Post-War America and Consumerism

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts from the lecture notes on Post-War America and Consumerism.

Consumerism

The promotion of purchasing goods, making people feel like a 'queen' with products.

Korean Armistice Agreement

Signed on July 27, 1953, establishing the DMZ and dividing Korea into North and South.

Army McCarthy Hearings

Televised hearings in 1954 that revealed Senator McCarthy's aggressive accusations of communism, leading to his downfall.

Hidden Hand Presidency

Term describing President Eisenhower's leadership style characterized by a hands-off approach.

John Foster Dulles

U.S. Secretary of State under Eisenhower, known for advocating aggressive Cold War containment policies.

Nikita Khrushchev

Soviet Premier known for de-Stalinization and his rivalry with the U.S.

Massive Retaliation

A U.S. military doctrine under Eisenhower emphasizing nuclear retaliation against the USSR.

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Western-funded radio broadcasts aimed at Eastern Europe and Asia for propaganda during the Cold War.

1960 Paris Summit

A planned U.S.-Soviet summit that was canceled after the U-2 spy plane incident.

Polish and Hungarian Uprisings

Anti-Soviet uprisings in 1956, with Poland achieving limited autonomy while Hungary's was suppressed.

Ho Chi Minh

Leader of communist forces in Vietnam fighting for independence from France.

Bao Dai

Emperor of Vietnam backed by the U.S. during the conflict with communist forces.

Ngo Dinh Diem

South Vietnamese leader backed by the U.S. during the Vietnam conflict.

Dien Bien Phu

Site where Vietminh defeated France in 1954, leading to the end of French rule in Vietnam.

Vietcong

Communist insurgent group in South Vietnam fighting against the U.S.

Ramon Magsaysay

President of the Philippines who improved the economy and suppressed communism.

Mohammed Mossadegh

Prime Minister of Iran who nationalized the oil industry and was overthrown in a CIA-backed coup.

Shah Reza Pahlavi

Pro-Western ruler of Iran reinstated after the overthrow of Mossadegh.

Fulgencio Batista

Cuban dictator overthrown by Fidel Castro's revolution.

Fidel Castro

Leader of the Cuban Revolution, transforming Cuba into a communist nation.

Suez Crisis

Failed attempt by France, Britain, and Israel to seize control of the Suez Canal due to U.S. and Soviet intervention.

Eisenhower Doctrine

U.S. policy promising military and economic aid to Middle Eastern countries resisting communist pressures.

CIA Involvement

The CIA's engagement in Cold War operations, including coups in Iran and Guatemala.

Military-Industrial Complex

Term popularized by Eisenhower, warning about the defense industry's influence on U.S. policy.

1955 Military Expenditures

High U.S. military spending during the Cold War due to the arms race with the Soviets.

Suburbs and Automobiles

Post-war economic boom leading to suburbanization due to better infrastructure and affordable cars.

Affluent Society

1958 book by John Galbraith critiquing post-war economics and materialism.

Highway Act of 1956

Act funding the construction of the Interstate Highway System, boosting transport and economy.

Labor Management Accord

Period of relative stability in labor relations, with agreements leading to rising wages.

Real Wages

Wages adjusted for inflation, which increased in the 1950s allowing for home affordability.

Pluralism

Growing acceptance of diverse ethnic and religious groups in the 1950s, despite persistent discrimination.

'Under God'

Phrase added to the Pledge of Allegiance used to emphasize religious unity against communism.

Organization Man

1956 book by William H. Whyte critiquing corporate culture and conformity in post-war America.

Elvis Presley

Musician who revolutionized music by blending blues and rock and roll; associated with youth culture.

Television Culture

Television became a primary form of entertainment, shaping opinions and consumer habits.

Separate Spheres

Social concept reinforcing traditional gender roles, with men working public and women at home.

Dr. Benjamin Spock

Pediatrician who promoted a nurturing approach to parenting.

Family Togetherness

Cultural ideal emphasizing close-knit families, supported by television in the 1950s.

'Mall Revolt'

Reaction against rigid gender expectations and suburban conformity.

'Average Woman'

Societal expectations of women, often emphasizing domesticity and conformity.

Birth Control Pill

Approved by the FDA in 1960, revolutionizing reproductive rights for women.

Earl Warren

Chief Justice known for significant civil rights cases, including Brown v. Board of Education.

Brown v. Board of Education

1954 Supreme Court decision ruling racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional.

Southern Manifesto

1956 document opposing desegregation following Brown v. Board of Education decision.

Emmett Till

14-year-old lynched in Mississippi in 1955 after being falsely accused.

Rosa Parks

Civil rights activist known for sparking the Montgomery bus boycott.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Leader of the civil rights movement known for non-violent protests.

Civil Rights Act of 1957

First federal civil rights legislation since Reconstruction, aimed at protecting voting rights.

Lyndon B. Johnson

U.S. President who supported civil rights legislation.

Little Rock Nine

Group of nine black students integrated into Little Rock Central High School under federal protection.

Termination and Relocation

U.S. government policy aimed at assimilating Native Americans by relocating them.

Operation Wetback

1954 immigration enforcement program that deported many Mexican immigrants.

Urban Renewal

20th-century policy aimed at modernizing cities, often displacing low-income families.

Barry Goldwater

Conservative Senator from Arizona, a founding father of modern conservatism.

Life Adjustment Skills

Mid-20th century educational movement focusing on practical life skills.

Who was Alger Hiss?

Alger Hiss was a U.S. government official accused of espionage for the Soviet Union during the Cold War. He was convicted of perjury in 1950.

Who were the Rosenbergs?

Julius and Ethel Rosenberg were American citizens executed in 1953 for conspiracy to commit espionage, accused of passing atomic secrets to the Soviet Union.

What is containment in Asia?

Containment in Asia refers to U.S. strategies aimed at preventing the spread of communism in countries like Korea and Vietnam during the Cold War.

What is containment in Eastern Europe?

Containment in Eastern Europe involved efforts by the U.S. and its allies to limit the influence of the Soviet Union and prevent the spread of communism in countries such as Poland and Hungary.

Who was Mao Zedong?

Mao Zedong was the founding father of the People's Republic of China and a key figure in the Chinese Communist Party, leading China from 1949 until his death in 1976.

Who was Chiang Kai-Shek?

Chiang Kai-Shek was a Chinese political and military leader who served as the leader of the Republic of China and was a major opponent of Mao Zedong in the Chinese Civil War.

What were U.S. relations with the Middle East during the Cold War?

U.S. relations with the Middle East during the Cold War were characterized by a strategic alliance with key countries such as Israel and Saudi Arabia, largely focused on containing Soviet influence and ensuring stability in the region.

What was the significance of the Suez Crisis?

The Suez Crisis in 1956 marked a significant moment in Middle Eastern relations, revealing the declining influence of European powers and reinforcing U.S. and Soviet involvement in regional politics.

What was the impact of the Suez Crisis?

The Suez Crisis in 1956 was a pivotal event that highlighted the reduction of European powers' influence in the region and increased U.S. and Soviet involvement in Middle Eastern affairs.

What is the Eisenhower Doctrine?

The Eisenhower Doctrine, announced in 1957, was a U.S. policy aimed at countering Soviet influence in the Middle East by providing military and economic assistance to countries resisting communism.