Period 8: 1945-1980

Cold War (1947-1991)

A rivalry and tension between the United States and the Soviet Union but there was never direct fighting between the two powers, only indirect fighting. Some causes include the rise of dangerous nuclear weaponry and ideological difference between capitalism and communism.

Stalin’s Satellite States

After WWII, the allied powers agreed to allow free elections in Eastern European nations. However, after the deal was made, Stalin refused to permit these elections and kept those countries as ‘satellite states’. They were a strategic move on Stalin’s part as they could be used more or less as a buffer zone to protect the Soviet Union from attack.

Iron Curtain

A phrase by Churchill, who called the Soviet Union an ‘Iron Curtain’ because they were like an impenetrable wall separating themselves from the rest of the world.

Warsaw Pact

A response to NATO with the USSR and its satellite states.

Arms Race

The competition between the US and USSR to have the most advanced nuclear weaponry.

Space Race

A competition of sorts between the Soviet Union and the United States to have the best spaceflight technology.

Korean War (1950-1953)

A proxy war during the Cold War, in which communist North Korea supported by the USSR invaded capitalist South Korea supported by the US. By the end, the war was considered a tie as not much land was lost or gained by either side. For the US, this was considered a win as communism was contained.

Red Scare (1947-1950s)

A rise of accusations of communist infiltration in the government, Hollywood, etc.

Chicano Movement (1950s-1970s)

A movement among Mexican Americans who demanded an end to discrimination they faced. They had four main goals, which were rights for workers, land ownership, and political and educational equality.

Lavender Scare (1950s)

It was happening while the Second Red Scare was going on, where many believed gays and lesbians to be communists and they had infiltrated the government.

Vietnam War (1955-1975)

Another proxy war between the US and the USSR in which North Vietnam was supported by communist Soviet Union was against South Vietnam which was supported by the capitalist United States. The US backed out of the war slowly as the troops had no morale or interest, they were in unfamiliar territory, and the US public was strongly against the war in the first place.

Detente

Nixon’s Cold War policy that meant relaxing tensions between rival nations

Strategic Arms and Limitations Talks (SALT)

A treaty between the US and the USSR which limited the amount of nuclear weapons both nations had in 1979

Containment

Idea by which US stops the spread of communism elsewhere

Truman Doctrine

Essentially advocated containment by lending support to any country that was threatened by Soviet communism. Issued as a response to Soviet pressure on Turkey and Greece to accommodate Soviet goals

Marshall Plan

Developed by secretary of state George Marshall allocating $13 billion in financial aid for European countries to rebuild, with the idea that if a democratic capitalist nation helped them then they would want to follow

Berlin Blockade

Included Soviet blockade of canals, roads, railways, etc. into Berlin which was in Soviet territory but split into sectors of US, France, and England, but Stalin wanted to absorb Berlin into the Soviet occupation

Berlin Airlift

In response to the Berline Blockade, US organized planes to fly supplies into western Berlin since shooting them down would be an act of war

North American Treaty Organization (NATO)

military alliance formed to resist any aggressive actions of Soveit Union

Nuclear Proliferation

another key feature of the war that meant there was a fierce arms race between US and soveits, especially for atomic bombs and then hydrogen bombs

Taft-Hartley Act (1947)

passed in response to massive waves of Labor Union strikes across the nation. Made it more difficult for workers to strike and Union leaders had to pledge that they were not communists

Federal Employee Loyalty and Security Program (1947)

an executive order from Truman that made federal employees swear they were not communists, and made provisions for federal investigations into political affiliations of federal workers

Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC)

Committee in the House which began searching for communist influence everywhere in American society, most notably in Hollywood with the burgeoning film industry being feared

Hollywood Ten

10 prominent Hollywood directors in 1947 were singled out as communists and were summoned to testify in Congress. They refused to go and were held in contempt of Congress which earned them short prison sentences and were blacklisted

McCarthyism

Phenomenon started by Senator Joseph McCarthy, a communist hunter that claimed to know many communists that infiltrated the state department. People started to believe there were secret communists everywhere

Rosenburg Case (1949)

Soviets tested their first atomic bomb and Americans were convinced they must have stolen ideas from US. The Rosenburg couple was accused and both of them were executed by the chair for being in the communist party

