dcush final 2

Obama's campaign

The first political campaign of the twenty-first century that used social media and internet tools for organizing, fundraising, and engaging younger voters—innovative and grassroots-focused.

Hurricane Katrina

The 2005 disaster that devastated New Orleans, with the federal response criticized as slow and ineffective, damaging President Bush's approval ratings.

Sonia Sotomayor

First Hispanic Supreme Court Justice, nominated by Obama in 2009.

Black Lives Matter Movement

Emerged after the 2013 acquittal of George Zimmerman in the Trayvon Martin case; protests racial injustice and police violence.

2000 election

Bush vs. Gore; extremely close; decided by a Supreme Court case halting Florida recount (Bush v. Gore), effectively giving Bush the presidency.

Bush's reasons for war against Iraq

Saddam Hussein claimed to possess weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) and had ties to terrorism; these claims were later discredited.

Contract with America

A legislative agenda advocated by the Republican Party during the 1994 congressional campaign, detailing promised actions if they became the majority party in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Operation Desert Storm

A U.S.-led coalition military campaign launched against Iraq in 1991 to liberate Kuwait after Iraq's invasion, beginning with an aerial and naval bombardment on 17 January 1991.

Patriot missile system

Used in combat for the first time during Operation Desert Storm to intercept Iraqi Scud missiles.

Reasons for the end of the Cold War

Began to break down during Mikhail Gorbachev's administration, with the collapse of communist regimes in Eastern Europe and the reunification of Germany.

Principles of conservatism

Emphasizes tradition, limited government, individual responsibility, established social and political structures, community, national identity, and moral values.

Fiscal responsibility

A principle of conservatism that values managing government spending and budgets effectively.

Free markets

A principle of conservatism that values economic systems with minimal government intervention.

Nixon's New Federalism

Advocated for policies that benefit free markets and business, and reduce the role of federal government.

Nixon Doctrine

Emphasizes America's strength and the belief that they should help other countries.

Peace through Strength

A principle of conservatism that advocates for a strong military to ensure national security.

Human dignity

A principle of conservatism that values the inherent worth of each individual.

The Rule of law

A principle of conservatism that emphasizes the importance of laws being applied equally and fairly.

Limited government

A principle of conservatism that advocates for a government with restricted powers to protect individual freedoms.

Individual freedom

A principle of conservatism that values personal liberties and autonomy.

Bush

Tax cuts, increased military spending, approach to foreign policy; demonstrated 'compassionate conservatism'; social programs such as No Child Left Behind (improved education—especially for disadvantaged children).

Reagan

Prioritized reduced government intervention in the economy, increased military spending, and advocated for traditional values; Reaganomics: tax cuts, deregulation.

Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965

Ended the quota system based on national origin, allowing more immigrants from Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

Economy under Carter

Faced 'stagflation' (high inflation + unemployment), the oil crisis, and low consumer confidence. Struggled with energy shortages and economic recession.

Causes of the Watergate Scandal

Nixon's aides broke into the Democratic National Committee headquarters; the attempted cover-up led to a political scandal.

Nixon's role in the Watergate Scandal

Approved efforts to obstruct the FBI's investigation; tapes revealed involvement in the cover-up.

Effect of the Watergate Scandal

Led to Nixon's resignation in 1974; increased public distrust in government.

Camp David Accords

The 1978 peace agreement between Egypt and Israel was brokered by President Carter, which was a major diplomatic achievement.

Reasons for Nixon's win in 1968

Promised 'law and order,' appealed to the 'silent majority,' and capitalized on divisions over Vietnam and civil unrest.

New Federalism

Nixon's plan to shift some powers from the federal government to the states, including revenue sharing.

Vietnamization

Nixon's strategy was to gradually withdraw U.S. troops and transfer combat responsibility to South Vietnamese forces.

Gulf of Tonkin Resolution

1964; gave President Johnson broad military powers in Vietnam after alleged attacks on U.S. ships.

1973 Oil Embargo

OPEC cut oil exports to the U.S. after support for Israel in the Yom Kippur War, which led to fuel shortages and an economic crisis.

