History Unit 3 Study Guide - Key Terms and Concepts

Flashcards covering key terms and concepts from the history unit on the Cold War, Civil Rights Era, Vietnam War, Conservative Revival, and Contemporary America.

Iron Curtain Speech

Winston Churchill's 1946 address highlighting the division in Europe after WWII.

Truman Doctrine

The 1947 policy where the U.S. supports countries resisting communism, marking the start of containment.

Marshall Plan

U.S. initiative from 1948 providing economic aid to rebuild Western Europe and prevent communist influence.

Berlin Airlift

Operation in 1948-49 where the U.S. and allies airlifted supplies to West Berlin after the Soviet blockade.

NATO

North Atlantic Treaty Organization formed in 1949 as a military alliance among the U.S., Canada, and Western Europe.

Arms Race

The competition between the U.S. and USSR in developing nuclear weapons during the Atomic Age.

Duck and Cover Drills

Civil defense response drills to prepare the public for the threat of nuclear attacks.

Brown v. Board of Education

The 1954 Supreme Court ruling that outlawed segregation in public schools.

Civil Rights Act

The 1964 law that outlawed segregation and discrimination in public places and employment.

Voting Rights Act

The 1965 legislation that banned literacy tests and ensured federal oversight of voter registration.

Freedom Rides

Interracial bus rides in 1961 aimed at challenging segregation in the South.

Tet Offensive

The 1968 major military campaign by North Vietnam that was a psychological blow to U.S. morale.

Vietnamization

Nixon's policy to reduce U.S. troop involvement in Vietnam and increase South Vietnam's role.

Reaganomics

The economic policies promoted by Ronald Reagan, emphasizing tax cuts and deregulation.

Glasnost

A policy introduced by Gorbachev in the USSR promoting openness and transparency.

Perestroika

Gorbachev's reform policy aimed at restructuring the Soviet economy.

Great Recession

The economic downturn from 2007 to 2009 characterized by a housing crisis and bank collapses.

Affordable Care Act

Health care reform enacted during the Obama presidency aimed at expanding health insurance coverage.

Black Lives Matter

A social movement advocating for the rights and safety of Black individuals, gaining prominence in the 2010s.