period 8 safmed

Cold War

This period led to rapid technological advancements, such as satellites, emerging to surpass each other. It also led to the creation of the United Nations and improved international relations to prevent the spread of communism.

Joseph Stalin

He significantly expanded Soviet influence, leading to the establishment of communist governments in Eastern Europe. This expansion was exemplified by the Berlin Blockade, where he tried to cut off Western access to the city, leading to the Berlin Airlift. Under his leadership, the Soviets began to develop nuclear weapons, igniting a nuclear arms race with the United States.

United Nations

It was created to provide representation to all member nations. Within it, the Security Council (U.S., Britain, China, France, and Soviet Union) was created in order to maintain international security and authorize peacekeeping missions. The five allied powers were given veto rights within the Security Council. In addition, the Atomic Energy Commission was established after the Soviets went along with the United States’ proposal. This helped countries have a hopeful outlook on the future because they believed these nations would be able to reach an agreement on international issues.

Winston Churchill

He gave his “Iron Curtain” speech which unified Western democracies in order to prevent the spread of communism. His speech was seen as the “opening shot” in the Cold War for Stalin.

Iron Curtain

It brought together Western democracies to halt the expansion of communism by having fences, walls, and minefields.

George Marshall

He outlined an extensive program that states that the United States would provide economic aid to European nations in order to strengthen their democratic governments and revive their economy. This later became known as the Marshall Plan.

Truman Doctrine

It gained bipartisan support from Republicans and Democrats in Congress because Congress provided $400 million in economic and military aid to assist Greece and Turkey.

Marshall Plan

Provided $12 billion in aid and was distributed to the countries of Western Europe over a four-year period. The massive infusion of U.S. dollars helped Western Europe achieve self-sustaining growth and ended all threats of Communist political success. It also boosted U.S. prosperity by greatly increasing U.S. exports to Europe. However, it deepened the rift between the non-Communist West and the Communist East.

NATO

Guarantees the freedom and security of its members through political and military means.

Warsaw Pact

Countered the threat of Capitalism in Europe.

National Security Act

It provides a centralized Department of Defense to coordinate the operations of the army, navy, and air force, the creation of the National Security Council (NSC) to coordinate the making of foreign policy, and the creation of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to gather information on foreign governments.

Douglas McArthur

Took firm charge of the reconstruction of Japan. Under McAruther’s guidance, the new constitution adopted in May 1947 set up a parliamentary democracy.

Mao Zedong

Credited with transforming China from a semi-colony to a leading world power by advancing literacy, women’s rights, basic healthcare, and primary education.

38th Parallel

Served as a boundary between North and South Korea.

Kim II Sung

He was the founder and first leader of North Korea. He played a crucial role in the country's establishment and the development of its political and economic systems.

Korean War

One of the most significant impacts of the containment policy of the U.S. government, aimed at preventing the spread of communism, was one of the major proxy wars of the Cold War.

Korean Armistice

Resulted in Korea being divided into North Korea and South Korea. 39,914 Americans died in the war.

open-skies policy

Though the policy was not accepted by Soviet Union representatives, it marked the first thaw of the Cold War.

Hungarian Revolt

America did not interfere in the revolt because Eisenhower feared it would result in a war. This ended the first thaw in the Cold War.

Sputnik

It led America to prioritize developing their technology by putting the NDEA into act and creating NASA. The Soviet Union’s confidence was boosted and America was desperate to catch up.

NASA

The administration successfully created new technology to explore outer space, and still does. It allowed America to eventually be the first to land on the moon in 1969.

Fidel Castro

Once he became in power, Castro took control of American businesses in Cuba. Eisenhower fought back by cutting off trade with Cuba. He revealed he was a Marxist and wanted to make Cuba Communist. Eisenhower authorized the CIA to train Cuban exiles to invade Cuba and overthrow Castro. This led to the Bay of Pigs.

Bay of Pigs

Kennedy used the failed overthrowing to get support from the Soviet Union. He was determined to prove himself as president.

Berlin Wall

It was built to stop East Germans from fleeing into West Germany. U.S. troops attempted to stop its building but failed. It was a symbol of the Cold War until it was destroyed 28 years later in 1989.

Cuban Missile Crisis

Khreshchev agreed to remove the missiles from Cuba if Kennedy pledged to not invade it. The crisis resulted in a hotline between the U.S. and Soviet Union so leaders could communicate if a crisis occurred. It also led to the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty.

