US II H Unit 8 TEST

Dixiecrats

Southern Democrats opposing civil rights in 1948; accelerated political shift of South toward Republican Party.

The Other America

Book by Michael Harrington exposing poverty in the 1960s; inspired War on Poverty and Great Society reforms.

Baby Boom

Post-WWII population surge; led to growth in suburbs, schools, and long-term demographic influence.

Postwar gender roles

Encouraged domestic roles for women; later challenged by feminism and economic needs.

Perception vs. Reality

Media projected prosperity and conformity, but masked deep inequalities and unrest in postwar America.

Media's role in postwar culture

Spread mainstream ideals but also challenged norms through Civil Rights coverage and Rock ‘n’ Roll.

Levittowns

Mass-produced suburban housing; symbolized the American Dream but excluded minorities.

Counterculture Movement

1960s youth rebellion against war, materialism, and conformity; promoted peace and civil rights.

Moral Majority/New Right

Conservative movement in the 1980s focused on traditional values, anti-abortion, and Christianity.

Civil Rights Act of 1964

Banned discrimination based on race, sex, religion; enforced desegregation in public spaces.

Equal Rights Amendment (ERA)

Proposed to guarantee gender equality; passed Congress but not ratified by enough states.

1960s-70s equality movements

Expanded rights for minorities and women; met with conservative backlash.

Betty Friedan

Feminist author of The Feminine Mystique; criticized housewife role and inspired 2nd-wave feminism.

Cesar Chavez

Labor leader who organized farm workers; achieved better wages and conditions for Latino workers.

Truman’s domestic policy focus

Fair Deal—civil rights, national health care, housing; limited success due to Congress.

Eisenhower’s Modern Republicanism

Conservative spending with New Deal programs; Interstate Highway Act was a major legacy.

Kennedy’s New Frontier

Included civil rights support, space race investment, and economic reforms; limited by Congress.

LBJ’s Great Society

Programs to end poverty and racism—Medicare, CRA ’64, VRA ’65, Head Start.

Nixon’s domestic policy

Emphasized New Federalism (more power to states); created EPA; Watergate scandal hurt legacy.

Ford’s domestic challenges

Dealt with inflation and recession; controversial Nixon pardon hurt his credibility.

Carter’s domestic policy focus

Energy conservation and human rights; economic problems and Iran Hostage Crisis weakened presidency.

Reagan’s domestic policy

Known for supply-side (“trickle-down”) economics, tax cuts, deregulation, reduced social programs.

George H.W. Bush’s domestic policies

Included ADA (disability rights) and continued Reaganomics; economic recession hurt popularity.

Clinton’s key domestic actions

Welfare reform, NAFTA, strong economy; impeachment scandal damaged image.

Interstate Highway Act

Built national road system; boosted suburbs and economy but hurt urban centers.

Modern Republicanism

Eisenhower’s approach: moderate reform, fiscal conservatism, support for existing programs.

Rise of conservatism in the 1980s

Reaction to liberal policies, social unrest, and economic malaise of the 1970s.

Reaganomics (trickle-down)

Tax cuts for wealthy and businesses to spur investment; critics argue it increased inequality.

Keynesian economics

Government spending boosts demand; differs from supply-side economics which focuses on tax cuts.

Warren Court

Focused on expanded civil rights, liberties, and judicial activism.

Rights of the Accused rulings

Ruled in cases like Miranda v. Arizona and Gideon v. Wainwright, affirming rights to lawyer and silence.

Church and State rulings

Engel v. Vitale banned school-sponsored prayer; expanded religious freedom.

Equal Protection rulings

Brown v. Board ended racial segregation in schools.

Watergate

Nixon's scandal over DNC break-in and cover-up; led to resignation and distrust in government.

GI Bill

Provided education, loans, housing for WWII veterans; helped build the middle class.

Postwar migration to the Sun Belt

Led to growth in South/West, new political power centers, and decline of industrial Northeast.

Great Society goals

Aim to end poverty and racism; included major programs like Medicare/Medicaid; criticized for cost and bureaucracy.