U.S. History Spring Semester Exam Study Guide

Truman Doctrine

A U.S. policy to stop the spread of communism by helping countries threatened by it

House Un-American Activities Committee

A government committee that investigated suspected communist activity in the United States during the Cold War

Launch of Sputnik Satellite

The Soviet Union’s launch of the first artificial satellite in 1957, starting the Space Race with the United States

Cold War Conflict: Which two countries were in competition?

United States and the Soviet Union

Iron Curtain

The political and military division between communist Eastern Europe and democratic Western Europe during the Cold War

Containment

A U.S. policy aimed at stopping the spread of communism to other countries

Domino Theory

The belief that if one country became communist, nearby countries would also fall to communism

Cuban Missile Crisis

A 1962 confrontation between the United States and the Soviet Union over Soviet nuclear missiles placed in Cuba, bringing the world close to nuclear war

United Nations

An international organization formed to promote peace, cooperation, and security between countries

Urban Sprawl

The spread of cities into surrounding rural areas through development and suburbs

Beat Generation of the 1950s

A group of writers and artists who rejected mainstream society and valued freedom, nonconformity, and creativity

Jim Crow Laws

Laws in the U.S. that enforced racial segregation and discrimination against Black Americans, mainly in the South

Unalienable Rights

Basic rights that cannot be taken away, such as life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness

The Civil Rights Act of 1964

A U.S. law that made discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin illegal, especially in schools, jobs, and public places

1961 Freedom Rides

Civil rights protests where Black and white activists rode buses through the South to challenge segregation in interstate travel

Brown v. Board of Education (1954): What did the supreme Court rule in this case?

Racial segregation in public schools is unconstitutional because “separate but equal” schools are not truly equal

Brown v. Board of Education (1954): Who was the lawyer that represented the NAACP and Brown family in this case?

Thurgood Marshall

Brown v. Board of Education (1954): How did this case impact public schools such as Central High in Little Rock, Arkansas?

After Brown v. Board of Education, schools were ordered to integrate, but places like Central High in Little Rock resisted, so the federal government sent troops to enforce desegregation

National Organization for Women (N.O.W.)

Promote equal rights and opportunities for women in areas like work, education, and politics

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: What was his approach to fighting for civil rights?

Nonviolent protest and civil disobedience to fight for civil rights and achieve equality

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: How are events such as the March on Washington in 1963 examples of MLK’s approach?

Peaceful, nonviolent protest used to demand equal rights

Executive Order 9981

A 1948 order by President Truman that desegregated the U.S. military and ended racial discrimination in the armed forces

Significance of Tinker v. Des Moines Decision

The Supreme Court ruled that students have free speech rights in public schools as long as it does not disrupt learning, protecting symbolic speech like wearing armbands

Significance of Wisconsin v. Yoder Decision

The Supreme Court ruled that Amish students could stop school after 8th grade because their religious freedom was more important than the state’s education requirement

Impact of the Media during the Vietnam War

Television and newspapers showed graphic images of the war, which turned public opinion against the conflict and increased opposition to the U.S. involvement

Ratification of the 26th Amendment

Lowered the voting age in the United States from 21 to 18, giving more young people the right to vote

Vietnamization

A U.S. policy during the Vietnam War that aimed to gradually withdraw American troops and transfer fighting responsibility to South Vietnamese forces

Policy of Detente

A Cold War policy of easing tensions and improving relations between the United States and the Soviet Union through negotiations and agreements

Watergate Scandal

The Nixon administration’s break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters and the cover-up that led to President Richard Nixon’s resignation

Camp David Accords

1978 peace agreement between Egypt and Israel, negotiated at Camp David by U.S. President Jimmy Carter

OPEC Oil (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) Embargo

A 1973 action where Middle Eastern oil-producing countries stopped selling oil to the United States and other nations, causing fuel shortages and higher gas prices

Policy of Peace Through Strength

A policy that supports building strong military power to deter enemies and prevent war

Sandra Day O’Connor

The first woman appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court (1981), known for making important decisions on issues like states’ rights and abortion

End of the Cold War

Collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991

Cultural Diffusion

The spread of ideas, customs, and technologies from one culture to another

Persian Gulf War: What was the goal of U.S. involvement?

Remove Iraqi forces from Kuwait and restore Kuwait’s independence after Iraq invaded in 1990

Effects of computers in the workspace

Made work faster, more connected, and allowed remote work while also creating new tech jobs

President Bill Clinton: What was a major goal of his presidency?

Strengthen the economy by reducing the federal deficit and promoting economic growth

President Bill Clinton: What were some important events that took place during his presidency?

President Bill Clinton: Why was he impeached?

Lying under oath (perjury) and obstruction of justice during an investigation into his relationship with Monica Lewinsky

President Bill Clinton: What part of the federal government was in charge of his impeachment?

House of Representitives

North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)

A 1994 agreement between the United States, Canada, and Mexico that removed trade barriers to encourage free trade between the three countries

President George W. Bush: Why was his election controversial?

The extremely close vote in Florida, ballot counting disputes, and the Supreme Court decision (Bush v. Gore) that ultimately decided the outcome

President George W. Bush: What was the focus of his presidency?

War on Terror, especially after the 9/11 attacks, along with wars in Afghanistan and Iraq

President George W. Bush: Why did he create the Office of Homeland Security?

After the 9/11 attacks to improve national security and protect the United States from future terrorist attacks.

Terror Attacks of September 11, 2001: What country did the U.S. invade in response to the attacks?

The United States invaded Afghanistan to target the terrorist group al-Qaeda and the Taliban government that supported them

USA PATRIOT Act of 2001: Why was is passed? Why was it controversial?

Passed to expand government powers to prevent terrorism after 9/11 by increasing surveillance and law enforcement authority. It was controversial because many people felt it violated civil liberties and allowed too much government spying on citizens

Causes of disastrous flooding during Hurricane Katrina

Storm surge, heavy rain, and the failure of New Orleans’ levees and flood protection system, which caused widespread water damage

President Barack Obama: What was a main goal of his presidency?

To improve the economy after the 2008 financial crisis and expand access to healthcare through the Affordable Care Act

Outcomes of The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009

Helped create and save jobs, supported public projects, and aimed to boost the U.S. economy during the Great Recession