APUSH - Unit 8

Cold War

1947 - 1991

Key event that dominated world politics for second half of 20th century.

- Competition between US and Soviet Union and allies.
"Cold" because never directly engaged in military activity against each other.

- Although many "proxy" wars fought among allies.

Note:

1) United States = Capitalism and democracy
2) Soviet Union = Socialism and one-party rule

Satelite States

Independent country that is heavily influenced or controlled by another (more powerful) nation.

- Nicknamed "Iron Curtains"

Containment (+ 3 examples)

By George F. Kennan

- Trying to prevent expansion of Soviet communism (containing/isolating communism)

Examples:

1) Truman Doctrine (1947)
- Giving financial aid to Turkey and Greece so they don't give into Soviets (under Soviet control)

2) Marshall Plan (1948)
- Massive economic program to help economies of Western Europe recover (+ strengthen democracy)

3) Berlin Airlift (1948-1949)
- Provision of supplies to people in West Berlin after Soviets surrounded the city.

Truman Doctrine

1947

Giving financial aid to Greece and Turkey to help them avoid falling under control of Soviets (giving into soviets)

Marshall Plan

1948

Big economic program to help economies of Western Europe recover (and strengthen democracy)

Berlin Airlift

1948-1949

Supplies given to people in West Berlin when surrounded by Soviets.

Cold War Most Significant Event

Divison of Europe into two security alliances

1) US allies = North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)

2) Soviet allies = Warsaw Pact

North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)

A group of US allies that protect the people and territory of its members.

Warsaw Pact

A military alliance involving Soviet allies.

Cold War in Asia (2)

1) Chinese Civil War
- Chinese Communist Party (mainland china) vs. Nationalists (Taiwan)

2) Korea
- North Korea = satellite state
- Invades South Korea in 1950 (Start of Korean War)
- US defends South Korea as part of "containment" policy.
- War ends in stalemate."

Brinkmanship

New strategy during 1950s (John Foster Dulles)

- Push the Soviets to "brink" of war (they will likely back down
- due to American's supremacy of military and technology)
- Called for more military spending.
- Controlled by Dwight D. Eisenhower
- Warns: too much military spending (""military-industrial complex"")"

Military-industrial complex

Warning by Dwight D. Eisenhower about the danger of spending too much on military.

Sputnik + US Response

Key turning point in 1957

Sputnik + US Response

- Soviets launch satellites into space
- winning the "space race"
- Proved the power of Soviet science and soviet's capabilities
- US responds with massive investment in Math and science
- Creation of NASA (National Aeronautical Space Administration)

National Aeronautical Space Administration (NASA)

Creation as a result of Sputnik
- Soviets winning space race.
- Massive investment in science and math.

Cold War in 1950s (2)

1) Brinkmanship
2) Sputnik

Cold War in 1960s (2) + Result (2)

1) Emergence of Cuba as a communist country allied with Soviets.

2) US (under JFK) tried to overthrow Fidel Castro in Bay of Pigs invasion (president)
---
1) Result: Failed
- Castro becomes closer to Soviets

2) Result: Cuban Missile Crisis

Fidel Castro

President in Cuba

- JFK tries to overthrow (scared of Cuba emerging as communist power)

Bay of Pigs

Invasion attempting to overthrow Fidel Castro

Cuban Missing Crisis

1962

- US strategy = blockade of island (Soviets agree to remove missiles in exchange for US to remove missiles from Turkey + not invade Cuba

Cold War in 1970s (3) + Result

Main theme = Détente (reduction of tension during Cold War)

- Examples:

a) Visit to China (1972)
b) SALT - Strategic Arms Limitations Talks

- Period of detente comes to an end with the invasion of Soviets in Afghanistan (1979)

- Result: increased tension + military build-up in 1980s.

Strategic Arms Limitations Talk (SALT)

- Détente effort
- Limits on number of antiballistic missiles.

Second Red Scare (+ 3 Results)

- Similar to Red Scare in WWI

- Second Red Scare occurred at end of WWI/Start of Cold War.

1) House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC)
- Committee in House of Representatives that investigated government officials (+ others) and connection to socialism and communism.

2) Rosenberg Case
- Julius and Ethel Rosenberg: found guilty of supplying the Soviets with atomic weapon secrets
- executed.

