Baker History Overview: Post-War World to Reagan Era

Flashcards covering the key themes and events from the lecture notes, including the Post-War World, the Cold War, Civil Rights Movement, Vietnam War, and the rise of conservatism.

What were the major consequences of WWII?

Much of Europe and Asia were in ruins with over 60 million deaths and major cities destroyed.

What was Operation Paperclip?

A secret U.S. program after WWII that brought German scientists (many formerly Nazi) to America.

Who was a notable scientist brought to the U.S. under Operation Paperclip?

Wernher von Braun, who later became a NASA scientist.

What was the main idea of Churchill's 'Iron Curtain' speech?

It warned of Soviet expansion and establishment of communist control in Eastern Europe.

What was the Truman Doctrine?

A pledge by President Truman in 1947 to support nations resisting communism, first implemented in Greece and Turkey, the policy of 'containment' of communism

What was the Marshall Plan?

A U.S. program that provided $13 billion in economic aid to Western Europe to rebuild economies and prevent the spread of communism.

What is NATO?

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization; a military alliance formed in 1949 between the U.S., Canada, and Western European nations.

What was the Soviet Union's response to NATO?

The Warsaw Pact, a military alliance with Eastern European nations.

When did the Soviet Union test their first atomic bomb?

1949, ending the American nuclear monopoly and triggering a massive arms buildup.

What factors led to post-war American prosperity?

Rapid economic growth, rising living standards, the GI Bill, housing boom, and suburban expansion.

What was the Baby Boom?

A dramatic increase in the U.S. birth rate (1946-1964), resulting in 76 million births.

What contributed to the rise of consumer culture after WWII?

Explosion in consumer goods production, rise of television and mass advertising, and widespread availability of credit.

What were some key social changes in post-war America?

Emergence of teenage culture, growing middle class, and the rise of rock and roll music.

What was the Red Scare?

A period of fear of communist infiltration in the U.S., leading to the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC), Hollywood blacklists, and the rise of Senator Joseph McCarthy.

Who were Julius and Ethel Rosenberg?

They were accused of spying for the Soviet Union and executed in 1953.

What civil rights actions occurred during this time?

Integration of the armed forces under Truman, early challenges to segregation (sit-ins), and growing activism in the African American community.

What was the significance of Brown v. Board of Education?

A landmark Supreme Court case that deemed racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional in 1954.

What defined the Cold War?

An ideological conflict between the United States (capitalism) and the Soviet Union (communism) without direct military engagement, but proxy conflicts

What was the Korean War?

A proxy war in which North Korea invaded South Korea in 1950, leading to UN intervention, Chinese involvement, and a stalemate in 1953 resulting in the solidified division of korea.

What were key events of the Early Space Race?

The Soviet Union launched Sputnik 1 (1957), Laika (first animal in orbit), the US launched Explorer 1 (1958), NASA was established (1958), and Soviet Union launched first person into space (Yuri Gagarin).

What is MAD?

Mutual Assured Destruction, a doctrine of military strategy and national security policy in which a full-scale use of nuclear weapons by two or more opposing sides would cause the complete annihilation of both the attacker and the defender

What was the 'New Look' policy of Eisenhower's presidency?

Emphasis on nuclear deterrence and the containment of communism.

What role did the CIA play during Eisenhower's presidency?

Covert operations and involvement abroad (Iran coup, Congo coup, etc.)

What was the Eisenhower Doctrine?

A doctrine to counter Soviet influence in the Middle East, offering U.S. assistance to nations facing aggression.

What events led to tension between the US and Cuba?

Castro's rise to power, land reforms, nationalization of US businesses, growing ties with the Soviet Union, and the US trade embargo on Cuba.

What was the Kitchen Debate?

A 1959 debate between Nixon and Khrushchev in Moscow focusing on the merits of capitalism vs. communism.

Why was the Berlin Wall constructed?

To stem the flow of East Germans fleeing to West Berlin.

What was the Non-Aligned Movement?

A movement formed in 1961 seeking independence from US and Soviet influence.

What were key diplomatic events of the 1950s?

Geneva Summit (1955), Austria gains independence (1955), Soviet suppression of the Hungarian Revolution (1956), and Khrushchev's visit to the United States (1959).

What civil rights movements happened in the 1950s?

African Americans, women, Native groups, and LGBTQ+ individuals fought discrimination and set the stage for the 1960s civil rights movement.

What was the Montogomery Bus Boycott?

A boycott sparked by rosa parks, and included a 13-month mass protest against the segregated public transit system and was eventually successful, launching martin luther king jr into civil rights leadership.

What was the Little Rock Nine?

