amh2020 summer b unit 3

Conformity during the Cold War

In the early Cold War period, conformity to political and social standards was crucial to prove US superiority and avoid accusations of being a communist.

House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC)

Established in 1945, HUAC aimed to identify individuals with communist sympathies and root out communism in the US, leading to investigations in Hollywood and beyond.

McCarthyism and the Second Red Scare

Joseph McCarthy capitalized on the fear of communism, making baseless accusations and ruining lives, until his downfall due to extreme allegations and personal issues.

Suburbs in the Consumer Republic

Post-WWII, suburbs flourished due to commuter culture, economic prosperity, and the baby boom, embodying a culture of consumption that symbolized anti-communism and economic strength.

Television and Cold War Culture

Television became a powerful medium promoting consumption and portraying the ideal American family living in the suburbs, aligning with the cultural norms of the time.

Early Civil Rights Movement

The movement against discrimination and segregation, exemplified by cases like Brown v. Board of Education and events like the Montgomery Bus Boycott, highlighted the struggle for equality and integration.

Sit-In Movement

A form of non-violent direct action, the sit-ins spread throughout the South in the 1960s, led by organizations like the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) to protest segregation and discrimination.

Swing Toward Conservatism (1968-1980)

The rise of conservatism in the late 1970s capitalized on the malaise of the 1970s, blaming liberal policies for the crisis of confidence and leading to the election of Ronald Reagan.

NVA Creeping Towards US Embassy

NVA forces advancing towards the US embassy necessitating the evacuation of US personnel and South Vietnam officials to prevent capture.

Watergate Scandal, 1973

Political scandal involving the break-in at the Democratic Party headquarters, leading to investigations that uncovered a cover-up by the Nixon administration and ultimately Nixon's resignation.

Liberalism

Political ideology advocating for a large and active federal government, regulation of the economy, social safety nets, and addressing social justice issues like discrimination.

Conservatism

Political ideology, including neoconservatism, favoring a small federal government, opposing economic and social regulation by the government, and emphasizing traditional morality.

Equal Rights Amendment (ERA)

Proposed amendment for gender equality that failed to be ratified, facing opposition led by conservative activist Phyllis Schlafly.

Roe v

Landmark Supreme Court case legalizing abortion, sparking political division with liberals supporting the ruling and conservatives opposing it on moral grounds.

Stagflation

Economic condition of high inflation combined with a stagnant economy, characterized by rising prices, unemployment, and decreased consumerism.

Deindustrialization

Long-term economic trend involving the decline of manufacturing jobs in regions like the Northeast and Midwest, leading to economic challenges and shifting to a service-based economy.

Reaganomics

Economic policies of President Reagan aimed at cutting taxes, balancing the federal budget, and implementing supply-side economics to stimulate business growth and job creation.

Moral Majority

Political action group founded by Jerry Falwell advocating for conservative Christian values in policies and politics, influencing the Republican Party's agenda.

HIV/AIDS Epidemic

A health crisis in the early 1980s characterized by the spread of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) that weakens the immune system and leads to Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), resulting in numerous deaths and social stigma.

ACT UP

AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power:An activist group formed to advocate for increased funding for AIDS research through disruptive and visible protests, including die-ins, to raise awareness and push for action.

Crack Cocaine and the War on Drugs

The emergence of crack cocaine in urban America led to an escalation of the federal government's war on drugs, with politicians adopting a tough-on-crime approach, increased funding for law enforcement, and stricter drug possession laws.

Just Say No Campaign

An anti-drug campaign led by Nancy Reagan to discourage teenagers from drug use by promoting a message of resistance to peer pressure and advocating for a drug-free lifestyle.

Iran-Contra Scandal

A political scandal during the Reagan administration involving the covert sale of weapons to Iran to fund the Contras in Nicaragua, circumventing Congress and leading to a congressional investigation and the involvement of figures like Oliver North.

Mikhail Gorbachev and the End of the Cold War

Gorbachev's leadership in the Soviet Union, marked by transparency and economic reforms, contributed to the end of the Cold War, as increased competition in nuclear weapons production strained the Soviet economy and led to the fall of communism in Europe.