20th Century history final study guide
Unit 6 - The Cold War
lesson 1 - Intro to the cold war
essential question - How did the Korean War represent America’s desire to spread democracy and contain communism at the start of the Cold War?
Fear and Anxiety
1950’s red scare
1910 Bolshevik revolution - lennon creates first communist country
solid foundation of fear by 1950’s
U.S. and Russia major superpowers past WWII
Nuclear proliferation(to add to, to build up) & the arms race(weaponry)
who can have the most weapons the fastest
Mutually assured destruction(MAD)
lead to hesitancy to use weapons
Joseph McCarthy
Sen. from Wisconsin(1947-1957)
McCarthy’s “list”
list of people who could be communists
celebs and politicians
loyalty hearings - incredibly invasive and embarrassing
“McCarthyism” - internal fear of lack of loyalty to U.S.
He was the product of anti-communist politics, not necessarily and influential leader
President Truman(1945-53)
president at the time of the Korean War(1950-53)
Lesson 1 - The Korean War
Korean War: communist North Korea invaded South Korea (June 1950)
it was the first proxy war of the Cold War
fighting over the 38th parallel
U.S. and Soviets split korea
“Containment” Top priority of the U.S. gov’t - wanted to stop spread of communism
Nov 1950 - China gets involved
From 1950-51 American support decreased significantly
By the end of the war American citizens thought it wasn’t worth it
Lesson 2 - The Bay of Pigs & The Cuban Missile Crisis
essential question - How were these two events representative of Cold War tension between the U.S. & Soviet Union
Eisenhower (high approval rating & served)(1953-91)
U.S. shifted towards the “New Look” policy, which aimed to increase:
beneficial alliances
covert operations(spies)
nuclear weapons
Eisenhower see’s having friends around would allow for more places to store and potentially launch nuclear weapons
alliances give more landing spots for spies
people feel increased safety and security
“New Look” Decreased:
Deployment of U.S. troops
“Boots on ground”
cited domino theory: When one country falls to communism, others will too.(because of proximity and economics)
by 1961 Eisenhower significantly increased # of nuclear weapons
led to increase of cold war anxiety
Eisenhower to Kennedy
Kennedy wanted to decrease nuclear weaponry
JFK wins 1960 election talking about safety, freedom, democracy, patriotism, declaration of independence
JFK and domino theory:
Bay of Pigs - Apr 17, 1961 - April 19, 1961
Setup:
Background: After Fidel Castro overthrew Cuba’s U.S.-backed dictator (Fulgencio Batista) in 1959 and aligned with the Soviet Union, the U.S. feared the spread of communism so close to its shores.
CIA Plan: Under President Eisenhower, and then John F. Kennedy, the CIA trained and equipped a force of about 1,400 Cuban exiles to invade Cuba, overthrow Castro, and spark an uprising.
Invasion Site: They chose the Bay of Pigs, a remote beach on Cuba’s southern coast, assuming it would give the exiles time to gather support and fight inland.
Failure:
Poor Secrecy: Castro’s forces were aware of the plan in advance.
No Air Support: President Kennedy, fearing open U.S. involvement, canceled crucial airstrikes, leaving the exiles without cover.
Local Support Lacking: The expected anti-Castro uprising never happened.
Quick Defeat: Within three days (April 17–19, 1961), Cuban forces captured or killed most of the invaders.
Result:
Huge embarrassment for the U.S. and Kennedy.
Strengthened Castro’s position and pushed Cuba closer to the Soviet Union—leading to the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962.
Cuban missile crisis:
Setup:
After the failed Bay of Pigs invasion, Fidel Castro feared another U.S. attack. He allowed the Soviet Union, led by Nikita Khrushchev, to secretly install nuclear missiles in Cuba in 1962.
The goal: deter U.S. aggression and shift the nuclear balance closer to America’s borders.
Crisis:
President John F. Kennedy (JFK) responded by announcing a naval “quarantine” (blockade) around Cuba to stop further missile shipments.
Over 13 tense days, the world teetered on the edge of nuclear war. Military forces were on high alert.
U.S. spy plane shot down
At sea, a Soviet submarine carrying a nuclear torpedo was nearly attacked. One officer, Vasili Arkhipov, refused to authorize the launch, likely preventing nuclear war.
Resolution:
A secret backchannel opened between Robert F. Kennedy (RFK) and Soviet ambassador Anatoly Dobrynin.
A deal was struck: The USSR would remove its missiles from Cuba in exchange for a U.S. public pledge not to invade Cuba, and a secret promise to remove U.S. missiles from Turkey.
On October 28, 1962, Khrushchev agreed, and the crisis peacefully ended.
Result:
The world avoided nuclear war.
A direct “hotline” was set up between Washington and Moscow.
JFK’s leadership was praised, but the crisis also made both superpowers more cautious.
Lesson 3 - U.S. involvement in Vietnam
Essential question - How and why did the U.S. get involved in Vietnam? How did LBJ escalate U.S. involvement in Vietnam?
