History Final Exam, Identifications and Essay.

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Brinkmanship.

The willingness to go to the brink of war to force an opponent to back down. President Eisenhower relied on brinkmanship on several occasions, but he knew it could not work in all situations. It could prevent war, but it could not prevent Communists from staging revolutions within countries.

Baby Boom.

The US birth rate exploded from 1946-1964. Young couples who had put off getting married during WWII and the Korean War could finally begin their families. Popular culture celebrated pregnancy, parenthood, and large families.

Peace Corps.

The Peace Corps was a program aimed at helping developing countries fight poverty. This program sent Americans to provide humanitarian services in developing countries. After rigorous training, volunteers spent two years in countries that requested assistance. The Peace Corps still exists today.

Black Power.

To a few African Americans, the term ‘black power’ meant that physical self-defense was acceptable. To most, the term meant that African Americans should control their social, political, and economic direction of their struggle. Black power stressed African American culture. It emphasized pride in racial heritage instead of cultural assimilation. To show pride, African Americans adopted “afro” hairstyles.

Gulf of Tonkin Resolution.

Authorized the president to “take all necessary measures to repel any armed attack against the forces of the US and to prevent further aggression.” With only two opposing votes, Congress handed its war powers to the president.

War Powers Act.

1973, Congress passed the War Powers Act as a way to reestablish some limits on executive power. The act required the president to inform Congress of any commitment of troops abroad within 48 hours, and to withdraw them in 60 to 90 days, unless Congress explicitly approved the troop commitment.

Tet Offensive.

January 30, 1968, The Vietcong and the North Vietnamese launched a massive surprise attack. Guerrilla fighters attacked most American airbases in South Vietnam and most of the South’s major cities. More specifically, The Vietcong attacked American embassies in Saigon. Militarily, the Tet Offensive turned out to be a disaster for the Communists. The American people were shocked that an enemy supposedly on the verge of defeat could launch such a large-scale attack. The media openly criticized the war.