U.S. History Honors - Final Exam Review

What was HUAC and what did it have to do with the Hollywood Ten and Blacklisting?

investigated alleged communist influence. The Hollywood Ten were blacklisted for refusing to testify, leading to widespread industry blacklisting.

Describe the spy cases of the Rosenbergs and Alger Hiss

Executed for espionage; Alger Hiss was convicted of perjury in a separate spy case.

Senator Joseph McCarthy / McCarthyism

Refers to making unsubstantiated accusations of communism, named after Senator McCarthy who led such efforts

Demobilization

The transition from wartime to peacetime economy, including disbanding military forces.

What was the G.I Bill? List its results

Provided education, housing, and employment benefits to WWII veterans, contributing to economic growth and suburban expansion.

Describe the impact that William J. Levitt had on the growth of the suburbs?

Levitt mass-produced affordable homes, leading to the creation of suburbs like Levittown

How did the Interstate Highway Act change the American landscape?

It built a national highway system, boosted the auto industry, and promoted suburban sprawl.

What are some reasons why consumer spending skyrocketed in the postwar era?

Wartime savings, mass production, credit availability, and advertising spurred consumerism.

What was the baby boom? Explain how & why it happened

Postwar economic stability and optimism led to a spike in birth rates from 1946–1964.

What is a nuclear family? How did television reflect/reinforce the ideal of it in the postwar period?

Family includes two parents and children TV promoted this ideal as the social norm.

In what ways did family life revolve around children during the 1950s?

Families prioritized children’s education, health, and entertainment, symbolizing prosperity.

Describe how the life of an American teenager in the 50s was different than previous generations

Teens had more freedom, disposable income, and cultural influence, symbolized by new music and fashion.

Describe the impact of rock & rock music

It influenced youth identity, challenged norms, and bridged racial divides in music.

Why did intellectuals and artists criticize American culture during the 1950s?

They saw it as overly conformist, materialistic, and lacking in individuality.

How did the loss of the middle class hurt cities politically and economically

It reduced tax revenue, increased segregation, and weakened political influence in urban areas.

How did earlier black leaders such as Booker T. Washington, W.E.B DuBois, and Marcus Garvey influence the civil rights, black power, and black separatist movements of the 1950s and 1960s

Washington emphasized education and self-reliance; DuBois pushed for political activism; Garvey promoted black pride and separatism. These ideas shaped civil rights and black power movements.

Identify the immediate precursors to the civil rights movement

Precursor events include WWII military service by Black soldiers, the desegregation of the armed forces (1948), and early NAACP legal victories.

Describe the efforts of Presidents Eisenhower, Kennedy, and Johnson regarding civil rights

Eisenhower enforced school integration; Kennedy supported civil rights legislation; Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act (1964) and Voting Rights Act (1965).

Explain the difference between de facto and de jure segregation with examples

De jure is legal segregation (e.g., Jim Crow laws); de facto is social segregation (e.g., housing patterns).

Compare and contrast Plessy v. Ferguson and Brown v. Board of Education

Plessy upheld 'separate but equal'; Brown overturned it, declaring school segregation unconstitutional.

Describe similarities between Gandhi and Dr. King’s philosophies

Both used nonviolent resistance and civil disobedience to confront injustice and promote civil rights.

Identify the purpose and result of the Montgomery Bus Boycott (Dec. 1955)

Protested Rosa Parks’ arrest; led to the Supreme Court ruling that bus segregation was unconstitutional.

Identify the purpose and result of the Little Rock Nine integration (Sept. 1957)

Nine Black students integrated Central High School under federal protection after resistance.

Identify the purpose and result of the Woolworth sit-ins (Feb. 1960)

Protested segregated lunch counters; led to widespread sit-in movements and desegregation of facilities.

Identify the purpose and result of the Freedom Rides (May 1961)

Tested desegregation of interstate travel; met with violence but prompted federal enforcement.

