Final Exam Study Guide: WWII to Civil Rights Movement

What was life like for Jews prior to WWII?

They lived normal lives among non-Jewish neighbors.

What is the definition of genocide?

The mass killing of a large group.

What were the Nuremberg Laws and when were they passed?

Passed in 1935, they defined anyone with any Jewish blood as a Jew and increased restrictions and persecution.

What were the reasons other countries did not take in more Jewish refugees during the Holocaust?

Many nations had already taken refugees, and the U.S. implemented a quota system requiring refugees to have a host, documents, and funds.

What happened to the St. Louis?

It was a boat carrying hundreds of Jewish refugees that was turned away from Cuba and Miami, forcing them to return to Europe.

Why did Hitler single out Jews for persecution?

He blamed them for Germany's failures after WWI and sought to create a 'master race' of Aryans.

What other groups were persecuted by the Nazis besides Jews?

Disabled individuals and homosexuals.

What was the Wannsee Conference?

Held in 1942 in Germany, it was a meeting to coordinate the final solution for the extermination of Jews.

What were the phases of the Final Solution?

1. Shooting, 2. Gas Vans, 3. Camps (Concentration and Extermination).

Describe the shooting phase of the Final Solution.

Jews were rounded up, stripped naked, shot one by one, and their bodies were burned in mass graves.

How did gas vans work during the Holocaust?

Victims were locked inside vans where exhaust was pumped back in, poisoning and killing them.

What were the problems associated with the camps?

They took too long, used too many resources, and soldiers experienced psychological issues.

What was a typical day like in the camps?

Prisoners had no food, worked long hours (more than 12 hours), and were often unwilling.

What are some myths about the Holocaust?

1. It never happened, 2. It's a Jewish problem, 3. Germans acted under threat of penalties, 4. Most camps were in Poland due to Polish antisemitism, 5. No one helped.

What was the American response to the Holocaust?

The U.S. was very isolationist, influenced by public opinion and government policy prioritizing war efforts.

What determined how the U.S. responded to the Holocaust?

Public opinion and government policy focused on winning the war.

When did the Cold War take place?

From 1945 to 1991, ending with the collapse of the Soviet Union.

What initiated the Cold War?

The U.S. and Soviet Union had conflicting goals for the future, leading to rivalry.

What was the United Nations?

An international organization created to promote peace, security, and cooperation among countries.

What type of government does the United States have?

Democratic Government, characterized by government by the people, either directly or through elected representatives.

What type of government does the Soviet Union have?

Totalitarian Government, where the state controls all citizens' lives under one ultimate leader.

Define democracy in the context of the United States.

A system of government where power is vested in the people, who rule either directly or through freely elected representatives.

Define totalitarianism as practiced in the Soviet Union.

A political system where the state holds total authority over society and seeks to control all aspects of public and private life.

What is socialism?

An economic system in which the means of production are owned communally, eliminating social classes.

What is capitalism?

An economic system where the factors of production are owned individually, leading to the existence of different social classes.

What are satellite nations in the context of the Soviet Union?

Western European countries where Stalin installed communist governments.

What does the term 'Iron Curtain' refer to?

A metaphor used by Winston Churchill to describe the division between the communist East and the capitalist West in Europe.

What was the Marshall Plan?

A U.S. initiative to support European economic recovery after World War II, proposed by Secretary of State George C. Marshall.

What was the Berlin Crisis?

A conflict during the Cold War where the Soviets attempted to gain control over West Berlin by cutting access roads through East Germany.

What was the Berlin Airlift?

A response to the Soviet blockade of West Berlin, where British and American forces delivered supplies via air to the isolated city.

What was the Policy of Containment?

An American strategy aimed at preventing the spread of communism by resisting Soviet attempts to establish communist governments.

Who was Harry S. Truman?

The President of the United States from 1945 to 1953, known for implementing the Policy of Containment.

What did the National Security Act of 1947 establish?

It created the Central Department of Defense to coordinate the army, navy, and air force, and established the National Security Council.

What is NATO?

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization, a military alliance of 12 countries including the U.S. and Western Europe, promising mutual defense.

What was the Arms Race during the Cold War?

A competition between the U.S. and the Soviet Union to achieve superior weaponry, including nuclear arms.

What distinguishes World War II from the Cold War?

World War II involved clearly defined sides and direct military conflict, while the Cold War was characterized by ideological tensions without direct military engagement.

What was the outcome of the Korean War?

It was not officially declared a war by President Truman; instead, it was termed a police action under UN auspices.

What percentage of the forces in the Korean War were American?

Americans made up roughly 80% of the police action forces in Korea.

How did the Cold War end in relation to the Soviet Union?

The Cold War concluded without a clear victory for the U.S., ending with the collapse of the Soviet Union.

What was the significance of the atomic bomb in World War II?

The atomic bomb was used by the United States, marking a significant escalation in warfare and demonstrating nuclear capabilities.

What was the ideological conflict during the Cold War?

The ideological conflict was primarily between capitalism and communism, with democracy opposed to totalitarianism.

What event marked the beginning of the Cuban Missile Crisis?

US spy planes saw Soviets building missiles in Cuba.

What was JFK's primary concern during the Cuban Missile Crisis?

The closest the U.S. had been to nuclear war and the presence of nuclear weapons near the U.S.

What was the outcome of the Cuban Missile Crisis regarding nuclear weapons?

Soviets took nukes out of Cuba, and the U.S. agreed to remove nukes from Turkey.

What are the similarities between the Red Scares of the 1920s and 1950s?

Both dealt with violations of civil liberties.

What was a significant event during the Red Scare of the 1920s?

The Palmer raids, which included warrantless searches and arrests.

What fueled the fear of communism during the 1950s?

