American History: Red Scare and Civil Rights

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to the Red Scare, Civil Rights Movement, and key figures and events in American history.

Red Scare

A period of intense fear of communism in the United States, particularly after World War II.

Containment

The U.S. policy aimed at preventing the spread of communism globally.

HUAC (House Un-American Activities Committee)

A committee established to investigate alleged communist activities within the U.S. government and other sectors.

Loyalty Programme

Program initiated by Truman that allowed the FBI to investigate federal employees for ties to communism.

McCarthyism

The practice of making accusations of subversion or treason without proper regard for evidence, named after Senator Joseph McCarthy.

Alger Hiss

A former U.S. government official accused of espionage for the Soviet Union.

Sacco and Vanzetti

Italian immigrants charged with robbery and murder, their trial was controversial due to doubts about the evidence against them.

KKK (Ku Klux Klan)

A white supremacist hate group that terrorized African-Americans and other minority groups in the U.S.

Civil Rights Movement

A movement aimed at ending racial discrimination and gaining equal rights for African-Americans.

Brown v. Board of Education

A landmark 1954 Supreme Court case that declared racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional.

Montgomery Bus Boycott

A civil rights protest against racial segregation on public buses in Montgomery, Alabama, sparked by Rosa Parks' arrest.

Malcolm X

An African-American leader who advocated for black empowerment and was a prominent figure in the civil rights movement.

Great Society

A set of domestic programs launched by President Lyndon B. Johnson aimed at eliminating poverty and racial injustice.

New Frontier

A program initiated by President John F. Kennedy that aimed to address domestic issues and promote civil rights.

Freedom Riders

Civil rights activists who challenged segregation on interstate bus routes in the southern United States.

Civil Rights Act of 1964

Landmark legislation that outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

Voting Rights Act of 1965

Legislation that aimed to eliminate barriers to voting for African-Americans.