Before Vietnam War:
1945 Ho Chi Minh declared independence from France post WWII
1946 French Indochina war → U.S. sent aid to the French → war didn’t end until 1954 where the French were defeated
1950-1953: Korean War
Geneva accords split Vietnam → N. Vietnam(Had support from USSR and China)(Communist) & S. Vietnam(American Support)
1954 Eisenhower cited domino theory
May 1959: N. Vietnam builds supply route - Ho Chi Minh trail through Laos & Cambodia - impossible to find and destroy
July 1959: U.S. soldiers in S. Vietnam first soldiers killed by communist guerilla(surprise attacks, ambushes) fighters
Dec 1960: Communist party National Liberation Front(NLF) forms in S. Vietnam
A communist political party that formed in S. Vietnam - in full support of N. Vietnam
goals center around overthrowing gov’t - U.S. labeled NLF military branch as Viet Cong
May 1961: JFK authorizes the beginning of covert operation against the Viet Cong
JFK focuses on Ho Chi Minh trail and help from North to South
JFK assassinated Nov, 22, 1963. LBJ becomes president
LBJ & Vietnam
By 1964, N. Vietnamese forces had moved south of 17th parallel
Aug 2-4 1964 : Gulf of Tonkin Incident
Aug 2 N. Vietnam attacked U.S. naval ship (Unauthorized by Ho Chi Minh)
Aug 4 U.S. attacks a N. Viet vessel → newspapers & politicians believed rumors that Turner Joy attacked
This all led to the passage of Gulf of Tonkin Resolution → declared war w/o declaring war
gave president power to use whatever means necessary to attain peace and security in that area(bombs and conscription)
Feb 1965 - Operation rolling thunder(as a result of G.O.T.R)-lasted until spring 1967, LBJ ordered it
Under LBJ conscription rose → rose from 75,000 to 125,000 → monthly draft calls from 17,000 to 35,000
Jan 31, Tet offensive - large scale wave of attacks to push U.S. to negotiations
LBJ said tet offensive did not win, hinted at negotiations
Facing significant criticism and discontent, LBJ did not seek re-lection
Lesson 4 - Protests during the Vietnam war
Protests involved: marches, picketing, lobbying, media propaganda, music and pop culture, rallies, and boycotting
Civil rights relation
many civil rights movement leaders spoke out against Vietnam war
African American men served in higher proportion compared to everyone else
argued they were fighting for freedom and rights for people in Southeast Asia when AA’s didn’t even have those rights
argued gov’t spent too much on military instead of infrastructure or social services
Kent State University
May 1-3 1970 Students held large anti-war ralles
Ohio national guard called
May 4 1970 4 killed, 9 wounded
confusion led to firing by national guardsmen, no students were armed
Significance of Kent State
4 white college students dead → supposed to be protected and feel safe at college
protests erupt → increased tension between young people and gov’t
increased Nixons paranoia and defensiveness regarding U.S. actions in Vietnam
Counterculture(hippies, love, flower children, peace sign):
1960s counterculture emphasized living in opposition to societal norms and “establishment”
anti war and womens rights
lgbt rights
Woodstock
burning of draft cards
Lesson 5 - Nixon in Vietnam
essential question - what were some of Nixon’s wartime decisions? How did the Pentagon Papers increase distrust of the gov’ts effort in Vietnam? Where does Vietnam fit within the larger cold war picture?
Nixon’s secret plan: inaugurated 1969, in office, Vietnamization
claimed he had a secret plan to end war and Vietnam, began Vietnamization when in office
Vietnamization: increasing training of S. Vietnamese troops while decreasing boots on ground
Nixon didn’t want to remove all troops immediately because of Domino theory and international perspective of America’s prestige would shift
Nixon told young people to take energy and be productive with it
Wartime decisions: March 1969 Nixon secretly bombed Cambodia and pushed war effort into Laos(Ho Chi Minh Trail)
Under pressure
June 1971 - NYTimes started publishing articles based on info from Pentagon Papers
papers leaked by Daniel Ellsberg because he didn’t support the war and thought it was unwinnable
Dec 1972 - Christmas bombings on major cities in N. Vietnam → did not sit well with American people
Jan 1973 - peace agreement “reached” though neither side stopped fighting → all but 5,000 troops pulled
Détente (72-79)
1972 - Salt I: Strategic arms limitation talks: an attempt to reduce hostility between the U.S. & Soviet Union
Détente: nearly a decade long period of cooperation during the cold war.
Viet war: U.S. involvement in Vietnam did not fully hinder U.S.-Soviet cooperation during the 1970’s because the U.S. was losing the war so they were no threat and only hurting themselves
End: continued ideological differences & 1979 Soviet invasion of Afghanistan
Lesson 6 - Nixon & the Watergate Scandal
Essential question - What was the Watergate scandal and how did it add to American disillusionment with the U.S. gov’t?
