Unit 8 Notes

Taft-Hartley Act

A federal law passed in 1947 that restricted the activities and power of labor unions, banning closed shops and allowing right-to-work laws.

Dixiecrats

A breakaway faction of the Democratic Party formed in 1948, opposing civil rights initiatives and led by Strom Thurmond.

Iron Curtain

A term coined by Winston Churchill in 1946 to describe the division between democratic Western Europe and communist Eastern Europe.

NATO

North Atlantic Treaty Organization, a military alliance formed in 1949 between the U.S., Canada, and Western European nations to counter Soviet expansion.

People's Republic of China

Communist state established in 1949 under Mao Zedong, leading to the U.S. refusing to recognize it and supporting Taiwan instead.

Joseph McCarthy

U.S. Senator in the early 1950s known for making sensational accusations of communist infiltration in the government, symbolizing the Red Scare.

Betty Friedan

Feminist author and co-founder of NOW, who, in 1963, challenged traditional roles for women in postwar America with her book, 'The Feminine Mystique'.

Sphere of Domesticity

The post-WWII cultural belief that women should remain in the home and focus on family, criticized during the feminist movement of the 1960s.

Brown v. Board of Education

The 1954 Supreme Court case that ruled racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional, serving as a catalyst for the civil rights movement.

Brinkmanship

A Cold War foreign policy strategy from the 1950s of pushing dangerous situations to the brink of war to achieve favorable outcomes.

Nikita Khrushchev

Soviet Premier from 1953 to 1964, involved in significant Cold War events such as the Cuban Missile Crisis and promoting de-Stalinization.

Suez Crisis

The 1956 conflict resulting from Egypt nationalizing the Suez Canal, leading to a decline in British/French influence and showcasing Cold War diplomacy.

Military-Industrial Complex

A term coined by Eisenhower in 1961, warning about the growing influence of defense contractors and the military on U.S. policy.

New Frontier

JFK's domestic program (1960-1963) focusing on space exploration, education, healthcare, and civil rights.

Peace Corps

Volunteer program initiated by JFK in 1961 to send Americans abroad for development assistance and goodwill promotion.

Berlin Wall

A barrier built by East Germany from 1961 to 1989 to prevent citizens from fleeing to West Berlin, symbolizing Cold War division.

Great Society

LBJ's comprehensive domestic agenda from 1964 to 1965 aimed at ending poverty and racial injustice, involving various social programs.

George Wallace

Segregationist governor of Alabama in the 1960s and 1970s, symbolizing resistance to civil rights and advocating for states' rights.

Civil Rights Act of 1964

Landmark legislation that outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin, ending legal segregation.

Voting Rights Act of 1965

Legislation that prohibited literacy tests and other discriminatory practices, significantly increasing Black voter registration and participation.

Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965

A law that abolished the national origins quota system, favoring family reunification and skilled immigrants, reshaping U.S. demographics.

Election of 1964

The presidential election in which LBJ defeated Barry Goldwater, resulting in a mandate for Great Society programs and a political realignment.

Barry Goldwater

A conservative senator and 1964 presidential candidate, whose campaign laid the groundwork for modern conservatism and Reaganism.

Students for a Democratic Society (SDS)

A student activist group founded in 1960 advocating for participatory democracy and leading anti-war protests during the Vietnam War.

New Left

A political movement emerging in the 1960s that sought social change, focusing on civil rights and anti-war efforts, rejecting traditional politics.

National Organization for Women (NOW)

Feminist organization established in 1966 advocating for gender equality and influencing the women's liberation movement.

War Powers Act

A 1973 law limiting the president's military deployment powers without congressional approval, stemming from Vietnam-era concerns.

Détente

A 1970s policy of eased tensions between the U.S. and the USSR, leading to arms control agreements and trade relations.

Significance of Nixon’s Visit to China

Nixon's 1972 trip marked a shift in U.S. foreign policy, leading to trade relations and strategic pressure on the Soviet Union.