GI Bill (1944)

Veterans get college paid for by the government and could take out low interest loans to buy homes and start businesses

Suburbs

possibility of them created with the massive amounts of automobiles and then cities constructing more roadways. Made the middle class want to live outside the cities and just commute to work

Levittown

One of the most significant moments of rapid suburbanization as a suburban community conceived and build by William Levitt in New York. Large tracts of land were bought where they built mass-produced, low cost homes. Critics claimed suburban living was too homogenizing, but it provided a low cost solution to the housing demand especially after the baby boom

Interstate Highway Act (1956)

created fast moving highways that gave people the ability to travel quickly from suburbs to urban areas, and other forms of migration. Massive economic effects since the Cold War and Arms Race meant tax dollars devoted to defense spending shifted to the Sunbelt states. Political impacts since it created the occasion for the shift of political power from northeast and midwest to the south and west

Sunbelt

States on the southern border that were a place of mass migration. The highway system made it easy for GI’s and their families to move, seeking opportunities in the defense industry

Mass Culture

Pressure to conform to mass culture somewhat caused by fear of McCarthyism and wanting to be seen as conformist. It spread through things like the television and advertising that made people consume the same type of goods

Television

by end of 1950s, almost all American hoes had one, which provided for the consumption of mass culture. Networks dominated by sports, sitcoms, etc. especially with suburban sitcoms becoming popular for their complete, ideal American family

Advertising

Industry grew as prosperity meant middle class had more money to spend. They appealed to more emotional needs like status, belonging, etc. but offered more than people could possibly afford

Credit Cards

Solution to advertising since people can now buy more than they can afford and pay it off over time

Rock ‘N Roll

music spread mass culture, specifically among young people

Beatniks

Group of poets who rebelled against the conformity of the age through their poetry. Example of Jack Kerouac’s book “On the Road” which was a series of stream consciousness type poems that rejected standard poetical meter for a free-form style, and promoted spontaneity and freedom in life. Also Catcher in the Rye by JD Salinger which had a cynical teenager main character who felt disconnected from societal norms of adults

Executive Order 9981

Issued by Truman which banned segregation in US armed forces, signed in 1948 but not enforced until 1850 with Korean War. Truman early supporter of Civil Rights but didn’t want to go so far he loses support of Southern members of Democratic party

Committee on Civil Rights

Committee established by Truman in 1946 that was tasked with examining the real conditions of civil rights in America. They also recommended the abolishment of poll taxes and encouragement of federal protection of lynching. Truman took care of many recommendations by the Committee through executive orders but also looked to Congress

24th Amendment

Abolished the poll tax in 1962

Brown v Board of Education (1954)

Dealt with racial segregation of schools where the court decided that separate educational facilities are inherently unequal, overturning Plessy v Furgeson and integrated schools

Southern Manifesto

Congressional representatives of southern states who were stalling on integrating schools wrote their arguments in this. Argued that SCOTUS had engaged in gross abuse of power in Brown Decision and to face such abuses they shut down schools instead of integrating them

Little Rock Nine

Students who tried to enter Little Rock Nine high school that was integrating and when met with force, Eisenhower had to send federal troops to protect them

Decolonization

Massive movement that was happening after WWII throughout the world, which America was jumping upon since they wanted to instill their ideas in the new nations, and their fragile state made them need help

Coup in Guatemala

Covert operation by CIA to overthrow the democratically elected president, Jacobo Arbenz after he was too socialist for America. After he tried to nationalize lands owned by the United Fruit Company, the coup installed a military dictatorship

Coup in Cuba

A successful overthrow was led by Fidel Castro as a communist. Eisenhower green lighted a plan to train a group to rise against Castro but only happened in 1961 a few months later when JFK was president

Bay of Pigs Invasion

Massive failure for US against Castro in 1961 and only worsened the extreme divides between and communism of Cuba, which became a massive issue in the Cuban Missile Crisis a few years later

Cuban Missile Crisis

In 1963 when US Intel agencies discovered Soveit style nuclear launch weapons stationed and stockpiled in Cuba. Made Americans extremely worried

Coup in Iran

CIA implemented plot to overthrow democratically elected Prime Minister in Iran in 1953 to restore power to Shah Mohammad Reza Pahalvi who had better connections with them in terms of oil agreements. The Prime Minister sought to nationalize their oil industry and thus take firmer control of it, so US felt they needed to do something

Vietnam decolonization

Finally decolonized after fighting off French, Japanese, then French again and divided into North and South regions until an election was held. North chose Ho Chi Minh as communist leader while South remained democratic. Under Eisenhower, lots of funds were given to South Vietnam in order to stabilize its economy and keep it democratic.