Why break into the Watergate hotel?
location of the DNC(Democratic National Comitee)
wanted to find plans and political information
Nixon up for re-election & paranoid - insecure and wanted info
Bob Woodward & Carl Bernstein
journalists at the Washington Post
assigned case about 5 people who broke into DNC
go to trial to learn about the case
Mark Felt → leak for Watergate - #2 at FBI - Deep Throat (lol)
Why leak to journalists? - smoking gun
How does scandal unfold?
Five burglars are arrested at the Watergate hotel
Nixon denies any connection
Nixon wins 1972 election in a landslide
FBI makes connections - something happened to their ability to access info
Resignations & terminations to people of high authority in FBI
Pressure for impeachment & Nixons tapes → he refuses to give
Nixon resigns Aug 9, 1974 - Before impeachment
Smoking Gun
When Nixon is caught using CIA to stop FBI and get rid of their information
One of the burglars payed $25,000 - money from campaign funds so it was traceable → (worse because campaign funds come from the people)
When the FBI realizes they are losing info they piece together many things and realize CIA is getting rid of information
Effect
Americans felt like there was no one they could trust in the gov’t
Social contract was broken
End of Nixon in Vietnam
N. Vietnam plans to reunify. Ford is asked for more help in S. Vietnam
Ford says U.S. can not provide aid. S. Vietnam president resigns and flees
North invades South Apr 29, 1975. Attacks on American soldiers. Mass American evacuation → Fall of Saigon → Ends U.S. involvement in Vietnam
Lesson 7 - Vietnam a soldiers experience
Essential Question - What was life like as a soldier who fought in the Vietnam war?
Life as a soldier in the Vietnam War:
Harsh Jungle Conditions: Soldiers battled extreme heat, humidity, monsoons, and dense vegetation that made combat and navigation difficult.
Guerrilla Warfare: Constant danger from ambushes, snipers, booby traps, and landmines used by Viet Cong fighters.
Chemical Exposure: Many were exposed to Agent Orange, a toxic herbicide used to clear jungle cover—later linked to cancer, birth defects, and long-term health issues.
Psychological Stress: Soldiers lived in constant fear and uncertainty, leading to emotional trauma and what we now recognize as PTSD.
Low Morale: Troops often felt disillusioned due to unclear military goals and lack of public support back home.
Drug Use: Widespread use of marijuana, heroin, and alcohol as a way to
Lesson 8 - Cold War Societies
Essential question - How did the Women’s liberation movement & Black nationalism critique American society during the cold war?
Kitchen debate (1959)
clash of economic ideologies between U.S. and Soviet
Domestic containment
The emphasis on family life during the Cold War that asserted women’s role as mother and wife within home while men were the “bread winner'“
Containment → contain spread of communism
Role of mother and wife was to rear patriotic, anti-communist children
driven by capitalist consumerism and popular media(tv, radio, magazine)
Women’s liberation
The Feminine Mystique by Betty Friedan, 1963
critique of American society’s view that women had the perfect life in the U.S.
Women began to use language similar to colonial independence movements and communist thought
many women rejected domestic containment
women’s bodies have been “colonized” by men *hypocrisy → treated like colonial subjects
Women’s entire personhood aren’t allowed to act in society freely
women were part of an oppressed class
Black Nationalism
Important figures: Marcus Garvey(advocated for “return to Africa”), Malcom X
they said go somewhere where they will be treated equally
Garvey and X believed equality is impossible in a capitalist white system
considered more radical - believed capitalism was oppressive towards blacks
The Soviet Union on Equality
In a communist system, races and genders are considered equal
communist rations critiqued U.S. calling entire democratic system a hypocrisy
Lesson 9 - The End of the Cold War
Essential question - How did the Cold War end? How was the Berlin Wall representative of the iron curtain & the overarching cold war narrative?
Wall built by East Germany
East trying to keep people in - clash of ideas - West was open society
June 12, 1987, Reagan gave a speech at Berlin wall
Talks about how West is doing so well and East should learn
lots of mentioning of freedom
tells Gorbachev that if he seeks freedom then open the wall(addressing him directly)
Iron Curtain
The separation of communist states and non communist ones\
Reagan finds an ally
conservative British Prime minister Margaret Thatcher
Ideological similarities
Britain held a large influence in European conflicts
Increased European support for his cold war policies
Collapse of soviet rule
The solidarity movement - got support of catholic church
The velvet revolution - Vaclav Havel becomes president
The Wall collapses
President George Bush Sr (1989) was in office when the wall came down Nov. 9
he welcomed the decision
he didn’t show any emotions - it was a German moment
also he didn’t want to insult Soviets and embarrass them when it wasn’t over(didn’t want further tension)
End of soviet rule in Poland & Czechoslovakia combined with Berlin prompted dissolution of Soviet Union, collapses “Iron Curtain”
Cold war ended 1991
Unit 7 - The Civil Rights Movement
lesson 1 - The legacy of slavery in the U.S.