Identify the purpose and result of the Birmingham Campaign (1963)

Aimed to desegregate Birmingham; televised violence drew national attention and support for civil rights.

Identify the purpose and result of the March on Washington (Aug. 1963)

Civil rights rally where MLK gave 'I Have a Dream'; helped pass Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Identify the purpose and result of the Selma March (March 1965)

Demanded voting rights; violence led to Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Describe the impact television had on the civil rights movement

TV coverage of protests and violence swayed public opinion and pressured political action.

Identify key pieces of civil rights legislation

Civil Rights Act (1964), Voting Rights Act (1965), Fair Housing Act (1968).

Explain how civil rights were advanced by congressional legislation, executive authority, and Supreme Court rulings

Congress passed laws; presidents enforced them; courts struck down segregation.

What is Affirmative Action? Describe arguments for and against it

Policies that promote minority representation. Supporters say it ensures equality; critics call it reverse discrimination.

Compare and contrast the civil rights and black power movements

Civil rights promoted integration and nonviolence (e.g., MLK); black power focused on racial pride and self-defense (e.g., Malcolm X, Black Panthers)

Why are words like 'stormy' and 'tumultuous' used to describe 1960s America?

The decade saw civil rights struggles, the Vietnam War, assassinations, and cultural upheaval.

List the candidates, major issues, and results of the 1960, 1964, and 1968 elections. What is the significance of each?

1960: Kennedy vs. Nixon (TV debates, close race, Kennedy won); 1964: Johnson vs. Goldwater (liberal vs. conservative, landslide for Johnson); 1968: Nixon won amid Vietnam and social unrest.

Mandate

A strong public endorsement of a president's policies following an electoral victory.

Identify: Bay of Pigs Invasion

Failed 1961 CIA-led attempt to overthrow Castro in Cuba; embarrassed Kennedy.

The Cuban Missile Crisis: Who? What? Where? When? Results?

1962 standoff between U.S. and USSR over missiles in Cuba; ended with Soviet withdrawal and U.S. promise not to invade Cuba.

Describe the impact of the Cold War on the U.S. space program

Competition with the USSR led to increased funding, culminating in the moon landing (1969).

List the basic conclusions of the Warren Report

Found that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone in assassinating JFK.

Identify the signature programs of the Great Society and evaluate its goals and outcomes

Programs included Medicare, Medicaid, education aid, and civil rights laws; aimed to reduce poverty and inequality.

Explain commonalities among members of the counterculture

Youth rejected mainstream values, embraced peace, love, communal living, and psychedelic music and drugs.

Compare and contrast historically significant rulings of the Warren Court and describe its impact

The Warren Court expanded rights of the accused and civil liberties, reshaping U.S. law and politics.

Explain the expansion of rights for people with disabilities from the 1960s to today

Legislation like the Rehabilitation Act and ADA improved access, education, and job protections.

Describe the feminist movement of the 1960s and its roots in the Seneca Falls Conference

Revived push for equality in work, education, and law; inspired by early women's rights efforts.

Compare and contrast Betty Friedan and Phyllis Schlafly’s views on the role of women

Friedan advocated equality and fulfillment; Schlafly promoted traditional roles and opposed the ERA.

Describe the impact of the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965

Ended quota system, allowing more diverse immigration, especially from Asia and Latin America.

What were the causes and effects of U.S. involvement in Vietnam?

Causes: Containment, domino theory, support for South Vietnam.

Effects: Deepened U.S. divisions, loss of life, distrust in government, War Powers Act.

Domino Theory

The belief that if one country fell to communism, nearby countries would follow.

Identify the Gulf of Tonkin incident and Gulf of Tonkin Resolution

1964 incident that led Congress to give President Johnson broad powers to escalate U.S. military involvement.

Compare and contrast U.S. and Viet Cong military tactics

U.S.: Advanced weapons, bombing campaigns.

Viet Cong: Guerrilla warfare, local knowledge, tunnel systems.

