USH Final Study!

How did the democratic party change during the 70s?

Moved left to capture the New Left movemen

How did the republican party change during the 70s?

Moved right to capture rising conservative sentiment

What are some of the main events (or crises) that caused these changes to the republican and democratic party?

Vietnam, Watergate, the Civil Rights Movement, and the Domestic Crises of the 70s

What was Vietnam before WW2?

A French colony along with Laos and Cambodia

What happened in Vietnam from 1946-1954?

War between France and Vietnam. France lost to the Viet Minh, the independence movement in Vietnam.

Why did America not want the Viet Minh to take over Vietnam?

They were communists

Who ruled which parts of Vietnam in 1955?

North Vietnam ruled by the communist Viet Minh under Ho Chi Minh with support of Soviet Union and China. South Vietnam ruled by capitalist regime under Ngo Dinh Diem with support of America

What was the Ngo Dinh Diem regime like?

Diem ran an authoritarian regime that fixed elections and harshly punished dissent.

Why did so many people in South Vietnam hate Diem?

Diem was a former French collaborator and Catholic who enforced the old French Catholic religious laws on a majority Buddhist population.

What happened to Diem?

He was overthrown in a CIA-backed coup and killed

Why did America eventually start sending huge numbers of soldiers to South Vietnam?

It was determined that South Vietnam would never be able to defeat the North on their own.

What was the tactical situation in Vietnam? Why was it such a hard war for America?

The majority of the population, even in the South, supported the communist Viet Minh and hated the South Vietnamese government. Out in the country, the people joined pro-communist
guerilla armies called the Viet Cong and would attack South Vietnamese or American forces and then disappear into the mountains and jungles.

Explain the following tactics and why they were not enough to win the war: Search and Destroy

Finding the enemy, launching rapid attacks, and disappearing before a counter attack. Viet Cong too talented at evading and laying traps.

Explain the following tactics and why they were not enough to win the war: Strategic Bombing

Just bomb civilians until the country gives up. North Vietnam had
surprisingly good air defenses and the bombing only hardened the people’s will to fight

Explain the following tactics and why they were not enough to win the war: Strategic Hamlets

Place all people in rebellious provinces into what were essentially concentration camps. This angered many people and drove them into the arms of the Vietcong

Explain the following tactics and why they were not enough to win the war: Defoliant

Since the forest is such a huge problem, just burn it down with chemicals called defoliants. These were not used widely enough to have a dramatic effect.

Explain the following tactics and why they were not enough to win the war: Hearts and Minds

Change of tactics—try to actually win over the people of South Vietnam by doing things they want like building bridges or dams. May have been effective but was too little too late.

What happened during the Tet Offensive?

Vietcong and North Vietnamese Army attack ARVN and US army bases all across South Vietnam. Vietcong suffer such massive losses they basically lose ability to fight. However, it
convinces American public that the war in unwinnable and is a great strategic victory for North Vietnam

What other countries did America eventually invade during the war?

Laos and Cambodia

What happened to South Vietnam in the end?

Conquered by communists

Why was the Vietnam war so unpopular?

A series of ugly massacres like My Lai (where women and children were raped, tortured, and murdered by US army), a pattern of dishonesty by the government, a sense the war could not be won, and uncertainty about why America should even fight this war.

Who was the “New Left?” What did they believe?

The New Left was a youth movement who believed in personal freedom, civil rights, and pacifism

How did the democratic party change in order to capture the New Left?

Adopted a more left-leaning party platform

Where did Nixon fit on the political spectrum?

He was a moderate centrist, the last Republican president to fit that description

Other than Watergate, what did Nixon do?

He delayed leaving Vietnam until he could build pretense that America had not lost, he started the Environmental Protection Agency and Occupational Safety and Health Administration, he
started Détente with China and Soviets.

What happened at the Watergate Complex?

Several people broke into the Democratic party headquarters to install wiretaps. They were caught.

How was Nixon involved?

Nixon may have ordered the break in but he definitely engaged in covering it up, personally becoming involved

Why did Nixon end up resigning?

He got caught covering up Watergate, was found to have recorded himself, refused to give up the recordings, and was then facing impeachment and removal from office. Resigned rather than be removed.

What is Stagflation?

Stagnation and Inflation. Was a crisis of the economy in the 70s as jobs were being lost but inflation was high—previously considered impossible.

What were the crime trends in the 70s?

Violent crime rates nationwide quadrupled from 1960-1980

What was happening to American cities in the 70s?

They were struggling massively, many falling apart, losing population, and going into debt

What events awakened American Conservatives in the 60s and 70s

The domestic crises listed above as well as hatred of Roe v Wade and the belief the Civil Rights Movement had gone too far

What were the values/ political stances of the Republican party under Ronald Reagan?

Big Business, Christian values, social conservativism, anti-communism

Why did Americans mostly like Reagan?