Essential question - How was/is slavery embedded in the fabric of the U.S. gov’t and American society?
In what ways did slavery shape foundational documents?
3/5 compromise
slavery was purposely never explicitly mentioned
Writer of DOI owned slaves
they took anti-slavery out of DOI for full support of the people in war. Didn’t want the southern colonies to say no
runaway slave clause
13th amendment abolished slavery, 14th defines and protects citizenship
Antebellum slavery
the systematic oppression of African Americans through the use of forced labor and ownership
Antebellum:
Time period before Civil War: 1800-1861
The North
Slavery was a “peculiar institution”
The South
slavery was a “benevolent institution”
said black people need them
claimed they were providing food, home, clothes, and Christianity to the slaves
North Union - U.S. of America - President Lincoln
South - Confederates - The Confederate states of America - President Jefferson Davis
American Civil War (1861-65)
civil war brought about the end of slavery - 13th amendment
needed to convince border states to agree
emancipation proclomation - free slaves living in states of rebellion(did nothing)
Excluded border states
Gettysburg address
lesson 2 - Slave spirituals
Essential question - How was music part of slave’s lives in antebellum America? In what ways did slave spirituals influence music within the African American community?
What role did music play in enslaved peoples lives
hope
escapism
express feelings
unifying force
entertainment
rebellion - coded messages
religion
boredom
inspiring
motivation
oral storytelling
celebration
kept people in rhythm
song themes
lots of repetition
lots of religion
lesson 3 - The Jim Crow era
Essential question - How was racism upheld by local, state, and federal gov’ts?
After emancipation(Post Civil War)
During reconstruction 1865-77 South instituted “Black codes”
purpose was to subject free black people to control under whites
tool used to keep black people in fear
racist laws created & enforced by local gov’ts
local newspapers pushed racist ideas
Convict leasing system
allowed local & state gov’ts and companies to lease convicts
black people were mostly in jail because of racist laws catered towards sending them to jail
lead to black people being the ones being leased
After reconstruction fails →
many black politicians are ousted from their seats
states pass wide sweeping racist legislation
Robber barons & monopolies, political corruption, no labor laws, anything not in constitution left for states to decide
lynchings and KKK scared away and advocation for rights
Jim Crow Laws
most laws passed in mid Atlantic Southern states because they didn’t already have a racist norm so they had to write it down compared to deep south were society was already so racist they didn’t need to write it
Who was jim crow
Character played by Thomas Rice a white actor, 1st actor to wear blackface in 1828 while playing black chacter Jim Crow
The Jim Crow South
term to describe anti-black laws 1877-1968
Plessy v. Ferguson 1896 → separate but equal
so long as white & black had access, legal to keep separate(not the same quality)
legalized segregation in the U.S.A
lesson 4 - The 1950s: The Civil Rights Movement Begins
essential question - How did the modern Civil Rights movement begin?(1954-1956)
Challenges for African Americans:
Jim Crow laws
Lynching
no legal protection against racism & violence
prevalence of lynching
KKK
failure of reconstruction policies
1896: Plessy v. Ferguson - separate but equal
brown v. board of education nullified separate but equal
marked beginning of civil rights movement
south ignored ruling
for Brown v. Board the judges wanted to be on the right side of history & didn’t want controversy so unanimous 9-0
The beginning of the movement
lynching of Emmett Till(Aug 28, 1955)
“Let the people see what I’ve seen” (Mamie Till)
men who killed him were acquitted
Montgomery bus boycott(Alabama)
Dec 5, 1955 - Dec 20, 1956
year long boycott of public transportation by African Americans
hurt pockets of the local gov’t
started by Rosa parks and Women’s political council
The Women’s Political Council (WPC) was an African American civil rights organization founded in Montgomery, Alabama, in 1946. Led by educator Jo Ann Robinson, the WPC played a crucial role in initiating the Montgomery Bus Boycott by organizing and distributing the initial boycott flyers, helping to spark the modern Civil Rights Movement.
Black men not threat to white women - threat is white men to black women
lesson 5 - Challenging segregation
essential question - How did members of the Civil Rights Movement challenge segregation?
1. Little Rock Nine (READ – The Guardian)
In 1957, nine Black students integrated Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, after the Supreme Court's Brown v. Board of Education decision.
Faced violent mobs and needed protection from federal troops (sent by President Eisenhower).
Showed the federal government could be pressured to enforce desegregation.
Highlighted the resistance to integration in the South and the bravery of young Black students.
2. Woolworth’s Sit-In (LISTEN – Podcast)
Started in 1960 by four Black college students in Greensboro, NC.
Nonviolent protest: sat at a “whites-only” lunch counter and refused to leave when denied service.
Sparked a wave of sit-ins across the South.
Led to the desegregation of many lunch counters and public places.
Example of youth leadership and peaceful civil disobedience.
