Period 8

1940s: Truman

  • The Sunbelt

    • Why are people moving there? Economic opportunities, defense industry jobs, lower taxes, air conditioning, and warmer climates.

    • Impact of migration: Growth of suburbs, shift in political power (more electoral votes), environmental strain, rise in conservative politics in the region.

  • Main Causes of Post-War Prosperity

    • Consumer demand, industrial/military spending during and after WWII

    • GI Bill 

      • Boosting education and home ownership for veteran soldiers

  • Baby boom 

    • Increasing population and demand for goods

  • Cheap electricity easily available

    • Cuts costs for goods

  • GI Bill

    • Provided education and housing benefits to WWII veterans; helped expand the middle class and increase college graduation rates.

  • Truman Doctrine / Containment

    • Policy to prevent the spread of communism; pledged support to countries resisting subjugation (starting with Greece and Turkey).

    • Containment: Overall U.S. Cold War strategy to stop the spread of communism.

  • Marshall Plan

    • U.S. gave over $13 billion to help rebuild Western European economies post-WWII to prevent the spread of communism.

  • Berlin Airlift (1948–49)

    • U.S. and Allies airlifted food/supplies to West Berlin after Soviet blockade; early Cold War success for U.S. and symbol of resistance to Soviet aggression.

1950s: Eisenhower

  • “New Look” / Massive Retaliation

    • Defense policy emphasizing nuclear weapons over conventional forces to deter Soviet aggression; promised "massive retaliation" if provoked.

  • Why did the U.S. lead a coup to overthrow Mosaddeq?

    • Mosaddeq nationalized Iran’s oil; the U.S. feared Soviet influence and loss of Western oil access. The CIA helped overthrow him in 1953, installing the Shah.

  • How does the launching of Sputnik impact the U.S.?

    • Sparked fear of Soviet technological superiority; led to the Space Race, National Defense Education Act, and increased U.S. investment in science/tech. Also it was the main reason for the creation of NASA.

  • Women in the 50s/60s

    • Often confined to domestic roles; encouraged to be homemakers and caregivers.

  • Ideal Image of Housewife

    • White, middle-class suburban woman, devoted to family, homemaking, and supporting her husband’s career — portrayed as the pinnacle of female success.

  • How did The Feminine Mystique help change women’s self-perception?

    • Betty Friedan’s 1963 book challenged the idea that domesticity fulfilled women, encouraging them to seek education, work, and identity beyond the home.

1960s/70s: Kennedy / Johnson / Nixon

  • Cold War

    • Bay of Pigs (1961)

      • Failed CIA-led invasion of Cuba to overthrow Fidel Castro.

      • Outcome: Embarrassment for Kennedy; strengthened Castro’s position and pushed Cuba closer to USSR.

    • Cuban Missile Crisis (1962)

      • U.S. discovered Soviet missiles in Cuba; 13-day standoff.

      • Outcome: USSR agreed to remove missiles from Cuba; U.S. secretly agreed to remove missiles from Turkey. A nuclear war was narrowly avoided.

  • Vietnam War

    • Goal of U.S.: Prevent the spread of communism (domino theory).

    • Obstacles: Guerrilla warfare, terrain, Viet Cong support, lack of clear objectives, public opposition.

  • Gulf of Tonkin Resolution (1964)

    • Gave LBJ authority to escalate military involvement in Vietnam without a formal war declaration.

  • Tet Offensive (1968)

    • Massive surprise attack by Viet Cong during Tet holiday.

    • Impact: Military failure for the Viet Cong but political disaster for U.S.; turned public opinion against the war.

  • Social Impact of the War

    • Deepened divisions, sparked protests (especially among youth), draft resistance, rise in counterculture.

  • Economic Impact of the War

    • Drained resources from domestic programs, contributed to inflation, and worsened public trust in government spending.

  • Détente

    • Policy under Nixon easing Cold War tensions; included SALT I treaty and opening diplomatic relations with China. Also focused on increasing trade with communist countries like China.h

  • Domestic Policy

    • Civil Rights Movement

      • Two Overarching Goals: End segregation and ensure voting rights for African Americans.

    • Brown v. Board of Education (1954)

      • Supreme Court ruling that segregated public schools are unconstitutional; overturned Plessy v. Ferguson.

    • Civil Rights Act (1964)

      • Banned segregation in public places; prohibited employment discrimination based on race, sex, religion, or national origin.

    • Voting Rights Act (1965)

      • Banned literacy tests and other discriminatory practices that restricted Black voting rights; allowed federal oversight in some states.

    • Split in the Movement

      • Early unity (nonviolence) split into more radical views (e.g., Black Power, Malcolm X, SNCC and Black Panthers) as frustration grew over slow progress.

  • Economy

    • Johnson’s War on Poverty

      • Goal: Eliminate poverty through government programs and aid.

      • Part of his "Great Society" vision.

  • Medicare / Medicaid (1965)

    • Medicare: Health care for the elderly.

    • Medicaid: Health care for low-income individuals and families.

  • Head Start

    • Early childhood education program for disadvantaged children to prepare them for school.

  • Impact of Oil Shocks (1973, 1979)

    • OPEC oil embargo led to fuel shortages, high inflation, and economic stagnation (“stagflation”) in the U.S.

  • Conservative Backlash Against the Supreme Court

    • Conservative criticism of perceived liberal decisions (e.g., on desegregation, criminal rights like Miranda); helped fuel the rise of New Right.

  • Impact of Watergate

    • Major scandal following Nixon’s cover-up of a break-in; led to Nixon’s resignation in 1974.

    • Eroded public trust in government and led to reforms (e.g., campaign finance laws, checks on presidential power).