Miranda v. Arizona

1966 Supreme Court case; required police to inform suspects of their rights ('Miranda rights').

Nixon's détente

Policy of easing Cold War tensions through diplomacy, arms control (SALT), and visits to China and the USSR.

War Powers Act of 1973

Limited the president's power to deploy troops without Congressional approval, in response to the Vietnam War.

Cuban Missile Crisis

1962; Soviet missiles in Cuba led to a tense standoff; resolved peacefully when the USSR agreed to remove missiles in exchange for a U.S. non-invasion pledge and secret missile removal from Turkey.

Public confidence in the Vietnam War

Deteriorated in the 1960s and 1970s due to televised war coverage, rising U.S. casualties, the draft, the My Lai Massacre, and the Pentagon Papers revealing misleading government statements.

Freedom Summer

Encouraged blacks to register to vote; thousands of white college students took part, and from the beginning, their efforts were severely challenged.

Brown v. Board of Education

The court case decided unanimously in 1954 that segregation was unconstitutional, overthrowing the Plessy v. Ferguson ruling that had set the 'separate but equal' precedent.

Desegregation

The process of ending the separation of two groups, typically referring to racial groups in schools.

Segregated public schools

Schools that are separated based on race, leading to inequality where black students felt inferior.

Plessy v Ferguson

A landmark Supreme Court case that upheld the constitutionality of racial segregation under the 'separate but equal' doctrine.

Black Power movement

A movement advocating for the rights and empowerment of black people in America, emphasizing unity and heritage.

Black Panther Party

A political organization founded by Huey P. Newton, Stokely Carmichael, and Bobby Seale, focused on self-defense and community services for black Americans.

Truman Doctrine

A U.S. policy established to provide political, military, and economic aid to nations threatened by communism, marking a shift from isolationism.

Containment

The U.S. Cold War strategy aimed at preventing the spread of communism by limiting its influence rather than directly challenging the Soviet Union.

Women in the workforce in WW2

The increased participation of women in jobs, particularly in defense industries, due to labor shortages caused by men serving in the military.

Marshall Plan

A U.S. program that provided $12 billion in aid to help rebuild Western European countries after WWII to promote economic stability and prevent communism.

Bracero program

A U.S. initiative that allowed Mexican laborers to work temporarily in American agriculture and railroads to fill labor shortages.

Reasons for the use of the atomic bomb

To avoid risking American soldiers, to force Japan's quick surrender, and to demonstrate U.S. power.

Use of rationing

A method used during WWII to ensure fair distribution of scarce resources, prioritizing military needs.

Arsenal of democracy

A phrase used by Franklin D. Roosevelt to describe the U.S. role in supplying materials to Allied nations during WWII.

Long Telegram

A message from U.S. diplomat George Kennan arguing that the Soviet Union was expansionist and untrustworthy, laying the groundwork for containment policy.

Cold War

The period of geopolitical tension between the U.S. and the Soviet Union after WWII, characterized by ideological conflict and military rivalry.

Red Scare

A period of intense fear of communism in the U.S., leading to widespread suspicion and persecution of suspected communists.

SNCC

The Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, a civil rights organization that played a key role in the American civil rights movement.

Huey P. Newton

Co-founder of the Black Panther Party who advocated for self-defense and civil rights for African Americans.

Bobby Seale

Co-founder of the Black Panther Party, known for his activism and leadership in the civil rights movement.

Malcolm X

An African American Muslim minister and human rights activist known for his advocacy for black empowerment and his critique of the civil rights movement.

Gender roles in the 1950s

Socially constructed roles that dictated the behaviors and expectations of men and women during the 1950s, often emphasizing conformity.

Military spending during the Cold War

Increased defense budgets and military expenditures in the U.S. in response to perceived threats from the Soviet Union.

Navajo Code Talkers

Using natives as a source of communication, during World War II, Americans used Navajo Indians to transmit sensitive information without enemies intercepting the message.

Island hopping

A U.S. military strategy in the Pacific during World War II where forces captured strategically important islands one by one, moving closer to Japan while bypassing enemy positions.

Sputnik

The first launched satellite that started the space race between the U.S. and Russia.

Eisenhower's federal highway system

Made the federal highway system to transport military vehicles around the country with ease.

