P8 and P9

GI Bill (Service Readjustment Act of 1944)

Government policy allowing returned veterans to continue education at government expense, leading to over 2 million veterans attending college.

Baby Boom

Postwar explosion of marriages and births, impacting social institutions and economics, with a shift towards working women by 1960.

Levittown

Project by James Levitt to develop postwar suburbia through mass-produced, low-priced family homes on Long Island.

Suburbanism

Postwar housing demand pushing construction to affordable suburbs for middle-class families, creating suburbanites.

Sunbelt

Region from Florida to California attracting migration due to warmer climate, economic opportunities, and lower taxes, shifting industry and political power.

Employment Act of 1946

Series of progressive measures including national health insurance and minimum wage increase, leading to the creation of the Council of Economic Advisers.

Civil Rights

Truman's actions challenging racial discrimination, establishing committees, integrating schools, and desegregating the military.

Truman Doctrine

Containment policy in response to Communist threats in Greece and Turkey, providing economic and military aid to resist totalitarian regimes.

Marshall Plan (European Recovery Program)

Debt repayment plan for European nations to aid in recovery after WWII, promoting stability and economic growth.

Cold War

Rivalry between the US and Soviet Union leading to an arms race, space race, containment policy, and the formation of military alliances like NATO.

Modern Republicanism

Eisenhower's approach combining fiscal conservatism with moderate social policies, extending New Deal programs while opposing federal education aid and health care.

Interstate Highway System

Eisenhower's initiative authorizing the construction of 42,000 miles of highways to connect major cities, funded by taxes on fuel, tires, and vehicles for national defense.

Dulles Diplomacy

Secretary of State Dulles' proactive stance challenging the Soviet Union and China, advocating for liberation of Eastern European countries and Taiwan, relying on US nuclear supremacy for brinkmanship.

Massive Retaliation

Dulles' strategy emphasizing nuclear and air power over conventional forces, aiming for a balanced budget and increased pressure on enemies, leading to the concept of mutual extinction.

Covert Action

Eisenhower's increasing use of undercover interventions in other nations' politics through the CIA, like the overthrow of governments in Iran and Guatemala, instead of direct military involvement.

Korean Armistice

Agreement ending the Korean War after Eisenhower's visit to US forces, influenced by nuclear threats and Stalin's death, resulting in the withdrawal of most US troops and the division of Korea.

Division of Vietnam

Outcome of the Geneva conference dividing Vietnam at the 17th parallel, controlled by communist Ho Chi Minh in the north and an anticommunist government in the south, leading to US support for the south to prevent communist spread.

Suez Crisis

Conflict triggered by Nasser seizing the Suez Canal, leading to intervention by Britain, France, and Israel against Egypt, showcasing the struggle for control in the Middle East.

Cuban Missile Crisis

Tense standoff between the US and the USSR over Soviet missile sites in Cuba, resolved by Kennedy's pledge not to invade Cuba and removal of US missiles from Turkey, averting a nuclear war.

LBJ's Great Society

Johnson's expansion of social reforms, including civil rights legislation, income tax cuts, and the War on Poverty, aiming to address poverty and promote economic growth in the 1960s.

Head Start

Preschool program aimed at educating young children

Job Corps

Program providing vocational training

Community Action Program

Empowered communities to run antipoverty initiatives

Food Stamp Act (1964)

Expanded federal program aiding poor in buying food

Medicare (1965)

Provided health insurance for individuals aged 65+

Medicaid (1965)

Offered medical care funds for the poor and disabled

Elementary and Secondary Education Act (1965)

Provided federal aid to poor school districts

Higher Education Act (1965)

Offered federal scholarships for post-secondary education

Immigration Act (1965)

Abolished discriminatory quotas based on national origins

Civil Rights Acts (1964-1965)

Outlawed segregation and barriers to black voting

Warren Court

Made significant decisions on desegregation and individual rights

Student Movement

Advocated for participatory democracy in universities

Counterculture

Movement characterized by hippies and anti-establishment beliefs

Sexual Revolution

Shift in attitudes towards sex and privacy rights

Women’s Movement

Fought for gender equality in job opportunities

Vietnam Buildup

U.S. military involvement in Vietnam under Kennedy

Gulf of Tonkin Resolution

Authorized U.S. combat involvement in Vietnam

Tet Offensive

Vietcong attack leading to anti-war sentiments

Nixon

Implemented Vietnamization and the Nixon Doctrine

Peace Talks

Negotiations to end the Vietnam War and achieve peace

Nixon's Visit to China

Nixon improved diplomatic relations with Communist China by visiting Beijing to meet with Mao, leading to the eventual U.S. recognition of China in 1979.