3. Freedom Riders (WATCH – Clips from Freedom Riders)
1961: Interracial groups rode buses into the segregated South to test Supreme Court rulings that banned segregation on interstate buses and terminals.
Faced brutal violence, arrests, and bus bombings.
Federal government eventually stepped in to enforce desegregation laws.
Riders were trained in nonviolence and knew the risks but were committed to justice.
Key Strategies for Challenging Segregation:
Nonviolent direct action: Sit-ins, bus rides, marches, and boycotts.
Legal pressure: Court cases like Brown v. Board laid the groundwork.
Media attention: Used to expose violence and injustice to the broader public.
Youth involvement: College students and young activists were central to many efforts.
Federal involvement: Activists forced the federal government to take a stand.
Takeaway:
Members of the Civil Rights Movement challenged segregation through courageous, organized, and nonviolent actions that targeted unjust laws and customs—and ultimately forced change on local and national levels.
lesson 6 - leaders of the Civil Rights Movement
essential question - how did black female leaders influence the Civil Rights movement?
Key Black Female Leaders & Their Impact
1. Rosa Parks
Often known for the Montgomery Bus Boycott (1955), but was also a long-time activist with the NAACP.
Her refusal to give up her bus seat was a strategic action that sparked a year-long boycott and inspired national attention.
2. Ella Baker
Powerful grassroots organizer and behind-the-scenes strategist.
Helped found the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC).
Played a key role in founding the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC).
Believed in group-centered leadership over charismatic, male-led models.
3. Fannie Lou Hamer
Voting rights activist from Mississippi.
Co-founder of the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party.
Spoke at the 1964 Democratic National Convention, exposing voter suppression and violence.
Famous quote: “I’m sick and tired of being sick and tired.”
4. Diane Nash
Student leader in SNCC and organizer of the Freedom Rides.
Helped lead the Nashville sit-ins and Selma voting rights campaign.
Known for her courage and calm leadership under pressure.
5. Septima Clark
Educator and advocate for literacy as a tool for empowerment.
Developed Citizenship Schools that taught African Americans reading, writing, and civic knowledge to help them pass voter literacy tests.
Called the “Mother of the Movement.”
Themes in Their Influence
Grassroots Organizing: Built community strength from the bottom up.
Empowerment through Education: Many focused on literacy, political education, and leadership training.
Intersectionality: Faced both racism and sexism, yet still shaped the movement’s direction.
Strategic Leadership: Often served as the brains behind campaigns, not always in the spotlight.
Black female leaders were not only participants but architects of the Civil Rights Movement. Their organizing, teaching, and leadership deeply influenced the movement’s success and lasting legacy.
lesson 7 - Music of the Civil Rights Movement
essential question - how did music provide a powerful form of expression for black artists and members of the civil rights movement?
Similarities to slave spirituals
repetition
light at the end of the tunnel
chorus
call and response
religious talk
not giving up
Themes
hopefulness
persevering
journeys
freedom land
trusting gods plan
arrest
WE
Important songs
We Shall Overcome - Pete Seeger
Eyes on the Prize - Sweet Honey in the Rock
I’m on My Way (“Freedom Land”) - Mamie Brown
Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Around - The Roots
lesson 8 - Different approaches to Civil Rights
essential question - What were the fundamental differences between Dr. King & Malcom X in their approach to civil rights?
Malcom X
converted to the Nation of Islam while serving a jail sentence for robbery
Nation of Islam was a movement that combined Islam with black nationalism
promoted black economic and political power separate from white American institutions
In march of 1964 he left the Nation of Islam due to ideological differences(leader committed adultery)
Feb 21, 1965 was assassinated by 3 members of Islam
May 1962(Malcom X)
used aggressive & confrontational language
“Can’t keep pointing finger at white people”
“Stop singing, start swinging”(people thought he wanted physical violence)
saying black people should be able to fight back
white people ignored main message and only heard violence
Legacy
Malcom X worked towards challenging and changing feelings of inferiority among black communities
language shifts → negro & colored people to “black” “African American” “afro American”
X stood for null because he lost his real last name in slavery
Dr. Martin Luther King (non-violent approach → civil disobedience → boycotts, and collective bargaining)
wanted interracial cooperation
“I have a dream” - wanted white and black to be sisters & brothers
assassinated April 4, 1968 by James Earl Ray
lesson 9 - 1964 & 1965: Years of turmoil, Years of change
essential question - what impact did Freedom Summer and the Selma-Montgomery march have on bringing attention to the civil rights movement and passing key legislation?
1654-63 → movement had not achieved any federal legislation to combat discriminatory laws
Freedom Summer
black and white college students(from the north) went to Mississippi with a goal of increasing African American voter registration
Freedom summer video → people were too afraid to register to vote (dangerous)
Selma Montgomery March
wanted people to see what was happening
T.V., photographs, news
directly lead to the passage of the Voting Rights act of 1965
Details:
1. Purpose of the March
The march was organized to protest voter suppression of Black Americans in the South, especially in Alabama, where it was extremely difficult for Black citizens to register to vote due to discriminatory laws and practices.
