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Cold War

A prolonged period of geopolitical tension between the Soviet Union and the United States, characterized by political, military, and ideological rivalry without direct large-scale conflict.

Truman Doctrine

The Truman Doctrine was a U.S. foreign policy established in 1947 to contain the spread of communism, asserting that the United States would provide political, military, and economic assistance to countries resisting Soviet influence.

Marshall Plan

A U.S. program initiated in 1948 to aid European economic recovery after World War II, providing financial assistance to rebuild war-torn regions, stabilize economies, and prevent the spread of communism.

containment

The policy of preventing the expansion of communism by supporting nations threatened by Soviet influence, particularly during the Cold War.

fight over Berlin

The struggle between the Allied forces and the Soviet Union over control of Berlin, particularly significant during the Cold War, marked by the Berlin Blockade and subsequent airlift to supply the city.

division of Germany

The separation of Germany into East and West following World War II, with the East becoming a socialist state under Soviet influence and the West aligning with democratic Western nations.

significance of “losing” China

Refers to the United States' perception of China falling under communist control in 1949, which significantly impacted U.S. foreign policy and heightened fears of communist expansion in Asia during the Cold War. So its what leads to getting involved in Vietnam and Korean wars.

why the US became involved in Korean War

The United States intervened in the Korean War to prevent the spread of communism in Asia, supporting South Korea against the invasion by communist North Korea, which was backed by China and the Soviet Union.

Korean War: why the Forgotten War

The Korean War is often referred to as the Forgotten War because it did not receive as much public attention and recognition as other conflicts, such as World War II and the Vietnam War, despite its significant impact on U.S. foreign policy and military involvement in Asia.

Korean War outcomes/consequences

The Korean War resulted in a stalemate, leading to the division of Korea into North and South, solidified military alliances, increased U.S. military presence in Asia, and heightened tensions between superpowers during the Cold War.

McCarthyism

A period of intense anti-communist suspicion in the United States during the early 1950s, characterized by accusations and investigations led by Senator Joseph McCarthy against alleged communists in government and society.

rollback

a strategy used during the Cold War to push back against the influence of communism in various regions, advocating for the removal of communist regimes.

Eisenhower’s response to Hungarian Revolution

in 1956 was largely one of non-intervention, as President Eisenhower opted not to send military aid or intervene directly in Hungary's uprising against Soviet control, reflecting a cautious approach to Cold War conflicts.

Bay of Pigs Invasion

The Bay of Pigs invasion was a failed military operation in April 1961 where a group of Cuban exiles, supported by the U.S. government, attempted to overthrow Fidel Castro's communist regime in Cuba. The plan was to land at the Bay of Pigs, but the exiles faced strong resistance from Cuban forces, leading to their defeat and capture. The incident embarrassed the U.S. and highlighted the challenges of foreign intervention.

Berlin crisis and Wall

The Berlin crisis, which escalated in the early 1960s, culminated in the construction of the Berlin Wall in 1961, physically dividing East and West Berlin and symbolizing the broader ideological divide of the Cold War.

Cuban Missile Crisis

In October 1962, a 13-day confrontation between the United States and the Soviet Union occurred over Soviet ballistic missiles deployed in Cuba, leading to heightened tensions and a pivotal moment in the Cold War.

escalation of Vietnam War

The escalation of the Vietnam War refers to the significant increase in U.S. military involvement in Vietnam during the mid-1960s, marked by the deployment of ground troops and intensified bombing campaigns, ultimately leading to widespread protests and debate over U.S. foreign policy.

space race

The competition between the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War to achieve significant milestones in space exploration, including satellite launches and manned missions.

civil rights

A movement aimed at ending racial discrimination and securing equal rights and opportunities for African Americans and other marginalized groups in the United States.

vietnam war origins

The Vietnam War had its origins in the 1954 Geneva Conference's decision to divide Vietnam, leading to increasing tensions, and the rise of communism in the region, ultimately culminating in U.S. involvement to prevent the spread of communism. Truman loses China which makes the US think that they can’t lose another country to communism.

 how war escalated under JFK and LBJ

The escalation of the Vietnam War under Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson involved increased military presence, the use of ground troops, and significant bombing campaigns, justifying intervention as a measure to contain communism and support the South Vietnamese government.

Gulf of Tonkin resolution significance

August 1964. Resolution passed by congress and is the closest we ever got to declaration of war in vietnam. It significantly expanded U.S. military involvement in Vietnam by giving President Lyndon B. Johnson the authority to take military action without a formal declaration of war.

