AP US History G369 Unit 8 “Freedom from Fear” Key Terms

This set of flashcards covers key terms and figures related to Unit 8 of AP US History focused on themes of freedom and conflict from the Great Depression to the Cold War.

A. Philip Randolph

Labor and civil rights leader in the 1940s who demanded FDR create a Fair Employment Practices Commission.

Agricultural Adjustment Administration (1933)

New Deal program from 1933 that paid farmers not to produce crops to stabilize farm production.

American Liberty League

Conservative anti-New Deal organization criticizing Roosevelt's policies and perceived attacks on free enterprise.

Atlantic Charter

1941 joint statement by FDR and Churchill outlining principles for an Allied victory in WWII.

Black Cabinet

Informal network of black officeholders advocating for African American opportunities in the 1930s and 1940s.

Bonus Army (1932)

Group of WWI veterans lobbying for immediate payment of money promised to them in 1945.

Brain Trust

Group of college professors advising Roosevelt on economic matters during the New Deal.

Charles Coughlin

Catholic priest and radio host who criticized the New Deal and became increasingly anti-Roosevelt.

Court-packing plan

FDR's 1937 proposal to appoint additional justices to the Supreme Court to protect New Deal laws.

Fireside chats

Roosevelt’s informal radio addresses creating public confidence during his presidency.

Frances Perkins

First woman to serve as a federal Cabinet officer and influential in early New Deal programs.

Francis Townsend

Proposed Old Age Revolving Pension Plan to provide retirees over 60 with monthly payments.

Franklin D. Roosevelt

President from 1933-1945 who led the U.S. through the Great Depression and WWII.

Harry S. Truman

Vice President who became President after FDR and created Fair Deal programs.

Hawley-Smoot Tariff

1930 tariff raising duties on imports that deepened the Great Depression.

Herbert Hoover

President blamed for the Great Depression, emphasizing rugged individualism.

Hoovervilles

Shantytowns for the unemployed during the Great Depression, symbolizing Hoover's policies.

Huey Long

Louisiana governor and senator challenging FDR with his 'Share-Our-Wealth' program.

Hundred Days

The first weeks of Roosevelt's administration where Congress passed numerous New Deal measures.

Lend Lease

1941 program allowing the U.S. to aid nations deemed vital to its security.

National Labor Relations Act

1935 act promoting union recognition and bargaining rights.

National Recovery Administration

Agency creating a partnership between business and government to combat the Depression.

Neutrality Acts

Laws of the 1930s limiting U.S. involvement in foreign wars.

New Deal

Roosevelt's domestic program intended for relief, recovery, and reform during the Great Depression.

Pearl Harbor

U.S. naval base attacked by Japan on December 7, 1941, leading to U.S. entry into WWII.

Reconstruction Finance Corporation

Hoover's program providing loans to businesses and banks during the Great Depression.

Rugged individualism

Hoover's belief in self-reliance and minimal government intervention.

Second New Deal

A series of proposals by FDR in 1935-1936 aimed to revitalize the New Deal.

Social Security Act

1935 Act providing pensions for retired workers and assistance for unemployed.

Chiang Kai Shek

Leader of China in the 1930s and 1940s, ally of the U.S. during WWII.

Domino Theory

Concept that the fall of one country to Communism would lead to successive falls of neighboring countries.

Douglas MacArthur

WWII hero who led United Nations forces during the Korean War.

Dwight Eisenhower

President from 1953-1961 known for his policies of containment against Communism.

George Kennan

Architect of the containment policy against the Soviet Union.

John Foster Dulles

Secretary of State under Eisenhower known for his aggressive stance against Communism.

Joseph Stalin

Leader of the Soviet Union from 1925 to 1953, known for his brutal policies.

Mao Zedong

Communist leader who won control of China in 1949.

Marshall Plan

U.S. program providing economic aid to Europe after WWII to rebuild and contain Communism.

Massive retaliation

U.S. defense strategy relying on nuclear weapons to deter Communist aggression.

North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)

Military alliance formed in 1949 to counter Soviet aggression.

Peaceful coexistence

Period marked by reduced tensions between the U.S. and the Soviet Union.

Truman Doctrine

Policy of providing support to countries threatened by Communism, announced in 1947.

Yalta Conference

1945 meeting among Roosevelt, Stalin, and Churchill discussing postwar arrangements.

Alger Hiss

Former State Department official accused of spying for the Soviet Union.

House Un-American Activities Committee

Congressional committee investigating Communist influences in the U.S.

Joseph McCarthy

Senator known for unfounded accusations of Communism against numerous individuals.

Julius and Ethel Rosenberg

Executed couple accused of espionage for the Soviet Union during the Red Scare.

National Defense Education Act

1958 act to enhance U.S. education in response to Cold War competition.

Sputnik

Soviet satellite launched in 1957, sparking U.S. fears of falling behind in scientific advancements.