Cold War and Civil Rights Lecture Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering the key people, policies, and events of the Cold War and the Civil Rights movement as described in the lecture notes.

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 (HUAC).

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.