Period 8 Test Study Guide: Chapters 35-37

Key Terms

  • Containment: The strategic policy aimed at stopping the spread of communism.
  • Consumerism: The practice of acquiring goods and services in increasing amounts, highlighting a post-war trend where individuals began purchasing new products extensively.
  • Suburbanization: The migration of people to suburban areas following World War II, largely as a response to overcrowded urban centers.
  • Iron Curtain: A term representing the ideological and physical barrier that separated Eastern and Western Europe during the Cold War.
  • Satellite Nation: Countries in Eastern Europe that were under the political and military influence or control of the Soviet Union within the “soviet bloc.”
  • Baby Boom: A significant increase in birth rates occurring post-World War II, largely influenced by returning soldiers and changing social dynamics.
  • American System: Proposed by Henry Clay, this plan included a series of initiatives such as internal improvements, a national bank, and protective tariffs to support economic growth.
  • Sun Belt: The region extending from Virginia to Florida and across to California, characterized by warmer climates that attracted businesses and families seeking improved living conditions.
  • Interstate Highway Act: Legislation promoted by President Eisenhower to establish a nationwide system of highways, originally intended for military purposes but later extensively used by the civilian population for travel and commerce.
  • Levittown: A large suburban community developed by the Levitt brothers that featured mass-produced affordable homes, promoting the growth of suburban living after the war.
  • De jure segregation: Segregation enforced by law, distinguishing it from other forms of segregation that occur without legal backing.
  • De facto segregation: Segregation that occurs in practice, even if not mandated by law, commonly seen in housing patterns and schools.
  • Truman Doctrine: A foreign policy initiative that provided financial support to Greece and Turkey to resist the spread of communism.
  • Marshall Plan: An American initiative that supplied over $12 billion (about $100 billion today) in economic assistance to Western European countries to help rebuild their economies post-World War II and prevent the spread of communism.
  • Declaration of Rights and Sentiments: A document originating from the Seneca Falls Convention, authored by Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton, asserting that women should hold equal rights to men, modeled after the Declaration of Independence.
  • The Feminine Mystique: A landmark book by Betty Friedan published in 1963 discussing the dissatisfaction of women, particularly housewives, in a post-war America.
  • Nixon’s New Federalism: A policy initiative by President Nixon aimed at shifting power and responsibilities from the federal government to state governments.
  • LBJ’s Great Society: A set of domestic programs introduced by President Lyndon B. Johnson with the goal of eliminating poverty and racial injustice, including the establishment of Medicare and Medicaid.
  • Kennedy’s New Frontier: A campaign promise by JFK aimed at addressing domestic issues, including the ambitious goal of landing a man on the moon.
  • Eisenhower’s Domestic Conservatism: A approach where Eisenhower sought to maintain a conservative fiscal policy while being liberal in expanding social policies, though he did invest heavily in the interstate system.
  • Pentagon Papers: A confidential U.S. Department of Defense document released in the New York Times, revealing significant deception by U.S. administrations regarding the Vietnam War.
  • Evangelical Christians: A movement within Christianity focused on spreading the Gospel and emphasizing a personal relationship with God.

People/Organizations

  • Joseph McCarthy: A U.S. Senator known for questioning communist involvements in America, leading to the era known as McCarthyism.
  • Know-Nothing Party: A political group that emerged in the 1850s, distinguished by its anti-immigrant tendencies, particularly towards Irish Catholics.
  • Muckrakers: Journalists committed to uncovering corruption and social injustices during the Progressive Era; notable figures included Upton Sinclair.
  • House Un-American Activities Committee: A congressional committee aimed at identifying and exposing communist influence within the U.S. during the second Red Scare.
  • Beatniks: A group of writers and intellectuals in the 1950s advocating for spontaneity and the rejection of societal norms, emphasizing nonconformity and creativity.
  • NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization): A military alliance formed in 1949 aimed at collective security among Western nations against the Soviet Union.
  • Warsaw Pact: A military alliance of the Soviet Union and its Eastern European satellite nations, established as a counterbalance to NATO.
  • Joseph Stalin: The leader of the Soviet Union during World War II, known for his totalitarian rule and pivotal role in establishing Soviet influence in Eastern Europe post-war.
  • Khrushchev: The leader of the Soviet Union during the Cold War, noted for his role in de-Stalinization and the Cuban Missile Crisis.
  • JFK (John F. Kennedy): The 35th President of the U.S., known for his assassination in 1963 and his leadership during critical Cold War events.
  • LBJ (Lyndon B. Johnson): Succeeded JFK as President and is known for his Great Society initiatives and escalation of U.S. involvement in Vietnam.
  • Nixon: The 37th President of the U.S. who resigned in the aftermath of the Watergate scandal, at a time when Vietnam was winding down.
  • Malcolm X: A prominent African American civil rights leader advocating for Black empowerment and self-determination, initially associated with the Nation of Islam.
  • Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: An iconic figure in the Civil Rights Movement known for his advocacy of non-violent protest and for his 'I Have a Dream' speech.
  • Betty Friedan: Author of The Feminine Mystique, instrumental in discussions about women's roles and rights in society.
  • Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC): Founded by Dr. King, this organization coordinated nonviolent protests and civil rights activism centered around Black churches.
  • Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee (SNCC): A key student-led organization that contributed to civil rights activism in the 1960s.
  • Black Panther Party: An organization focused on self-defense for African Americans, known for community programs and contentious interactions with law enforcement.
  • Ronald Reagan: The 40th President known for his conservative agenda and significant influence on U.S. foreign policy during the Cold War.
  • George H.W. Bush: The 41st President who led the country during the end of the Cold War and the Gulf War.
  • Bill Clinton: The 42nd President recognized for economic prosperity and facing impeachment related to personal conduct.
  • George W. Bush: The 43rd President known for his response to the September 11 attacks and the initiation of the Iraq War.
  • Barack Obama: The 44th President and notable for being the first African American in office, as well as for enacting the Affordable Care Act.