Nine African American students enrolled at Arkansas's Little Rock Central High School, facing intense opposition.

What was the Termination Policy?

A U.S. government policy aimed to end federal recognition of tribes, resulting in loss of tribal lands and cultural identities.

What did the Civil Rights act of 1957 do?

It was the First federal civil rights legislation since Reconstruction, established the Civil Rights Commission, aimed to protect voting rights for African Americans.

What did the Executive Order 10450 do?

It barring homosexuals and anyone considered a “sexual perversion” from federal employment

What was the Lavender scare?

It was a lesser-known parallel to the "Red Scare" of the 1950s and Targeted LGBTQ+ individuals in government and other institutions

How did the gay rights movement respond to the Lavendar Scarce?

LGBTQ+ rights organizations formed, like the National organization Mattachine Society (fight legal reforms, stigma, etc.) Focused on social acceptance and legal reforms and Challenged the stigma and discrimination of the Lavender Scare

What limitations were women facing at this time?

Limited career opportunities and expectations of domesticity, Growing frustration with gender roles and discrimination

What factors led to JFK's win in the election of 1960?

The first televised presidential debates and Kennedy's charisma and youthful appearance

What was Kennedy's famous inauguration quote?

"Ask not what your country can do for you … ask what can you do for your country."

What happened during the Bay of Pigs invasion?

It was a Failed CIA-sponsored invasion of Cuba, Amed to overthrow Fidel Castro's communist government, Resulted in a humiliating defeat for the U.S.

What main crisis happened in Berlin during kennedy's presidency?

Divided berlin (Germany in 4 zones) by the 60s the other nations (American, british and French) combined to make west berlin, and the east berlin becomes soviet. The Soviet Union constructs the Berlin Wall

What was Kennedy's ambitious goal for the Space Race?

To land a man on the moon by decade's end

What agreement ended the cuban missle crisis?

A naval quarantine (a non war blockade) of Cuba, Soviets would remove missiles in agreement the US would not invade Cuba, secretly US would remove missiles from Turkey

What did the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty prohibit?

nuclear weapons tests in the atmosphere, outer space, and underwater

What was the goal of the Alliance for Progress?

Aimed to counter communist influence in the region with Economic cooperation program with Latin America (20 billion in aid)

What was the main duty of the US peace core?

Sent American volunteers to developing countries Promoted cultural exchange and provided assistance

What side did the Kennedy Administration take in the Vietnam war?

U.S. backed Ngo Dinh Diem as leader of South Vietnam in 1955, American military “advisors” sent to train South Vietnamese army

What events defined the Domino theory leading to the Vietnam war?

Geneva Accords: Temporary division at 17th parallel (North and South Vietnam), North: Communist- led by Ho Chi Minh, South: The non-communist government led by Ngo Dinh Diem

In foreign policy, what things was kennedy trying to do?

impact of domestic civil rights issues on international image and Addressing racial discrimination in diplomacy

What was the NAACP?

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, which focused on legal strategies to challenge segregation and discrimination

Who was Malcolm X?

Muslim minister and human rights activist that Promoted Black empowerment

What was the SNCC?

Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, organized sit-ins, freedom rides, and voter registration drives

What tactics were the Black panther party using?

Armed self-defense against police brutality and Developed community service programs

What did the Freedom Rides entail?

interracial groups rode buses to challenge segregation in interstate travel

Where there any protest besides the bus boycotts in the 1950-1960s to fight civil rights?

Birmingham Campaign (1963), Series of nonviolent protests in Birmingham, Alabama, March on Washington (1963) that caused Over 200,000 people gathered in Washington and Mississippi Freedom Summer (1964) Included Voter registration and education campaign

What civil rights acts were passed to legally protect racial equality

Civil Rights Act of 1964, Voting Rights Act of 1965, and Fair Housing Act of 1968

What actions were rising in support of the Black Power movement?

Emerging in the mid-1960s, emphasizing racial pride and self-reliance which was Associated with organizations like the Black Panther Party

What events were part of the historical context that lead to the domino action in Vietnam?

Rise of Vietnamese nationalism and communism, Ho Chi Minh and the Viet Minh resistance movement, Battle of Dien Bien Phu (1954) was the battle that ended the independence war

How did the US intervine in that war?

Military advisors and economic aid to South Vietnam, Communist member = Viet Cong and Training of South Vietnamese military

What main event caused the US to escalate in the vietnam war?

Alleged North Vietnamese attack on U.S. ships, Gulf of Tonkin (North Vietnamese) Resolution passed by Congress which Gave President Johnson (after Kennedy's assassination) broad war powers

What policies lead to the withdraw and end of the vietnam war?

