Post War America into the Sixties

What two major world powers emerged after World War II?

The United States and the Soviet Union.

What was the main cause of tension between the U.S. and the Soviet Union after WWII?

Mutual suspicion, with the U.S. fearing the spread of communism and the Soviets fearing the spread of capitalism.

What event triggered the first military conflict of the Cold War?

The Korean War, which began when North Korea (with Soviet support) invaded South Korea.

Who led U.N. forces in Korea?

General Douglas MacArthur.

Why was General MacArthur fired by President Truman during the Korean War?

MacArthur suggested using nuclear weapons against China and publicly criticized President Truman's policies.

What technological advancement made nuclear war more terrifying during the Cold War?

The development of hydrogen bombs and intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs).

What significant milestone did the U.S. achieve in the space race in 1969?

The U.S. landed the first humans on the moon during the Apollo 11 mission.

What major social trend occurred in the United States during the post-war period?

Widespread prosperity, leading to suburbanization and the growth of the middle class.

What was the effect of government loan programs on American suburban development?

They encouraged home ownership and led to the expansion of suburban areas.

What was the significance of the Supreme Court case Brown v. Board of Education?

It ruled that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional, leading to the desegregation of schools.

How did President Eisenhower respond to resistance to school desegregation in Little Rock, Arkansas?

He sent federal troops to enforce integration at Central High School.

What was the result of the Supreme Court case Griswold v. Connecticut?

It established an implied right to privacy, making laws banning birth control unconstitutional.

How did consumerism influence American society in the post-WWII period?

It led to the rise of a consumer-driven culture, with increased spending on goods like cars and household appliances.

What cultural phenomenon emerged in the 1950s in the U.S., driven by youth and music?

Rock 'n' roll, symbolized by artists like Elvis Presley.

What key events contributed to the Civil Rights Movement in the 1950s and 1960s?

The desegregation of schools, the rise of leaders like Martin Luther King Jr., and protests like the Montgomery Bus Boycott.

What was the Cold War?

The ideological and political rivalry between the capitalist U.S. and the communist Soviet Union after WWII, marked by proxy wars, nuclear arms race, and space exploration competition.

How did the development of nuclear weapons affect international relations during the Cold War?

It created a constant fear of nuclear war, as both the U.S. and the Soviet Union had the capability to destroy each other.

What was the significance of the Soviet Union’s launch of Sputnik in 1957?

It marked the beginning of the Space Race and intensified U.S.-Soviet competition in space exploration.

What was one of the key outcomes of the Civil Rights Movement?

The passage of laws like the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, aimed at ending racial discrimination.

How did the U.S. respond to Soviet space achievements in the late 1950s?

By accelerating its own space program, eventually landing the first man on the moon in 1969.