Court Cases

  • Plessy vs. Ferguson (1896): Established the doctrine of 'separate but equal' to justify racial segregation.
  • Brown vs. Board of Education (1954): Landmark case that ruled that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional, effectively overturning Plessy.
  • Schenck v. United States: Established the principle that free speech could be limited if it posed a clear and present danger to others.
  • Roe vs. Wade: A pivotal decision in 1973 that recognized a woman's legal right to an abortion.
  • Miranda vs. Arizona: Established the Miranda rights, requiring law enforcement to inform suspects of their rights upon arrest.
  • Marbury vs. Madison (1803): Established the principle of judicial review, reinforcing the judiciary's role in interpreting the law.
  • Muller vs. Oregon: A case asserting that women required special protections under the law due to perceived physical limitations.

Significant Events

  • 1st Red Scare: A period of intense fear of communism following World War I, marked by significant government crackdowns on suspected radicals.
  • 2nd Red Scare: Post-World War II fear of communist infiltration, leading to widespread investigations and the work of McCarthyism.
  • Cold War: A protracted ideological and political tension between the capitalist West (led by the U.S.) and the communist East (led by the USSR), characterized by proxy wars and arms races.
        - Causes: Ideological conflict, post-WWII power struggles, and mutual distrust between the superpowers.
  • Palmer Raids: Led by Attorney General A. Mitchell Palmer, these raids aimed to capture and deport suspected radicals during the first Red Scare.
  • Berlin Airlift: A response to the Soviet blockade of Berlin in 1948; U.S. and Allied forces delivered supplies to West Berlin residents until the blockade was lifted.
  • Bay of Pigs: A failed 1961 invasion of Cuba by the U.S. aimed at toppling Fidel Castro, resulting in embarrassment for the Kennedy administration.
  • Cuban Missile Crisis: A pivotal 1962 confrontation between the U.S. and the USSR over missile deployments in Cuba, which led to a U.S.-Soviet agreement to avoid nuclear war.
  • Immigration reform during the 1960s: Legislative changes that ended national origins quotas set by the Immigration Act of 1921, facilitating immigration from diverse countries.
  • Dred Scott Decision (1857): A Supreme Court ruling stating that African Americans could not be citizens and invalidating the Missouri Compromise.
  • 13th, 14th, 15th Amendments: Constitutional amendments abolishing slavery (13th), granting citizenship and equal protection (14th), and establishing voting rights irrespective of race (15th).
  • Habeas Corpus: The legal principle suspended by President Lincoln during the Civil War, curtailing the right to a fair trial.
  • 24th Amendment: Ratified in 1964, it eliminated poll taxes in federal elections, addressing barriers to voting, particularly for African Americans.
  • Consumerism in the 1950s: A cultural shift where Americans, particularly women, began desiring new household appliances, reflecting post-war prosperity and societal roles.
  • Launching of Sputnik: The Soviet Union's successful launch of the first satellite, prompting U.S. fears of falling behind in space technology and emphasis on STEM education.
  • Space Race: The competition to achieve significant milestones in space exploration, culminating in the U.S. moon landing in 1969.
  • Korean War (1950-1953): A military conflict between North (communist) and South Korea (democratic) resulting in a stalemate and a divided Korea.
  • Army-McCarthy hearings: 1954 televised Senate hearings that revealed the tactics of Senator Joseph McCarthy, leading to significant loss of credibility.
  • Vietnam War: America's prolonged military involvement in Vietnam from the 1950s-1975, marked by significant opposition within the U.S. and eventual withdrawal.
  • Kent State Incident: A tragic event in 1970 where National Guardsmen fired on protesting students, resulting in four fatalities and heightened tensions over the Vietnam War.
  • Jackson State Shooting: A parallel incident to Kent State also in 1970, where two students were killed during protests against the Vietnam War at Jackson State University.
  • 1968 Democratic Convention: Infamous for anti-war protests, police violence, and a chaotic atmosphere reflecting national discord over the Vietnam conflict.
  • Assassination of Robert F. Kennedy: The 1968 assassination of the presidential candidate, which shocked the nation and intensified political unrest.
  • Seneca Falls Convention: The first women’s rights convention focused on advocating for women's suffrage and equal rights, marking the start of a concerted women’s movement.
  • Operation Freedom: Often refers to U.S. military operations in Iraq, notably the invasion in 2003 aimed to eliminate perceived threats from weapons of mass destruction.
  • Pearl Harbor (Dec 7, 1941): The Japanese attack that led to the United States' entry into World War II, marking a pivotal shift in U.S. foreign policy and military engagement.