SALT I (Strategic Arms Limitation Talks)

The Soviets agreed to freeze the number of ballistic missiles carrying nuclear warheads in the SALT I agreement.

Stagnation in the 1970s

The period was marked by economic slowdown and high inflation, posing challenges for the U.S. economy.

Title IX

Legislation aimed at ending sex discrimination in schools that receive federal funding.

Southern Strategy

Nixon's approach to appeal to a broad voter base by targeting groups like southern whites, northern Catholic blue-collar workers, and suburbanites who disagreed with the liberal drift of the Republicans.

Watergate Scandal

The scandal involving the Nixon administration's illegal activities, including the break-in at the Democratic national headquarters and subsequent cover-up, leading to Nixon's resignation in 1974.

Fall of Saigon

The US-supported government in Saigon fell to communist forces in 1975, marking a significant event in the Vietnam War.

Camp David Accords

Carter's successful mediation between Egypt and Israel in 1978, leading to Egypt's recognition of Israel in exchange for Israeli withdrawal from Sinai.

Iranian Hostage Crisis

The seizure of the U.S. embassy in Tehran by Iranian militants during Carter's presidency, lasting throughout his term and contributing to his declining popularity.

Environmental Movement

A growing concern over pollution and habitat destruction led to the establishment of key legislation like the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act in the 1970s.

Strategic Defense Initiative

A program involving high tech lasers and particle beams to destroy enemy missiles, criticized as "Star Wars" due to its cost and potential to escalate the arms race.

Reagan Administration's Military Aid

Reagan supported "Friendly" dictators in the Americas, providing military aid to defeat the Sandinistas in Nicaragua and protect the government in El Salvador against guerrillas.

Iran-Contra Affair

Scandal where Reagan's team sold US antitank and anti-aircraft missiles to Iran to fund Nicaraguan rebels, despite the Boland Amendment prohibiting such actions.

Mikhail Gorbachev's Policies

Gorbachev introduced Glasnost (openness) to end political repression and Perestroika to restructure the Soviet economy with free market policies.

Election of 1984

Jesse Jackson made a strong run for presidency, and Geraldine Ferraro became the first woman to run for vice president on a major party ticket.

Persian Gulf War

Conflict where Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait, leading to a coalition force led by Bush to drive Iraqi forces out of Kuwait.

Clinton Administration's Policies

Clinton's first term included the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Brady Handgun Bill, and the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

Technology Boom

Era marked by advancements in personal computers, software, internet, and wireless communications, leading to economic growth and increased household wealth.

War on Terrorism

Dominated US foreign policy post-9/11, with actions against Al-Qaeda, the Taliban in Afghanistan, and the passage of the Patriot Acts to enhance security measures.

Obama Administration's Domestic Policies

Obama's first term included the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform Act, and the Affordable Care Act to extend healthcare coverage.

Affirmative Action

Overturned actions of local school districts, deferred to states on voting rights

Shelby County v Holder

Struck down a provision of the Voting Rights Act requiring certain states to obtain federal approval for voting law changes

Citizens United v Federal Election Commission

Declared corporations as "legal persons" with rights to buy ads for political influence

EPA and Clean Air Act

Authorized to regulate air pollution from coal plants crossing state lines

Obergefell v Hodges

Affirmed same-sex couples' right to marry under the 14th amendment

Gun Rights

Pertaining to the rights to bear arms

Immigration

Employers can verify immigration status of potential employees

Healthcare

Ensured insurance coverage regardless of preexisting conditions, allowed children on parents' insurance until 26

Tax Cuts and Jobs Act

Emphasized tax reductions and deregulation under Trump's domestic policies

Paris Agreement

Aimed to reduce global carbon emissions

Every Student Succeeds Act

Replaced No Child Left Behind, criticized for excessive testing and common curriculum standards

Travel Ban

Restricts entry from certain countries for a specified period

TPP Withdrawal

Trump's decision to exit the Trans-Pacific Partnership

Impeachment

Accused of interfering in the 2020 election, acquitted

COVID-19

Pandemic that emerged in 2020

Capitol Riots

Republicans stormed the Capitol after the 2020 election, resulting in casualties

Joe Biden

Elected President in 2020, focused on containing COVID-19, climate crisis, racial equality, and economy

Immigration

Addressing policies related to the movement of people across borders.