2. "Bloody Sunday" – March 7, 1965
The first attempt to march, led by John Lewis and Hosea Williams, ended in brutal violence.
As about 600 peaceful protesters crossed the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, they were attacked by state troopers with tear gas, nightsticks, and whips.
The event was televised, shocking the nation and building widespread support for the civil rights movement.
3. Two More March Attempts
The second march, two days later, was turned around to avoid more violence.
The third and final march began on March 21, 1965, under federal protection.
Over 25,000 people joined by the time the marchers reached Montgomery on March 25, after walking roughly 54 miles over five days.
4. Impact
The public attention and pressure from the marches led directly to the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, a major victory for civil rights.
lesson 10 - Black Panther Party, Police Brutality & Race Riots
essential question - how did the BPP attempt to address the impact of institutional racism on black communities?
Still existing problems
segregated schools
massive economic disparities
racial violence & police brutality
discriminatory housing, employment, and financial policies
Black Panther Party
organized armed patrols of predominantly black neighborhoods
until local and states orders were passed, these patrols were legal
most BPP patrols stopped after weapon laws were passed
Why was police brutality a main focus of the party?
Common themes in race riots:
a catalyst
police brutality
destruction of property
mob mentality(looting)
How did race riots impact African American communities?
It put another label on African Americans that they were dangerous
brought domestic violence into homes of American public(showed brutality)
Exposed African American communities in turmoil to white people
reinforced harmful stereotypes
response to all race riots is national guard - power imbalance - fear
Can not shift hearts and minds overnight because fear in African American communities and fear in police from African Americans was still in their hearts and minds
What programs did the Black Panther Party create to help black communities?
food programs - soup kitchens, free food
childcare(allow people to get jobs)
healthcare(preventative care)
education(get kids to school and keep them in school)
lesson 11 - Institutional Racism, the Urban Crisis, & White Flight
essential question - What was the “urban crisis” and how did it lead to “white flight”?
1. Housing Segregation and Redlining (Video)
Redlining: A government-backed practice starting in the 1930s where neighborhoods were graded by “risk” for home loans—Black and immigrant neighborhoods were marked in red and labeled too risky.
Impact: Denied Black families access to home loans, wealth-building, and good neighborhoods.
Result: Racial segregation in cities became deeply entrenched; white families received loans and moved to suburbs, while Black families were confined to underfunded urban areas.
2. The Urban Crisis
By the 1950s–70s, many U.S. cities (especially in the North and Midwest) faced:
Declining infrastructure
Loss of industry and jobs
Poor housing conditions
Underfunded schools and services
These issues disproportionately affected Black and Latino communities due to historic housing discrimination and lack of investment.
3. White Flight
As cities became more racially diverse and urban issues grew, many white families:
Moved to newly developed suburbs, aided by the GI Bill and federal home loans.
Took resources and tax money with them, further draining cities.
Suburbs often used zoning laws and unwritten rules to keep people of color out, reinforcing segregation.
4. Lasting Effects
Segregation and inequality in housing still exist today.
The wealth gap between Black and white families is tied to homeownership opportunities lost during this era.
Urban neighborhoods still struggle with underinvestment, linked to redlining and white flight patterns.
Takeaway:
The “urban crisis” was created by systemic racism, economic decline, and government policy—leading to “white flight,” which deepened racial and economic segregation across American cities and suburbs.
lesson 12 - Protest music of the 80’s and 90’s
essential question - How did Black musicians use music as a means of social protest and commentary in the 80’s and 90’s?
Economic Disparities
tension between black communities and predominantly white police forces continued to spark confrontation
70’s & 80’s → dramatic rise in incarceration rates for African Americans
even though race riots decreased in 70’s, they still did break out in 70’s and 80’s and 90’s after Black v. White police confrontations
Rodney King Riots(April 29 - May 4 1992, LA California)
4 white officers arrested Rodney King but excessively beat him
whole thing was filmed
4 officers found not guilty
riots erupted because of the decision
national guard, fires, destruction of property, common riot themes re-occurred
lesson 13 - Black Lives Matter
essential question - why did the BLM movement emerge and how are its goals representative of continuing economic, political, and social oppression of Black people in the United States? In what ways do musicians include references to the movement in their music?
Trayvon Martin & Michael Brown
Feb 26, 2012, 17 yr old Trayvon Martin was shot and killed by George Zimmerman in Sanford Florida
Zimmerman’s acquittal sparked the BLM movement
Aug 9, 2014, 18 year old Michael Brown Jr was shot and killed by white police officer Darren Wilson in Ferguson Missouri
Wilson was not charged even though he fired after Brown’s hands were in the air
the hands up gesture became a symbol of the BLM movement
What came out of BLM
bodycams of police officers became required
more info released/transparency
Unit 8 - Visions of Prosperity
Lesson 1 - The Great Society and the War on Poverty
essential question - What was the Great Society and War on Poverty? What impact did they have on society?