Why was the Tet Offensive considered a turning point?

It showed the war wasn’t near victory and shocked the American public, lowering support.

Why was 1968 a “crisis” year in America?

MLK and RFK assassinated, Tet Offensive, riots, protests, and political upheaval.

How did the Vietnam War divide the nation?

Split generations, political groups, and trust in government.

What was the draft and how was it criticized?

A system for mandatory military service, seen as unfair to poor and minority men.

Describe the role of television and the credibility gap

TV exposed brutal war scenes, increasing skepticism toward government statements.

What role did public protest play in ending the war?

Massive protests pressured leaders to withdraw troops and end the conflict.

What was the My Lai Massacre?

U.S. soldiers killed over 400 unarmed Vietnamese civilians; outraged the public.

What was Nixon’s Vietnamization policy?

Strategy to withdraw U.S. troops and shift combat responsibility to South Vietnam.

What happened at Kent State in 1970?

National Guard shot and killed four students protesting the Cambodia invasion.

Why did Nixon expand the war into Cambodia and Laos? What was the reaction?

To target Viet Cong supply routes; it sparked outrage and intensified antiwar protests.

How did the Vietnam War end?

U.S. troops withdrew in 1973; South Vietnam fell to North Vietnam in 1975.

What were the effects of the war on veterans, policy, and future decisions?

Veterans faced trauma; War Powers Act limited president’s war authority; led to foreign policy caution.

Roe v. Wade

A 1973 Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion nationwide, citing a woman’s right to privacy under the 14th Amendment.

What is the historical significance of the War Powers Act of 1973

It limited the president’s ability to deploy U.S. troops without congressional approval, a response to Vietnam War concerns.

Detente

A policy of easing Cold War tensions between the U.S. and the Soviet Union, especially under Nixon and Kissinger.

Providing examples, describe how Nixon’s foreign policy differed from previous Cold War presidents

Nixon used realpolitik and prioritized practical over ideological goals. He opened relations with China and signed arms control agreements with the USSR.

Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT)

Negotiations between the U.S. and USSR to limit nuclear weapons; resulted in SALT I treaty in 1972.

Title IX

A 1972 law prohibiting gender discrimination in federally funded education programs, especially in sports.

Describe the cultural, political, and historical significance of the Watergate Scandal

It led to Nixon’s resignation, increased public distrust of government, and resulted in reforms to limit executive power.

Explain why Gerald Ford is considered an “Accidental President”

He became president after Nixon resigned and had not been elected as vice president or president.

What economic problems were plaguing the country in the 1970s

Stagflation (high inflation + unemployment), oil crises, and slow economic growth.

Explain how Carter’s foreign policy differed from Nixon and Ford’s

Carter emphasized human rights over Cold War politics, criticizing allies with poor rights records and promoting peace initiatives.

Love Canal & Three-Mile Island

Love Canal: toxic waste site causing health issues in NY.

Three Mile Island: 1979 nuclear accident in Pennsylvania raising safety concerns.

What was the significance of the Camp David Accords?

Peace agreement brokered by Carter between Egypt and Israel; Egypt recognized Israel, and Israel withdrew from Sinai.

Iran Hostage Crisis

In 1979, Iranian militants held 52 Americans hostage for 444 days; it hurt Carter’s presidency and reflected rising tensions in the Middle East.

Identify reasons for a growing distrust of government and lack of identity in the 1970s

Watergate, Vietnam, economic struggles, and cultural changes led to cynicism and confusion about national direction.

Describe changes in American society since the 1970s in regards to immigration, family, and faith

Increased immigration and diversity, evolving family structures (e.g., more single-parent households), and the rise of both secularism and evangelical movements.

Explain the major differences between liberalism and conservatism

Liberalism: Believes in government intervention to promote equality and social welfare.

Conservatism: Emphasizes limited government, free markets, and traditional values.

