WWII and Post-War America Flashcards

Flashcards covering key events, figures, and concepts from WWII and post-war America.

Post WWI Europe

Europe faced economic depression, political instability, and widespread disillusionment. Many nations turned to authoritarian regimes.

Germany’s Reaction to Treaty of Versailles

Germany viewed the treaty as a humiliating diktat due to harsh reparations, territorial losses, and the war guilt clause.

Why Britain & France Entered WWII

Britain and France declared war on Germany after Germany invaded Poland.

U-boat Role

German submarines (U-boats) targeted Allied shipping lanes to cut off supplies.

Japan’s Leader & Invasion of China

Emperor Hirohito ruled Japan, but military leaders had significant power; Japan invaded China to gain resources and expand its empire.

Battle of Britain

In 1940, the German Luftwaffe bombed British cities. The RAF successfully defended Britain, preventing a German invasion.

Stalin

Totalitarian leader of the Soviet Union; ruled with an iron fist and aligned with the Allies after Germany invaded the USSR.

Mussolini

Italy’s fascist dictator; allied with Hitler and promoted extreme nationalism and militarism.

Hitler

Leader of the Nazi Party; became Chancellor of Germany in 1933; aimed to create a German empire and initiated WWII and the Holocaust.

SU Invaded Poland

The USSR invaded eastern Poland on September 17, 1939, under a secret protocol of the Nazi-Soviet Pact.

US Joined WWII

The U.S. entered the war after Japan’s surprise attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.

Lend-Lease Act

Passed in 1941, this act allowed the U.S. to send military aid to Allied nations before officially entering the war.

Germany Invaded SU

In June 1941, Germany launched Operation Barbarossa, breaking its pact with the USSR, seeking land and oil.

Impact on Minorities

African Americans, women, and other minorities gained new job opportunities but still faced discrimination; spurred civil rights efforts.

Forms of Protest

African Americans led civil rights campaigns like the Double V campaign; labor strikes occurred; some resisted internment.

Internment Camps

Over 120,000 Japanese-Americans were forcibly relocated due to fears of espionage after Pearl Harbor.

V-E Day

Celebrated on May 8, 1945, it marked Nazi Germany’s surrender and the end of WWII in Europe.

George Patton

A leading U.S. general, known for bold tactics in North Africa and Europe, particularly during the Battle of the Bulge.

Zoot Suit Riots

Racially charged conflicts in 1943 Los Angeles between U.S. servicemen and Mexican-American youths over cultural tensions.

GI Bill of Rights

Provided WWII veterans with benefits like college tuition, home loans, and job training.

James Farmer

A civil rights activist who co-founded CORE and promoted nonviolent protest against segregation.

JACL Purpose

Japanese American Citizens League sought justice for Japanese-Americans, especially those interned during the war.

CORE Purpose

The Congress of Racial Equality aimed to end segregation through peaceful protests and sit-ins.

Berlin Blockade

In 1948-49, the USSR blocked Western access to Berlin; the U.S. responded with the Berlin Airlift.

Warsaw Pact

A military alliance of communist nations formed in response to NATO, led by the USSR.

NATO

North Atlantic Treaty Organization formed in 1949 to counter Soviet aggression and protect democratic nations.

Korean War

From 1950–1953, North Korea invaded South Korea; the UN, led by the U.S., intervened; it ended in a stalemate at the 38th parallel.

Post-War Economy

Shifted to consumer goods; economic boom led to suburban growth and increased production.

Labor Strikes

Workers demanded better wages and conditions after wartime sacrifices.

Harry Truman

Became president in 1945; oversaw the end of WWII, desegregated the military, and led during early Cold War years.

Richard Nixon

U.S. VP (1953–1961), later President (1969–1974); known for détente policies and Watergate scandal.

Standardized Business

Led to mass production, franchising, and conformity in 1950s culture.

Impact of Automobiles

Facilitated suburbanization, boosted related industries, and reshaped American society.

Longoria Incident

Sparked national outrage when a Mexican-American WWII veteran was denied a funeral service; helped civil rights causes.

1950s TV

Reflected idealized American family life; promoted traditional gender roles and consumerism.

Korean War Commander

General Douglas MacArthur; fired by Truman for insubordination.

Beat Movement Impact

Challenged conformity and inspired future countercultures.

Rock ‘n’ Roll Impact

Bridged racial divides in music; symbolized youth rebellion.

