Unit 8 1945-1980

First Red Scare (1919-1920)\n\n

A period of intense fear and paranoia about communism and radicalism in the United States following World War I.\n\n

Palmer Raids (1919-1920)\n\n

Series of raids led by General A. Mitchell Palmer to arrest and deport suspected radicals and anarchists during the First Red Scare.\n\n

Cotto Act of 1921\n\n

Legislation that severely restricted immigration to the United States, targeting new immigrants from countries with communism.\n\n

Roaring Twenties (1920-1929)\n\n

A period of economic prosperity and cultural change in the 1920s characterized by consumerism, technological advancements, and social change.\n\n

KKK Expansion in the 1920s\n\n

The Ku Klux Klan increased its membership and influence, spreading beyond the South to target not only Blacks but also immigrants and Catholics.\n\n

Sacco and Vanzetti Case (1920-1927)\n\n

A controversial murder trial of two Italian immigrants, Sacco and Vanzetti, viewed as victims of anti-immigrant sentiment, which ended in their execution.\n\n

Prohibition (1920-1933)\n\n

The legal prevention of the sale and consumption of alcohol in the United States, established by the 18th Amendment.\n\n

Harlem Renaissance (1920s)\n\n

A cultural, social, and artistic movement that took place in Harlem, New York, during the 1920s, celebrating African American culture.\n\n

Scopes Monkey Trial (1925)\n\n

A 1925 legal case that challenged the teaching of evolution in schools, representing the conflict between modern and traditional values.\n\n

The New Deal (1933)\n\n

A series of programs and policies implemented by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in response to the Great Depression aimed at economic recovery and social reform.\n\n

Keynesian Economics (1930s)\n\n

Economic theory advocating for increased government spending to stimulate economic growth, particularly during downturns.\n\n

Fireside Chats (1933-1944)\n\n

Informal radio addresses by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to communicate directly with the American public about policies and issues.\n\n

Social Security Act (1935)\n\n

A 1935 law that created a system of old-age benefits and assistance for the unemployed, disabled, and dependent children.\n\n

Court Packing Controversy (1937)\n\n

Franklin D. Roosevelt's unsuccessful proposal to expand the Supreme Court by adding more justices to sway its decisions in favor of New Deal policies.\n\n

Total War (1939-1945)\n\n

A military conflict that involves not just the military but also the civilian population and economy of the nations involved.\n\n

Japanese American Internment (1942-1945)\n\n

The forced relocation and incarceration of Japanese Americans in camps during World War II, justified by national security concerns.\n\n

Island Hopping (1943-1945)\n\n

A military strategy used by the Allies in the Pacific Theater during World War II to capture specific islands, bypassing others.\n\n

Manhattan Project (1942-1945)\n\n

A secret U.S. government research project during World War II that produced the first nuclear weapons.\n\n

Rise of Anti-Communism

The period marked by the First Red Scare (1919-1920) and Palmer Raids reflects a growing trend of fear and paranoia towards communism and radical ideologies, leading to restrictive immigration policies and increased domestic security measures.

Social Change and Cultural Movements

The 1920s showcased a trend of cultural blossoming and social change, particularly through the Roaring Twenties and the Harlem Renaissance, emphasizing African American cultural identity and expression.

Economic Prosperity and Its Downfall

The shift from the economic boom of the Roaring Twenties to the Great Depression highlights a trend where initial prosperity was followed by significant economic hardship, resulting in the New Deal as a recovery response.

Government Intervention in the Economy

The adoption of Keynesian Economics and the implementation of the New Deal indicate a trend towards increased government involvement in economic recovery efforts during downturns.

National Security vs. Civil Liberties

Events like the Japanese American internment (1942-1945) demonstrate a recurring trend of prioritizing national security over civil liberties, especially during periods of societal conflict.

Technological Advancements

The Manhattan Project exemplifies a trend of rapid technological development during wartime, particularly focused on military and scientific advancements.