He was likeable and didn’t say bad things about America. Let us love ourselves again

What were some key Reagan Era economic policies in America?

He massively cut taxes, deregulation much of the economy, and engaged in significant union-busting activities

Why is it hard to evaluate Reagan’s legacy on American economics?

He was an economic president but it’s really hard to ever really judge a president on economics

What were some key Reagan Era morality policies?

Censorship, abstinence-only sex ed, war on drugs

What is AIDS?

Acquired Immunodefiency Syndrome—a condition caused by HIV (a virus) that stops your body’s ability to fight infection

What was the AIDS Crisis like in the LGBTQ+ community?

It was a demographic disaster. Death rates were extremely high in the “out” gay communities of San Francisco and New York.

Why was that community so angry at the Reagan government?

They felt like Reagan was leaving them to die, especially since many Reagan supporters had said things like AIDS being God’s wrath. The Reagan government moved slow to give much support to the community

What sorts of laws and limitations are called Jim Crow?

Racist laws such as segregation and voter suppression – aimed at Black Americans

What supreme court case (1896) served as the legal foundation of Jim Crow?

Plessy v Ferguson

Who was the “Warren Court?” what was different about them?

The Supreme Court under Earl Warren. More liberal and more activist than previous supreme courts.

What arguments were used in Brown v Board to explain that segregation violated the 14th amendment?

That segregation harmed student’s self esteem, lowered the quality of education, and suggested inherent racial inferiority

What was the south’s reaction to Brown v Board?

Strong resistance. Refused to comply

Who are the Little Rock Nine and Ruby Bridges?

They are all children who courageously integrated schools in the face of harsh white backlash

What role did Emmett Till play in the Civil Rights movement?

His brutal murder helped spark the civil rights movement

What role did Rosa Parks play in the Civil Rights movement?

Her refusal to give up her seat to a white man sparked the Montgomery bus boycott, which helped start the Civil Rights Movement.

What were the Freedom Rides?

Groups of integrated interstate busses driving through the South to force the South to desegregate interstate travel.

What happened in the Birmingham Campaign?

The police commissioner decided to crack down and arrested almost every protestor. When high schoolers joined the protest, the police turned fire hoses and attack dogs on them. The shocking images turned many against segregation.

Under Martin Luther King’s leadership, what were the main strategies of the Civil Rights Movement?

Nonviolence, Direct Action, Rally White Liberal Support

How did Malcolm X disagree with Martin Luther King?

Did not think black people should be trying to integrate into society. Didn’t believe in strict nonviolence

What new beliefs were introduced during the Black Power phase of the Civil Rights Movement?

Black Nationalism, Socialism

Why had so many Black Americans grown frustrated with America’s progress towards civil rights by 1965?

It was not alleviating economic conditions. It had barely touched the de facto racist policies of cities in the North and West, only focused on the South.

What happened to MLK? What happened to Malcolm X?

Both were assassinated.

What is the difference between first and second wave feminism? Which one is also called the “Women’s Liberation Movement?”

The Women’s Liberation Movement, or second wave feminism, is all about social and economic improvements for women—about female empowerment. The older first wave was about voting.

In the Feminine Mystique, Betty Friedan said that most American women were forced to be _______.
How did they feel about it?

Housewives—and they felt unsatisfied.

The chief goal of the Women’s Liberation Movement was summarized in the saying “The personal is political.” What was that goal?

To improve the personal life of each woman—to give her more choice and control and
agency.

How did the Sexual Revolution aid the goals of the Women’s Liberation Movement?

It generally liberalized American views on sex and relationships

What changes had occurred in American social expectations by the end of the movement?

Women no longer expected to leave work after marriage, women no longer expected to be subordinate to men in relationship, women no longer expected to be escorted everywhere by
men.

Why did many women turn against feminism?

A lot of women who were housewives or mothers or otherwise more conservative did not feel like it represented them. They felt like it was attacking them and that they did not have a place in the movement.

What was the Equal Rights Amendment? What happened to it?

The ERA was intended to grant equal rights, regardless of gender, in the constitution. It passed both houses, was signed by the president, but failed ratification by just 3 states. It ran out of time in 1979

What policies was America employing to reduce the numbers of Native Americans before 1970?

Forced or coerced sterilization, forced assimilation (boarding schools), removing children from the home, and tribal termination

What was the scale of sterilization and child removal among Native Americans?

About 40% of Native American women sterilized, 25-38% of children removed from homes

What specific actions were undertaken by the Red Power Movement?

Protests and occupations—Trail of Broken Treaties, Occupation of Alcatraz, Occupation of Wounded Knee

How successful was the movement?

Extremely. All of the policies of reducing Native American populations were ended, tribal
sovereignty became the basis of Indian Law.

What challenges still face Native Americans?

Still critically underserved, low economic opportunity, low educational attainment, etc.

What two laws were put in place because of the Red Power Movement?

