Civil Rights & Social Movements, Vietnam & Cold War, Politics & Government, Cultural Movements, Court Cases, Foreign Affairs

A collection of vocabulary flashcards based on key concepts from the Civil Rights movement, Vietnam War era, political developments, and social movements.

Sit-ins

Peaceful protests at segregated lunch counters that helped launch the civil rights movement.

SNCC (Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee)

Organized youth-led civil rights actions like sit-ins and voter registration.

CORE – Freedom Rides

Challenged segregation on buses in the South and faced violent resistance.

March on Birmingham

Protest against segregation that shocked the nation with police violence.

March on Washington

1963 rally for civil rights where MLK gave the 'I Have a Dream' speech.

Freedom Summer

1964 campaign to register Black voters in the South.

Selma Bridge Protest

A peaceful march met with brutal force, leading to the Voting Rights Act.

Voting Rights Act (1965)

Banned literacy tests and ensured Black voting rights.

Race Riots (Watts, 1967)

Urban uprisings due to racism, poverty, and police violence.

Kerner Report

Government report after riots, said racism and segregation caused unrest, famous for saying America was becoming two society, one black, one white, separate and unequal

Malcolm X

Black leader who promoted self-defense and pride.

Black Power

Movement promoting Black self-reliance and pride.

Black Separatism

Belief in forming separate Black institutions and identity.

Cesar Chavez / Chicano Cultures

Fought for Latino farmworker rights through peaceful protest.

Red Power – Clyde Warrior

Native American movement demanding sovereignty and rights.

Mattachine Society

Early gay rights advocacy group.

NOW (National Organization for Women)

Pushed for gender equality and women’s rights.

The Feminine Mystique

Book by Betty Friedan that launched second-wave feminism.

Vietnam War

U.S. involvement in Southeast Asia to stop communism.

Ngo Dinh Diem

U.S.-backed South Vietnam leader who was later overthrown.

Gulf of Tonkin

Incident that gave LBJ power to escalate the Vietnam War.

Viet Cong

Communist guerrillas in South Vietnam.

Tet Offensive

Surprise attacks by Viet Cong that turned U.S. public against the war.

Dominican Republic (1965)

U.S. sent troops to prevent a potential communist regime.

Walter Lippmann

Critic of Cold War idealism and U.S. foreign policy.

1960 Election

JFK defeats Nixon in the first televised debates.

Lyndon B. Johnson (LBJ)

Took over after JFK’s assassination and launched the Great Society.

Great Society

LBJ’s anti-poverty and civil rights agenda.

Hart-Celler Act (1965)

Ended race-based immigration quotas and opened U.S. immigration.

Counterculture

1960s youth rebellion against war and materialism, promoting freedom.

SDS (Students for a Democratic Society)

Student-led movement for civil rights and opposition to the Vietnam War.

Loving v. Virginia

Legalized interracial marriage.

Baker v. Carr

Ensured fair legislative representation ('one person, one vote').

Miranda v. Arizona

Required police to inform suspects of their rights.

Roe v. Wade (1973)

Legalized abortion nationwide.

Bay of Pigs (1961)

Failed U.S.-backed invasion of Cuba.

Cuba Embargo

U.S. banned trade with Cuba to isolate Castro.

Cuban Missile Crisis (1962)

U.S.-USSR standoff over nuclear weapons that nearly led to war.

Alliance for Progress

JFK plan to aid Latin America and stop communism.

Peace Corps

Sent Americans abroad to help poor nations and spread goodwill.