A. Mitchell Palmer\n\n

U.S. Attorney General known for leading the Palmer Raids during the First Red Scare, targeting suspected radicals and anarchists.\n\n

Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti\n\n

Italian immigrants whose controversial murder trial during the 1920s highlighted anti-immigrant sentiment, ultimately leading to their execution.\n\n

Franklin D. Roosevelt\n\n

President of the United States during the Great Depression; known for implementing the New Deal and delivering Fireside Chats to communicate with the American public.\n\n

Louis Armstrong\n\n

A prominent figure in the Harlem Renaissance, known for his significant contributions to jazz music and African American culture in the 1920s.\n\n

Duke Ellington\n\n

Influential composer and bandleader during the Harlem Renaissance, celebrated for his contributions to jazz and American music.\n\n

Langston Hughes\n\n

A key figure in the Harlem Renaissance, renowned for his poetry and advocacy for African American cultural identity and rights.\n\n

J. Edgar Hoover\n\n

The first Director of the FBI, instrumental in anti-communism efforts during the Red Scare and the establishment of domestic security measures.\n\n

The New Deal\n\n

A series of programs and policies implemented by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in response to the Great Depression aimed at economic recovery and social reform.\n\n

Emergency Banking Act (1933)\n\n

Legislation that allowed the government to stabilize the banking system by reopening solvent banks and providing federal loans to banks in distress.\n\n

Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC)\n\n

A public work relief program that employed young men to work on environmental conservation projects, such as planting trees and building parks, providing jobs and promoting environmental stewardship.\n\n

Agricultural Adjustment Act (AAA)\n\n

A law that aimed to boost agricultural prices by decreasing surpluses, it paid farmers to cut production of certain crops as a means to raise prices.\n\n

Public Works Administration (PWA)\n\n

A program that aimed to stimulate the economy by creating jobs in construction projects, such as schools, roads, and bridges, thereby improving public infrastructure.\n\n

Social Security Act (1935)\n\n

A landmark law that established a system of old-age benefits, unemployment insurance, and aid for dependent children and the disabled, laying the foundation for the modern welfare state.\n\n

National Labor Relations Act (Wagner Act) (1935)\n\n

Legislation that protected workers' rights to organize unions and engage in collective bargaining, significantly impacting labor relations and strengthening labor movements.\n\n

Works Progress Administration (WPA)\n\n

A major New Deal agency that employed millions of people to carry out public works projects, including the construction of public buildings and roads, as well as artistic initiatives.\n\n

Fair Labor Standards Act (1938)\n\n

A law that established minimum wage, overtime pay eligibility, and youth employment standards, contributing to improved working conditions and fair labor standards.\n\n

Criticism and Opposition to the New Deal\n\n

The New Deal faced criticism from both the left, for not going far enough, and the right, for expanding government power; figures such as Huey Long and Father Charles Coughlin were vocal critics.\n\n

Legacy of the New Deal\n\n

The New Deal had a lasting impact on American government and society, establishing a precedent for Federal involvement in the economy and laying the groundwork for future social welfare programs.\n\n

The Great Society\n\n

A series of programs and policies launched by President Lyndon B. Johnson in the 1960s aimed at eliminating poverty and racial injustice while promoting social welfare and civil rights.\n\n

Medicare and Medicaid (1965)\n\n

Healthcare programs established under the Great Society, providing health coverage for the elderly (Medicare) and assistance for low-income individuals and families (Medicaid).\n\n

Civil Rights Act of 1964\n\n

Legislation that aimed to end segregation in public places and ban employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin, and was a significant component of the Great Society initiative.\n\n

Voting Rights Act of 1965\n\n

A landmark piece of federal legislation aimed at prohibiting racial discrimination in voting, enhancing voting rights for African Americans and ensuring fair access to the electoral process.\n\n

Economic Opportunity Act (1964)\n\n

The law that established various programs aimed at fighting poverty, including Job Corps, Head Start, and community action programs, central to the Great Society framework.\n\n

Education initiatives\n\n

Programs created under the Great Society aimed at improving education, including the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, which increased federal funding for education and aimed to close the educational gap.\n\n

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (1970)\n\n

An agency established to protect human health and the environment by enforcing regulations, formed as part of the environmental initiatives stemming from the Great Society and subsequent environmental movements.\n\n

Lyndon B. Johnson\n\n

The 36th President of the United States who championed the Great Society programs in an effort to eliminate poverty and racial injustice, expanding the federal government's role in social welfare.\n\n