APUSH: Period 8

Cold War

Ideological, economic, and military standoff between the U.S. and the USSR, driven by American efforts to contain the spread of communism and Soviet expansionism.

Security Council

15 member body (5 permanent veto power: U.S., France, U.K., USSR, China) designed to maintain peace, largely shaped by post World War II power dynamics.

Iron Curtain

A symbolic and physical boundary, proposed by Winston Churchill, dividing the Soviet-controlled Eastern Europe from democratic Western Europe.

Containment Policy/George F. Kennan

U.S. diplomat in Moscow that formed the containment policy to prevent the spread of communism, marking an end to U.S. isolationism. Policy was based on the assumptions that Soviet totalitarism was internally weak.

Truman Doctrine

Establish that the U.S. would provide political, military, and economic assistance to all democratic nations under threat rom external or internal authoritarian forces.

Marshall Plan/George Marshall

Proposed that the U.S. would provide economic assistance to restore economic infrastructure of post-war Europe. Designed to combat hunger and poverty in Europe. Eastern Bloc refused , viewing it as “dollar imperialism.”

Berlin Airlift

Early Cold War crisis where the U.S. and the U.K. flew food and fuel into West Berlin to bypass a Soviet land blockade. It successfully prevented Soviet expansionism into Western Germany.

Division of Germany

Allied powers divided Germany and Berlin into four temporary occupation zones at the Yalta and Potsdam Conference. Solidified permanent ideological split between a capitalist West and communist East.

NATO

A mutual defense alliance established by the U.S., Canada, and Western European nations to contain Soviet aggression.

Warsaw Pact

Soviet-led military alliance between Eastern European communist nations to counter NATO.

National Security Act

Landmark restructuring of the U.S. government to address Cold War threats, creating the Department of Defense, National Security Council, and Central Intelligence Agency.

Arms Race

Intense competition between the U.S. and USSR to develop superior nuclear technology and stockpiles.

NSC-68

Top-secret National Security Council report that provided a blueprint for the militarization of U.S. Cold War policy. It framed the USSR as a threat, prompting the U.S. government to expand the defense budget.

Korean War/38th Parallel

Major Cold War proxy conflict beginning when communist North Korean forces crossed the 38th parallel into U.S.-backed South Korea, aiming for reunification. The war ended in a stalemate and a demilitarized zone along the 38th parallel.

Brinkmanship/John Foster Dulles

Policy that involved approaching a war without actually engaging in it to force a diplomatic advantage. The U.S. attempted to coerce the Soviet Union into backing down militarily.

Open-Skies Policy

Cold War initiative to reduce nuclear paranoia by allowing the U.S. and USSR to conduct unarmed aerial surveillance over each other’s territory.

Sputnik

The first artificial satellite that was launched into space by the Soviet Union which fueled the Space Race.

NASA

U.S. government agency responsible for spearheading the U.S. space program and compete in the Space Race.

U-2 Incident

American spy plane piloted by Francis Gary Powers was shot down by the Soviet Union. The U.S. failed to cover-up its secret spying operation on the USSR.

Military-Industrial Complex

The interlinkage between the defense and military industry, leading the massive federal spending on weapons.

Bay of Pigs

A failed CIA-backed attempt by Cuban exiles to overthrow Fidel Castro’s communist government in Cuba. Led to the strengthening of Castro’s ties with the Soviet Union.

Berlin Wall

Built by East Germany to stop citizens from fleeing to the democratic West.

Cuban Missile Crisis

A 13-day, direct confrontation between the U.S. and the USSR, triggered by Soviet installation of nuclear missiles in Cuba. It brought the world to the brink of a nuclear war.

Nuclear Test Ban Treaty

A landmark Cold War agreement signed by the U.S., USSR, and the U.K., prohibiting nuclear tests in the atmosphere, outer space, and underwater. Signed following the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Flexible-Response Policy

Kennedy administration foreign policy shift away from Eisenhower's "Massive Retaliation.” It aimed to counter Cold War communist aggression with a range of options beyond nuclear weapons.