SALT

Strategic Arms Limitation Talks; agreements between the U.S. and USSR to limit nuclear weapons, symbolizing Cold War diplomatic progress.

OPEC Oil Embargo

The 1973 event where Arab OPEC nations cut oil exports to the U.S., resulting in energy shortages and demonstrating U.S. reliance on foreign oil.

Title IX

Part of the Education Amendments of 1972 that prohibits sex-based discrimination in federally funded education programs, enhancing gender equality.

Roe v. Wade

A landmark 1973 Supreme Court ruling that legalized abortion nationwide, sparking ongoing debates about reproductive rights.

Equal Rights Amendment (ERA)

A proposed constitutional amendment aimed at guaranteeing equal legal rights regardless of sex, which ultimately failed to be ratified.

Phyllis Schlafly (Stop ERA)

Conservative activist who led efforts against the ERA in the 1970s, arguing it threatened traditional family structures.

American Indian Movement (AIM)

Founded in 1968, this advocacy group focused on Native American rights, organizing protests for treaty enforcement and cultural preservation.

Warren Court Decisions

The Supreme Court decisions from 1953 to 1969 under Chief Justice Earl Warren that expanded civil rights and liberties.

Burger Court

The Supreme Court led by Chief Justice Warren Burger from 1969 to 1986, known for both conservative and significant rulings.

What was the goal of US policies during the Cold War in Europe and Asia?

The goal was to contain the spread of communism and promote democracy and capitalism.

Why was America involved in Europe during the Cold War?

America was involved in Europe to prevent the spread of Soviet influence and to support democratic governments.

Why was America involved in Asia during the Cold War?

America aimed to prevent the spread of communism in Asia, particularly in countries like Vietnam and Korea.

What major events demonstrated the conflict between federal and state governments during the Civil Rights Movement?

Key events include the Little Rock Nine crisis, Birmingham protests, and the Montgomery Bus Boycott.

How did the federal government respond to the Civil Rights Movement?

The government responded by passing significant legislation, such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

How did America enter the Vietnam War?

America entered the Vietnam War with the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, which expanded military engagement following alleged attacks on US ships.

What were the American strategies in the Vietnam War?

Strategies included the use of ground troops, aerial bombardments, and the controversial 'Strategic Hamlet' program.

What was the American perception of the Vietnam War?

Initially supportive, public perception shifted to skepticism and opposition as the war progressed and casualties rose.

What were JFK’s major Cold War policies?

JFK's policies included flexible response, the establishment of the Peace Corps, and a focus on deterring the Soviet threat.

How did JFK respond to major Cold War events like the Cuban Missile Crisis?

JFK resolved the Cuban Missile Crisis through a naval blockade and negotiations, ultimately leading to a withdrawal of Soviet missiles.

What was the significance of Sputnik?

Sputnik marked the start of the Space Race, indicating Soviet technological advancements which caused concern in America.

What were the results of America’s intervention in the Middle East during Jimmy Carter’s presidency?

Results included the Camp David Accords and significant tensions during the Iranian hostage crisis.

How did attitudes towards women change in the 1960s and 1970s?

There was a shift towards greater advocacy for women's rights, highlighted by the women's liberation movement and legislative changes.

What were the reasons for the rise and growth of the Civil Rights movement?

Factors included economic inequalities, increased awareness from World War II, and the influence of key leaders.

What did the cases of Plessy v. Ferguson and Brown v. Board of Education establish?

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

Who were notable leaders and opponents during the Civil Rights Movement?

Notable leaders included Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, and Rosa Parks; opponents were often segregationists and local law enforcement.

What were Nixon's main foreign policies as president?

Nixon implemented détente with the Soviet Union, opened relations with China, and escalated involvement in Vietnam.

What were Nixon's domestic policies?

Domestic policies focused on revenue sharing, the establishment of the Environmental Protection Agency, and continuing Great Society programs.