In the 60’s LBJ began the “War on Poverty” in order to form a “Great Society”
war was fought with legislation(weapons) - example of top down action
wanted to provide tools for grass roots support
War on Poverty programs
programs and legislation designed to help alleviate poverty
cluster of projects taken on by LBJ
War on Poverty was a “hand up” not a handout
poverty rate went from 22% → 13% under LBJ
60% of people in college had help from LBJ legislation
Roadblocks
Vietnam war
funding
Lesson 2 - Chavez, Huerta, and the UFW
essential question - How did the Delano Grape Strike & formation of the UFW expose the exclusion of Chicanos & Latinos from American prosperity?
Cesar Chavez(born 1927 on small family farm)
grew up in Great Depression & Dust Bowl
1937 moved to California; lost farm & store
family became field workers → low wage(Delano, CA)
Served in Navy - earned respect, “Americanized”
Chavez was deeply religious → nonviolent
Chavez, Huerta, & Vera Cruz made Unite Farmworkers Union
165 UFW joined with Filipino union strike against grape growers
Strike lasted 4 years, 1964 Delano growers signed new contracts with workers
Strike became known as the cause(la causa)
Didn’t end up having the same national impact because no national laws were made just ones specific to California
That shows difference between topdown and grassroots
Delano Grape Strike – Key Notes
Overview
Began: September 8, 1965
Location: Delano, California
Duration: Over 5 years (1965–1970)
Cause: Farmworkers demanded higher wages, better working conditions, and union recognition.
Initiated by: Filipino American farmworkers (Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee, AWOC)
Joined by: Mexican American workers (National Farm Workers Association, NFWA)
Key Figures
Dolores Huerta: Co-founder of the NFWA (later UFW), key negotiator and strategist.
César Chávez: Co-founder of the NFWA, public face of the movement.
Larry Itliong: Filipino labor leader who helped launch the strike.
Dolores Huerta's Role
Helped merge AWOC and NFWA into the United Farm Workers (UFW) in 1966.
Lead negotiator with growers and companies during and after the strike.
Organized boycotts, marches, and nationwide campaigns to gain public support.
Promoted nonviolent resistance and labor rights.
Helped make the strike a national movement through public speaking and grassroots organizing.
Tactics Used
Strikes and picket lines
National boycott of table grapes
March from Delano to Sacramento (1966)
Use of media to raise awareness
Public pressure on grape growers through supermarkets and consumers
Outcomes
In 1970, most major grape growers signed contracts with the UFW.
Workers gained:
Higher wages
Rest periods
Union representation
Protections from pesticide exposure
Legacy
Considered one of the most successful labor movements in U.S. history.
Elevated the national profile of Latino and Filipino farmworkers.
Cemented Dolores Huerta as a central figure in labor and civil rights history.
Inspired future activism with the phrase "¡Sí, se puede!", coined by Huerta.
Lesson 3 - The modern environmental movement
essential question - What made Americans care about environmentalism? What did the environmental movement achieve?
Silent Spring(Rachel Carson)
In 1962, biologist and writer Rachel Carson published Silent Spring, which many considered the catalyst of the modern environmental movement
not written for other scientists
wanted to bring environmentalism into everyone’s home
other scientists believed man controlled nature when Carson had caution
book received a lot of backlash
shifted understanding of how world works for public
started asking about human effect on Earth
Front Porch Politics
“Bringing politics into everyday American homes so they are talking about it. Stuff worthy of conversation with more than just family. Visible piece: how to make invisible visible → bring to home → make it feel visible”
1950’s → Eisenhower had major concerns about air & water quality (shut down)
1960’s → Americans start to have collective sense of environmental crisis
1960’s: T.V. brings environment crisis into American homes
1963: clean air act, 1965: water quality act, 1965: motor vehicle air pollution control act, 1966: endangered species act, 1968: wild and scenic rivers act, 1968: national trails system act
Earthrise 1968
one of the first photos of Earth from space(Apollo 8), Bill Anders
Earthrise put into perspective that we only have one Earth, our only chance and we have to take care of it
“The only color that we could see and contrasted by this really unfriendly stark lunar horizon, made me think, "‘you know we really live on a beautiful little planet’”(Bill Anders") This will be on finals
Earth day
April 22, 1970, 20 million Americans participated in Earth day
Creation of environmental protection agency (EPA)(july 1970)
Lesson 4 - Indigenous American Protest
Essential question - What strategies did Indigenous American activists use in the 1960’s & 70’s to combat past and present discriminatory policies towards tribes?
