APUSH Unit 8 terms

American Indian Movement (AIM)

A Native American advocacy group founded in 1968 to fight for civil rights and sovereignty. Significant for highlighting Native issues like poverty and treaty rights.

Baby Boom

The post-WWII surge in births (1946–1964). Significant for shaping consumer culture and suburban growth.

Berlin Airlift

1948–1949 US/UK operation to supply West Berlin after a Soviet blockade. Showed commitment to containing communism.

Brown v. Board of Education

1954 Supreme Court case that declared school segregation unconstitutional. Key moment in the Civil Rights Movement.

Camp David Accords

1978 peace agreement between Egypt and Israel mediated by Jimmy Carter. First major Arab-Israeli peace deal.

Christian Right

Political movement of conservative Christians, gaining influence in the 1970s–80s. Key in shaping social policies.

Civil Rights Act of 1964

Law outlawing discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. Major legal victory for civil rights.

Containment

US Cold War strategy to stop the spread of communism. Guided foreign policy decisions like Korea and Vietnam.

Counterculture

1960s youth movement rejecting mainstream values (hippies, antiwar protests). Influenced social norms and culture.

Détente

1970s easing of Cold War tensions between the US and USSR, including arms treaties. Reduced risk of nuclear conflict.

Domino Theory

Belief that if one country fell to communism, neighbors would follow. Justified US interventions in Asia.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Federal agency created in 1970 to regulate pollution and protect the environment. Marked rise of environmental policy.

Equal Rights Amendment (ERA)

Proposed constitutional amendment for gender equality. Passed Congress but not ratified by enough states.

Freedom Rides

1961 civil rights activism where integrated groups rode buses through segregated South. Tested and enforced desegregation laws.

Freedom Summer

1964 voter registration campaign in Mississippi. Highlighted racial violence and voter suppression.

Gulf of Tonkin Resolution

1964 congressional resolution giving Johnson broad authority to fight in Vietnam. Escalated US involvement.

HUAC

House Un-American Activities Committee. Investigated alleged communist influence in US society. Central to McCarthy-era paranoia.

Iron Curtain

Term for the division between Western democracies and Eastern communist countries. Symbolized Cold War tensions.

Korean War

1950–1953 conflict between North and South Korea. US-led UN forces contained communism; war ended in stalemate.

La Raza Unida

1970s political party promoting Latino empowerment and representation in US politics.

Levittown

Postwar suburban developments for returning veterans. Symbolized suburban growth and conformity.

Little Rock Nine

1957 group of Black students integrating Little Rock Central High. Highlighted federal enforcement of desegregation.

Marshall Plan

US aid program to rebuild Europe after WWII. Strengthened economies and contained communism.

McCarthyism

1950s anti-communist hysteria led by Senator McCarthy. Targeted individuals with unproven accusations.

Montgomery Bus Boycott

1955–1956 protest against segregated buses. Sparked by Rosa Parks; propelled MLK as civil rights leader.

My Lai Massacre

1968 killing of Vietnamese civilians by US troops. Increased domestic opposition to Vietnam War.

National Organization for Women (NOW)

Founded 1966 to promote gender equality. Central to second-wave feminism.

NATO

1949 military alliance of Western countries to counter Soviet threat. Key Cold War defense organization.

OPEC

Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries. Controlled oil prices, affecting global economy and US energy policy.

Pentagon Papers

1971 leaked documents revealing government deception in Vietnam War. Fuelled antiwar sentiment.

Redlining

Discriminatory housing practice denying loans to minority neighborhoods. Institutionalized racial segregation.

Roe v. Wade

1973 Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion. Landmark case for reproductive rights.

SALT I/II

1970s treaties between US and USSR limiting nuclear arms. Part of détente.

SCLC

Southern Christian Leadership Conference, led by MLK, organized nonviolent civil rights protests.

Sputnik

1957 Soviet satellite. Sparked US space race and Cold War technological competition.

Stagflation

1970s economic problem of high inflation + unemployment. Challenged traditional economic policy.

Stonewall Riots

1969 NYC protests by LGBTQ+ community. Sparked modern gay rights movement.

SNCC

Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, key civil rights organization focusing on grassroots activism.

Sun Belt

Southern and Western US states with population growth post-WWII. Political and economic significance.

Tet Offensive

1968 North Vietnamese attack during Vietnam War. Shook US public confidence despite military losses.

Truman Doctrine

1947 policy to support countries resisting communism. Foundation of containment strategy.

Vietcong

Communist guerrilla forces in South Vietnam. Central enemy during Vietnam War.

Vietnamization

Nixon strategy to reduce US troops in Vietnam while increasing South Vietnamese role.

Voting Rights Act

1965 law banning discriminatory voting practices. Expanded Black voter participation.

War Powers Act

1973 law limiting president’s military authority without Congress approval. Reaction to Vietnam War.

Warsaw Pact

1955 Soviet-led military alliance in response to NATO. Solidified Eastern bloc defense.

Watergate

1972–74 political scandal involving Nixon’s cover-up. Led to Nixon’s resignation.