3) McCarthyism
- Joseph McCarthy = Republican senator
- Made countless accusations that politicians, business, leaders and educational institutions were communist.
- Often time lacked sufficient evidence.

House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC)

Committee in House of Representatives that investigated government officials + others.

Rosenberg Case

Julius and Ethel Rosenberg

- Found guilty of giving nuclear weapon secrets to Soviets
- Executed

McCarthyism

Joseph McCarthy

- Republican senator
- Made countless accusations of communism to politicians, business leaders, and educational institutions.
- Often lacked sufficient evidence.

Decolonization

The "undoing" of colonialism and imperialism

- Many of these countries were stuck in the middle of the Cold War between US and Soviet Union.

- Many of these countries were stuck in the middle of the Cold War between US and USSR

- Some joined sides

- Others remained non-aligned

- Also called "Third World" countries

Middle East Key Events (3)

1) Einsenhower Doctrine (1957)
2) Yom Kippur War (1973)
3) Iranian Hostage Crisis (1979-1981)

Einsenhower Doctrine

1957

- Pledge to provide economic and military aid to any to any Middle East country under POTENTIAL communist influence.

Yom Kippur War

1973

Surprise attack launched by Egypt and Syria against Israel

- US attempts to defend Israel, but Arab would respond with ban on oil to US.

- Lead to massive increase in oil prices and large-scale inflation in US for 1970s.

Iranian Hostage Crisis

1979-1981

US Embassy in Iran stormed and group of US diplomats and citizens are taken hostage
- Part of larger Iranian Revolution
- Ultimately released but not until 1981

Key events in Latin America (2)

1) JFK's Alliance For Progress
- US programs that encouraged land reform, democracy, and better economic planning in Latin America.

2) Emphasis on support for capitalism

Alliances For Progress

By JFK
- programs that would help Latin America by encouraging better land reform, democracy and economic planning.

Vietnam War (1954)

Divided Vietnam into North and South Vietnam

- North Vietnam = communism under Ho Chi Minh (Wanted to unit Vietnam under communist rule)

- South Vietnam = supported by US and other Western Countries

- Under concept of "domino theory" - US eventually begins to expand military presence

- Result: Widespread power given to US president to start wars despite US never declaring war

- Gulf of Tonkin Resolution

Domino Theory

If one country becomes communist, other countries would become communist as well due to influence.

Gulf of Tonkin Resolution

- Power given to US president (LBJ) to wage wars, even though US never declared war.

Tet Offensive (1968)

- Key moment in the war

- Surprise attack by Viet Cong (communist Guerillas in South Vietnam)

- Driven away by US, but at enormous cost

- LBJ looses a lot of popularity, and ultimately decides not to run for re-election

Nixon Vietnam Policy

1) Vietnamization
- Have the South Vietnamese take over the conflict but reduce the number of US troops
- Through help of US money, weapons and trainings,

2) Nixon invade Cambodia in 1970
- Led to protests, and death of student protestors (Kent State University)

3) Congress tried to limit the power of the president to conduct war by himself.
- Called War Powers Act (1973)

War Powers Act

Response to concerns about the US president being able to conduct war by himself without congress approval.

Economy under Truman (3)

- Several developments after WWII that would lead to large-scale economic growth

1) Demographics
- Baby boom: massive number of births following the war.
- Result: more workers for jobs
- More housing construction (lead to growth of suburbs)

2) Changing economic structure
- Growth of tertiary sector jobs
- Rise of Sun Belt + migration from Northeast/Midwest to South/West

3) Political policies
- E.g GI Bill (1944)
- Benefits for war veterans: paid college tuition, low-interest loans to buy homes.

GI Bill

1944

Package of benefits given to war veterans: such as paid college tuitions, low-interest loans to buy homes.

Economy under Eisenhower

Goal: balance the budget (after massive federal spending in 1930s and 1940s)

- Continued federal spending, but tried to be more disciplined
- One key program = Interstate Highway System

Economy under JFK and LBJ

JFK: "New Frontier"

- Focus on federal spending in education, healthcare, and other anti-poverty programs.

- Also called for increase in science and technology spending, including space exploration.

- LBJ: "Great Society"

Economy under Nixon

Tried to restrain power of federal government while still working on economic and social programs

- New Federalism

- Give money to states and have them create solutions.

