History

Describe the woman of the 1920s.

Women gained more independence and freedom after getting the right to vote in 1920. 'Flappers' became popular for their shorter hair, modern fashion, and rebellious behavior. More women worked outside the home and challenged traditional gender roles.

What was the goal of the Harlem Renaissance?

To celebrate African American culture, art, music, and literature. To promote racial pride and equality. To create opportunities for Black artists and writers.

What was the cause of the Red Scare?

Fear of communism spreading after the Russian Revolution. Labor strikes and bombings increased fear of radicals. Americans worried immigrants might bring communist ideas.

What were the causes of Prohibition?

Religious and reform groups believed alcohol caused crime and poverty. Temperance movements pushed for banning alcohol. Many believed banning alcohol would improve family life and morals.

Define buying on margin.

Buying stocks with borrowed money. Investors only paid part of the stock price upfront. This increased debt and worsened the stock market crash.

What was the importance of the radio/movies during the 30s?

They provided entertainment and escape from Depression hardships. Radios allowed Americans to hear news and Roosevelt’s speeches. Movies helped boost hope and morale.

List the social/psychological effects of the Great Depression.

High unemployment and homelessness increased. Many people lost hope, confidence, and savings. Families struggled with stress, hunger, and poverty.

What was the Dust Bowl?

A series of severe dust storms in the Great Plains during the 1930s. Caused by drought and poor farming practices. Forced many farming families to migrate west.

What were the goals of the New Deal?

Provide relief for struggling Americans. Help the economy recover. Reform banks and businesses to prevent future depressions.

Define deficit spending.

When the government spends more money than it earns. Used during the New Deal to fund programs and jobs. Increased national debt but helped economic recovery.

What was the WPA?

The Works Progress Administration. A New Deal program that created jobs for unemployed Americans. Workers built roads, schools, bridges, and parks.

Describe the 'fireside chats.'

Radio speeches given by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Explained government programs in simple terms. Helped calm and reassure Americans during the Depression.

What event ended the Great Depression?

World War II. Wartime production created millions of jobs. Increased factory work boosted the economy.

Define appeasement.

Giving in to aggressive demands to avoid conflict. European countries allowed Hitler to take land hoping to prevent war. It failed because Hitler continued expanding.

Who was the President of the U.S. during much of WWII?

Franklin D. Roosevelt. Led the U.S. through most of the Great Depression and WWII. Died in 1945 before the war ended.

What event occurred on December 7th, 1941?

Japan attacked Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. The attack destroyed ships and killed thousands. The U.S. entered WWII the next day.

How did the U.S. prepare and equip for war?

Factories switched to wartime production. The government drafted soldiers into the military. Citizens rationed goods and bought war bonds.

What were the results of D-Day?

Allied forces invaded Nazi-occupied France on June 6, 1944. Helped begin the liberation of Western Europe. Marked a major turning point against Germany.

What were the causes of the Cold War?

Tension between communism and democracy/capitalism. Distrust between the U.S. and Soviet Union after WWII. Competition for global influence and power.

Who were the two superpowers during the Cold War?

The United States and The Soviet Union. Both competed politically, militarily, and technologically.

What was the cause of McCarthyism?

Fear that communists had infiltrated the U.S. government. Senator Joseph McCarthy accused many people without strong evidence. The Red Scare increased public fear and suspicion.

What were the results of the Korean War?

Korea remained divided at the 38th parallel. North Korea stayed communist while South Korea stayed democratic. The war ended in a stalemate, not a peace treaty.

What was the Bay of Pigs?

A failed U.S.-backed invasion of Cuba in 1961. Cuban exiles tried to overthrow Fidel Castro. The failure embarrassed the U.S.

Which countries were involved in the Cuban Missile Crisis?

The United States, The Soviet Union, and Cuba.

Define a flexible response.

A Cold War policy created by President Kennedy. Allowed the U.S. to respond to threats in different ways, not just nuclear weapons. Included military, economic, and diplomatic actions.

What case ended segregation in public schools?

Brown v. Board of Education. The Supreme Court ruled school segregation unconstitutional. Overturned 'separate but equal' in education.

Define segregation.

The separation of people based on race. Common in schools, transportation, and public places in the South. Enforced by Jim Crow laws.

Compare/contrast MLK and Malcolm X.

Martin Luther King Jr. promoted nonviolent protest and integration. Malcolm X supported Black pride and self-defense. Both fought for equality and civil rights for African Americans.

Who was James Meredith?

The first African American student admitted to the University of Mississippi. Faced violent protests when enrolling in 1962. Became an important civil rights figure.

Which civil rights leaders were assassinated in 1968?

Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy. Their deaths shocked the nation and caused unrest.

What was the turning point of Vietnam?

The Tet Offensive in 1968. Showed Americans the war was not close to ending. Increased public doubt about the war.

What led to increased protests of the war?

Rising U.S. casualties and the military draft. Television coverage showed the violence of war. Many believed the government was misleading the public.

Why was Vietnam known as a 'working class war?'

Many soldiers came from poor or working-class families. Wealthier Americans often avoided the draft through college deferments. Minority groups were heavily represented in combat.

What were the results of the Watergate Scandal?

President Richard Nixon resigned in 1974. Americans lost trust in the government. Several officials were arrested or convicted.

Define détente.

A period of relaxed tensions between the U.S. and Soviet Union. Both countries tried diplomacy instead of conflict. Included arms control agreements.

What is unique about Ford’s presidency?

Gerald Ford was never elected president or vice president. Became president after Nixon resigned. Pardoned Nixon, which was controversial.

What issues were encountered by Ford and Carter?

High inflation and unemployment hurt the economy. Energy shortages and rising gas prices occurred. Americans had low confidence in government leadership.

What occurred at the Camp David Accords?

Peace talks between Egypt and Israel. President Jimmy Carter helped negotiate the agreement. Led to a peace treaty between the two countries.

What was the symbolic ending to the Cold War?

The fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. Represented the collapse of communist control in Eastern Europe. Led to the eventual breakup of the Soviet Union.

Why did the U.S. become engaged in the Persian Gulf War?

Iraq invaded Kuwait in 1990. The U.S. wanted to protect oil supplies and stop aggression. A coalition force pushed Iraq out of Kuwait.

What was the significance of the Election of 2000?

The election between George W. Bush and Al Gore was extremely close. The Supreme Court decided the Florida recount. George W. Bush became president despite losing the popular vote.

What major events occurred under the presidency of George W. Bush?

The September 11 terrorist attacks occurred. The U.S. fought wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. The Department of Homeland Security was created.

What were the major domestic terrorist events of the late 20th century?

The Oklahoma City bombing in 1995. The bombing killed 168 people. It increased concerns about domestic extremism.

What were the results of 9/11?

Nearly 3,000 people were killed in terrorist attacks. The U.S. launched the War on Terror. Airport and national security increased greatly.

Describe the goal of the Affordable Care Act.

To increase access to health insurance. To reduce the number of uninsured Americans. To prevent insurance companies from denying coverage for preexisting conditions.