APUSH unit 7

Berlin Blockade / Airlift

The Soviet blockade of West Berlin during 1948-49 that led to the U.S. airlift, marking the first Cold War crisis.

Containment

A U.S. Cold War policy developed in 1947 to stop the spread of communism, influencing decades of foreign policy.

Marshall Plan

A 1948 U.S. aid program aimed at rebuilding Western Europe to prevent communism, which increased Cold War tensions.

Truman Doctrine

The 1947 policy pledging support for nations resisting communism, setting the stage for active U.S. involvement in the Cold War.

Yalta Conference

1945 meeting where Allied leaders decided the postwar future of Europe, highlighting U.S.-Soviet tensions.

Korean War / 38th Parallel

The 1950-53 conflict where the U.S. intervened against communist North Korea, resulting in a stalemate along the 38th parallel.

NATO

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization, formed in 1949 as a military alliance to counter the USSR during the Cold War.

United Nations

Global organization formed in 1945 for peacekeeping, which became a platform for U.S.-Soviet rivalry.

Mao Zedong

Leader of the Chinese Communist Revolution who came to power in 1949, heightening U.S. Cold War fears.

Duck and Cover

Civil defense drills in U.S. schools during the Cold War, aimed at managing public anxiety over nuclear threats.

HUAC

House Un-American Activities Committee, which investigated suspected communists and fueled Cold War paranoia.

McCarthyism

Aggressive anti-communism led by Senator McCarthy, contributing to national fear and paranoia during the 1950s.

Truman Loyalty Program

1947 initiative investigating federal employees for disloyalty, reflecting fears of internal communist threats.

G.I. Bill

A 1944 law providing benefits to WWII veterans, aiding economic growth and expanding the middle class.

Taft-Hartley Act

1947 law limiting labor unions; showcased postwar backlash against organized labor.

The Fair Deal

Truman’s domestic program aiming to expand the New Deal, facing resistance over government intervention.

Baby Boom

Post-WWII population surge shaping 1950s culture, influenced by changing family values.

Chuck Berry

Pioneer of rock ‘n’ roll, representing youth rebellion and the integration of racial identities in music.

Federal Highway Act of 1956

Legislation establishing the interstate highway system, influencing car culture and postwar mobility.

Jack Kerouac

Author associated with the Beat Generation, critiquing 1950s conformity and consumerism.

Levittown

Mass-produced suburban development symbolizing postwar growth and racial segregation.

Rebel Without a Cause

1955 film depicting teenage disillusionment and the emergence of youth culture.

AFL-CIO

Merged labor unions in 1955, representing postwar labor strength but also compromise with businesses.

Father Knows Best

1950s TV show idealizing the nuclear family and reinforcing traditional gender roles.

Jackson Pollock

Abstract expressionist painter known for innovative art forms reflecting postwar American creativity.

The Other America

1962 book by Michael Harrington highlighting poverty amid affluence, influencing anti-poverty programs.

Salk Vaccine

1955 vaccine that prevented polio, reflecting trust in science and public health.

Massive Retaliation

Eisenhower's Cold War policy threatening nuclear responses to Soviet aggression.

Brinksmanship

Cold War strategy of escalating tensions to the verge of conflict, viewed as risky.

John Foster Dulles

Eisenhower’s Secretary of State advocating for anti-communism and brinkmanship in foreign policy.

Suez Canal Crisis

1956 conflict revealing limits of British and French power, marking U.S. leadership in the Cold War.

U2 Crisis

1960 incident involving a U.S. spy plane shot down over the USSR, affecting diplomatic relations.

Brown v. Board of Education

1954 Supreme Court decision that ruled legal school segregation was unconstitutional.

Little Rock Nine

1957 desegregation crisis in Arkansas involving federal troops protecting Black students.

Sputnik

1957 Soviet satellite launch that increased U.S. fears of falling behind in science and technology.

Apollo Program

NASA's project to land a man on the Moon, showcasing U.S. achievements in the space race.

Army-McCarthy Hearings

Televised hearings in 1954 exposing Senator McCarthy's unfounded accusations, leading to his decline.

Jackie Robinson

First Black player in Major League Baseball, breaking the color barrier and inspiring civil rights efforts.

Montgomery Bus Boycott

1955 civil rights protest sparked by Rosa Parks' arrest, leading to sustained efforts against segregation.

Civil Rights Act of 1964

Legislation prohibiting segregation and protecting voting rights, a milestone in the civil rights movement.

March on Washington

The 1963 rally where MLK delivered his