What is the political significance of the 1980 elections?

Ronald Reagan’s victory marked a conservative shift in U.S. politics, with increased emphasis on tax cuts, deregulation, and strong defense.

Why was Raegan referred to as the Great Communicator? Identify other Presidents that possess(ed) a similar skill set

Reagan had a strong ability to connect with Americans through simple, persuasive language.

Similar presidents: Franklin D. Roosevelt (Fireside Chats), Barack Obama (public speaking).

The Moral Majority

A political organization of evangelical Christians founded by Jerry Falwell that promoted socially conservative values during the 1980s.

Describe policies of the Reagan administration demonstrating a politically conservative ideology

Tax cuts (Reaganomics), deregulation of industries, increased military spending, opposition to labor unions (e.g., PATCO strike).

What were the differences between Keynesian and supply-side economics?

Keynesian: Advocates government spending to boost demand during downturns.

Supply-side: Focuses on tax cuts and incentives for producers to encourage economic growth.

Citing specific examples, describe the objectives of Reagan’s foreign policy

Contain communism (e.g., support for Contras in Nicaragua)

Increase military strength

Challenge Soviet influence globally (e.g., Evil Empire speech, SDI proposal)

Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI)

A proposed missile defense system ("Star Wars") to protect the U.S. from nuclear attacks using space-based lasers—never fully realized.

Describe how Reagan’s relationship with the U.S.S.R changed over the course of presidency

Early: Harsh rhetoric and arms buildup.

Later: Improved relations with Gorbachev, leading to arms reduction talks and the INF Treaty.

Explain the criticisms that political opponents have of the Reagan administration

Increased national debt, widened income gap, cuts to social programs, and scandals like Iran-Contra.

Iran-Contra

A scandal in which Reagan officials secretly sold arms to Iran and used the money to fund anti-communist rebels (Contras) in Nicaragua, violating U.S. law.

What factors contributed to the end of the Cold War?

Soviet economic decline

U.S. military buildup under Reagan

Gorbachev’s reforms (glasnost & perestroika)

Improved diplomacy and arms agreements

Compare and contrast the Persian Gulf War with other American millitary actions since WWII

Quick, multinational operation (1991) to remove Iraq from Kuwait; limited U.S. casualties and clear objectives—unlike Vietnam.

START

U.S.-USSR agreement to reduce long-range nuclear weapons, signed in 1991 as part of post-Cold War disarmament efforts.

Americans with Disabilities Act

A 1990 civil rights law prohibiting discrimination based on disability in employment, transportation, and public accommodations.

What changes/challenges did the end of the Cold War have on U.S. foreign policy and economy?

The U.S. shifted focus from containment of communism to regional conflicts, terrorism, and global trade. Economically, defense spending declined, and globalization increased.

Compare and contrast the candidates, Issues, and results of the 1992 & 1912 elections

1912: Taft (R), Roosevelt (Progressive), Wilson (D); Wilson won due to split Republican vote.

1992: Bush (R), Clinton (D), Perot (Independent); Clinton won amid recession and dissatisfaction with Bush.

Identify the biggest achievements and shortcomings of the Clinton administration

Achievements: Economic growth, welfare reform, balanced budget.

Shortcomings: Lewinsky scandal, failed healthcare reform, impeachment.

NAFTA

A 1994 agreement between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico eliminating most trade barriers.

FMLA

A 1993 law granting eligible employees up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for family or medical reasons.

Explain the political significance of the Republican Party’s Contract with America and the 1994 midtermid-term elections. How does it compare with the 2010 midterm elections and the Tea Party?

Republicans, led by Newt Gingrich, gained control of Congress by promoting a conservative agenda. Similar to the 2010 Tea Party movement’s push for limited government.

Identify examples of terrorism that took place in the 1990s

1993 World Trade Center bombing, Oklahoma City bombing (1995), U.S. embassy bombings in Africa (1998), USS Cole attack (2000).