usa history final exam

Ideologies of the US and USSR

The US was democratic and capitalist, wanting other countries to be democratic and prevent communism. The USSR was communist, believing that countries should adopt communism and spread its influence.

Berlin Blockade

A situation where the Soviet Union blocked all land and water transport to western Berlin, aiming to starve out the Allies.

Berlin Airlift

An operation where Allied nations sent aircraft to supply western Berlin for nearly a year, as the USSR could not control airspace.

Marshall Plan

A plan to provide economic aid to Europe for reindustrialization and rebuilding after WWII.

Containment

A policy designed to contain communism and prevent it from spreading to nearby countries.

HUAC (House Un-American Activities Committee)

A committee established to investigate disloyalty and activities by citizens suspected of communist ties.

Civil liberties violation

The blurring lines between national security and civil liberties led to concerns among US citizens about expressing socialist beliefs.

Blacklists

Lists of people deemed untrustworthy due to suspected communist ties, hindering their employment opportunities.

United Nations (UN)

Established in 1945, it includes representatives from 50 nations, with a Security Council including major powers like the USA and USSR.

NATO

A military alliance of 30 countries aimed at safeguarding allies through political and military means.

Korean War

A conflict where North Korea, a communist state, invaded South Korea, prompting US military involvement to prevent a domino effect of communism.

Vietnam War

A conflict ignited by the Vietcong's invasion of South Vietnam, leading to US intervention and significant domestic protest.

President Reagan's foreign policy

Focused on reversing the spread of communism in the Third World, regardless of Soviet control.

Berlin Wall

A barrier that came down symbolizing the end of the Cold War and the dissolution of the USSR in 1991.

The Gulf War

A coalition-led war to expel Iraqi forces from Kuwait, resulting in a quick military victory.

President Clinton's domestic policy

Prioritized domestic issues including NAFTA and attempted to allow gay military service through 'don't ask, don't tell'.

Watergate Scandal

A political scandal resulting from a break-in at the Watergate hotel related to Nixon's campaign, leading to his resignation.

Brown v. Board of Education

A landmark Supreme Court case that declared school segregation unconstitutional.

Emmett Till

A 14-year-old African American boy whose lynching sparked outrage and support for the civil rights movement.

Montgomery Bus Boycotts

Protests initiated after Rosa Parks' arrest for refusing to give up her bus seat, leading to desegregation on public buses.

Little Rock Nine

A group of African American students who integrated Little Rock High School under federal protection after resistance.

Freedom Rides

Civil rights activists' bus trips through the South to test desegregation of interstate buses, facing violent backlash.

Women’s movement

A social movement in the 1960s and '70s advocating for women's rights and equality.

LGBTQ Movement

A movement advocating for the rights of LGBTQ individuals, gaining momentum after the Stonewall Riots.

Vietnamization

A policy by Nixon aimed at ending US involvement in the Vietnam War by transferring the burden of combat to South Vietnamese forces.

Civil Rights Movement

A movement in the US aimed at ending racial discrimination and securing equal rights for African Americans.

The New Deal

A series of programs and reforms introduced by FDR to recover from the Great Depression, focusing on relief, recovery, and reform.

Robber Barons

A term used for wealthy business owners during the Industrial Revolution, often characterized as ruthless in their practices.

League of Nations

An international organization created after WWI to promote peace, though it failed due to lack of enforcement power.

Trickle-Down Economics

An economic theory suggesting that benefits for the wealthy will eventually lead to benefits for the broader population.

Agent Orange

A herbicide used in Vietnam that had devastating effects on both the environment and the health of people.

McCarthyism

The practice of making accusations of subversion or treason without proper evidence, particularly during the Red Scare.

Iron Curtain

A term used to describe the division between Communist Eastern Europe and the democratic Western Europe during the Cold War.