APUSH Unit 9

Post war economic issues

G.I.s finding jobs and housing, fears of economic problems, but war had increased income, everyone had savings accounts & war bonds

1946 Congressional Elections

"Had enough?" Repubs win House and Senate. Robert Taft leads Repubs.

Taft-Hartley Act

to check union power. outlaws closed shop, lets states pass right-to-work (no union requirement), outlaws other unions joining boycotts, president has power to invoke 80 day cool-off period before strikes.

"operation Dixie"

This was aimed at unionizing textile workers & steelworkers, but failed due to fears of racial mixing. Plus, women were hard to organize, unionization to the South

Employment Act

Made it government policy "to promote maximum employment, production, and purchasing power.". Created a three-member Council of Economic Advisers to provide the president with the data and recommendations to make policy a reality.

GI Bill of Rights

Also known as Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944 gave money to veternas to study in colleges, universities, gave medical treatment, loans to buy a house or farm or start a new business

Long Economic Boom

...

move to the sunbelt

air conditioning, military posts

Levittowns

planned suburban communities of cheap, mass-produced houses built by WIlliam Levitt all over the country during the 1950's

"white flight"

working and middle-class white people move away from racial-minority suburbs or inner-city neighborhoods to white suburbs and exurbs

baby boom

An increase in population by almost 30 million people. This spurred a growth in suburbs and three to four children families.

Dr. Spock

Was a 1950's doctor who told the whole baby boom generation how to raise their kids. He also said that raising them was more important and rewarding than extra $ would be.

Baruch plan

In 1946, Bernard Baruch presented an American plan to control and eventually outlaw nuclear weapons. The plan called for United Nations control of nuclear weapons in three stages before the United States gave up its stockpile. Soviet insistence on immediate nuclear disarmament without inspection doomed the Baruch Plan and led to a nuclear arms race between the United States and the Soviet Union.

The Nuremburg Trials

A series fo trials which charged high ranking German leaders with war crimes and "crimes against humanity."

German occupation

The Grand Alliance and France said that Germany needed to be de-Nazified so they divided Germany into four occupation zones. Soviets got the most amount of land since they lost the most amount of men. 3-5 years was predicted time of occupation.

The Cold War

refers to the period following WWII until the collapse of the Soviet Union in the 1990s.This was a period when much of the world was divided by the communist/non-communist battle for military and political superiority. While the USA and the USSR were unquestionably the world's two superpowers, they avoided direct military conflict. Instead, they sought to bring other countries into their fold.

the "iron curtain" speech

Churchill gives a speech about the iron curtain dividing Europe

George Kennan

He was an American diplomat and ambassador best known as "the father of containment" and as a key figure in the emergence of the Cold War.

"containment"

American policy of resisting further expansion of communism around the world

Truman Doctrine

President Truman's policy of providing economic and military aid to any country threatened by communism or totalitarian ideology

Reinhold Niebuhr

Influential liberal protestant clergyman who crusaded against what he percieved as the drift away from Christian foundations for over five decades after WWI.He was vehemently against fascism, communism, and pacifism, and divided the world into "children of light" and "children of darkness."

Marshall Plan

A plan that the US came up with to revive war-torn economies of Europe. This plan offered $13 billion in aid to western and Southern Europe.

coup in Czechoslovakia

demonstrates most clearly how the Soviets went against Stalin's wartime promise and imposed communism on an unwilling nation.

National Security Act

Passed in 1947 in response to perceived threats from the Soviet Union after WWII. It established the Department of Defense and the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and National Security Council.

National Security Council

a committee in the executive branch of government that advises the president on foreign and military and national security

CIA

an independent agency of the United States government responsible for collecting and coordinating intelligence and counterintelligence activities abroad in the national interest

"Voice of America"

1948; This government agency was created to make radio (and later TV) broadcasts of news and entertainment into foreign countries, especially into those controlled by communists.

Selective Service System

an independent federal agency that administers compulsory military service

founding of Israel

1922, palistein invited in jews. 1937- revised and said no more could come in. arabs don't want the jews. eventually in 1947 UN parts israel and gives land to jews

Berlin Airlift

Joint effort by the US and Britian to fly food and supplies into W Berlin after the Soviet blocked off all ground routes into the city

Federal Republic of Germany

Eventual name of postwar West Germany; created by the merging of the zones of occupation held by France, Britain, and the United States.

German Democratic Republic

German Federal Republic was established by the Western powers in 1949, then a month later the Democratic Republic was made by USSR

NATO

North Atlantic Treaty Organization; an alliance made to defend one another if they were attacked by any other country; US, England, France, Canada, Western European countries

Warsaw Pact

treaty signed in 1945 that formed an alliance of the Eastern European countries behind the Iron Curtain; USSR, Albania, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, East Germany, Hungary, Poland, and Romania

reconstruction of Japan

...