- Nixon removed the US from the gold standard, increased supply of US dollars.

Economy under Ford and Carter

Biggest issue facing Ford + Carter = stagflation

- Both unemployment + inflation occurring at the same time

Both Ford & Carter were unsuccessful:
- Economic trouble for low and middle class after 2-3 decades of growth and relative prosperity.
- People start to question ability of US government to solve problems
- US starts to lose economic edge on world scale

Stagflation

During Ford + Carter

A lot of inflation and unemployment occurring at the same time.

Great Society

LBJ's programs designed to reduce poverty and its consequences in the US

1) Food Stamp Act (1964)
- Provided food coupons to low-income people to help them purchase food

2) Medicare (1965)
- National health insurance program for seniors over 65.

3) Medicaid (1965)
- National health insurance for low-income Americans

4) Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) (1965)
- Provides increased government funding to schools with low income students.

Food Stamp Act

1964

Providing low-income people with "food coupons" to purchase food.

Medicare

1965

Health insurance program for seniors above 65.

Medicaid

1965

National health insurance program for low-income Americans

Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)

1965

Increase government funding in schools with high percentage of low-income students.

Liberalism

Using government to solve economic and social problems.

- Containing the spread of communism overseas. Great Society marked the high point of American liberalism.

- Debates occurred over effectiveness of programs and large role of federal government. - Came to an end with the costly Vietnam War.

Great Society - Immigration + Results

Changes to immigration which had been low since 1920s

- Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965
Removed annual limits on immigration.

- Results:

- Large increase in immigration numbers, especially from Asia and Latin America

- Begins Fourth Wave of US Immigration.

Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965

- Removed annual limits on immigration from regions.

- Resulted: large immigration from Latin America + Asia

- Result: Fourth Wave of US Immigration.

Silent Spring

- Showed negative effects of industry on animals and plants.

Government Policies for Environment (4)

1960s-70s government took a number of steps to help environment

1) Creation of Environmental Protectional Agency (EPA) (1970)

2) Clean Air Act (1970)

3) Clean Water Act (1972)

4) Fuel efficiency standards

- Largely due to increase in oil prices throughout 1970s.

Liberalism (2nd defintion)

Political belief that highlights individual freedoms and equality under the law.

- Giving people the freedom to make choices about their lives and protecting their rights (freedom of speech, religion, right to vote, etc...)

Early Steps in Civil Rights Movement

- Following contribution of Americans in WWII + US being considered more democratic and free than Soviet Union, saw a number of racial progress.

- E.g: End of Segregation throughout the federal government.

- Desegregation of schools, non violent protests, leadership of MLK, etc...

Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (+ Opposition)

1954

Ruled that segregation in school was unequal, therefore:
- Violated 14th Amendment

- Overturned Plessy v. Ferguson (in context of education) (equal but separated)

- Chief Justice = Earl Warren

- Key lawyer arguing against segregation = Thurgood Marshall

Opposition to case emerged.

- E.g: Governor of Arkansas tried to prevent African Americans from entering public school in Little Rock

- Einsehower responds by sending federal troops.

- Only 2% of African American students actually attend integrated schools by 1960s.

Little Rock

School in Little Rock, Arkensas, where a group of African Americans were denied entry by a Governor.

- Einsenhower responds by sending federal troops.

Non Violent Protests (3)

"Key theme: Progress in overturning ""Jim Crow"" and segregation = slow

- Result: increase in protest movements, mainly non violent

1) Rosa Parks
- Montgomery Bus Boycott
- Refuses to give up seat

- Result: segregation on buses in Alabama ruled unconstitutional

2) Martin Luther King Jr.
- Church leader (minister) who became a vocal leader for civil rights.
- Founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC)

3) Creation of Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC)
- Main strategy = ""sit-ins"" to draw attention"

Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC)

Created by MLK

Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC)

Organization created which had youth-led nonviolent protests

- Including "sit-ins"

March on Washington

1963

"MLK delivers "I had a dream" speech"

Leadership of MLK - Key Results

1) Civil Rights Act of 1964
- Banned discrimination on the basis of race, religion, sex and national origin (later sexual orientation + gender identity)

2) 24th Amendment
- Abolished poll tax (paying to vote)

Civil Rights Act of 1964

Banned discrimination on the basis of race, religion, sex, national origin (and later gender identity + sexual orientation)

24th Amendment

- Removal of poll tax (paying to vote)

March to Montgomery + Result

1965

March to Montgomery to fight for voting rights.