Rumors and accusations of Communists infiltrating the U.S. government.

Who were the Rosenbergs and what happened to them?

They were the first U.S. civilians executed for spying.

What was Alger Hiss accused of?

Lying to a grand jury.

What is McCarthyism?

The making of false accusations based on rumor or guilt by association.

What was the goal of McCarthyism?

To violate people's civil rights by blaming them for being communists.

What economic condition characterized the 1950s in America?

Prosperity, with people spending money and a majority of Americans being middle class.

What was the purpose of the GI Bill?

To aid soldiers returning from war.

What provisions did the GI Bill include?

Job priority, unemployment benefits, monthly allowance, and low-interest loans.

How did veterans primarily spend their GI Bill allowances?

On higher education (college education).

What was the Baby Boom?

An increase in American births resulting in a rise in the U.S. population.

How did the Baby Boom change family dynamics post-war?

Parents were getting married earlier and having babies sooner.

What factors contributed to the Baby Boom?

Men returning from war, affordable homes, and improved medical science.

What was the frequency of births during the Baby Boom?

One baby born every 7 seconds.

What is the title of the influential book by Spock regarding child care?

Common Sense Book for Baby and Child Care.

What did Spock urge mothers to do regarding work?

He urged mothers to not work outside the home.

What approach did Spock recommend for comforting crying babies?

Comfort them so they don't feel rejected.

How did Spock suggest parents manage discipline?

He encouraged less spanking and scolding.

What family structure did Spock promote?

Democratic families that encourage questions and individualism.

What was a significant social change in dating during the 1950s?

Young people began dating more, leading to increased freedom.

What factors contributed to the growth of suburbs in the 1950s?

Baby boom, expanding suburbanization, Sunbelt, cars and highways, and record demands.

What is Levittown known for?

It was the first suburb built rapidly with mass housing, where every house was the same, promoting conformity.

What were some downsides of life in the suburbs during the 1950s?

Lack of individualism, pressure to conform, reinforced gender stereotypes, and no racial inclusion.

What distinguishes white collar jobs from blue collar jobs?

White collar jobs typically offer better pay, shorter hours, and are less dangerous, while blue collar jobs are hands-on, like factory work.

What was the National Highway Act of 1956?

It was the largest public works project in history, building 40,000 miles of highways.

What impact did the National Highway Act have on the automobile industry?

It made cars a necessity and led to a boom in the automobile industry.

What is the Sunbelt?

A sunny area that experienced economic growth, attracting people to travel there.

What were some factors that made the South attractive for businesses during the 1950s?

Weak unions, low taxes, and the introduction of air conditioning.

How did consumerism manifest in the 1950s?

Through advertising in billboards, magazines, radio, TV, and catalogs, encouraging people to buy unnecessary items.

What was a significant cultural phenomenon related to fast food in the 1950s?

The rise of franchises like McDonald's, leading to conformity in dining experiences.

How did mass media influence pop culture in the 1950s?

It spread pop culture quickly through radio, magazines, and newspapers, connecting the country.

What were some popular toys and fads in the 1950s?

Silly Putty, Mr. Potato Head, hula hoops, and yo-yos.

What portrayal of society did television programming promote in the 1950s?

An idealized suburban life with traditional family roles.

What were the standard American beliefs of the 1950s?

Conformity, patriotism, traditional family roles, religion, and anti-communism.

What did social critics say about conformity in the 1950s?

They described it as an era where Americans sacrificed individualism to fit in.

What was the emergence of a subculture in the 1950s?

A group of people who rejected the pressure to conform and sought individuality.

'Beat' refer to in the context of the Beatniks

Rebels against conformity who questioned society.

What were the musical roots of Rock 'n' Roll?

A blend of black blues, white country, and black gospel.

How did Elvis Presley contribute to youth rebellion in the 1950s?

Through his scandalous dance moves and music that included various genres.

What societal change occurred in religion after the Holocaust?

Increased tolerance among Jews and Christians.

What was the primary role of women in the 1950s according to societal norms?

Women were expected to belong in the kitchen, leading to boredom and dissatisfaction.

What is 'The Feminine Mystique' and who wrote it?

A book by Betty Friedan addressing the dissatisfaction of women with home life.

What were the Reconstruction Amendments?

The 13th (outlawed slavery), 14th (equal protection), and 15th (voting rights) Amendments.

What was the Southern response to the Reconstruction Amendments?

Implementation of Jim Crow laws, poll taxes, literacy tests, and grandfather clauses.

What was the significance of Plessy v. Ferguson?

It was a court case that legalized segregation.

Who was Emmett Till and what happened to him?

A 14-year-old boy murdered by lynching, which highlighted racial violence in the South.

outcome of the Brown v. Board of Education case in 1954

The ruling declared segregation in public schools unconstitutional.

What was the role of the federal government in civil rights during the 1950s?

Pushing for desegregation and civil rights enforcement.

What event involved the Little Rock Nine?

Nine students were selected by the NAACP to integrate Central High School in Arkansas.

What was President Eisenhower's response to the situation at Little Rock?

He sent in federal troops to protect the students and enforce the Supreme Court's decision.

What initiated the Montgomery Bus Boycott?

Rosa Parks' arrest for refusing to move to the back of the bus.

What was the impact of the Montgomery Bus Boycott on public transportation?

It caused significant financial losses for the bus system, leading to policy reviews.

What major civil rights groups emerged during this period?

NAACP, SCLC, SNCC, among others.

How did the Little Rock Nine's integration attempt begin?

Arkansas Governor Orville Faubus used the National Guard to block Black students' entrance.

What was the 'problem with no name' described by Betty Friedan?

The dissatisfaction of women with their roles as housewives and mothers.