Lecture Notes on Cold War, Civil Rights, Social and Culture, and Modern America

Flashcards on Cold War, Civil Rights, Social and Culture, and Modern America based on lecture notes.

Why was the USA afraid during the Cold War?

Fear of the communist USSR.

What was the Truman Doctrine?

Committed the United States to providing political, military, and economic aid to democratic nations under threat from authoritarian forces.

What was the Marshall Plan?

Provided economic aid to West Europe after WW2.

What did the Loyalty Board do?

Investigated communist influence.

What was the purpose of HUAC?

Investigations targeting suspected communists.

What is McCarthyism?

Red scare perpetuated by McCarthy.

How did the Arms Race affect the Cold War?

Caused both Russia and America to be on high alert of each other, with the risk of nuclear war and a race to build the biggest bomb.

What was the Space Race?

Technological rivalry; caused different science and mathematics to be taught in schools; race to build the biggest space ship.

What is détente?

Seeks to improve relations with the USSR to protect America.

Why did the Cold War end?

Collapse of the Soviet Union and fall of the Berlin Wall; iron curtain lifted.

How did the fall of communism impact American domestic policy?

Shift in government spending policies; less money to military; focused more on the economy.

What tactics and strategies did civil rights organizations employ?

Peaceful protests, Black Panthers, NAACP, SNCC, sit-ins, boycotts.

What was the focus of civil rights struggles?

Black people struggled to get equal rights.

What was the pushback/backlash against the civil rights movement?

White people felt threatened; police brutality.

How did civil rights expand to other minorities and groups?

Expanded to Native Americans, women, LGBTQ, and Asians.

What is de facto segregation?

Illegal but not enforced.

How did America readjust and recover post-WWII (SPEC)?

Shifted from war time production; Marshall Plan put in place to help with economic recovery in Europe; GI Bill provides housing and education benefits to veterans.

What was the impact of the new emphasis on consumerism and technology?

Shift from rationing to pleasure buys; people were buying new furniture and appliances.

What were the changes in mass media and their impact on American culture?

Radios and Televisions.

What are some examples of counterculture in America in the 1960s?

music, poetry, hippies, yuppies, new left, women’s rights activists, LGBTQ rights activists.

What were the causes and effects of the 2008 economic collapse?

Housing bubble, subprime mortgages, higher interest rates, lack of regulation in the financial industry.