Cold War

GI Bill

The Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944 providing benefits like education, home loans, and unemployment benefits for WWII veterans.

Taft-Hartley Act

Legislation from 1947 limiting labor unions' power in response to concerns about strikes and organized labor influence.

Fair Deal

President Truman's post-WWII agenda with social welfare expansion, civil rights laws, and economic reforms.

Cold War

Geopolitical tension between the U.S. and Soviet Union from late 1940s to early 1990s, marked by competition in various aspects.

Sputnik/NASA

Soviet's 1957 satellite launch and the U.S. establishment of NASA in 1958 for space exploration.

Containment policy/George F Kennan

Strategy by George F. Kennan to halt communism spread, shaping U.S. foreign policy during the Cold War.

Truman Doctrine

Truman's 1947 pledge to support nations threatened by communism, shifting U.S. towards interventionist foreign policy.

Marshall Plan

U.S. initiative in 1947 to aid Western Europe post-WWII, aiming to prevent communism spread and promote stability.

Berlin airlift

Massive 1948-1949 Allied operation to supply West Berlin during the Soviet blockade.

NATO

1949 military alliance for collective defense against aggression, particularly from the Soviet Union.

National Security Act

1947 legislation reorganizing U.S. military and intelligence agencies, creating key bodies like the CIA.

Arms race/NSC-68

Intense U.S.-Soviet competition in nuclear weapons and military tech, with NSC-68 advocating increased military spending.

Korean War/38th parallel

1950-1953 conflict between North and South Korea ending in a stalemate along the 38th parallel.

HUAC/Alger Hiss

Congressional committee investigating disloyalty and Alger Hiss, accused of being a Soviet spy.

Joseph McCarthy/McCarthyism

Senator McCarthy's anti-communist pursuits in the 1950s, known for unfounded accusations and smear tactics.

Dwight D

34th U.S. President known for leadership during the Korean War and "New Look" defense policy.

Modern Republicanism

Eisenhower's philosophy emphasizing fiscal conservatism and social welfare within limited government.

Nikita Khrushchev

Soviet leader from 1953 to 1964 known for de-Stalinization and peaceful coexistence efforts.

Peaceful coexistence

Khrushchev's policy promoting peaceful competition between socialist and capitalist blocs.

SEATO

1954 regional defense pact to prevent communism spread in Southeast Asia.

CIA

U.S. foreign intelligence agency established in 1947 under the National Security Act.

Ho Chi Minh/Geneva Accords

Vietnamese leader and agreements dividing Vietnam temporarily along the 17th parallel in 1954.

Suez Crisis

1956 crisis over Egypt's Suez Canal nationalization, leading to military intervention and UN peacekeeping.

John F

35th U.S. President known for events like the Cuban Missile Crisis and civil rights movement.

New Frontier

Kennedy's agenda addressing domestic and foreign challenges during the Cold War.

Bay of Pigs

Failed 1961 CIA-led invasion of Cuba to overthrow Fidel Castro's government.

Cuban Missile Crisis

1962 U.S.-Soviet confrontation over missiles in Cuba, resolved with missile removal agreements.