Postwar America: Liberal Consensus, Civil Rights, and Cold War Dynamics

A series of flashcards covering key vocabulary terms and definitions from the lecture on Postwar America, Liberal Consensus, Civil Rights, and Cold War Dynamics.

Baby boom

A significant increase in birth rates from 1946 to 1964, caused by post-war optimism and societal shifts.

Truman Doctrine

A U.S. policy established in 1947 to provide support to countries resisting communism, primarily Greece and Turkey.

Containment

A U.S. strategy during the Cold War aimed at preventing the expansion of communism.

Liberal Consensus

A post-WWII agreement across U.S. political parties on capitalism, anti-communism, and gradual social reform.

Alienation

A feeling of disconnection or separation from one's community or authentic self, often associated with consumer society.

The Beats

A countercultural literary movement in the 1950s that rejected materialism and promoted spontaneity and spiritual exploration.

Greenwich Village Folk Revival

A musical and cultural movement of the late 1950s and early 1960s focused on political themes and social change.

Michael Harrington

An author known for his book 'The Other America,' which highlighted systemic poverty hidden beneath post-war affluence.

Civil Rights Movement

A struggle for social justice that took place primarily during the 1960s, advocating for the rights of African Americans.

McCarthyism

A campaign against alleged communists in the U.S. government and other institutions, characterized by widespread paranoia and fear.

Cuban Missile Crisis

A 13-day confrontation in 1962 between the U.S. and the USSR over Soviet missiles in Cuba that almost led to nuclear war.

Proxy wars

Conflicts in which opposing powers support combatants in a third party country; a characteristic of the Cold War.

The Other America

A book by Michael Harrington that illuminated the reality of poverty in America despite its overall prosperity.

American exceptionalism

The belief that the U.S. is inherently different from other nations, often leading to a sense of superiority in global affairs.

Social strain theory

A sociological theory that suggests rapid social change can lead to instability and conflict.

Affluent Society

A term used to describe a society characterized by significant wealth among the majority population but with underlying social issues.

Ideological expansion

The process by which a country seeks to extend its political or ideological influence over other nations.

Civil liberties

Basic freedoms guaranteed to individuals, such as freedom of speech and the right to privacy.

Civil rights

Legal protections against discrimination and the right to participate in civil and political life.

Jim Crow laws

State and local laws enforcing racial segregation in the Southern United States until the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Soviet expansionism

The policy of the USSR to expand its influence and control over Eastern Europe after WWII.

Berlin Blockade

A 1948–49 conflict where the USSR blocked all ground routes into West Berlin, leading to a U.S. airlift.

Great Society

A set of domestic programs launched by President Lyndon B. Johnson aimed at eliminating poverty and racial injustice.

Medicare and Medicaid

U.S. programs established in the 1960s to provide healthcare for the elderly and low-income individuals.

Urban riots

Violent disturbances in cities often related to racial tensions and social injustice; key events occurred in the mid-1960s.

The Coleman Report

A study published in 1966 highlighting that family background and peer groups significantly affect educational outcomes.

Desegregation efforts

Initiatives undertaken to eliminate racial segregation in schools and public facilities.

William F. Buckley

A conservative intellectual who founded the National Review magazine, helping to shape modern conservatism.

Barry Goldwater

A U.S. politician whose 1960 book 'The Conscience of a Conservative' inspired the modern conservative movement.

Federal intervention

Government action aimed at addressing social issues, such as poverty and civil rights.

Participatory democracy

A belief that democracy should involve more than just voting; it includes active engagement in decision-making processes.

Structural barriers

Systemic obstacles that prevent certain groups from having equal access to opportunities.

Political process model

A theory that explains social movements arise through interaction of various political factors and opportunities.

Cultural shift

A significant change in social norms, values, or practices within a society.

Counterculture

A movement that rejects the norms of the majority culture; significant during the 1960s with movements like the hippies.

Public trust

The confidence that citizens have in government and public institutions to act in their best interests.

Disinvestment

The withdrawal of investment or capital from a city or area, often leading to economic decline.

Racial stratification

Socioeconomic hierarchies based on race, influencing access to resources and opportunities.

White backlash

A political reaction among white populations against civil rights advancements and social reforms.

Black Power

A movement that emphasized racial pride and self-determination for African Americans in the 1960s.

Urban disinvestment

The process through which cities lose investment due to capital flight or withdrawal, often resulting in economic decay.

Structural inequality

Inequalities arising from systemic factors rather than individual shortcomings, often based on race, class, and gender.

Civil Rights Act of 1964

Legislation that outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

Voting Rights Act of 1965

A landmark piece of federal legislation that prohibited racial discrimination in voting.