Non-Proliferation Treaty

A landmark Cold War arms control agreement aimed at preventing the spread of nuclear weapons while promoting peaceful nuclear energy.

detente

Easing of Cold War tensions between the U.S. and the Soviet Union with negotiations, arm limitations, and improved diplomatic relations. Architected by Richard Nixon and Henry Kissinger, it aimed to reduce nuclear risks and increase trade.

SALT

Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty (SALT) between the U.S. and USSR aimed at curbing the nuclear arms race during the Cold War.

Joseph Stalin

Leader of the Soviet Union, known for his totalitarian regime and rapid industrialization policies.

Mao Zedong

Leader of the Chinese Communist Party who defeated Chiang Kai-shek's Nationalists. Established the People's Republic of China.

Kim Il Sung

Communist leader and founder of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea). He aimed to unify Korea under communism.

Nikita Khrushchev

The premier of the Soviet Union who succeeded Stalin, initiating "de-Stalinization” and advocating "peaceful coexistence” with the West while engaging in intense Cold War confrontations. Known for his role in the Cuban Missile Crisis, Sputnik, and the Kitchen Debates with Richard Nixon.

Fidel Castro

Cuban revolutionary who overthrew the Batista dictatorship, establishing a communist state aligning with the Soviet Union. His rise triggered the Cold War.

Loyalty Review Board

A federal program initiated by President Truman's Executive Order 9835 in response to anti-communist pressure, aiming to investigate government employees for "subversive” ties.

Dennis et al. v. U.S/Smith Act McCarran Internal Security Act (1950)

The Supreme Court upheld convictions of the Communist Party leaders and found that the Smith Act did not violate the First Amendment.

HUAC

House Un-American Activities Committee was a congressional committee established to investigate suspected communist inflirtation during the post WWII Red Scare.

Alger Hiss/Julius and Ethel Rosenberg

Alger Hiss, a State Department official, was accused of spying for the Soviet Union and was convicted of perjury. Julius and Ethel Rosenberg were accused of leading a spy ring that passed atomic bomb secrets to the Soviet Union. Key figures that led to the Second Red Scare.

McCarthyism/Joseph McCarthy

A period of anti-communist paranoia in the U.S. sparked by Senator Joseph McCarthy's baseless accusations of Soviet subversion in the government.

Employment Act of 1946/Council of Economic Advisers

The Act aimed to prevent a second Great Depression following World War II by ensuring maximum employment, production, and purchasing power. The Council of Economic Advisers is an expert board to advise the President on economic policy.

Servicemen's Readjustment Act (GI Bill)

A landmark U.S. law providing U.S. Veterans with tuition for education, low interest mortgages, and unemployment benefits. It fueled the post war boom, helped create the modern middle class, and significantly increased college enrollment.

Baby Boom

A massive post-WWII surge in U.S. birth rates. Driven by soldiers, economic prosperity, and early marriage, this fueled suburbanization, consumer culture, and demand for housing and goods.

Levittown

Post-WWII mass produced-suburban developments built by William Levitt to provide affordable housing, symbolizing the American Dream, suburbanization, and the Baby Boom era.

Sun Belt

A rapidly growing region in the South and West that expanded economically and politically after World War II. Experienced major growth due to warm climate, air conditioning, lower taxes, and defense industry jobs.

22nd Amendment

Limits U.S. Presidents to two elected terms to prevent a “dictator-like” concentration of power.

Taft-Hartley Act

Restricted labor union powers, banning closed shops, secondary boycotts, and jurisdictional trikes, which allows states to enact “right-to-work” laws.

Fair Deal

President Truman’s agenda, aimed at expanding the New Deal liberalism by increasing minimum wage, extending Social Security, implementing national health insurance, and strengthening Civil Rights. Most proposal failed due to opposition from Southern Democrats and Republicans.

HEW

The Department of Health, Education, and Welfare was a cabinet-level agency established under President Eisenhower to manage federal health, education, and social security functions.

Highway Act/Interstate Highways

Signed by President Eisenhower to authorize 41,000+ miles of highway construction. It was the largest public works project in U.S. history, funded 90% by federal taxes.

John F. Kennedy

President of the U.S., oversaw the successful de-escalation of the Cuban Missile Crisis, the start of the Civil War Movement, and the beginning of the Vietnam War.