Nuclear Test Ban Treaty

The nuclear test ban treaty prevented the spread of radioactive and nuclear material throughout the atmosphere

Non-Proliferation Treaty

It prevented other nations from acquiring nuclear weapons, stopping all nuclear warfare

SALT

Put a freeze on the manufacturing of nuclear weapons

Loyalty Review Board

This caused thousands of officials and civil service employees resignation and job loss

Smith Act

It prevented the teaching of the overthrowing of the government

HUAC

It Investigated what was considered un-american propaganda

Joseph McCarthy/McCarthyism

He was one of the most powerful leaders in America and other politicians feared the damage he could do. Would accuse Americans of being Communists, causing them to lose their jobs and be outcast from society.

Harry Truman

He urged Congress to enact national health insurance federal aid to education and civil rights legislation

Employment Act of 1946

It mandated the contradictory policy goals of seeking both full employment and low inflation

GI Bill

This helped to create a better-educated workforce by allowing veterans to receive a low-interest college or trade school education

Levittown

Helped a generation of Americans become “suburbanites” by allowing them to live close together in similar homes.

Sun Belt

Many veterans moved to these states for better opportunities ultimately moving their political power from one area to another.

22nd Amendment

After Roosevelt was elected 4 times, congress proposed the 22nd amendment to limit the number of times allowed to be 2

Taft-Harley Act

Congress believed that unions were becoming too powerful so they created some provisions including

Modern Republicanism

Raised minimum wage, social security was extended to 10 million more people, created the Department of Health, education, and Welfare.

Highway Act

This connected the country's major cities and justified a new tax on cars, fuel, and tires.

Trade Expansion Act

It stimulated the economy by increasing spending on space exploration programs and national defense as the president wanted America to have reached the moon by the end of the decade.

New Federalism

This was made because Republicans hoped revenue sharing would check the growth of the federal government, returning responsibilities back to the states

Stagflation

This led Nixon to cut federal spending, contributing to a recession and unemployment

The Affluent Society

About the failure of wealthy Americans; addressed the need for increased social spending for the common good

Warren Commission

Concluded that Oswald was the lone assassin

Thurgood Marshall

Argued on the Brown v Board of Education case in the Supreme court

Brown V BOE

Chief Justice Earl Warren ruled that “separate facilities are unequal” and segregation in school should end with “all deliberate speed”

CIA

Helped overthrow a government in Iran

Suez Crisis

The British and French owned Suez Canal went through Egypt territory, threatening Europe’s supply line. Britain, France, and Israel carried out a surprise attack against Egypt, retaking the canal.

OPEC

Oil became a critical foreign policy issue. Combined with western independence on middle eastern oil, arab nations would create issues towards americas access of the oil

October War

President Nixon ordered the U.S. nuclear forces on alert and airlifted 2 billion dollars in arms to Israel to engage a retreat. The tide turned in the favor of the Israelis but the US suffered a huge price because the Arab members placed an embargo on the oil from the OPEC which caused a worldwide oil shortage.

Camp David Accords

The Israeli prime minister and president Davis created the framework of the camp David accords which settles a peace settlement between the countries. It was opposed by many Arab nations but gained the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Sinai territory from Egyptian territory taken from the six day war.

Alliance for Progress

Although Kennedy’s interest in Latin America was remembered in his death, the CIA operations fueled anti-american feelings including the bay of pigs invasion that failed to overthrow fidel castro and plots to assassinate communists.

Domino Theory

If South Vietnam fell under communist control, one nation after another nation in southeast Asia would also fall, until Australia and New Zealand were in dire danger.

John Foster Dulles

He declared that if the U.S. threatened Communist nations and pushed them to the brink of war, then they would back down. He also created the SEATO.

SEATO

This pact got eight nations; US, UK, France, Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Thailand, and Pakistan; which prevented attacks between the nations

Tonkin Gulf Resolution

Gave the president the ability to do whatever is necessary to protect the US interest in vietnam. President johnson used this as an excuse to put american forces in combat in vietnam

General Westmoreland

Publicized his idea of seeing the light at the end of the tunnel showing the closing end of the war

Tet Offensive

The Vietcong had more loses on their side but they were able to inflict great damage on American morale and proved that victory was not going to be easy

Robert F Kennedy

Ran for president but was assassinated after his victory speech. Advocated for antiwar.