- Met with resistance and violence from state troopers.
- Result: national attention + Voting Rights Act of 1965
- Prohibits racial discrimination in voting
- Including: banning literacy tests.
- Government can intervene if state isn't listening to guidelines.

Voting Rights Act of 1965

1) Banned racial discrimination in voting
- Literacy tests

2) Allowed for government to intervene if states are not following guidelines.

Split In Civil Rights

Some, especially young, saw African American progress as too slow.

Result: some switched from non-violence to aggressive.

- Malcom X
- Congress of Racial Equality (CORE)
- Black Panthers

Watts Riots

1965

Extreme civil rights movement Shows that many race riots took place in American cities in 1960s.

Second Wave Feminism

1960s, women began to reject "cult of domesticity"

- E.g The Feminine Mystique
- Challenged women to seek fullfilment outside the home.

- National Organization for Women (NOW)
- Pushed for equal rights for Women, especially in work place
- Also pushed for Equal Rights Amendment (ERA)
- Guarantee equal legal rights regardless of sex (did not pass)"

National Organization for Women (NOW)

Created by Betty Friedan

- Pushed for equal rights for women, especially in workplace.

- Also pushed for ERA (Equal Rights Amendment)

- Advocating for guaranteed equal rights regardless of gender (did not pass)

Equal Rights Amendment (ERA)

- Pushed for by NOW (National Organization for Women)
- Advocated for guaranteed equal rights, regardless of sex (did not pass).

Hispanic Americans - Civil Rights Movement Expands

Fourth Wave of US Immigration saw massive migration of Latin Americans.
- Eventually largest minority in US.

- A lot of latin Americans worked in agriculture, poor working conditions.

- Cesar Chaves + Dolores Huerta found the United Farm Workers union.

Native Indians - Civil Rights Movement Expands

Creation of American Indian Movement (AIM)

- Addressed systematic issues facing Native Americans (discrimination, poverty, housing)

- Lead to some legislative victories: Indian Self-Determination Act of 1975

- Gave Native Americans more controls and independence in areas including legal system, eduction and resource management.

American Indian Movement (AIM)

- Addressed systematic issues that American Indians faced (discrimination, poverty, housing)

- Passed Indian Self-Determination Act of 1975

- Gave Native Indians more control and independence in areas including legal system, education and resource management.

Indian Self-Determination Act of 1975

- Gave Native Americans more control on areas such as legal system, education, resource management.

Asian Americans - Civil Rights Movement Expands

- Key success = educational achievement

Gay and Lesbian Rights - Civil Rights Movement Expands

Through 1970s

- focus place on gay and lesbian rights

- End of ban of gay and lesbians for political office

- (Harvey Milk) first elected openly gay official

Harvey Milk

First elected openly gay government official

Individual Rights - Civil Rights Movement Expands (3)

1) Maap v. Ohio (1961)
- Evidence seized illegally can not be used in court

2) Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)
- Public attorneys who must be provided to those in court who cannot afford them.

3) Miranda v. Arizona (1966)
- Required police to inform Individuals of Fifth Amendment

Maap v. Ohio (1961)

No evidence collected/seized illegally can be used in court

Miranda v. Arizona (1966)

- Required police to inform invidiuals of their Fifth Amendment.

Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)

- Public attorneys must be provided to those in court who cannot afford them.

Culture in late 1940s and 1950s

- Key trends about American culture in late 1940s and 1950s = homogeneity and conformity.

- Middle-class life in suburbs

- Everyone in consumer culture

- Role for women is still largely cult of domesticity.

- Women remained in workforce following WWII

- However, baby booms + larger house in suburbs = traditional role for women

Youth Culture 1960s - Overview

Many began to oppose current social, political, economic and international relation trends.

- Especially after Vietnam War

- Advocated for expanded civil and political rights, a more inclusive economy and peace

- Known as the "New Left"

New Left

Opposed social, political, economic and international relation trends Instead advocated for civil and political rights, a more inclusive economy, and peace