New Frontier

President JFK’s liberal domestic and foreign policy agenda, aiming to boost the economy, expand social welfare, aid education, and accelerate the Space Race.

Trade Expansion Act

A landmark piece of legislation authorizing the executive branch to slash tariffs by up to 50% to promote free trade and economic growth.

New Federalism/Revenue Sharing

Political philosophy under Nixon and Reagan aiming to shift power, responsibility, and funds from the federal government back to state and localities. Revenue sharing, distributed federal tax revenue to state/local government with minimal restrictions.

Stagflation

An unprecedented 1970s economic crisis characterized by the combination of stagnant growth, high unemployment, and high inflation. Triggered by oil shocks (OPEC), rising energy costs, and heavy deficits.

Television

Dominant force in post-WW2 American life, with over 90% of households owning TVs by the 1960s. It revolutionized culture and politics by creating a homogenized national culture, boosting consumerism through advertising, and influence major events like presidential debates, Civil Rights movement, and the Vietnam War.

Credit Cards

Revolutionized post WW2 American consumer culture, originating with the Diners Club. Allowed consumers to borrow money from a lending institution to make purchases.

Fast Food

The rapid expansion of fast food symbolized post-WW2 American consumerism, car culture, and conformity.

Rock and Roll

Emerged in the early 1950s as a fusion of rhythm and blues, country, and gospel, acting as a major catalyst for postwar culture, rebellion against 1950s conformity.

Conglomerates

Large corporations that emerged, particularly in the 1950s-1960s’s post-war boom, diversifying and owning multiple, unrelated businesses under one parent organization.

beatniks

A 1950s counterculture movement of writers and artists who rejected post-WW2 conformity, consumerism, and materialism.

Warren Commission

The official 10 month investigation into the assassination of President JFK.

CIA

Central Intelligence Agency established by the National Security Act of 1947, a civilian foreign intelligence service created to manage intelligence and conduct operations during the Cold War.

Suez Crisis

Began when Egyptian President Nasser nationalized British/French-owned Suez Canal, prompting a secret tripartite invasion by Britain, France, and Israel. The U.S. opposed this action to prevent Arab states from aligning with the Soviet Union, forcing a humiliating withdrawal of European forces.

Eisenhower Doctrine

Foreign policy initiative announced by Eisenhower which pledged military and economic aid to Middle Eastern nations existing communist aggression. It was a key containment strategy, aimed at preventing Soviet Union influence in the oil-rich region.

OPEC

Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, a cartel formed by oil-rich developing nations to control oil production and prices.

Yom Kippur (October) War

A war fought by Israel and neighboring Arab nations where the Arabs launched a surprise attack during Yom Kippur. U.S. supported Israel leading to OPEC boycotting the U.S., creating an energy crisis.

Camp David Accords

A landmark foreign policy by President Jimmy Carter, brokering a peace treaty between Egypt and Israel. Egypt becomes the first Arab nation to formally recognize Israel and Israel withdraw from the Sinai Peninsula.

Peace Corps

A federal agency sending American volunteers to developing nations for 24-month terms. It aimed to improve education, health, and infrastructure while promoting goodwill and combating communist influences during the Cold War.

Alliance for Progress

A $20 billion U.S.-led, Cold War initiative launched by President Kennedy to foster economic development, social reform, and democratic stability in Latin America. It aimed to counter communism and Cuban influence by improving living standards.

Ho Chi Minh

A communist leader of North Vietnam and a nationalist figure who led the struggle for independence against France and later the U.S.. He founded the Viet Minh, defeated the French, and sought to unify Vietnam under communist rule.

Ngo Dinh Diem

Anti-communist Catholic leader of South Vietnam, supported by the U.S. during the early Vietnam War to stop communist expansion. His corrupt, authoritarian regime, persecution of Buddhists, and failure to lead reforms led to massive unpopularity.

Domino Theory

A Cold War belief that if one nation fell to communism, neighboring nations will follow, like falling dominos. Popularized by President Eisenhower to justify supporting France in Indochina, it drove U.S. intervention in Vietnam to prevent a communist spread throughout Southeast Asia.

SEATO

U.S.-led collective defense alliance designed to halt communist expansion in South East Asia.