Operation Rolling Thunder

A sustained bombing campaign against North Vietnam, initiated in 1965 to weaken their resolve and support South Vietnam.

credibility gap

The credibility gap refers to the disparity between the U.S. government's statements about the Vietnam War and the reality faced by soldiers and the public, leading to increased skepticism and distrust towards officials.

vietnam war protesters

Individuals who opposed the Vietnam War and advocated for peace, often through demonstrations and activism.

Paris Peace Accords

A 1973 agreement that aimed to establish peace in Vietnam and end U.S. involvement in the war, facilitating the withdrawal of American troops.

Vietnamization

The policy initiated by President Nixon to transfer responsibility for the Vietnam War from U.S. forces to the South Vietnamese military, aiming to gradually withdraw American troops while still supporting the South Vietnamese government.

Vietnam war consequences

The widespread loss of life, environmental destruction, and lasting social and political impacts both in Vietnam and the United States. It also led to significant changes in U.S. foreign policy and military engagement.

long civil rights movement

a prolonged struggle for social justice that spanned from the early 20th century through the 1960s, focusing on ending racial discrimination and ensuring civil rights for African Americans.

connection between civil rights and second wave feminism

The connection between civil rights and second wave feminism lies in their shared goals of advocating for social justice, equality, and the dismantling of systemic oppression, as many women in the civil rights movement later mobilized for women's rights.

double burden

the intersection of race and gender that describes the additional challenges faced by women of color, who must navigate both racial and gender discrimination in society.

Civil Rights and Voting Rights Acts

Legislation passed in the 1960s aimed at ending discrimination in voting and ensuring equal voting rights for all citizens, particularly African Americans.

1968 factors leading to protests

The 1968 protests were influenced by a combination of factors including the Vietnam War, civil rights issues, and the assassination of prominent leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr. These elements spurred widespread activism and calls for social change.

1968 rise of the counterculture

The 1968 rise of the counterculture movement represented a significant youth-led push against traditional social norms, characterized by protests against the Vietnam War, calls for civil rights, and a desire for greater personal freedom and expression.

détente

Cooling of Cold war tensions. that allows US and Soviet Unions to focus on issues at home. But cold war is not over.

Roe v. Wade significance

was a landmark Supreme Court decision that established a woman's legal right to have an abortion, influencing reproductive rights in the United States.

the Feminine Mystique

is a groundbreaking book by Betty Friedan, published in 1963, that challenged traditional gender roles and sparked the second-wave feminist movement.

the ERA

is a proposed amendment to the United States Constitution designed to guarantee equal rights under the law, regardless of sex, first introduced in 1923 and passed by Congress in 1972.

Gloria Steinem

is a prominent American feminist, journalist, and social political activist, known for co-founding Ms. magazine and advocating for women's rights.

Phyllis Schlafly and STOP ERA

was a conservative activist known for her opposition to the Equal Rights Amendment, arguing that it would undermine traditional family structures and women's roles.

1980s pushback

against the feminist movement, particularly targeting reproductive rights and the Equal Rights Amendment.

Watergate

refers to the political scandal involving President Nixon's administration, which included a break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters and subsequent cover-up efforts, leading to his resignation in 1974.

Nixon: visit to China

In 1972, President Nixon made a groundbreaking visit to China, paving the way for improved diplomatic relations between the two countries and signaling a shift in U.S. foreign policy during the Cold War.

Nixon Doctrine

a foreign policy strategy announced by President Nixon in 1969, emphasizing that the U.S. would provide military assistance to allied nations but would not commit ground troops for their defense. Send money but not troops

Post-nixon: Imperial presidency

a term used to describe the expansion of presidential powers in the United States, often associated with the administrations of Presidents like Nixon, who sought to exert greater control over the executive branch and limit checks from Congress.

Ford as accidental president

Gerald Ford became president after Nixon's resignation in 1974, serving the remainder of Nixon's term without being elected to the presidency.

1976 election

a presidential election in which Jimmy Carter, the Democratic candidate, defeated Gerald Ford, the incumbent Republican president, focusing on issues such as Watergate and economic challenges.

end of détente

the cooling of relations between the United States and the Soviet Union during the late 1970s, marked by increased tensions and military buildup.

Afghan invasion and the 1980 Olympics boycott

The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979 led to a U.S.-led boycott of the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow, reflecting escalating Cold War tensions.

AIDS crisis

A public health crisis that began in the 1980s, characterized by the spread of HIV/AIDS and significant mortality rates, leading to widespread social and political activism.

return to “family values”

A political and cultural movement in the 1980s emphasizing traditional family structures and moral values, often linked to conservative politics.

Reagan and Gorbachev

Refers to the relationship and significant meetings between U.S. President Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, which played a crucial role in ending the Cold War through nuclear disarmament discussions and diplomatic engagement.