Chapter 27: Modern State and The Age of Liberalism

Great Society

a domestic program in the administration of President Lyndon B. Johnson that instituted federally sponsored social welfare programs. Programs included insurance, education, medicare, no racial injustice, war against poverty, etc.

Economic Opportunity Act

a law, enacted in 1964, that provided funds for youth programs, antipoverty measures, small-business loans, and job training

Medicare

A program added to the Social Security system in 1965 that provides hospitalization insurance for the elderly and permits older Americans to purchase inexpensive coverage for doctor fees and other health expenses.

Medicaid

A federal and state assistance program that pays for health care services for people who cannot afford them.

Lyndon B Johnson

36th U.S. President. 1963-1969. Democratic and put into office after the assassination of JFK

Barry Goldwater

Republican candidate for President in 1964, and initial leader of the conservative movement, advocated for less federal action

Betty Friedan

1921-2006. American feminist, activist and writer. Best known for starting the "Second Wave" of feminism through the writing of her book "The Feminine Mystique".

Equal Pay Act

1963 law that required both men and women to receive equal pay for equal work

The Feminine Mystique

A publication by Betty Friedan that focused attention on the reality facing suburban women and criticized the social norms surrounding women's roles

Presidential Commission on the Status of Women

Reported widespread discrimination against women and recommended remedies. Proposed to JFK by Assistant Secretary of Labor Esther Peterson; chaired by Eleanor Roosevelt; created in 1961.

National Organization of Women

Founded by Betty Friedan; organization formed to work for economic and legal rights of women; demanded equality in educational and job opportunies, wages, and political representation; creation of childcare facilities; wanted Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) enforce its legal mandate to end sex discrimination

Ngo Dinh Diem

American ally in South Vietnam from 1954 to 1963; his repressive regime caused the Communist Viet Cong to thrive in the South and required increasing American military aid to stop a Communist takeover. he was killed in a coup in 1963.

Gulf of Tonkin Resolution

1964 Congressional resolution authorizing President Johnson to take unlimited military action in Vietnam after the sinking of US boats.

Operation Rolling Thunder

bombing campaign over North Vietnam, supposed to weaken enemy's ability and will to fight, started 1965 and lasted 3 years, only made enemies more determined to fight.

Port Huron Statement

Manifesto of the Students for a Democratic Society, which criticized the federal government for racial inequality, poverty, and also the Cold War and international peace.

New Left

Coalition of younger members of the Democratic party and radical student groups. Believed in participatory democracy, free speech, civil rights and racial brotherhood, and opposed the war in Vietnam.

Young Americans For Freedom

The largest student political organization in the country, whose conservative members defended free enterprise and supported the war in Vietnam.

Sharon Statement

Drafted by founding members of the Young Americans for Freedom (YAF), this manifesto outlined the group's principles and inspired young conservatives who would play important roles in the Reagan administration in the 1980s.

Tet Offensive

a massive surprise attack by the Vietcong on South Vietnamese towns and cities in early 1968. Televised and shook Americans trust and confidence in government.

Robert F. Kennedy

He ran for President in 1968; stirred a response from workers, African Americans, Hispanics, and younger Americans; would have captured Democratic nomination but was assassinated by Sirhan Sirhan after victory speech during the California primary in June 1968.

1968 Democratic National Convention

A 1968 convention held in Chicago during which numerous antiwar demonstrators outside the convention hall were tear-gassed and clubbed by police. Inside the convention hall, the delegates were bitterly divided over Vietnam.

Richard M. Nixon

In 1956 he was Eisenhower's Vice-President. Left politics to practice law then came back to run for president taking advantage of the broken apart democratic party. Offended by antiwar protesters and played into social disorder anxieties of the people with riots and protects.

George Wallace

Racist gov. of Alabama in 1962 ("segregation now, segregation tomorrow, segregation forever"); runs for pres. In 1968 on American Independent Party ticket of racism and law and order, loses to Nixon; runs in 1972 but gets shot

Chicano Moratorium Committee

Group founded by activist Latinos to protest the Vietnam War.

Title IX

A United States law enacted on June 23, 1972 that states: "No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance."

Stonewall Inn

A two-day riot by patrons after the police raided the gay bar in New York's Greenwich Village in 1969; the event contributed to the rapid rise of a gay liberation movement.

silent majority

Term used by President Nixon to describe Americans who supports his positions but didn't outwardly publicize their opinions

Vietnamization

earlys 1970s President Richard Nixons strategy for ending U.S involvement in the vietnam war, involving a gradual withdrawl of American troops and replacement of them with South Vietnamese forces

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Seymour Hersh publicized the atrocities committed by the USA in Vietnam in 1969, led to government discredit and distrust

My Lai

1968, in which American troops had brutally massacred around 500 Southern Vietnamese people including innocent women and children in the village of My Lai, also led to more opposition to the war.

détente

A policy of reducing Cold War tensions that was adopted by the United States during the presidency of Richard Nixon with the Soviet Union, focus on issues of common concern like arms control and trade.

Henry Kissinger

The main negotiator of the peace treaty with the North Vietnamese; secretary of state during Nixon's presidency (1970s).

Warren Court

the Supreme Court during the period when Earl Warren (1953-1969) was chief justice, noted for its activism in the areas of civil rights, constitutional rights, and free speech (Like right to remain silent by police)

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