US History Lecture Notes

Flashcards for US History Exam Review

Barry Goldwater

Very conservative, believed in limited government, stronger Cold War stance, and opposed government intervention in civil rights.

Office of Economic Opportunity

A program created to generate jobs.

Dien Bien Phu

Site where Vietnam gained independence from France.

Ho Chi Minh

Recognized leader of Vietnam, later aligned with communism due to lack of US support.

Vietminh

North Vietnamese communist group.

Geneva Conference

Divided Vietnam temporarily; US stopped free elections that Ho Chi Minh was expected to win.

Gulf of Tonkin Resolution

Gave Johnson a 'blank check' to escalate the war in Vietnam.

Operation Rolling Thunder

US air strikes on North Vietnam in 1965.

Vietcong

Communist group formed in South Vietnam, supported by Ho Chi Minh, anti-Western.

Domino Theory

Rationale that if Vietnam falls to communism, other countries will follow.

Walter Cronkite

CBS news host who expressed doubts about the Vietnam War, impacting public opinion.

Tet Offensive

Surprise attack by North Vietnamese forces in 1968, leading to increased protests and distrust in the government.

Southern Strategy

Nixon's approach to appeal to Southern voters by not renewing the Voting Rights Act and being on the Southerners' side.

Vietnamization

Gradual withdrawal of US troops, replacing them with South Vietnamese forces.

Nixon Doctrine

Provided aid to Asia.

Kent State

Site of student protests against the Cambodia bombing, where National Guard killed four students.

Pentagon Papers

Revealed plans for US entry into the Vietnam War, leading to public distrust.

War Powers Act

Requires presidential congressional approval for sending troops to foreign conflict.

Earl Warren

Republican governor of California, appointed to Supreme Court by Eisenhower, known for liberal decisions.

Miranda v. Arizona

Established Miranda Rights, requiring police to inform suspects of their rights before interrogation.

New Federalism

Nixon's plan to distribute federal power to state/local governments.

Stagflation

High inflation and unemployment.

Realpolitik

Dealing with the world how it is (practical).

Henry Kissinger

Key figure in Nixon's foreign policy, known for détente with communist countries.

Détente

Cool off tensions between US and communists.

SALT I

Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty, an agreement to reduce the increase in nuclear arms.

WIN (Whip Inflation Now)

Ford's program to combat inflation through voluntary measures, but was largely ineffective.

Camp David Accords

Carter's greatest accomplishment, mediating peace between Egypt and Israel.

Iranian Hostage Crisis

52 Americans held hostage by Iranian students, contributing to Carter's defeat in the 1980 election.

SALT II

Treaty to limit number of nuclear weapons produced, but not ratified by the US Senate after the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.

New Right Movement

Response to cultural protests of 1960s.

Reaganomics

Supply-side economics policies, including tax cuts, deregulation, and reduced government spending.

Sandra Day O'Connor

First female Supreme Court justice.

SDI (Strategic Defense Initiative)

Reagan's arms build effort to threaten the Soviets.

Reagan Doctrine

Reagan vowed the US would not tolerate communism in the Americas.

George H.W. Bush

Presidency marked by the end of the Cold War and the Persian Gulf War.