Domino Theory

Argued that if South Vietnam fell to communism it would be like a domino effect making it widespread

Eisenhower Military-Industrial Complex warning

Eisenhower warned against its proliferation as military and industry became more connected. He said to be careful of temptation to start making policy decisions, especially about military interventions, based on the material interests of those who produced the weaponry

Gulf of Tonkin Resolution

After North Vietnam fired on US battleship, LBJ used it for an excuse of military involvement in the region. He asked Congress to pass it which essentially gave him blank check to exercise whatever powers necessary to protect American interests. Not a declaration of war, but led to some military engagements and led to huge debate in America of if it was too much executive power by engaging in foreign policy of military action without Congressional approval

Credibility Gap

Formed by president lying about progress and condition of the Vietnam war yet they can see if for themselves televised

Tet Offensive

Broke Johnson’s ability to continue the escalation where a massive surprise attack by North Vietnamese inflicted heavy US casualties. US retaliated and caused more casualties, and in response Johnson’s staff and advisors told him no more escalation.

Vietnamization

Nixon proposed the idea that provided removal of American troops while still lending financial aid and munitions to carry out war for themselves, as a way of reducing US involvement without looking like we conceded defeat. He ended the war there.

The Great Society

Sought to abolish poverty by implementing series of programs to mirror state of limited welfare created by the New Deal, and also abolished immigration quotas. Was made more possible by the Democratic Congressional majority so he can accomplish more, like in FDR’s first term.

Office of Economic Opportunity

Implemented self-help programs like literacy instruction and vocational training to impoverished Americans. Not super effective because although the programs were grand in scale, cycles of poverty were stronger than thought and money being used on Vietnam war means less federal funding towards ending poverty

Medicare Program

Provided federally funded medical insurance for people over 65

Medicaid Program

Provided federally funded health insurance for those in poverty

Warren Court

Named after Chief Justice Earl Warren handing down some major decisions that expanded the application of liberalism from 1953 to 1969

Gideon v. Wainright (1963)

ruled if a person is impoverished, and cannot therefore afford an attorney in court, then the state must provide one

Griswold v. Connecticut (1965)

Ruled that laws which forbade the use of birth control were unconstitutional

Engel v. Vitale (1962)

Deemed school prayer unconstitutional as it violated the First Amendment’s provision for the separation of church and state

Baker v Carr (1962)

Decided states must redraw their legislative districts so that they more accurately uphold voting rights by representing changing populations

Montgomery Bus Boycott (1955-1956)

It began when Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on the bus to a white man. It was led by MLK, and many African Americans boycotted buses in Montgomery, Alabama. They carpooled and walked to work and other places instead. They refused to ride on the buses until they were desegregated.

Civil disobedience

means by which MLK thought was best to change the corrupt system, learned from Ghandi

Greensboro sit-ins

African-Americans would sit at a lunch counter in Greensboro, North Carolina and refuse to leave until they were served. This protest gained mass attention as it was being spread nation-wide through television.

Southern Christian Leadership Conference

Civil Rights association made by MLK and others who launched major campaigns of peaceful protests and boycotts

Bull Connor

Public Safety Commissioner who had no tolerance for civil rights peaceful protests and ordered that city police use high pressure water, dogs, etc. to disperse protests, even targeting children in the Children’s crusade too

March on Washington

In 1963 massive gathering where MLK gave famous “I Have a Dream” speech on Washington Square

Malcom X

led more violent part of movement which emphasized separatism and militarism

Black Panthers

Group formed to secure black rights by force if necessary, influenced by ideals like Malcom X’s

Civl Rights Act of 1964

Made discrimination on the basis of race, religion, or sex illegal

Civil Rights Act of 1965

Prohibited racial discrimination in the voting booth by outlawing literacy tests and poll taxes and authorized the government to oversee voting in counties which had historically low black voter turnouts

