AP US History Period 8 (1945-1980)

Overview of Period 8 (1945-1980)

• Focus on understanding connections among historical events and themes for the AP US History exam.

Major Themes of Period 8

1. Global Leadership and the Cold War

   • The Cold War, a conflict involving ideological and military tension between the United States and the Soviet Union, defined this period.
   • U.S. military engagement in Korea and Vietnam in response to communist expansion.

2. Changing Sentiment on Foreign Policy

   • Initial support for anti-communist policies later led to widespread antiwar protests, particularly against the Vietnam War.
   • Political debates focused on war, nuclear proliferation, and presidential power.

3. Civil Rights Movement

   • Activism spearheaded by figures like Martin Luther King Jr., emphasizing nonviolent strategies and legal battles.
   • Landmark achievements, including the Supreme Court decision in Brown v. Board of Education (1954), while facing significant resistance.

4. Expansion of Social Movements

   • Growth of various social movements advocating for causes in sexuality, gender rights, environmental concerns, and economic equality.
   • Emergence of the counterculture during the 1960s.

5. Great Society Initiatives

   • President Lyndon Johnson's initiatives aimed at eliminating poverty and racial discrimination.
   • Conservatives pushed back, fearing cultural and moral decline.

6. Distrust in Government

   • Watergate scandal, Vietnam War stalemate, and Nixon's resignation fueled public skepticism towards the government’s effectiveness.

The Cold War Origins

• Joseph Stalin

  • Leader of the Soviet Union post-Lenin; known for centralization, collectivization, and purging rivals.
  • His death in 1953 led to reforms by his successor, Nikita Khrushchev.

• Iron Curtain

  • A term coined by Winston Churchill highlighting the division between the Western democracies and the Eastern communist bloc.

Key U.S. Political Figures & Events

• Harry S. Truman (1945-1953)

  • Key in desegregating the military, establishing the UN, and the Marshall Plan.
  • Responsible for the Berlin Airlift and Korean War decisions.

• George Marshall

  • Notable for the Marshall Plan (1947) which provided $13 billion for European recovery post-WWII.

• Berlin Airlift (1948-1949)

  • Response to Soviet blockades of Berlin; solidified U.S. commitment to containing communism.

• NATO & Warsaw Pact

  • NATO formed as a collective defense pact against Soviet aggression; Warsaw Pact formalized Soviet control over Eastern Europe.

National Security Developments

• National Security Act (1947)

  • Restructured military and national security landscape, creating the DoD, CIA, and National Security Council.

• Cold War Policy in Asia

  • Mao Tse-Tung's rise led to the formation of the People’s Republic of China.
  • The Korean War solidified the U.S. commitment to containment but ended in stalemate.

Second Red Scare (1947-1956)

• Marked by paranoia over communism leading to significant civil liberties violations (e.g., House Un-American Activities Committee, McCarthyism).

Eisenhower Administration (1953-1961)

• Dwight D. Eisenhower implemented Brinksmanship and Massive Retaliation as foreign policy strategies.
• Managed conflicts like the Suez Canal Crisis and faced global tensions including the U-2 Incident.

Kennedy Administration (1961-1963)

• John F. Kennedy managed the escalating Cuban Missile Crisis and civil rights issues while facing challenges such as the Bay of Pigs and Berlin Wall construction.

Vietnam Conflict and Escalation

• Lyndon B. Johnson (1963-1969) escalated Vietnam War, authorized Gulf of Tonkin Resolution; controversies like Tet Offensive shifted public opinion.

Civil Rights Movement

• Key figures include Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, and pivotal events such as the Selma to Montgomery marches culminating in the Voting Rights Act (1965).
• Landmark rulings and legislation: Civil Rights Act of 1964, Brown v. Board of Education.

Social Movements & Cultural Changes

• Influential cultural movements included free speech protests and the emergence of feminist organizations like NOW.
• The counterculture crisis seen in events like Woodstock (1969).

The Nixon Era (1969-1974)

• Nixon's policies included détente and the Watergate scandal, leading to his resignation.
• Gerald Ford became president and faced national backlash due to Nixon's pardon.

The Carter Administration (1977-1981)

• Jimmy Carter dealt with foreign challenges including the Camp David Accords and domestic issues post-oil crisis.
• Emphasized human rights but faced a declining public image due to the Iran Hostage Crisis.

Conclusion

• Period 8 encapsulates significant political, cultural, and social transformations that have left long-lasting impacts on U.S. history.