Cold War and Civil Rights Flashcards

Flashcards about Cold War and Civil Rights Movement

Churchill’s 'Iron Curtain' speech (1946)

Warned of Soviet expansion and described an 'iron curtain' dividing Eastern (communist) and Western (democratic) Europe, marking the start of the Cold War.

Containment Policy (1947)

U.S. strategy to prevent the spread of communism abroad, leading to involvement in global conflicts.

Lunch Counter Sit-Ins (1950s)

Peaceful protests where Black students sat at segregated lunch counters, refusing to leave until served or arrested.

Eisenhower’s presidency in regard to civil rights

While moderate on civil rights, he enforced desegregation (e.g., Little Rock Crisis) and signed the Civil Rights Act of 1957.

Martin Luther King, Jr.

A civil rights leader who advocated for nonviolent resistance; led movements like the Montgomery Bus Boycott and March on Washington.

Brown v. Board of Education (1954)

Declared racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional under the 14th Amendment; overturned Plessy v. Ferguson.

Civil Rights successes of the 1950s

Brown v. Board, Montgomery Bus Boycott, rise of MLK, and increased national attention to segregation issues.

French and Indochina (Vietnam) connected in the 1950s

Vietnam sought independence from French rule; U.S. began involvement by supporting the French to stop communism.

"Culture of Poverty" (1960–1985)

A term referring to systemic and generational poverty, influencing Great Society programs.

Cuban Missile Crisis (1962)

A 13-day standoff between the U.S. and USSR over Soviet nuclear missiles in Cuba; ended with Soviet withdrawal.

Betty Friedan

Author of The Feminine Mystique; challenged gender roles and co-founded the National Organization for Women (NOW).

Kennedy’s 1963 Berlin Wall speech ('Ich bin ein Berliner')

Showed U.S. support for West Berlin and opposition to communism during Cold War tensions.

Gulf of Tonkin Resolution (1964)

Gave President Johnson authority to use military force in Vietnam without a formal war declaration.

LBJ’s “Great Society”

Johnson’s domestic reform agenda aiming to end poverty and racial injustice through programs like Medicare, Medicaid, and the War on Poverty.

How conservatives responded to 1960s counterculture and liberalism

They rejected the sexual revolution, drug use, and anti-war protests, leading to a conservative resurgence in the 1970s.

Watergate (1972–1974)

Political scandal where Nixon’s campaign tried to spy on Democrats; Nixon resigned to avoid impeachment.

Carter’s presidency (1977–1981)

Focused on human rights and energy policy; struggled with inflation and the Iran hostage crisis.

Phyllis Schlafly

Conservative activist who opposed the Equal Rights Amendment and feminist goals.

Significant aspect of the 1980 Presidential Election

Ronald Reagan defeated Jimmy Carter, signaling a conservative shift in U.S. politics.

Goals of the Reagan Presidency

Shrink government, cut taxes, increase defense spending, and fight communism aggressively.

Moral Majority

A political group of conservative Christians aiming to promote traditional family values and elect Republicans.

Reaganomics

“Trickle-down” economics: cutting taxes and deregulating business to stimulate growth; benefited wealthy most.

Iran-Contra Scandal

Reagan officials secretly sold arms to Iran and funneled money to Nicaraguan Contras, violating U.S. law.

George H. W. Bush’s vision of a “New World Order” (1989–1993)

A post-Cold War world focused on democracy, free markets, and international cooperation.

Happening in Eastern Europe in 1989

Communist governments collapsed across Eastern Europe, starting with Poland and East Germany.

Cause of the Fall of the USSR in 1991

Economic collapse, reforms by Gorbachev (Glasnost & Perestroika), and loss of control over satellite states.