Chinese Civil War

War between communist Mao Zse Tong and nationalist Chaing-Kai Shek. The communists took over and forced the nationalists to retreat to Taiwan

People's Republic of China

Communist government of mainland China; proclaimed in 1949 following military success of Mao Zedong over forces of Chiang Kai-shek and the Guomindang.

NSC-68

National Securtiy Council memo #68 US "strive for victory" in cold war, pressed for offensive and a gross increase ($37 bil) in defense spending, determined US foreign policy for the next 20-30 yrs

hydrogen bomb

The Soviet Union's testing of an atomic bomb motivated America to develop a hydrogen bomb with 1000 times the power of the atomic bomb.

Federal Loyalty Review Board

...

The Second Red Scare

another unnatural but strong fear of communism emerged in american soceity

HUAC

The House Committee on Un-American Activities (HUAC) was an investigating committee which investigated what it considered un-American propaganda,

Smith act

1940 act which made it illegal to speak of or advocate overthrowing the U.S. government. Was used by Truman 11 times to prosecute suspected Communists

Hollywood blacklists

Individuals who were prevented from working in the film industry because of their suspected involvement with Communist interests.

Alger Hiss

A former State Department official who was accused of being a Communist spy and was convicted of perjury. The case was prosecuted by Richard Nixon.

Richard Nixon

He was a committee member of the House of Representatives, Committee on Un-American Activities (to investigate "subversion"). He tried to catch Alger Hiss who was accused of being a communist agent in the 1930's. This brought Nixon to the attention of the American public. In 1956 he was Eisenhower's Vice-President.

The Rosenbergs

Ethel and Julius were accused of stealing and plotting to convey atomic secrets to Soviet agents. A jury found them guilty of espionage, Albert Einstein, the pope, and the president of France all pleaded for clemency. They died in the electric chair on June 19, 1953.

McCarran Internal Security Act

United States federal law that required the registration of Communist organizations with the Attorney General in the United States and established the Subversive Activities Control Board to investigate persons thought to be engaged in "un-American" activities, including homosexuals

Joseph McCarthy

1950s; Wisconsin senator claimed to have list of communists in American gov't, but no credible evidence; took advantage of fears of communism post WWII to become incredibly influential; "McCarthyism" was the fearful accusation of any dissenters of being communists

President's Committee on Civil Rights

After the war many blacks who had served in the armed forces demanded the right to vote. Whites killed several black veterans who had voted that year. Truman met with many Black unions to discuss racial terrorism in the South. After the 1946 election Truman established this to investigate race relations.

Executive Order 9981

Establishes equality of treatment and opportunity in the Armed Services for people of all race, religions, or national origins

States' Rights Democratic party

They split from the Democrats in defiance of Truman, "dixiecrats"

Election of 1948

Truman is not very popular and Democrats are weakened by Dixiecrats, it is expected that Dewey will win, newspapers announce it, but Truman goes on a whistle-stop campaign, give 'em Hell, Harry, wins

Thomas Dewey

didn't beat Truman

Strom Thurmond

He was an American politician who served as governor of South Carolina and as a United States Senator. He also ran for the presidency of the United States in 1948 under the segregationist States Rights Democratic Party banner.

The Eightieth Congress

Republicans, wanted to overturn New Deal, Truman vetoed their legislation

22nd Amendment

limits the number of terms a president may be elected to serve

The Fair Deal

Truman's Fair Deal sought to continue and extend FDR's New Deal. Truman managed to win a minimum wage increase, a public housing bill, and an extension of Social Security to more beneficiaries. He was unsuccessful in his call for national health insurance, aid to education, civil rights legislation, and the repeal of Taft-Hartley.

Korean War

The conflict between Communist North Korea and Non-Communist South Korea. The United Nations (led by the United States) helped South Korea.

UN "police action"

the United Nations starting a military action without declaration of war; against violators of international peace and order

Douglas MacArthur

(1880-1964), U.S. general. Commander of U.S. (later Allied) forces in the southwestern Pacific during World War II, he accepted Japan's surrender in 1945 and administered the ensuing Allied occupation. He was in charge of UN forces in Korea 1950-51, before being forced to relinquish command by President Truman.

Korean stalemate

There is no peace or end to the Korean War

Jonas Salk

United States virologist who developed the Salk vaccine that is injected against poliomyelitis (born 1914)

computer technology

the activity of designing and constructing and programming computers

Strategic Air Command

a part of the US Air Force formed in the late 1940s, to engage in long-range bombing missions and to prepare for nuclear strikes

white collar / pink collar

those in the professional, technical, clerical, sales, and managerial categories / jobs traditionally filled by women service occupations, little pay or prestige (waitress, secretary, teacher, etc.)

consumerism

concentration on producing and distributing goods for a market which must constantly be enlarged.

television

becomes an important social connection

Fulton Sheen

Priest/ host of the TV show "Life is Worth Living"; Scholar, Philosopher, and Civil Rights Activist; His show consisted of him writing on a blackboard, and it was the #1 show in America for some time; He was a highly inspirational/famous person during his life; Devout Catholic who never really sided with one political party or another.

