A.H. 2nd semester

Sputnik

The first artificial Earth satellite, launched by the Soviet Union in 1957, marking the beginning of the space race.

Space Race

The competition between the United States and the Soviet Union for dominance in space exploration during the Cold War.

National Defense Education Act

A 1958 US federal legislation to provide funding to improve education in science, mathematics, and foreign languages.

Bay-of-Pigs Invasion

A failed military invasion of Cuba by CIA-sponsored paramilitary group in April 1961.

Cuban Missile Crisis

A 13-day confrontation in October 1962 between the United States and the Soviet Union over Soviet missile deployment in Cuba.

Warren Commission Findings

The findings of the 1964 commission that investigated the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.

Lee Harvey Oswald

The man charged with the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.

Jack Ruby

The nightclub owner who killed Lee Harvey Oswald two days after Oswald's arrest.

C.I.A

Central Intelligence Agency, responsible for gathering intelligence and conducting covert operations.

Operation Ajax

The 1953 CIA operation that led to the overthrow of Iran's democratically elected Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh.

Blowback

The unintended consequences of covert operations that cause harm or backlash against one's own interests.

Vietnam War Goals

The U.S. aimed to prevent the spread of communism, while North Vietnam sought unification under communist rule.

Ngo Dinh Diem

The first President of South Vietnam, whose regime faced significant opposition and was ultimately overthrown.

Ho Chi Minh

The leader of North Vietnam and a key figure in the fight for Vietnamese independence.

Vietcong

A guerrilla force that fought against the South Vietnamese government and the U.S. during the Vietnam War.

Ho Chi Minh Trail

A network of supply routes used by North Vietnam to transport troops and supplies to South Vietnam.

Gulf of Tonkin Incident

A confrontation that escalated U.S. involvement in Vietnam, following alleged attacks on U.S. ships.

Operation Rolling Thunder

A sustained bombing campaign against North Vietnam during the Vietnam War.

Conscription

The compulsory enlistment for military service, also known as the draft.

Tet Offensive

A major offensive by North Vietnamese and Vietcong forces in January 1968, which surprised U.S. and South Vietnamese forces.

Vietnamization

Nixon's policy of gradually withdrawing U.S. troops and transferring combat responsibilities to South Vietnam.

Kent State Protest

A protest at Kent State University in 1970 against the U.S. invasion of Cambodia that resulted in the shooting of four students by the National Guard.

Silent Spring

A book by Rachel Carson that highlighted the dangers of pesticides, sparking the modern environmental movement.

EPA

Environmental Protection Agency, established in 1970 to protect human health and the environment.

Cuyahoga River Fire

A fire on the Cuyahoga River in 1969 that raised awareness about environmental pollution.

Watergate Scandal

A major political scandal involving the break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters and subsequent cover-up by the Nixon administration.

Berlin Wall

A barrier that divided East and West Berlin from 1961 to 1989, symbolizing the Cold War.

SDI (Strategic Defense Initiative)

A proposed missile defense system intended to protect the U.S. from nuclear missile attacks.

9/11 Attacks

The September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the U.S. that resulted in nearly 3,000 deaths.

Department of Homeland Security

A U.S. government agency created after 9/11 to coordinate national efforts to protect against and respond to terrorist threats.

PATRIOT Act

A law passed in response to the 9/11 attacks that expanded the government's surveillance and investigative powers.

Operation Enduring Freedom

U.S. military operation launched in October 2001 to dismantle Al Qaeda and remove the Taliban in Afghanistan.

Al Qaeda

A global terrorist organization responsible for the 9/11 attacks.

2003 Iraq War

An armed conflict that led to the overthrow of Saddam Hussein, justified by the U.S. based on claims of weapons of mass destruction.

Debate over treatment of suspected terrorists

Discussions surrounding the ethics and legality of how suspected terrorists are treated and interrogated.