Textbook Terms, Chapter 29

Discusses American Society in the 1960's

Bay Of Pigs

(1961) Failed U.S.-backed invasion of Cuba under John F. Kennedy in which Cuban exiles attempted to overthrow Fidel Castro, strengthening Castro’s power and U.S.-Soviet tensions.

Black Power

(1966) Movement emphasizing racial pride, self-determination, and sometimes separatism among African Americans, associated with leaders like Malcolm X.

Community Action Program

(1964) Great Society initiative under Lyndon B. Johnson aimed at reducing poverty by empowering local communities to develop anti-poverty programs.

Congress Of Racial Equality

(1942) Civil rights organization that promoted nonviolent protest and organized key actions like Freedom Rides to challenge segregation.

Cuban Missile Crisis

(1962) Cold War confrontation between the United States and the Soviet Union over nuclear missiles in Cuba, bringing the world close to nuclear war before a negotiated settlement.

Dien Bien Phu

(1954) Battle in which Vietnamese nationalist forces defeated the French, leading to the end of French control in Indochina and increased U.S. involvement in Vietnam.

Freedom Rides

(1961) Civil rights actions organized by groups like CORE to challenge segregation on interstate buses in the South, often met with violence.

Freedom Summer

(1964) Civil rights campaign in Mississippi to register African American voters, facing violent resistance from segregationists.

George Wallace

(1963) Alabama governor who strongly supported segregation and opposed civil rights reforms, famously declaring “segregation forever.”

Great Society

(1964) Reform program under Lyndon B. Johnson aimed at eliminating poverty and racial injustice through programs in education, healthcare, and civil rights.

Gulf Of Tonkin Resolution

(1964) Congressional resolution that gave Lyndon B. Johnson broad authority to escalate U.S. military involvement in Vietnam without a formal declaration of war.

Ho Chi Minh Trail

(1960s) Network of supply routes used by North Vietnam to transport troops and supplies to the Viet Cong in South Vietnam.

Immigration Act Of 1965

(1965) Law that abolished the national origins quota system, allowing increased immigration from Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

John Kennedy

(1961) 35th President of the United States who promoted the New Frontier, managed Cold War crises like the Cuban Missile Crisis, and supported early civil rights efforts.

Malcolm X

(1960s) African American leader who advocated Black nationalism, self-defense, and pride, influencing the Black Power movement.

March On Washington

(1963) Massive civil rights demonstration where Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech advocating racial equality.

Medicaid

(1965) Great Society program providing healthcare assistance to low-income individuals and families.

Medicare

(1965) Federal program providing health insurance to Americans aged 65 and older.

New Frontier

(1961) Domestic and foreign policy agenda of John F. Kennedy focusing on economic growth, space exploration, and social reform.

Ngo Dinh Diem

(1955) U.S.-supported leader of South Vietnam whose unpopular and authoritarian rule contributed to instability and conflict.

Richard Nixon

(1968) U.S. president who escalated and later reduced involvement in Vietnam and pursued détente with the Soviet Union and China.

Robert Kennedy

(1960s) U.S. Attorney General and senator who supported civil rights and anti-poverty efforts, later assassinated during his 1968 presidential campaign.

Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee

(1960) Civil rights organization formed by students to lead grassroots activism such as sit-ins and voter registration drives.

Tet Offensive

(1968) Major surprise attack by North Vietnamese and Viet Cong forces that weakened U.S. public support for the Vietnam War despite military failure.

Viet Cong

(1960s) Communist guerrilla fighters in South Vietnam who opposed the U.S.-backed South Vietnamese government and were supported by North Vietnam.