In search of the American dream: the USA, c1917-96 - Glossary

Taken from My Revision Notes - In search of the American dream: the USA, c.1917-96 by Alan Farmer

14th Amendment

This declared that all persons born or naturalised in the United States were citizens of the USA. It asserted that no state could abridge the privileges and immunities of US citizens or deprive the person of life, liberty or property without due process or law, or deny any citizen the equal protection of the laws. Essentially, it guaranteed civil rights for all Americans.

15th Amendment

This states that the right to vote should not be denied on account of race, colour or previous condition of servitude.

Administration

This is the American term for government. Kennedy’s administration was Kennedy’s government team.

Affirmative action

Giving disadvantaged minorities extra opportunities (even if others were better qualified) in education and employment in order to compensate for previous unfair treatment.

American dream

Belief that the nature of US society enables an individual to fulfil his or her potential, especially through wealth.

Anarchist

A person whose ideal society is one without a government of any kind: extreme anarchists might support the use of terrorism to bring this about.

Arab-Israeli War

A war in the Middle East that began in 1973 when Egypt and Syria attacked Israel. Israel won.

Attorney general

Head of the Justice Department in the federal government.

Baby boom

Post-Second World War population boom following the servicemen’s return home.

Balance of trade deficit

When the value of the goods imported by a nation exceeds the value of the goods exported.

Black Panthers

A group of militant black activists who used revolutionary language, openly carried guns and distributed free meals to the ghetto poor.

Brain Trust

The name given to President Roosevelt’s unofficial advisers, many of whom were academics, lawyers and journalists.

Budget deficit

When a government’s spending exceeds its income.

Bussing

Supreme Court rulings on integrated education meant some white children were sent by bus to black schools and vice versa.

Cash and carry

In 1939 the USA agreed to sell arms to Britain provided Britain paid for the weapons in cash and transported them in British ships.

Chapters

Local branches of an association.

Checkers speech

This speech refers to Richard Nixon’s speech in 1952 when he used TV (successfully) to defend his reputation. In the speech he cleverly referred to his daughter’s dog, Checkers.