Untitled Flashcards Set

GI Bill

Also known as the Servicemen's Readjustment Act, this helped World War II veterans transition back to a peacetime economy by providing education and low interest loans.

Baby Boom

Refers to the explosion in marriage and birth rates after World War II, with over 50 million babies born between 1945 and 1960.

Levittown

A mass-produced housing development of 17,000 homes in Long Island, NY, symbolizing suburban conformity and appealing to middle class families.

Sunbelt

A 15-state area from parts of Virginia to California, attracting Americans due to low taxes and a warmer climate.

Taft-Hartley Act

Anti-union legislation that was vetoed by Truman, prohibiting unions from certain strikes and requiring anti-Communist oaths from union leaders.

Federal Highway Act

Authorized the construction of 42,000 miles of roads, leading to the creation of a trucking industry and growth of suburbs.

Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka

A landmark Supreme Court case that ruled segregation in public schools illegal, thereby sparking the Civil Rights movement.

Montgomery Bus Boycott

An 11-month boycott initiated after Rosa Parks was arrested for refusing to give up her seat, leading to a Supreme Court ruling against bus segregation.

Martin Luther King, Jr.

Civil rights leader who advocated non-violent protests, delivered the 'I Have a Dream' speech, and led the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.

Little Rock Nine

A group of African American students who faced resistance in integrating Central High School, requiring federal intervention.

Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC)

A civil rights organization that used sit-ins to desegregate lunch counters and later adopted more militant stances.

“Leave it to Beaver”

An American sitcom portraying an ideal suburban family, reinforcing traditional gender roles and middle-class values.

Elvis Presley

A singer/actor who combined various music styles to create rock 'n' roll, symbolizing teenage rebellion and revolutionizing American music.

Beatniks

A group of rebellious writers and artists who criticized conformity and mainstream culture during the 1950s.

Food Stamps

Introduced as part of Lyndon B. Johnson's Great Society to address poverty, providing vouchers for low-income families to purchase food.

Medicare; Medicaid

Programs from the Great Society providing health insurance for the elderly and poor, significantly expanding the government's role in healthcare.

Civil Rights Act of 1964

Legislation that outlawed segregation in public facilities and discrimination in hiring based on race or gender.

Voting Rights Act of 1965

Passed to protect voting rights after the Selma march, banning literacy tests and allowing federal oversight of poll taxes.

Malcolm X

A black Muslim civil rights leader who advocated for black nationalism and often criticized non-violent protest methods.

Black Panthers

A militant civil rights group advocating for self-defense against police brutality and economic opportunities for black communities.

Students for a Democratic Society (SDS)

A political organization promoting equality and fairness, known for protesting the Vietnam War and being part of the 1960s counterculture.

Immigration Act of 1965

Ended discriminatory quotas from the 1920s, increasing immigrant numbers from Central/South America and Asia.

Betty Friedan

Author of The Feminine Mystique who sparked the second wave feminist movement and founded NOW to advocate for women's equality.

Title IX

A federal law prohibiting sex discrimination in education programs receiving federal funding, leading to increased opportunities for female athletes.

National Organization for Women (NOW)

Founded by Betty Friedan, this organization worked for women's equality through civil rights tactics, including protests.

Equal Rights Amendment

A proposed amendment aiming to guarantee equal rights for women, which was never ratified despite congressional approval.

Rachel Carson

Author of Silent Spring, which raised awareness about pesticide dangers and led to the environmental movement and the EPA's creation.