US History Since 1945: Key Events and Themes

Atomic diplomacy

When the US was in the process of building and after it was made they attempted to make a monopoly on the technology for the bomb (A thought process towards atomic monopoly)

Yalta

One of the most controversial conferences ever; one of the 'BIG 3' conferences with Churchill, Stalin and FDR towards the end of the war after they knew they had the win and Nazis were gonna be defeated, they discussed what to do with Europe post-war for example how to divide up land

Truman doctrine

March 12, 1947 speech asks for aid in Greece; policy created by Truman to contain communism

Marshall plan

The US sunk a bunch of money in Europe to help rebuild it; important step towards European union

NATO

North Atlantic Treaty Organization; security pact to come to the defense of other nations when attacked

Great Migration

7 million people leave the Jim Crow South to flee to the free states; production jobs were a full factor

Phillip Randolph

Leader of the black labor movement.

Double V Campaign

Victory against racism abroad and at home.

Economic Bill of Rights

Proposed rights for economic security and opportunity.

Taft-Hartley Act

Allowed presidents to order workers back to work.

Strom Thurmond

Pro-Jim Crow politician from South Carolina.

Joseph McCarthy

Senator known for anti-communist witch hunts.

HUAC

Committee investigating alleged disloyalty in citizens.

Alger Hiss

Accused of being a communist spy.

Domino Theory

Belief that communism would spread in Southeast Asia.

Ngo Dinh Diem

South Vietnamese leader supported by the US.

Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA)

1970 law ensuring workplace safety standards.

Pentagon Papers

Secret documents revealing Vietnam War truths.

CREEP

Committee to Re-elect the President involved in Watergate.

Stagflation

Economic condition of high inflation and unemployment.

Engel v. Vitale

1962 Supreme Court case against school prayer.

Jerry Falwell

Evangelical leader and founder of Moral Majority.

Supply Side Economics

Economic theory favoring tax cuts to stimulate growth.

Reagan Democrats

Democrats who supported Reagan's conservative policies.

PATCO

Union of air traffic controllers that went on strike.

Carter Doctrine

U.S. policy declaring threats to Persian Gulf as national interest.

Iran-Contra Scandal

Secret U.S. arms sales to Iran funding Contra rebels.

Saddam Hussein

Iraqi leader known for totalitarian rule and brutality.

NAFTA

Trade agreement promoting free trade between U.S., Canada, Mexico.

Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act

1996 law reforming welfare, limiting benefits to five years.

Bush Doctrine

National security strategy opposing hostile regimes.

Keynesian Economics

Economic theory promoting government intervention for demand.

Postwar Social Contract

Agreement between corporations and unions post-WWII.

Alan Greenspan

Federal Reserve Chairman known for deregulation policies.

Enron

Energy company involved in massive financial corruption.