Arms race - defense spending

Both Russia and the U.S increased how much they spend, regarding their defense and they began to increase their nuclear weapons supplies.

Dust Bowl

A period of severe dust storms that affected the central U.S., especially the Great Plains. Drought and poor farming practices led to massive soil erosion.

Effects of the Dust Bowl

It displaced thousands of families, especially farmers, caused crop failures, and worsened the economic conditions during the Great Depression. Many families migrated west to California in search of work.

Harlem Renaissance

A cultural, artistic, and intellectual movement centered in Harlem, New York, that celebrated Black culture, arts, and music. Key figures included Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston, and Duke Ellington.

Red Scare - define, actions taken by government

A period of fear of communism and radical leftism after World War I. The government took action through deportations, and crackdowns on suspected radicals and anarchists.

FDR and the Supreme Court

President Franklin D. Roosevelt faced opposition from the Supreme Court regarding his New Deal programs. In 1937, he proposed the Court-packing plan to add justices sympathetic to his policies, but it was met with strong criticism and was not passed.

Impact of Great Depression on minority groups

Minority groups, especially African Americans and Native Americans, faced increased discrimination, job loss, and poverty. African Americans often saw higher unemployment rates, and Native American communities were impacted by government policies like the Indian Reorganization Act.

Opposition to the League of Nations

Many U.S. senators, led by Henry Cabot Lodge, opposed joining the League of Nations due to concerns about losing national sovereignty and getting involved in future international conflicts.

Henry Cabot Lodge

A U.S. senator and leader of the opposition to the Treaty of Versailles and the League of Nations. He feared it would undermine U.S. independence in foreign policy.

Schenck v. US

A Supreme Court case that upheld the conviction of Charles Schenck, who was arrested for distributing anti-draft pamphlets during WWI. The ruling established the 'clear and present danger' test, limiting free speech during wartime.

Social Darwinism

The belief that certain races or nations were superior and that it was natural for them to dominate others. It was used to justify imperialism and the exploitation of non-Western nations.

Roosevelt Corollary

Kept Monroe Doctrine intact; US would handle any 'necessary intervention in Latin America on behalf of Europe.' Latin Americans viewed US as 'bully.'

Big Stick Policy

Roosevelt's idea of negotiating peacefully but having strength in case things go awry.

Alfred T. Mahan

Wrote The Influence of Sea Power Upon History; influenced US foreign policy and naval tactics (believed in having a strong navy for global influence).

Farmers and the Populist Movement

Goal: enhance farmers lives with organized social activities; shifted to improvement of farmers' plight.

What did the Populist Movement advocate for?

Free coinage of silver to increase supply (inflation would help farmer's debt), federal regulation of railroads, direct election of Senators, graduated income tax, 8-hour workday & labor rights, subtreasury plans.

Oregon Trail

Significant migration route from Oregon to California.

Transcontinental Railroad

Built in 1869; faster trade/transportation.

Manifest Destiny

Belief that the United States had a divine right to expand across the continent.

Louisiana Purchase

Acquisition of Louisiana in 1803; opens vast areas for settlement and doubles the size of the nation.

Gold Rush

Discovery of gold in California.

Dawes Act

Designed to promote assimilation; dissolved tribes and eliminated tribal ownership of land.

Rugged individualism

Promoted by the Dawes Act; grants individual heads of family 160 acres to farm on.

Treatment of natives

Forced assimilation to society & Christianity, violence and abuse through forced removals/massacres.

Broken treaties

Plains Indians were promised solitude and supplies post-Civil War but were forced to surrender land to government.

Reformers of the Progressive Era

Rejected laissez-faire, advocating for increased government intervention.

Changes brought by railroads

Key to opening the West, aided development of other industries, created a national market.

Gilded Age

A period in late 19th-century America marked by rapid economic growth, industrialization, and wealth for a few, but also widespread corruption and poor working conditions for many.

Political Machines

Could be greedy and often stole from taxpayers; involved in voting fraud.

Boss Tweed

Led Tammany Hall (political machine) in favor of the Democratic Party; made over $200 million securing bribes and manipulating the government.