unit 5 vocab

Containment

US foreign policy strategy during the Cold War, aimed at preventing the expansion of communism.

Marshall Plan

A U.S. program that provided economic aid to Western Europe after World War II.

Truman Doctrine

Policy to aid Greece and Turkey after Great Britain could no longer support them.

Korean War

War over communism that resulted in a communist north and a non-communist south.

G.I. Bill

Provided educational, vocational training, and housing assistance to veterans who served between January 31, 1955, and July 1, 1967.

National Interstate and Defense Highways Act

Authorized the construction of 41,000 miles of interstate highways, the largest public works project in American history at that time.

Brown v. Board of Education

The Supreme Court ruled that state laws establishing racial segregation in public schools are unconstitutional.

Sputnik

The first artificial satellite to orbit Earth, significant in the space race and Cold War arms race.

Gulf of Tonkin Resolution

Authorized President Lyndon B. Johnson to repel armed attacks against US forces in Vietnam.

Great Society

A series of domestic programs enacted by President Lyndon B. Johnson aimed at eliminating poverty and reducing racial injustice.

1960 Kennedy/Nixon Debates

The first-ever televised presidential debates in U.S. history, marking a turning point in American politics.

Letter from a Birmingham Jail

A historic open letter by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., significant to the Civil Rights Movement.

I Have a Dream Speech

Delivered by Martin Luther King Jr. during the 1963 March on Washington, advocating for civil rights.

Tet Offensive

Major turning point in the Vietnam War, initiated by North Vietnamese Army and Viet Cong against South Vietnam and U.S. forces.

1968 Presidential Election

A turbulent election reflecting divisions over the Vietnam War, civil rights, and social unrest.

War Powers Act

Passed in 1973 to limit the president’s power to commit military forces without Congressional approval.

Camp David Accords

Peace agreement between Egypt and Israel, brokered by U.S. President Jimmy Carter in 1978.

1979 Iranian Revolution

Political upheaval leading to the overthrow of the U.S.-backed monarch in Iran.

Iranian Hostage Crisis

444-day diplomatic standoff triggered by the storming of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran by Iranian militants.

Environmental Protection Agency

A federal agency established to protect human health and the environment by enforcing regulations.

National Organization for Women

The largest feminist organization in the U.S., advocating for women’s rights and gender equality, founded in 1966.

Watergate Scandal

Major political scandal that led to Richard Nixon's resignation and the downfall of top government officials.

Reaganomics

Economic policies implemented by President Ronald Reagan during his time in office from 1981 to 1989.

2008 Presidential Election

Historic election where Barack Obama became the first African American elected to the presidency.