history test

Iron Curtain

A term used to describe the division between Communist Eastern Europe and Democratic Western Europe after World War II.

Satellite Nations

Countries under the influence or control of the Soviet Union during the Cold War, including Poland, Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary, and Czechoslovakia.

Containment

A U.S. foreign policy strategy aimed at preventing the expansion of Communism.

The Truman Doctrine

A policy established by President Truman to provide economic and military aid to counter Soviet expansion in Greece and Turkey.

The Marshall Plan

An American initiative to provide economic aid to European countries post-World War II to help rebuild economies and promote democracy.

NATO

North Atlantic Treaty Organization; a military alliance of several countries, including the U.S., formed to protect against Soviet aggression.

United Nations

An international organization formed after WWII to promote peace, cooperation, and security among nations.

People's Republic of China

The name adopted by Communist China after the victory of the Communist Revolution led by Mao Zedong.

Domino Effect

The theory that a political event in one country will cause similar events in neighboring countries, especially regarding the spread of Communism.

Guerilla Warfare

A form of irregular warfare where small groups use tactics such as ambushes, sabotage, and hit-and-run tactics.

Korean War

A conflict between North Korea (supported by China and the Soviet Union) and South Korea (supported by the U.S. and UN forces) from 1950 to 1953.

Red Scare

The widespread fear of Communism in the United States, particularly after WWII, which led to various government actions against suspected Communists.

Project Verona

A U.S. operation that intercepted Soviet communications, leading to evidence of Soviet espionage efforts.

CIA

Central Intelligence Agency; a U.S. agency created for gathering intelligence and conducting covert operations.

The Bay of Pigs

An unsuccessful invasion of Cuba by U.S.-backed Cuban exiles in 1961 to overthrow Fidel Castro.

The Cuban Missile Crisis

A 13-day confrontation in 1962 over Soviet missiles deployed in Cuba, bringing the U.S. and Soviet Union close to nuclear war.

Fair Deal

Harry Truman's domestic program aimed at expanding social welfare and civil rights.

Dynamic Conservatism

Eisenhower's political philosophy balancing economic conservatism with necessary reforms.

New Frontier

John F. Kennedy's domestic and foreign policy agenda focusing on civil rights, education, and anti-poverty efforts.

Great Society

Lyndon B. Johnson's set of domestic programs aimed at eliminating poverty and racial injustice.

Medicare

A federal health insurance program established for Americans aged 65 and older.

Medicaid

A program offering health care coverage to eligible low-income individuals and families.

Job Corps

A U.S. program that provides training and employment opportunities for at-risk youth.

Warren Court

A period in the U.S. Supreme Court characterized by landmark rulings on civil rights and liberties under Chief Justice Earl Warren.

Roe v. Wade

The landmark Supreme Court decision that recognized the constitutional right to have an abortion.

Baby Boom

The significant increase in birth rates following World War II, leading to demographic changes in American society.

Mass Media

Various means of communication (television, radio, newspapers) that influence public opinion and culture.

Rock and Roll

A genre of music that emerged in the 1950s, characterized by lively rhythms and influenced by African American music styles.

Juvenile Delinquency

Criminal behavior by minors, which rose in the 1950s amid societal changes and cultural shifts.

Federal Highway Act

A law enacted in 1956 that funded the construction of a national system of interstate highways.

Sputnik

The first artificial satellite launched by the Soviet Union in 1957, marking the start of the space race.

Kennedy's Special Forces

An elite military unit expanded under JFK, trained for limited military engagements.

Loyalty Review Program

A program initiated by Truman to screen federal employees for loyalty to the U.S. and to prevent Communist infiltration.

McCarthyism

The practice of making accusations of subversion or treason without proper evidence, particularly against Communists during the Cold War.

Eisenhower's Nuclear Arsenal,

The significant expansion of the U.S. nuclear weapons program under President Eisenhower.

Civil Rights Bill

Legislation aimed at prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

Child Nutrition Act

A law creating programs to provide free or reduced-price meals to children from low-income families.

Project Head Start

A program designed to prepare disadvantaged children for school by providing early childhood education.

Social Security Expansion

Changes made under Eisenhower to extend Social Security benefits beyond Truman's reforms.

Public School Prayer Ruling

The Court ruling that states cannot compose official prayers for public schools (Engel v. Vitale).

Personal Privacy Ruling

The Court's decision that banning birth control devices infringes on the right to privacy (Griswold v. Connecticut).

Conventional Weapons Buildup

Kennedy's emphasis on increasing conventional military forces instead of relying solely on nuclear weapons.

Cuban Revolution

The 1959 uprising in Cuba that resulted in the establishment of a Communist government under Fidel Castro.

Long-range Missiles,

Missile technology that allows for the targeting of locations far from launch sites, particularly relevant during the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Intercontinental Missiles

Missiles capable of traveling between continents, which became a focus of U.S. military investment during the Cold War.

Espionage,

The practice of spying or using spies to obtain secret information, particularly relevant during the Cold War.

American Consumerism

A social and economic order that encourages the purchase of goods and services in ever-greater amounts, particularly evident in the post-WWII era.

Cultural Separation

The phenomenon where different generations develop distinct cultural traits and values, often leading to tension.

Nuclear Arms Race

The competition between the U.S. and the Soviet Union to build up their respective nuclear

What demographic shift occurred in America after World War II during the 1950's?

The end of World War II led to a baby boom as couples chose to settle down and start families, significantly increasing the teenage population and initiating a cultural transformation.

What television show set a record for viewership in 1953, and why was this significant?

I Love Lucy set a record with 44 million viewers in a single day, marking a pivotal moment in the rise of television as a dominant form of entertainment.

How did the rise of television affect the film industry in America between 1946 and 1950?

The popularity of television caused movie ticket sales to drop dramatically from 82 million to 36 million, forcing the film industry to adopt new technologies and improve storytelling.

Which genre of music surged in popularity during the 1950's, and what were its influences?

Rock and Roll rose in popularity, drawing influence from African American rhythm and blues artists like Chuck Berry and Little Richard, and it sparked a significant dance craze among the youth.

What factors contributed to the notable increase in juvenile delinquency in the early 1950's?

From 1948 to 1953, juvenile delinquency increased by 45%, attributed to influences from mass media, societal changes such as rising divorce rates, and a generational conflict over identity and conformity.