Indian Child Welfare Act, Indian Self Determination and Education Assistance Act

What problems were the LGBTQ+ community facing?

Being homosexual was illegal, any kind of crossdressing or intersexuality was also often illegal. Was socially very frowned upon

What is a Sodomy Law? When was the last one abolished?

A sodomy law bans “deviant” sexual acts—always including homosexuality. Last ones abolished by Lawrence v Texas in 2003

What happened at Stonewall?

A huge riot and protest was sparked after a particularly bad raid at the Stonewall Inn—a gay bar in New York.

Why is Coming Out important to the Gay Liberation Movement?

It helped to show Americans that they knew gay people and that gay people were not some strange group of “deviants” but just regular folk living all over the country.

What problems were facing Spanish-Speaking Americans?

Lack of access to education or government services—which were only offered in English. Many worked in the farm industry as laborers, which are often dramatically underpaid.

What is a Chicano?

An identity of mixed Spanish and Indian descent. Mostly from Mexico these days but in the 1960s there was an attempt to unite all American Spanish-Speakers under this identity.

What did the Chicano Movement achieve?

Forced government to legalize and offer bilingual education. Helped bring attention to and alleviate farm labor conditions.

Why did the Chicano identity fail to unite all Spanish-speakers?

Many non-Mexican Spanish-speakers did not feel like the movement represented them. It was also very masculine and many women also struggled with the identity.

What conditions did Americans with Disabilities face?

No accommodations, terrible treatment by medical industry

What did the Disability Rights Movement Achieve? (What law?)

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Also got accommodations in public spaces like courthouses, schools, etc.

What problems faced the Asian-American community?

Total ignorance of culture and struggles. Portrayal as the “Model Minority.”

What did the Asian-American community achieve?

Some better recognition. American remembrance of the Japanese Concentration Camps in WW2—even reparations paid in 1988

What is the 14th Amendment (1868)?

All people born in America are citizens. All citizens must be equally protected by the law.

What is Brown v The Board of Education of Topeka Kansas (1954)?

Overturned Plessy v Ferguson (1896), erasing the legal justification of segregation. Specifically banned segregation in public schools.

What is the Civil Rights Act of 1964?

Prohibits discrimination on the basis of Race, Religion,
or Gender. Gives de facto protection on the basis of sexual
orientation and gender identity (2020).

What is the Voting Rights Act of 1965?

Prohibits a number of ways by which the South suppressed voting rights for black people including Poll Taxes, Grandfather Laws, Literacy Tests, etc.

What is Loving v Virginia (1967)?

Legalizes interracial marriage and sex. Bans “Anti Miscegenation” Laws (ones which prohibit interracial marriage/sex)

What is the Fair Housing Act (1968)?

Bans Redlining and other racist housing practices.

What is Roe v Wade (1973)?

Used to guarantee woman’s access to an abortion and to
recognize women’s bodily autonomy in the law. Was overturned in 2022.

What is the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (ISDEAA) (1975)?

Puts control of educational policies in the hands of the Indian Tribes, rather than the federal government. Ended Indian Boarding Schools and gave the tribes much-needed federal assistance

What is the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) (1978)

Put a number of restrictions in the way of removing
children from Native American households. Made sure that children stay with the tribe unless there is no viable option.

What was the root cause of the USA and USSR’s conflicts during the Cold War?

Ideology: disagreement between capitalism/communism and the fate of the broader world.

What are some of the reasons that drove the Soviet’s not to trust America, even before 1945?

The Soviets were unimpressed by America’s assistance during WW2. They felt (with some merit) that America had let the Soviets do all the heavy lifting of fighting the Nazis. Before that, America had even sent soldiers to fight the communists during the Russian Civil War.

What was the fate of all the Eastern European countries occupied by the Red Army at the end of 1945?

The Red Army installed communist puppet states in all of the countries they occupied

What happened in Poland from 1945-1947?

Occupied by Red Army. The West wanted a democracy. Soviets fixed the elections, installed a communist puppet state, and then imprisoned/executed many prominent polish nationalists

What was the Truman Doctrine?

It is a policy of containment towards the Soviet Union, formed after the fall of Poland.

What is containment?

Containment means to prevent communism from spreading but not to fight it where it already exists.

Why was Germany divided?

Neither east or west wanted the other to dominate Germany.

What was the fate of each occupation zone?

The British, French, and American occupation zones united into the capitalist democracy West Germany. The Soviet Occupation zone became a communist state, East Germany

What was the Berlin Blockade?

Belin was inside the Soviet occupation zone but was split between the four countries. Soviet wanted it to join East Germany. Blockaded Berlin to force it to join. Western allies flew in supplies for months until the Soviets gave up and just walled it off.

How many nukes were in existence by the end of the Cold War?

65,000

What does kiloton and megaton mean?

It is the explosive power of a nuke. Measured in how many tons of dynamite it would take to make the boom. Kiloton means a thousand tons, megaton means a million.