8.1 Contextualizing the Period: Societal Changes from 1945-1980 Baby Boom – A significant increase in birth rates following World War II, leading to demographic and economic shifts. Suburbanization – The mass movement of Americans from urban areas to the suburbs, driven by housing policies, economic prosperity, and the expansion of highways. Sun Belt – The region in the southern and western U.S. that experienced rapid population growth due to economic opportunities, defense industries, and warmer climates. 8.2 The Cold War from 1945-1980 Containment – U.S. foreign policy strategy aimed at preventing the spread of communism, primarily through economic and military aid. Domino Theory – The belief that if one country fell to communism, neighboring countries would follow, justifying U.S. intervention in places like Vietnam. Détente – A period of relaxed Cold War tensions during the 1970s, marked by diplomatic efforts such as the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT). 8.3 The Red Scare McCarthyism – A campaign led by Senator Joseph McCarthy in the early 1950s, marked by aggressive investigations and accusations of communism. House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) – A congressional committee that investigated suspected communist influence in the U.S., particularly in Hollywood. Loyalty Oaths – Required pledges of allegiance to the U.S. government, particularly for federal employees, to root out suspected communists. 8.4 Economy After 1945 GI Bill (Servicemen’s Readjustment Act of 1944) – Provided educational and housing benefits to World War II veterans, fueling economic growth. Interstate Highway System – A network of highways initiated by President Eisenhower to support suburban expansion and national defense. Defense Spending – Continued high levels of military expenditure, especially during the Cold War, which contributed to economic growth. Migrations of Various Groups: White Flight – The movement of white Americans from urban centers to suburban areas, often in response to racial integration. Bracero Program – A guest worker program that allowed Mexican laborers to work temporarily in the U.S., impacting immigration patterns. American Indian Movement (AIM) – A Native American advocacy group that sought to address issues like treaty rights and discrimination. 8.5 Culture After 1945 Rock and Roll – A new music genre that became a symbol of youth culture and rebellion in the 1950s and 1960s. Television – Became the dominant form of mass media, influencing political campaigns and consumer culture. Counterculture – A movement that rejected mainstream values, exemplified by groups like the hippies. 8.6 Early Steps in the Civil Rights Movement (1945-1960) Brown v. Board of Education (1954) – The Supreme Court decision that ruled racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional. Montgomery Bus Boycott (1955-1956) – A protest led by Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King Jr. against racial segregation in public transportation. Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) – An organization founded by Martin Luther King Jr. that promoted nonviolent civil rights activism. 8.7 America as a World Power Marshall Plan – A U.S. program providing economic aid to rebuild European economies after World War II to prevent communist expansion. NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) – A military alliance formed in 1949 to counter Soviet influence. Cuban Missile Crisis (1962) – A Cold War confrontation between the U.S. and the Soviet Union over nuclear missiles in Cuba