U.S. History Modern Era Flashcards

Vocabulary terms and definitions covering U.S. political history, civil rights, and modern conflicts from the Post-WWII era to the early 21st century.

Marshall Plan

The U.S. program that gave economic aid to Western Europe after WWII to stop the spread of communism.

Berlin Airlift

U.S. and British operation flying supplies into West Berlin after the Soviet blockade.

NATO

A military alliance where members agreed that an attack on one is an attack on all.

Brinkmanship

Cold War strategy of pushing conflicts to the edge of war to force the opponent to back down.

Containment in Korean War

U.S. policy to stop the spread of communism by defending South Korea.

HUAC

House Un-American Activities Committee that investigated suspected communists.

Richard Nixon

A prominent early member of the House Un-American Activities Committee.

Sputnik’s impact on education

Increased U.S. funding for math, science, and technology education.

Baby boom

Large increase in births after WWII that expanded suburbs, schools, and consumer spending.

Television in the 1950s

Became the main source of entertainment and shaped culture and advertising.

Rock ’n’ roll

New music style that influenced youth culture and challenged traditional norms.

Brown v. Board of Education

Supreme Court ruling that segregated schools were unconstitutional.

Montgomery Bus Boycott

Year-long protest that ended bus segregation in Montgomery, Alabama.

Orval Faubus

Arkansas governor who opposed school integration and blocked the Little Rock Nine.

Eisenhower and Little Rock

He sent the Army to enforce desegregation and protect the Little Rock Nine.

Berlin Wall significance

Symbol of Cold War division between communism and democracy.

Cuban Missile Crisis

$1962$ standoff over Soviet missiles in Cuba that nearly caused nuclear war.

Flexible response

Kennedy’s policy of using multiple military options, not just nuclear weapons.

“I Have a Dream” significance

MLK’s speech calling for racial equality and inspiring the civil rights movement.

Black Panthers’ methods

Supported self-defense and community programs; more militant than nonviolent groups.

United Farm Workers (UFW)

Founded by Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta.

Chicano Mural Movement

Mexican-American mural art movement in the Southwest celebrating culture and civil rights.

Voting Rights Act of 1965

Ended literacy tests and protected minority voting rights.

Thurgood Marshall

First African American Supreme Court Justice; lawyer in Brown v. Board.

Shirley Chisholm

First Black woman elected to Congress; advocate for women and minorities.

George Wallace

Pro-segregation governor who resisted civil rights.

Tinker v. Des Moines

Ruled that students have free speech rights in school if not disruptive.

The Feminine Mystique

Betty Friedan’s book that sparked the modern women’s movement.

Title IX

Law requiring equal educational opportunities for women, especially in sports.

AIM at Wounded Knee

American Indian Movement; demanded tribal rights and government accountability.

Great Society goal

Johnson’s plan to end poverty and racial injustice.

MLK assassination (1968)

Led to national grief and riots; major setback for civil rights.

Robert Kennedy assassination (1968)

Shocked the nation and changed the presidential election.

1968 Democratic Convention

Violent protests over Vietnam that showed national division.

Domino theory

Belief that if one nation fell to communism, others would follow.

Gulf of Tonkin Resolution

Gave the president broad power to use military force in Vietnam.

Tet Offensive

Major Viet Cong attack that turned U.S. public opinion against the war.

Anti-war protest effects

Increased pressure to end U.S. involvement in Vietnam.

Credibility gap

Public distrust of government statements, especially about Vietnam.

Silent Majority

Nixon’s appeal to Americans who supported traditional values and disliked protests.

26th Amendment

Lowered the voting age to $18$.

Apollo 11 landing

July $20$, $1969$.

Vietnamization

Nixon’s plan to withdraw U.S. troops and train South Vietnamese forces.

Détente

Policy of easing tensions with the Soviet Union.

Relations with China

Nixon opened diplomatic relations with China.

War Powers Act

Limited the president’s ability to send troops without congressional approval.

Watergate

Nixon scandal involving a break-in and cover-up; led to his resignation.

15th Amendment

Gave Black men the right to vote.

19th Amendment

Gave women the right to vote.

23rd Amendment

Gave Washington, D.C. electoral votes.

24th Amendment

Ended poll taxes.

Camp David Accords

Peace agreement between Israel and Egypt negotiated by Carter.

OPEC oil embargo

Caused fuel shortages, high prices, and increased energy conservation.

Iran Hostage Crisis

$52$ Americans held hostage in Iran for $444$ days.

Reagan deregulation

Reduced business regulations to encourage economic growth.

Sandra Day O’Connor

First woman on the U.S. Supreme Court.

U.S. Marines in Lebanon

$1983$ bombing killed $241$ Marines during a peacekeeping mission.

Iran-Contra Affair

Secret arms sales to Iran used to fund Contra rebels in Nicaragua.

Americans with Disabilities Act

Law requiring equal access and accommodations for people with disabilities.

Causes of Persian Gulf War

Iraq invaded Kuwait; U.S. intervened to protect oil and restore Kuwait.

Political scandals

Watergate, Iran-Contra, and Whitewater all involved government investigations.

Right limited in wartime

Freedom of speech.

World War II dates

$1939-1945$ (U.S. $1941-45$).

Korean War dates

$1950-1953$.

Vietnam War dates

$1955-1975$ (U.S. major involvement $1964-73$).

Operation Desert Storm dates

$1991$.

Effect of third parties

They influence elections by taking votes from major candidates.

Globalization

Increasing worldwide economic and cultural connections.

Recount (2000 election)

Florida votes were so close they required recounting.

Bush v. Gore

Supreme Court case that stopped the recount, giving Bush the presidency.

Patriot Act

Expanded government surveillance powers after $9/11$.

Department of Homeland Security

New agency created to coordinate national security.

War on Terror

U.S. military campaign targeting global terrorism.

2008 election significance

Barack Obama became the first African American president.

Hillary Clinton role

Secretary of State during Obama’s first term.

Sonia Sotomayor

First Latina Supreme Court Justice.