What we already know
trail of tears
germ warfare
forced assimilation
Expansion with honor and boarding schools
expansion with honor:
U.S. gov’t would protect Indigenous Americans from extinction and allow a level of autonomy … but … “you have to follow the rules and can’t stand in the way of progress”
Indigenous American boarding schools start 1800’s →
“Kill the Indian to save the man”
Indigenous American Activism
Formation of National Indian Youth Council (1961)
pushed for tribes to have more sovereignty - gov’t violating native lands
during 1950’s and 60’s Indigenous American Activists criticized American involvement in Korea and Vietnam
50’s and 60’s → expansion of high systems - led to court cases in which the Indigenous tribes won leading to empowerment
American Indian Movement (AIM)(1968)(“Red Power”)
occupation of Alcatraz Island(1969-71)(18 months)
1972 Federal bureau of Indian affairs protest (Washington D.C.)
1973 occupation of Wounded Knee(South Dakota)
1978 longest walk protest (Alcatraz → San Fran → Washington D.C. over 5 months)
Lesson 5 - Second Wave Feminism
essential question - How did the women’s rights movement of the 60’s and 70’s reflect ongoing discriminatory issues in the U.S.?
Women’s right movement in the 60’s
Followed long tradition of women’s rights activism
built on advances of the past and focused on continued grievances
took aim at American Patriarchy
systems and gov’t practices in which men hold power and women are largely excluded from positions of power
within social movement of 60’s, women’s rights advocates called out male-dominated civil rights organizations, calling them hypocritical
“sexism” coined in 1965 by Paulin Leet
The personal is political
***** Important**** - To make something personal political it had to be collective problems that people are having because of American laws, society, and gov’t. Demand for top-down. needed collective action.
Strategies of women’s rights leaders
Consciousness raising groups
marches, rallies, teach-ins, protests
creating programs and safe spaces for women
political action
Outcomes
battered women’s shelters and women health clinics
development of women’s studies in higher ed.
lessened stigma’s around birth control and challenged abortion bans (Roe v. Wade 1973)
Rape crisis hotlines and support groups
take back the night blue light systems(college)
conversations around sexual violence continue through 21st century
sexual assault on college campuses remain central part of conversations around sexual violence
Equal rights amendment(Alice Paul)(Passed in congress in 70’s but never passed because not enough states ratified
Lesson 6 - The Stonewall Uprising
essential question - how did the Stonewall Uprising represent growing discontent among America’s gay population? How does the Stonewall Uprising fit within the broader narrative of gay rights in the U.S.?
June 28th 1969 police raid Stonewall Inn, a gay bar for Men in NYC
States like NY had sodomy laws that criminalized homosexuality
Stonewall in was run by the mafia
mafia see’s it as good business
mafia had missed payments → police raid
over about 1000 people fighting police officers
similar to feminism, gay rights advocates used protest and consciousness raising techniques to humanize the LGBT community
language shift
In 1973, the American Psychiatric Association removed homosexuality from its list of mental disorders in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM). This marked a major turning point in reducing stigma and advancing LGBTQ+ rights.
The Gay Liberation Front
Mattachine society of New York(1951)
The daughters of Bilitis(1955)
Marsha P. Johnson(P stood for “Pay it no mind”)
“You never completely have your rights, one person, until you all have your rights”
The first gay pride parade took place on June 28, 1970, in New York City. It commemorated the one-year anniversary of the Stonewall uprising, a pivotal event in the LGBTQ+ rights movement.
Lesson 7 - Asian American Activism
essential question - How were Asian Americans discriminated against prior to the civil rights era of the 1960’s and how did a collective identity help shape Asian American activism?
Formation of Asian American identities
1960’s saw a rise of more unified idea of being “Asian American” in U.S.
Chinese, Japanese, and Filipino Americans were first to identify as Asian American
through immigration and naturalization, U.S. gov’t did not distinguish different Asian groups and Asians & Asian Americans
Identifying as Asian American unified groups across U.S., helping form collective sense of shared histories and treatment
Discrimination of Asian Americans
Discriminated from:
hiring practices
biased school curricula
demeaning stereotypes
residential discrimination(gentrification of historically Asian American neighborhoods) → rising prices in rent → raising price of life in lower class areas
Interracial marriage bans (1967 Loving v. Virginia overturned)
Asian American Activism (1960s–1970s)
Inspired by the Civil Rights Movement, Asian American students and community members organized to fight racism, war (especially the Vietnam War), and poverty.
Discrimination and Challenges
Asian Americans faced racist stereotypes, job discrimination, housing segregation, and violence.
Many were seen as "perpetual foreigners," regardless of how long their families had lived in the U.S.
The Japanese American internment experience during WWII continued to cast a shadow into the '60s and '70s.
"Model Minority" Myth
Coined in the 1960s, this stereotype portrayed Asian Americans as quiet, obedient, and successful.
It was used to downplay racism and undermine Black and Brown civil rights activism by suggesting that other minorities could succeed without protest.
The myth ignored poverty, discrimination, and diversity within Asian American communities and was often used to silence calls for justice.