Billy Graham

One of the most popular evangelical ministers of the era. Star of the first televised "crusades" for religious revival. He believed that all doubts about the literal interpretation of the bible were traps set by Satan. He supported Republicans and a large increase to money in the military.

American Bandstand

Hosted by Dick Clark started airing in 1957, was a televised showcase of rock 'n' roll hits in which a live audience danced to recorded music. this spread of popularity of rock and made the host one of the best known figures among young Americans.

Rock and Roll

music that grew out of rhythm and blues and that became popular in the 1950s

Allen Freed

first rock'n'roll DJ, played what would have been called "race music", made it popular with white teenagers

Elvis Presley

white singer born in 1935 in Tupelo, Mississippi; chief revolutionary of popular music in the 1950s, fused black rhythm and blues with white bluegrass and country styles; created a new musical idiom known forever after as rock and roll

conformity and consensus

...

Election of 1952

Dwight D. Eisenhower (R) with Nixon as his VP (California business scandal) verses Adlai Stevenson (D) (Truman chose not to run again because he was unpopular because of the Korean war)...IKE wins with slogan "I LIKE IKE" and because he is the war hero...both parties wanted Ike to run, he picks R to keep the isolationist candidate out

Adlai Stevenson

The Democratic candidate who ran against Eisenhower in 1952. His intellectual speeches earned him and his supporters the term "eggheads". Lost to Eisenhower.

Checkers Speech

Given by Richard Nixon on September 23, 1952, when he was the Republican candidate for the Vice Presidency. Said to have saved his career from a campaign contributions scandal.

DMZ

De-militarized Zone: The Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) along the North-South Korean border is the most heavily armed military area in the world. Soldiers from the US and South Korean military's face each other down from a mere hundred meters away.

Army McCarthy Hearings

The Trials in which Senator McCarthey accused the U.S. Army of harboring possible communists.These trials were one of the first televised trials in America, and helped show America Senator McCarthey's irresponsibility and meanness.p.889

Sweatt v. Painter

held that separate law schools for whites and blacks violates the 14th amendment equal protection clause

Brown v. Topeka Board of Ed

Supreme court ruled that education must be available to all children on equal terms. Separate is not Equal.

Emmett Till

Murdered in 1955 for whistling at a white woman by her husband and his friends. They kidnapped him and brutally killed him. his death led to the American Civil Rights movement.

Jackie Robinson

The first African American player in the major league of baseball. His actions helped to bring about other opportunities for African Americans.

Rosa Parks

United States civil rights leader who refused to give up her seat on a bus to a white man in Montgomery (Alabama) and so triggered the national civil rights movement (born in 1913)

Montgomery Bus Boycott

In 1955, after Rosa Parks was arrested for refusing to give up her seat on a city bus, Dr. Martin L. King led a boycott of city busses. After 11 months the Supreme Court ruled that segregation of public transportation was illegal.

Martin Luther King, Jr.

U.S. Baptist minister and civil rights leader. A noted orator, he opposed discrimination against blacks by organizing nonviolent resistance and peaceful mass demonstrations. He was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee. Nobel Peace Prize (1964)

Civil Rights Act of 1957

The Civil Rights Act of 1957, primarily a voting rights bill, was the first civil rights legislation enacted in the United States since Reconstruction. It was proposed by Congress to President Dwight Eisenhower.

Southern Christian Leadership Conference

An organization founded by MLK Jr., to direct the crusade against segregation. Its weapon was passive resistance that stressed nonviolence and love, and its tactic direct, though peaceful, confrontation.

Little Rock Nine

Nine black teenagers who integrated Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1957 and became the focus of a national crisis that required the intervention of federal troops to resolve.

Greensboro Sit-ins

Black students politely order food from restaurant, not served, sat in place for days, gathering supporters. successful.

Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee

Involved in the American Civil Rights Movement formed by students whose purpose was coordinate a nonviolent attack on segregation and other forms of racism (snick)

dynamic conservatism

Eisenhower's philosophy of being liberal in all things human and being conservative with all things fiscal. Appealed to both Republicans and Democrats; balancing economic conservatism with some activism.

Ike and the New Deal

didn't put much effort into getting rid of it, actually expanded some parts

1954 mid-term elections

...

Interstate Highway Act

1956 Eisenhower 20 yr plan to build 41,000 mi of highway, largest public works project in history

St. Lawrence Seaway

system of locks, canals, and dams that allows ships to move from one water level to another completed in 1959; makes it easier to move goods from the US to Canada

"new look" foreign policy

US would build up Strategic Air Command because of fear of the effects of the Domino Theory

John Foster Dulles

Eisenhower's Sec. of State; harsh anti-Communist; called for more radical measures to roll back communism where it had already spread (containment too cautious)

brinksmanship

The principle of not backing down in a crisis, even if it meant taking the country to the brink of war. Policy of both the U.S. and U.S.S.R. during the Cold War.