Loving v. Virginia (1967)

Made interracial marriage legal

The Feminine Mystique

published by Betty Friedan in 1963 and explored the boredom and imprisonment of the typical housewife. Sought to prove that women do want opportunity, but unable to express it in public without facing ridicule

National Organization for Women

Formed in 1966 with help of Betty Friedan with goal of securing equal opportunity and equal pay for women entering professional careers, using same tactics by members of Civil Rights Movement

Ms. Magazine

Created by activist Gloria Steinem and also had influence in feminist movement by offering a platform for diverse voices and groundbreaking journalism on women’s issues

Title XI

Of the educational amendments in 1972 that banned any discrimination on the basis of gender with respect to education. Had big impact on securing funding for women’s sports teams in HS and college

Equal Rights Amendment (ERA)

One of the greatest almost achievements of women’s rights movement since they knew laws could be overturned, so made a big push for adding amendment to prevent discrimination on the basis of sex. By the efforts of conservatives like Phyllis Schlafly, it fell short of number of votes needed to ratify

S.T.O.P. ERA

Led by Phyllis Schlafley since her and others thought it would take away certain privileges that women enjoyed like dependent wife benefits for social security, separate bathrooms and exemption from draft

Counterculture Movement

Less tense movement that sought to cast off scietalrestrain and overtuncultural norms with rebellious styels of clothes, sexual revolution, drug use etc.

Roe v. Wade (1973)

declared states could not prohibit women from having abortions in the first 2 trimesters based on the right to privacy in 14th amendment’s due process clause

United Farm Workers

as part of the Chicano Movement it was founded by Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta that protected the interests of migrant farm workers and stationed nationwide boycott of grapes to pressure farm owners to increase their pay

American Indian Movement

Started in 1968 with goal of reclaiming their heritage and tribal traditions lost to American agricultural practices, achieving self-determination, and addressing the systemic poverty shared by many Indian Americans

Occupation of Alcatraz Island

When the US declared Alcatraz as abandoned land, activists occupied the island because of an earlier treaty that said all abandoned lands would go back to Indians. In 1968, the activists occupied it and claimed it as their own for 19 months until the government made it too hard for them to live there

Self-Determination Act (1975)

Gave American Indians much greater control over their lands, education, and law enforcement

Stonewall Riots (1969)

Demonstrations that occurred after a police raid of a gay bar. This brought LGBTQ rights to a national stage and set the stage for the LGBTQ rights movement.

Young Americans For Freedom (YAF)

The more conservative college group that the Vietnam war made, with the goal of supporting involvement in Vietnam because it meant containment

Students for a Democratic Society (SDS)

College group on the left side of the debate and released their beliefs in the Port Huron Statement. They challenged the norm that every effort must be made to stop spread of communism

Port Huron Statement

Political manifesto by SDS that advocated participatory democracy and direct government action

Kent State Massacre (1970)

Students in Ohio college campus protesting about latest escalation in Vietnam at hands of Nixon. Protests lasted for several days and when some vandalism and looting occurred, the national guard was sent which caused violence ending in 4 students dead and more injured.

Haight-Ashbury District

hippies gathered into communal living based on counterculture in San Fransisco. Took part in tons of drug use like marijuana, LSD, etc. which was seen as crucial to the movement

Sexual Revolution

Became increasingly normal to have casual sex, which was a huge critique of generations before

Woodstock Music Festival

held in 1969 where almost 400,000 people gathered listening to the music of the cultural rebellion, taking drugs, etc.

Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)

Formed in order for the countries to better control prices of oil exported. In 1973 they dramatically reduced exports of oil to US and raised prices on the oil they did export, causing US to wonder about alternative energy if they could be hurt so much by lack of oil

Three-Mile Island

Hot topic of debate over nuclear energy since in PA in 1979, a nuclear reactor melted and was extremely hazardous in an area with a lot of people

Environmental Movement

put into further ideas as debates about nuclear energy were brought up

Silent Spring

Book by Rachel Carson in 1962 explaining how society was poisoning the earth with use of DDT Pesticides in modern agriculture and other reasons