Studyguide 1

Emergency Banking Act (1933)

Legislation aimed to stabilize the banking system during the Great Depression by allowing only solvent banks to reopen under federal supervision.

Hundred Days

The initial period of FDR's presidency marked by a surge of legislative activity and New Deal programs to combat the Great Depression.

National Recovery Administration (NRA)

A New Deal agency that aimed to promote cooperation between businesses and workers by establishing fair practice codes.

Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC)

A public works program that provided employment for young men in conservation projects during the Depression.

Public Works Administration (PWA)

A New Deal agency focused on job creation through large-scale public works projects contracted with private companies.

Share our Wealth Movement

A populist movement led by Huey Long advocating for economic security and wealth redistribution during the Great Depression.

Social Security Act (1935)

Landmark legislation establishing a social insurance program, including old-age pensions and unemployment compensation.

Court-packing plan (1936)

FDR's controversial proposal to expand the Supreme Court to support New Deal legislation.

Scottsboro Boys

Nine African American teenagers falsely accused of raping two white women, highlighting racial injustice in the legal system.

Four Freedoms

FDR's vision of fundamental rights for all, including freedom of speech, worship, want, and fear, articulated in 1941.

Rosie the Riveter

Cultural icon representing women who worked in factories during WWII, challenging gender roles.

GI Bill of Rights (1944)

Legislation providing benefits to WWII veterans, facilitating their transition to civilian life and contributing to the middle class.

Bracero Program (1942)

A guest worker program recruiting Mexican laborers for agriculture in the U.S. during WWII.

“zoot suit” riots (1943)

Violent clashes in Los Angeles fueled by racial tensions and prejudice against young Mexican-American men wearing zoot suits.

Executive Order 9066 (1942)

Order authorizing the forced removal of Japanese Americans to internment camps during WWII.

Executive Order 8802 (1941)

Order prohibiting racial discrimination in defense industries and government jobs, a significant step for civil rights.

“double-V” campaign

A WWII slogan advocating for victory against fascism abroad and racism at home.

containment (1946)

U.S. foreign policy strategy to prevent the spread of communism during the Cold War.

Iron Curtain (1946)

Term describing the ideological boundary dividing Europe during the Cold War, coined by Winston Churchill.

Truman Doctrine (1947)

Policy asserting U.S. support for countries resisting communism, beginning with Greece and Turkey.

Marshall Plan (1947)

American initiative providing economic assistance to Western Europe to promote recovery and prevent communism.

NATO (1949)

Military alliance formed for collective security against Soviet threat, including U.S. and Western European countries.

Loyalty Review System (1947)

Truman's investigation system to assess the loyalty of federal employees amid Cold War fears.

Hollywood Ten (1947)

Group of filmmakers blacklisted for refusing to cooperate with investigations into communist influence in Hollywood.

Levittown (1947)

Mass-produced suburban development symbolizing post-WWII housing boom and veteran benefits.

“baby boom”

Significant increase in birth rates in the U.S. post-WWII, driven by optimism and returning veterans.

Interstate Highway System (1956)

Legislation authorizing nationwide highway construction, improving transportation and commerce.

Brown v. Board of Education (1954)

Supreme Court case declaring state-sponsored school segregation unconstitutional.

Emmett Till (1941-1955)

14-year-old lynched in Mississippi, his case became a rallying point for the civil rights movement.

Montgomery Bus Boycott (1955)

Civil rights protest sparked by Rosa Parks' arrest, led by MLK to challenge bus segregation.

Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee (SNCC)

Group formed to support nonviolent action against segregation in the civil rights movement.

Freedom Rides (1961)

Civil rights protests challenging segregation on interstate buses, met with violence in the South.

March on Washington (1963)

Massive civil rights protest advocating for economic and civil rights, highlighted by MLK's 'I Have a Dream' speech.

Selma (1965)

Protests advocating for African American voting rights, leading to the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Civil Rights Act of 1964

Legislation outlawing discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or origin.

Voting Rights Act of 1965

Legislation eliminating discriminatory voting practices, empowering the federal government in voter registration.

Great Society (1965-1967)

Domestic programs launched by LBJ aimed at eliminating poverty and racial injustice.

“Black Power” (post-1966)

Movement advocating for self-determination and economic empowerment for African Americans.

Counterculture

Cultural movement rejecting mainstream values, characterized by alternative lifestyles and social experimentation.

National Organization of Women (1966)

Feminist organization advocating for women's rights and gender equality.

American Indian Movement (AIM)

Advocacy group addressing Native American sovereignty and social justice issues, known for active protests.

Silent Spring (1962)

Book by Rachel Carson raising awareness about pesticide effects on the environment, inspiring activism.

The Stonewall Uprising (1969)

LGBTQ+ demonstrations in response to police raid, marking a turning point in the rights movement.

My Lai Massacre (1968)

Mass killing of Vietnamese civilians by U.S. soldiers, provoking outrage and anti-war sentiments.

Watergate Scandal (1972-1974)

Political scandal involving the Nixon administration leading to his resignation after the Watergate break-in.