitrary power exercised by the state. In international politics, liberals have opposed the domination of foreign policy by militarists and the exploitation of native colonial peoples. In economics, liberals have attacked monopolies and mercantilist state policies that subject the economy to state control.