APUSH Quarter 4 Lessons 3-5

McCarthyism

The practice of accusing people of being communists without proper evidence, led by Senator Joseph McCarthy in the early 1950s.

Alger Hiss

A government official accused of being a Soviet spy; his case fueled fears of communist infiltration.

HUAC (House Un-American Activities Committee)

Congressional group that investigated suspected communists in America, especially in Hollywood.

Hollywood 10

A group of writers and directors who refused to testify before HUAC; they were blacklisted.

McCarran Internal Security Act (1950)

Required communist groups to register with the government; gave the government power to detain suspected subversives.

Rosenberg Case

Julius and Ethel Rosenberg were executed for allegedly passing atomic secrets to the Soviets, increasing Cold War fears.

Army-McCarthy Hearings

Televised hearings in 1954 that exposed McCarthy's aggressive tactics and led to his downfall.

Levittowns

Mass-produced suburban homes symbolizing the growth of suburbia and conformity in the 1950s.

I Love Lucy

Popular 1950s TV show; represents the rise of television culture and traditional gender roles.

Elvis

Rock 'n' roll icon of the 1950s; symbol of youth rebellion and changing American culture.

Beatniks

Countercultural writers and artists in the 1950s who rejected materialism and traditional values.

Jack Kerouac

Beat Generation author; wrote On the Road, celebrating nonconformity and spontaneity.

Allen Ginsberg

Beat poet; his poem Howl criticized American consumer culture and conformity.

Massive Retaliation

Eisenhower’s policy of threatening to use nuclear weapons if attacked; aimed to deter the USSR.

Brinkmanship

Pushing dangerous situations to the edge of war to force opponents to back down.

Interstate Highway Act (1956)

Created a national highway system for defense and travel; boosted the economy and suburbs.

Sputnik (1957)

First satellite launched by the USSR; led to U.S. fears of falling behind in science.

NASA

U.S. space agency created in response to Sputnik; began the Space Race.

National Defense and Education Act (1958)

Gave money to improve science and math education after Sputnik.

Eisenhower Doctrine

Promised U.S. aid to Middle Eastern countries resisting communism.

U-2 Crisis (1960)

U.S. spy plane shot down over the USSR; worsened Cold War tensions.

1960 Election Debates

First televised presidential debates; helped JFK win due to his strong TV presence.

New Frontier

JFK's domestic and foreign policy agenda; focused on civil rights, space, and helping the poor.

Flexible Response

Replaced massive retaliation; allowed U.S. to respond to threats with different levels of force.

Green Berets

Special Forces created under JFK to fight unconventional wars, like in Vietnam.

Bay of Pigs (1961)

Failed U.S.-backed invasion of Cuba by exiles to overthrow Fidel Castro.

Cuban Missile Crisis (1962)

U.S. and USSR came close to nuclear war over Soviet missiles in Cuba; JFK negotiated a peaceful resolution.

Berlin Crisis (1961)

USSR built the Berlin Wall to stop East Germans from fleeing to the West; symbol of the Cold War.

Peace Corps

Volunteer program started by JFK to help developing countries and spread goodwill.

Great Society

LBJ’s plan to eliminate poverty and racial injustice through government programs.

The Other America

Book by Michael Harrington exposing hidden poverty in the U.S.; inspired LBJ’s War on Poverty.

War on Poverty

Part of the Great Society; programs like Head Start, food stamps, and job training to help the poor.

Medicaid/Medicare

Great Society programs; Medicare gave health care to the elderly, Medicaid to the poor.

Immigration Act 1965

Ended old quota system; allowed more immigrants from Asia, Africa, and Latin America.