APUSH Key Terms: Civil Rights, Cold War, and 1970s Politics

Affirmative Action

A program designed to correct historic racial and gender imbalances in jobs and education, originating from LBJ's 1965 executive order.

School Bussing (1970s)

Policy of transporting students to schools outside their local districts to achieve racial integration.

California v. Bakke (1978)

Supreme Court case ruling that racial quotas were unconstitutional but race could still be considered in admissions.

Henry Kissinger

National Security Adviser and Secretary of State under Nixon and Ford.

Détente

Cold War policy of reduced tensions and arms negotiations between the U.S. and the USSR/China.

Yom Kippur War (1973)

Egyptian and Syrian surprise attack on Israel to reclaim territory lost in 1967.

OPEC

Oil‑producing cartel formed in 1960 by Middle Eastern states and Venezuela.

OPEC Oil Embargo (1973)

OPEC halted oil exports to nations supporting Israel during the Yom Kippur War.

Philadelphia Plan

Nixon‑era program requiring construction unions to hire more Black apprentices.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Federal agency created to enforce regulations protecting the environment.

Southern Strategy

Republican effort to appeal to white southern voters by slowing federal civil‑rights enforcement.

Rachel Carson

Environmentalist and author of Silent Spring.

Stagflation

1970s economic crisis combining high inflation, high unemployment, and stagnant growth.

Watergate

Scandal involving a break‑in at the DNC headquarters and Nixon's subsequent cover‑up.

Nixon Tapes (Smoking Gun Tape)

Recordings proving Nixon's involvement in obstructing the Watergate investigation.

Nixon v. U.S.

Supreme Court case requiring Nixon to release the Watergate tapes.

Gerald Ford

Vice president who became president after Nixon's resignation.

Phyllis Schlafly

Conservative activist who opposed the Equal Rights Amendment.

Jimmy Carter

Democratic president elected in 1976, emphasizing honesty and human rights.

New Right

Conservative movement emphasizing social issues, free‑market economics, and strong anti‑communism.

Milton Friedman

Influential free‑market economist advocating reduced government intervention.

Malaise Speech

Carter's 1979 address criticizing America's "crisis of confidence."

Camp David Accords

1978 peace agreement between Egypt and Israel mediated by Carter.

SALT II

Arms limitation treaty negotiated during détente to cap nuclear arsenals.

Iranian Hostage Crisis (1979-1981)

Iranian militants held 52 Americans hostage for 444 days.

Vietnamization

Nixon's plan to withdraw U.S. troops and shift combat responsibility to South Vietnam.

Nixon Doctrine

Policy stating that U.S. allies must fight their own wars with only U.S. aid, not troops.

Silent Majority

Nixon's term for Americans who supported the Vietnam War but were not vocal.

My Lai Massacre

1968 killing of Vietnamese civilians by U.S. troops, later exposed publicly.

Kent State University (1970)

Site where National Guard troops shot and killed four student protesters.

Pentagon Papers (1971)

Leaked secret Defense Department study revealing government deception in Vietnam.

War Powers Act (1973)

Law requiring presidents to obtain congressional approval before deploying troops long‑term.