Nixon's Vietnamization Policy and Expanded the war into Cambodia and Laos.

What was the lasting affect after all troops withdraw and comunisim took over?

Reunification of Vietnam under communist rule, Refugee crisis: "Boat people" and Long-lasting effects on U.S. foreign policy and military.

What did the Vietnam war teach future generations?

The Importance of understanding historical context and continued relevance in discussions of foreign policy and military intervention

What concerns did the vietnam war provoke?

Opposition to U.S. military intervention in a foreign civil war, Concerns about the use of chemical weapons and Objections to the draft system and its perceived unfairness

What song were involved in the prootests?

Bob Dylan Blowin in the wind, Country Joe and the Fish’s and I Feel Like I’m fixin to Die

Where there any legal defense of action with that war?

Tinker v and Demions: Protect Student Free Speech

What where the polices actions on some protestors?

1970 Kent State shootings: National Guard kills four student protesters and 1970 Jackson State killings: Police kill two students at a historically black college

What event lead to extreme change to the government?

The 1968 DNC and the Chicago 7 and Violent clashes erupted between protesters and law enforcement over extreme government action

What was LBJ's vision?

An ambitious set of domestic programs aimed at eliminating poverty and racial injustice and The most extensive social reform plan in modern American history

What civil right movement did BJ focus on?

Civil Rights Act of 1964, Voting Rights Act of 1965, and Fair Housing Act of 1968

What were parts education did BJ improve?

Elemetary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 and Higher Education Act of 1965 and Creation of Federal Pell Grants

What health actions did BJ support?

Medicare: Health insurance for elderly Americans and Medicaid: Health coverage for low-income individuals

What environment Acts were put into place?

Clean Air Act of 1963, Wilderness Act of 1964, and Water Quality Act of 1965

What negative things did people accuse of LBJ?

Debates over effectiveness and unintended consequences and High costs and expansion of federal bureaucracy

What tragic news shook America in 1968?

Assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. and Assassination of Robert F. Kennedy

What was Robert Kennedy campagins like?

The Poor People's Campaign was organized by Martin Luther King Jr. before his death aimed to address poverty and economic injustice

What famous demonstration to racism happened at the olympics?

Tommie Smith and John Carlos raise fists during medal ceremony and Silent protest against racial discrimination in the United States

What polotical policy came into place because of JFKs legacy?

Richard Nixon wins the presidential election and Campaigned on a platform of "law and order"

For the 1970s what was there a growing shift towards?

The New Left emerged in the 1960s and 1970s and that the movement was Radical distinct different from traditional left-wing politics

What ideas were coming into the left politcal field?

Emphasis was been placed on Racial pride, economic empowerment, and self-determination and notable groups: Black Panther Party and Women's Liberation Movement

What made the 1970s such a unique time period?

Significant social, political, and economic changes Transition Main focuses: political scandal, economic struggles, and cultural shifts

What happened after the war and policy began?

Saigon fell in North Vetiman and became Vetiman and people who were tyring to leave, this oppperation was to take “orphan” babies and transporting them out of vietman

What action affected the current american president?

The Watergate Scandal where the 5 men broke-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters and Subsequent cover-up attempts was tried to be placed upon by the Nixon administration

What Economic action began in the 1970s crisis?

Combination of high inflation and economic stagnation as well as Skyrocketing oil prices and fuel shortages and Push for energy conservation and alternative energy sources

How did action on earth day change society?

Passage of key environmental laws: Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act and Growing awareness of pollution and environmental degradation

What rights were the Womens Movement pushing for in the 1970s?

equal Rights Amendment (ERA) passed by Congress as well as Roe v. Wade (1973) legalizing abortion

How did the USA and the soviet attempt to have peace?

Trading sports and culture as seen in 1971: "Ping Pong Diplomacy" and opening relations with China and 1972: Nixon visits China and the Soviet Union

What actions began to focus back on old traditional conserativism ideas?

Growing concerns about social and cultural changes and Opposition to civil rights legislation and the Great Society programs

What lead to new policies of right wing politics?

Stagnation of the 1970s caused the Rise of supply-side economics and monetarism that would have an Emphasis on "family values"

What helped Reagon get his start?

Richard Nixon's appeal to the "Silent Majority" Reagan's campaign promises and vision for America caused an alliegence with the Religious Right

What happened during reagons presidency?

Supply-side economics and "Reaganomics" was put into place but the AIDs crisis got a non-existent

What did Reagdon do to end the cold war?

Shifts in foreign policy approach towards the Soviet Union Reagan and Soviet Leader Mikahal Gorbachev made agreements and reducing nuclear weapons and chemical/biological weapons