Henry Kissinger

Together with Nixon they created a foreign policy to reduce tensions during the Cold War as well as negotiating terms to end the Vietnam War.

Nixon Doctrine

The US would withdraw from the war slowly providing South Vietnam with money, weapons, and training so that Southern Vietnam could fend for themselves. Ensured that in the future Asian allies would receive support without use of US ground forces.

Kent State

In addition to the protests the US Senate voted to repeal the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution (both events were opposed to the expansion of the war).

My Lai

Enraged the american public further pushing the antiwar sentiment

Pentagon Papers

Papers that exposed the lies and mistakes of government policy makers involving Vietnam.

Paris Accords

The US would withdraw from the war officially although it didn't end the war entirely.

War Powers Act

The war powers act essentially led to The United States leaving Vietnam early. This limited the power of the president and enforced the checks and balances stated in the Constitution

Great Society

These programs created Medicare, aid for the elderly, and aid for education. It also helped lower the poverty level through these programs. Overall it bettered the United States

Immigration Act of 1965

This made discrimination against peoples of any race illegal in correlation to obtaining American visas

Betty Friedan

Betty essentially sparked the flame for the push for gender equality in the United States.

The Feminine Mystique

This book was a voice speaking up about the struggles of women and shedding light on their struggles. This book was how Betty Friedan sparked the push for gender equality in the U.S.

National Woman’s Party NOW

The NWP greatly advocated and was a major push for women's rights overall through the 20th century.

Equal Pay act 1963

This act laid down the foundation for women to move into the workforce and by law paid equally

Civil Rights Act 1964

This act strengthened the enforcement of desegregation in schools and voting rights.

Title IX

Title IX completely eliminated discrimination on sex in all schools/education programs funded by the government. This allowed women to get education (such as collegiate level) like never before.

Equal Rights Act

This act would no longer allow legal discrimination on the basis of sex and would eliminate many laws in place that did so.

Cesar Chavez

Dedicated his life to improving the working conditions of migrant farm workers throughout America. Founded the National Farm Workers Association.

United Farm Workers Association

Through marches, boycotts, and fasts, the association gained attention and made national headlines, gaining labor contracts, higher wages, and improved working conditions, making the association a major success.

Indian Self-Detriment Act 1975

Gave Indian tribes the authority to contract with the United States Federal Government to operate programs that served their tribe members and others.

Warren Court

The Warren Court expanded civil rights, civil liberties, judicial power, and federal power. This court has been widely recognized as the court that led a major “Constitutional Revolution.”

Students for a Democratic Society

The Students for a Democratic Society advocated for student power through direct action and actively criticized the U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War.

New Left

Put more emphasis on social issues such as identity politics, intersectionality, abortion, drugs, feminism, gay rights, and more. The New Left is also the foundation of progressive movements in today’s society.

Woodstock

While the nation was deeply into the controversial Vietnam War, the music festival gave a chance for those struggling with modern life to escape through music and community.

Alfred Kinsey

Through his studies, he made an accumulation of a wide variety of materials relevant to the history and sociology of human sexuality that has grown to be the largest and most comprehensive in the world.

Silent Spring by Rachel Carlson

The author of the book Carson argued that unchecked industrial growth would ultimately destroy animal life which would lead to destroying human life as well. This book forced Americans to question if using chemistry for better living was the solution or cause of the environmental issues.

Three Mile Island

an accident that happened at this power plant cause Americans to question if other nuclear plants should be built. This delayed the process of creating more nuclear plants because of the serious impact they had on the environment

EPA

over time grew rapidly by doubling its staff and budget in two years. This also proved how difficult and complex the task of enforcing environmental regulations would be.

Anti-Nuclear Movement

caused a delay in construction or pause commitments to build new nuclear plants, and pressured the nuclear regulatory commission to enforce and strengthen the safety regulations for nuclear power plants.

Silent Majority

Nixon used the silent majority as a politician strategy since he was the minority president, he used this strategy to try and achieve racial balance and the excesses of the youth counterculture.

Watergate

had a dramatic effect on the political system in the mid- 1970s, a critical time both in the United States and overseas, when the country needed respected, reliable, strong, and confident leadership.

US v Nixon

proved that the u.s constitutional system of checks and balances works as intended. Also underlined the dangerous shift of power to the presidency treat began with franklin Roosevelt and had been expanded during the Cold War

Moral Majority

became an instrument of of electoral politics when an evangelist from Virginia, jerry Falwell, who founded the moral majority