Key Concepts from Post-WWII Era to the 1970s

A series of flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts from the post-WWII era through the 1970s, focusing on significant events, policies, and figures.

Baby Boom

Post–WWII population surge (1946–1964) caused by post-war economic prosperity that increased demand for housing, schools, and consumer goods.

Containment

US foreign policy to stop spread of communism & Soviet influence by providing economic, military, & diplomatic aid to vulnerable nations

22nd Amendment

Limits presidents to two terms (ratified 1951).

GI Bill

Provided WWII veterans with education, housing loans, and benefits.

Sunbelt

Region in the South/West that grew rapidly after WWII due to jobs and climate.

Berlin Airlift

U.S. airlift supplying West Berlin during Soviet blockade (1948–49).

Marshall Plan

U.S. aid program to rebuild Western Europe and prevent communism.

Truman Doctrine

U.S. policy to support nations resisting communism (first applied in Greece/Turkey).

United Nations

International organization formed in 1945 to promote peace and cooperation.

Warsaw Pact

Military alliance of Soviet-led Eastern European nations.

NATO

Western military alliance formed to counter Soviet aggression.

Nuremberg Trials

Trials prosecuting Nazi leaders for war crimes after WWII.

Geneva Conference

Divided Vietnam at the 17th parallel after French defeat (1954).

Taft-Hartley Act

Limited power of labor unions (1947).

Iron Curtain

Term describing division between communist Eastern Europe and democratic West.

Korean War

War (1950–53) between North (communist) and South Korea; border remained at 38th parallel.

H-Bomb

Hydrogen bomb, far more powerful nuclear weapon developed during Cold War.

McCarthyism

Anti-communist hysteria led by Senator Joseph McCarthy.

Army-McCarthy hearings

Televised hearings that discredited McCarthy.

Rosenberg Trial

Espionage trial where Julius and Ethel Rosenberg were executed for spying for USSR.

Nikita Khrushchev

Soviet leader who de-Stalinized USSR and confronted U.S. during Cold War.

Montgomery Bus Boycott

1955 protest against segregation sparked by Rosa Parks; led by MLK Jr.

Brown v. Board of Education

Supreme Court case (1954) ending school segregation.

Little Rock 9

Black students who integrated an Arkansas high school with federal protection.

Emmett Till

Black teenager murdered in 1955; his death fueled Civil Rights movement.

Earl Warren

Chief Justice who led Supreme Court decisions expanding civil rights/liberties.

Rosa Parks

Activist who refused to give up bus seat, sparking Montgomery boycott.

Eisenhower Doctrine

U.S. policy to protect Middle Eastern countries from communism.

Interstate Highway Act

Funded national highway system (1956), boosting economy and suburbs.

U-2 spy plane

American spy plane shot down over USSR, increasing Cold War tensions.

Betty Friedan

Feminist author of The Feminine Mystique; helped spark women’s movement.

The New Frontier

JFK’s domestic reform program focusing on economic growth and social change.

Bay of Pigs invasion

Failed U.S.-backed invasion of Cuba (1961).

Cuban Missile Crisis

1962 standoff over Soviet missiles in Cuba; nearly nuclear war.

NASA

U.S. space agency leading space race efforts.

Greensboro Sit-ins

Nonviolent protests against segregated lunch counters (1960).

Freedom Riders

Activists who challenged segregation in interstate bus travel.

James Meredith

First Black student admitted to University of Mississippi.

SCLC

Civil Rights group led by MLK Jr. promoting nonviolent protest.

SNCC

Student-led civil rights group advocating direct action and grassroots organizing.

March on Washington

1963 protest where MLK delivered 'I Have a Dream' speech.

Black Panthers

Militant group advocating Black power and self-defense.

Great Society

LBJ’s programs to reduce poverty and racial injustice.

Barry Goldwater

Conservative Republican candidate (1964) opposing federal intervention.

Malcolm X

Black nationalist leader advocating self-defense and Black pride.

Thurgood Marshall

First Black Supreme Court justice; key lawyer in Brown case.

Miranda v. Arizona

Required police to inform suspects of their rights.

Rachel Carson

Environmentalist whose book Silent Spring exposed dangers of pesticides.

Civil Rights Act of 1964

Banned segregation and discrimination.

Voting Rights Act of 1965

Protected Black voting rights by eliminating barriers.

Watts Riots

1965 Los Angeles uprising over racial tensions and inequality.

Civil Rights Act of 1968

Banned housing discrimination (Fair Housing Act).

Gulf of Tonkin Resolution

Gave LBJ authority to escalate Vietnam War.

SDS

Student activist group protesting war and promoting social change.

Robert F. Kennedy

Senator and presidential candidate assassinated in 1968.

Hawks & Doves

Hawks supported Vietnam War; doves opposed it.

Tet Offensive

1968 surprise attacks by North Vietnam; weakened U.S. support for war.

Silent Majority

Nixon’s term for Americans who supported his Vietnam policies.

Nixon Doctrine

U.S. would support allies but expect them to defend themselves.

My Lai Massacre

U.S. soldiers killed Vietnamese civilians, shocking public opinion.

Kent State Massacre

National Guard killed 4 student protesters (1970).

Pentagon Papers

Leaked documents revealing U.S. government misled public on Vietnam.

War Powers Act

Limited president’s ability to wage war without Congress.

Watergate

Nixon scandal involving break-in and cover-up; led to resignation.

Détente

Relaxation of Cold War tensions between U.S. and USSR.

Roe v. Wade

Supreme Court case legalizing abortion nationwide (1973).

U.S. v. Nixon

Forced Nixon to release tapes; reinforced rule of law.

Equal Rights Amendment

Proposed amendment for gender equality; not ratified.

Nuclear Test Ban Treaty

Limited nuclear testing in atmosphere (1963).

Iranian Hostage Crisis

Americans held hostage in Iran (1979–81).

OPEC & oil crisis

Oil embargo caused energy shortages and inflation in 1970s.

SALT II

Arms control agreement limiting nuclear weapons (not ratified).

Panama Canal Treaties

Returned control of canal to Panama.

Three Mile Island

1979 nuclear accident raising concerns about nuclear power.