APUSH Unit 8

  1. Cold War: A prolonged period of political tension and military rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union, characterized by ideological conflict between capitalism and communism from the end of World War II until the early 1990s.

  2. Communism: A political and economic ideology advocating for a classless society in which all property is publicly owned and each person works and is paid according to their abilities and needs, particularly prominent during the Cold War as the Soviet Union’s leading doctrine.

  3. Korean War: A conflict from 1950 to 1953 between North Korea, supported by China and the Soviet Union, and South Korea, supported by United Nations forces primarily from the United States, reflecting Cold War tensions.

  4. Brown v. Board of Education: The 1954 Supreme Court case that declared state laws establishing racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional, serving as a landmark victory for the Civil Rights Movement.

  5. Martin Luther King Jr.: A prominent leader of the American Civil Rights Movement during the 1950s and 1960s, known for his nonviolent protest strategies and famous speeches advocating for racial equality and justice.

  6. Military-Industrial Complex: A term popularized by President Dwight D. Eisenhower to describe the relationship between a country’s military and the defense industry, which has significant influence over national policy and decision-making.

  7. Vietnam War: A conflict from the late 1950s until 1975, where North Vietnam fought against South Vietnam and its principal ally, the U.S., ultimately leading to significant social and political changes in America and widespread anti-war protests.

  8. Civil Rights Act of 1964: Landmark legislation that outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin, and aimed to end segregation in public places and employment.

  9. Voting Rights Act of 1965: A significant piece of federal legislation that aimed to eliminate barriers preventing African Americans from exercising their right to vote, particularly in the South.

  10. Lyndon Johnson: The 36th president of the United States (1963-1969), known for advancing civil rights legislation and his Great Society initiatives aimed at eliminating poverty and racial injustice.

  11. Sunbelt: A region in the Southern United States characterized by its rapidly expanding population and economy in the post-World War II era, often associated with shifts in demographics and political power away from the Northeast and Midwest.

  12. NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization): A military alliance established in 1949 between North American and European countries for mutual defense against aggression, significantly influencing post-war geopolitics.

  13. Containment: A U.S. foreign policy strategy aimed at preventing the spread of communism beyond its existing borders, which shaped American involvement in various conflicts during the Cold War.

  14. DĂ©tente: A period of easing tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union during the late 1960s and 1970s, marked by arms limitation agreements and improved diplomatic relations.

  15. Non-aligned movement: A group of states that rejected alignment with major power blocs during the Cold War in favor of an independent path, including countries such as Egypt and India seeking to assert their sovereignty.

  16. Proxy Wars: Conflicts in which two opposing countries or parties support combatants that align with their interests, as seen in various regions during the Cold War, including conflicts in the Third World.

  17. Guatemala-CIA: Refers to the CIA's involvement in the 1954 coup that overthrew the democratically elected government of Guatemala, marking a significant event in U.S.-Latin American relations during the Cold War.

  18. Yom Kippur War: A 1973 conflict between Israel and a coalition of Arab states led by Egypt and Syria, demonstrating the geopolitical complexities of the Cold War and impacting U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East.

  19. Liberal Consensus: A political climate in the United States during the 1950s and 1960s characterized by widespread agreement on the principles of liberalism, economic growth, and the expansion of civil rights.

  20. McCarthyism: A campaign against alleged communists in the U.S. government and other sectors during the early 1950s, led by Senator Joseph McCarthy, characterized by aggressive investigations and accusations.

  21. The New Left: A political movement in the 1960s advocating for civil rights, anti-war sentiments, and various social reforms, distinguished from the earlier leftist movements.

  22. Port Huron Statement: A 1962 manifesto by the Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) outlining the group's vision for a participatory democracy and critique of existing societal structures.

  23. Students For a Democratic Society (SDS): A leftist student organization founded in 1960, focused on issues of civil rights, anti-war activism, and social justice.

  24. Gulf of Tonkin Resolution: A 1964 congressional resolution that authorized President Lyndon Johnson to use military force in Vietnam without a formal declaration of war, expanding U.S. involvement in the conflict.

  25. Montgomery Bus Boycott: A 1955-1956 protest against racial segregation on public buses in Montgomery, Alabama, sparked by Rosa Parks' arrest, leading to significant advancements in the Civil Rights Movement.

  26. Albany, GA: A site of significant civil rights activism where protests and demonstrations for desegregation and voting rights occurred in the early 1960s.

  27. Stonewall: The 1969 uprising against police raids at the Stonewall Inn in New York City, marked as a pivotal event in the LGBTQ+ rights movement and a symbol of resistance against discrimination.

  28. The Feminine Mystique: A groundbreaking 1963 book by Betty Friedan that criticized the traditional roles of women in American society and is credited with sparking the second wave of feminism in the United States.

  29. Silent Spring: A 1962 environmental science book by Rachel Carson that raised awareness about the dangers of pesticide use and is considered pivotal in the modern environmental movement.

  30. American Indian Movement (AIM): A Native American grassroots organization focused on addressing issues related to sovereignty, treaty rights, and social justice for Indigenous peoples during the 1960s and 1970s.

  31. The Other America: A 1962 book by Michael Harrington exposing poverty in the United States, bringing attention to social inequality and influencing the Great Society programs.

  32. Great Society: A set of domestic programs launched by President Lyndon Johnson in the 1960s aimed at eliminating poverty and racial injustice, which included initiatives like Medicare and Medicaid.

  33. Barry Goldwater: A conservative politician who was the Republican nominee for president in 1964, his candidacy and policies helped ignite a conservative backlash against the liberal consensus of the time.

  34. Baby Boom: A significant increase in birth rates following World War II, leading to a demographic shift and influencing various social and economic trends in post-war America.

  35. GI Bill: Legislation enacted in 1944 providing various benefits to returning World War II veterans, including education and housing assistance, significantly impacting American society.

  36. The Beat Movement: A literary and cultural movement in the 1950s characterized by a rejection of conventional society, embracing experimentation in arts, and expressing disillusionment with mainstream values.

  37. Immigration Act of 1965: A significant overhaul of U.S. immigration policy that abolished national origins quotas and led to increased immigration from Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

  38. The Counterculture: A social movement in the 1960s that rejected traditional values, embracing alternative lifestyles, music, and political activism, often associated with the hippie movement.

  39. Generation Gap: The cultural and social differences that arose between younger and older generations during the 1960s and 1970s, often highlighted by conflicts over values, music, and social norms.

  40. Sexual Revolution: A social movement in the 1960s that challenged traditional codes of behavior related to sexuality and interpersonal relationships, advocating for sexual freedom and women’s rights.

  41. Phyllis Schlafly: A conservative activist known for her opposition to the feminist movement and her role in the campaign against the Equal Rights Amendment during the 1970s.

  42. Moral Majority: A political coalition of conservative Christian groups in the United States formed in the late 1970s that sought to influence politics based on traditional Christian values.

  43. Tigers win World Series in 1968: The Detroit Tigers’ victory in the 1968 World Series, symbolic of a period of cultural and social upheaval in America, as they won while the country faced significant challenges, including civil rights struggles and the Vietnam War.