Tonkin Gulf Resoluion

Authorized President Johnson to take “all necessary measures” to repel armed attacks against U.S. forces in Vietnam without a formal declaration of war.

General William Westmoreland

Commander of U.S. Military Assistance Command in Vietnam, directing strategy during the war's peak escalation. He championed a “search-and-destroy” strategy of attrition, aiming to drain enemy forces through superior firepower.

Credibility Gap

Widening distrust between the American public and the U.S. Government regarding the Vietnam War.

Hawks and Doves

Hawks (pro-war) and Doves (anti-war) represents the deep divide in the American public.

Tet Offensive

A turning point in the Vietnam War, where the North Vietnamese and Viet Cong forces launched massive, coordinated attacks on over 100 South Vietnamese cities during lunar new years.

Robert F. Kennedy

U.S. Attorney General under JFK, focusing on civil rights and organized crime. He was anti-war and challenged LBJ's Vietnam Policy.

Lyndon B. Johnson

President known for his “Great Society” social reforms and escalation of the Vietnam War.

George Wallace/White backlash

A movement against federal desegregation, antiwar protests, and urban riots. Tapped into working-class white anxieties, setting the stage for modern conservative populism.

Richard Nixon

President who focused on Vietnamization to end the Vietnam War and the Watergate Scandal.

Henry Kissinger

Secretary of State, he campaigned for realpoltik, oversaw dente with the USSR, opened relations with China, and negotiated the Paris Peace Accord.

Democratic Convention in Chicago/Hubert Humphrey

Violent clashes between anti-war protesters and police, televised nationally. Police beat protesters, reporters, and bystanders. Led to a sharp division over the Vietnam War.

Vietnamization

Strategy to end U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War by gradually withdrawing U.S. troops from Vietnam.

Nixon Doctrine

Created during the Vietnam War, the U.S. would honor its existing defense commitments, but in the future other countries would have to fight their own wars without U.S. support.

Kent State

Ohio national guard fired on Vietnam War protesters at Kent State University, killing four students. Sparked by Nixon's invasion of Cambodia, intensified anti-war sentiments.

My Lai Massacre

U.S. war crime where over 300-500 unarmed Vietnamese civilians were killed by U.S. troops. Increased anti-war sentiments and damaged public trust in the military and government.

Pentagon Papers

Top-secret Department of Defense papers that were leaked, exposing the U.S. government lied about the scope and success of the Vietnam War. Deepened the credibility gap and fueled anti-war sentiments.

Paris Accords

Treaty that officially ended direct U.S. military involvement in the Vietnam War. The agreement established a ceasefire and withdrawal of American troops from Vietnam. North Vietnamese forces resumed fighting and captured Saigon.

War Powers Act

Federal law passed over President Nixon's veto that restricts the president's authority to commit U.S. armed forces to foreign conflicts without congressional approval.

Great Society

President Johnson's domestic program aiming to eliminate poverty and racial injustice. Extending New Deal liberalism, it used federal power for education, healthcare, and civil rights, marking a massive expansion of the federal government.

War on poverty

A set of 1960s federal programs launched by President Johnson as part of his "Great Society” to eliminate poverty and racial injustice.

The Other America/Michael Harrington

A book by Michael Harrington, it was an exposé that highlighted poverty, social exclusion, inadequate housing, and poor education.

National Foundation on the Arts and Humanities

A key component of the Great Society program aimed at promoting cultural growth. It provided federal funding for artistic excellence, scholarship, and cultural preservation.

Medicaid

A federal-state program signed into law by President Johnson as part of his Great Society initiatives, providing health insurance to low-income individuals.

Medicare

A federal program signed into law by President Johnson as part of his Great Society initiatives, providing health insurance to older Americans.

Elementary and Secondary Education Act

A landmark re-distributive law providing massive federal funding (Title I) to schools in low-income areas.

DOT

A rapid rise in U.S. technology stock variations driven by investments in internet-based companies, culminating in a market crash.

HUD

A cabinet-level agency created as part of President Johnson's Great Society programs to manage federal housing aid. It aimed to combat poverty through urban renewal.

Ralph Nader/Unsafe at any speed

A landmark consumer protection book that criticized the automobile industry for its unsafe products.