Kennedy-Nixon Debates

First televised debates; JFK’s calm appearance helped him win public support.

John F. Kennedy

Elected in 1960; war hero and senator; promoted New Frontier policies.

Flexible Response

JFK’s strategy to build up non-nuclear forces to offer multiple military options.

Cuban Missile Crisis

1962 standoff between U.S. and USSR; ended peacefully with missile withdrawal.

Alliance for Progress

JFK’s aid program to improve relations with Latin America.

Warren Commission

Investigated JFK’s assassination; concluded Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone.

VISTA Role

Domestic program to fight poverty by placing volunteers in low-income communities.

LBJ

Lyndon B. Johnson, promoted civil rights and the Great Society after JFK’s death.

Medicaid

1965 program providing health care for low-income individuals.

Warren Court Decisions

Expanded rights of the accused, desegregation, and civil liberties.

Great Society

LBJ’s programs to eliminate poverty and racial injustice.

Reapportionment

Redrawing districts to reflect population changes; impacted political representation.

Brown v. BOE

1954 ruling that racial segregation in schools was unconstitutional.

Bus Boycott Events

Sparked by Rosa Parks’ arrest in 1955; led by MLK; led to bus desegregation.

MLK Jr.

Civil rights leader advocating nonviolence; led Montgomery Bus Boycott and March on Washington.

De Jure Segregation

Racial separation enforced by law.

De Facto Segregation

Segregation by custom or practice.

Affirmative Action

Policies promoting access for historically marginalized groups.

Black Power Movement

Advocated racial pride, self-sufficiency, and sometimes separatism.

Plessy v. Ferguson

1896 case upheld segregation under “separate but equal.”

Search & Destroy Missions

U.S. Vietnam tactic to locate and eliminate enemy forces.

Tonkin Gulf Resolution

Allowed LBJ to use force in Vietnam without a formal war declaration.

ARVN

Army of the Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam’s military).

Ho Chi Minh Trail

Network of supply routes from North to South Vietnam via Laos & Cambodia.

Borders of N. Vietnam

China, Laos.

Capitals

North Vietnam – Hanoi; South Vietnam – Saigon (now Ho Chi Minh City).

Withdrawal Reasons

High casualties, unclear goals, media coverage, public protests.

Cesar Chavez

Labor leader who co-founded the UFW; used nonviolence to advocate for farmworkers.

UFWOC

United Farm Workers Organizing Committee; fought for labor rights.

Feminism

Movement advocating women’s rights and equality.

Phyllis Schlafy

Conservative activist who opposed the Equal Rights Amendment.

Declaration of Indian Purpose

1961 document asserting Native American rights to self-determination.

AIM

American Indian Movement; pushed for Native American civil rights.

Betty Friedan

Feminist author of The Feminine Mystique; helped found NOW.

Woodstock

1969 music festival; symbolized counterculture and anti-war movements.

New Right

Conservative movement opposing liberal policies of the 1960s.

Gloria Steinem

Feminist journalist and activist; co-founded Ms. magazine.

Counterculture

1960s youth movement rejecting mainstream values; embraced peace, love, and freedom.

Nixon’s Federal Reduction

New Federalism aimed to return power to states; reduced size of government programs.

Enemy List

Nixon’s list of political opponents, including journalists and activists.

Southern Strategy

Nixon’s tactic to gain support in the South by appealing to conservative values.

Stagflation

1970s economic condition with high inflation and unemployment.

Watergate Scandal

Break-in at DNC headquarters; Nixon’s cover-up led to resignation.

Realpolitik

Foreign policy based on national interest rather than ideology.

Gerald Ford

Became President after Nixon resigned; first unelected president.

Whip Inflation Now

Ford’s campaign to reduce inflation through voluntary measures.

Carter’s Foreign Policy

Emphasized human rights; faced Iran Hostage Crisis.

Earth Day

First celebrated in 1970; raised awareness about environmental issues.

1980s Election Results

Ronald Reagan won with promises of smaller government and strong defense.

Soviet Union Breakup

Collapsed in 1991 due to internal reforms, nationalism, and economic troubles.

New Countries

Included Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, the Baltics, and others.

Election of 2000

Disputed between Bush and Gore; Supreme Court ended Florida recount, Bush won.

Global Economy Impact

Increased interdependence; jobs shifted overseas; new markets emerged.

Tech Advances Impact

Transformed communication, industry, education, and daily life.