cold war/korean war key terms

I: Key Terms - 1950s America

You will be asked to define terms on your key terms quiz in addition to explaining their relevance to this unit of study and the Cold War. Be sure you learn both the description and the significance.

Term	Description	Significance to Unit Guiding Questions
Executive Order 9981:End Discrimination in the Armed Forces	President Truman signed order that banned segregation in the Armed forces 1948	The Army was America’s largest minority employer at the time of WWII Act was initially opposed by southern senators, but was passed by Truman using his executive powers
Security Requirements for Government Employees/EO 10450	Established strict criteria for government employees in order to protect the US government from opposing ideologies like communism Removed security risks from government positions 1953	Used as a method of discrimination and persecution Security criteria included purge of all homosexuals from government due to labels such as sexual perversion (the Lavender Scare) Resulted in overt invasion of privacies of government employees, suspected communists and homosexuals being monitored and tracked
Federal Aid Highway Act of 1956	Established an interstate highway system in the United States Bridges at certain height for armaments Created evacuation routes	Enhanced mobility of allied forces Connected airforce bases and ports and resources Germans had highway network, did not want them to hold significant advantage Destroyed housing of underprivileged neighborhoods
HUAC (House Un-American Activities Committee)	A US congressional committee created to investigate alleged communist activity in the US Particularly active during the Red Scare, an era in which the US population feared communism infiltrating the nation and government	Feared spread of communism, so they investigated Left-Wingers Left wingers: those sympathetic to the ideals of socialism and communism, favoring gov activism Given broader powers in order to deal w/ subversion Began investigating a supposed Hollywood-centered Communist conspiracy to overthrow gov “Hollywood 10”(writors/directors members of Communist party convicted).
Great Strike Wave of ‘45-’46	Series of strikes across the United States to protest unfair wages and unsafe working conditions 5 million plus workers went on strike One of the largest labor movements in US history	Result of postwar economic instability Challenged employers resisting fair pay and justifiable working conditions Free from “No-Strike” pledges during WWII
Taft-Hartley Act	Restricted power of Unions 1947 Outlawed closed shops, boycotts, & strikes Allowed states to pass laws that prohibit mandatory union dues - “right to work laws”	Opposition to strike wave Enacted during the early stages of the Cold War Gave president power to bring an end to strikes law required union officers to sign non-communist affidavits (written statements) with the government
Levittown Long Island, NY	1947 - entrepreneur Abraham Levitt and his two sons, William and Alfred, transformed former farmland into a suburban community housing thousands of people (many WWII vets + families) Result of a severe housing shortage (high considering baby boom) Did not invent suburbs, but popularized them Highly racist housing policy	Only sold houses to white buyers 70,000 people who lived in Levittown constituted the largest community in the United States with no black residents Activist groups protested policies and NAACP sued “Americanism” as justification for racial exclusivity & painted those who sought to enforce integration as communist
Loyalty Act of 1947 (Executive Order 9835)	Established first general loyalty program in the United States Signed by Truman Designed to root out communist influence in Government	Truman sought to counter Republican accusations that Democrats were "soft on communism" Program investigated over 3 million government employees Result of increasing U.S.–Soviet tensions and political maneuvering by the president and Congress
McCarran Internal Security Act of 1950	Required registration of Communist organizations Also known as the Subversive Activities Control Act of 1950 Congress enacted it over President Harry Truman's veto	Established a board to investigate and determine if organizations were communist Barred members of registered communist groups from federal employment & denied them passports Response to fears of communist infiltration and international aggression
Mattachine Society/Daughters of Bilitis	“Homophile organizations" that advocate for gay and lesbian civil rights, education, and community Mattachine Society-for men Daughters of Bilitis-for women	Much of the gay community was persecuted and under surveillance by the police and FBI (lavender scare, red scare) Provided acceptance of identities and protested against the actions of the government
National Congress of American Indians	Founded to protect tribal sovereignty and advocate for native rights against assimilation policies Resisted relocation and termination policies Represents American Indians and Alaska native tribal governments	Worked against “termination” which was a policy that would end all relationships with the federal government and dissolve reservations and subject tribes to state control without protection One of the only organizations that highlighted self determination for Native Americans during a time when their rights were not looked after
NDEA (National Defence Education Act of 1958)	US law that provides federal funds to improve education (mainly math, science, and foreign languages Caused by Soviet Sputnik launch	Sputnik launch highlighted technological and educational gap between the two countries The US had to close that gap and prepare the young people for the cold war academically just as much as the Russians were
New Look Policy (AKA: Massive Retaliation	Eisenhower cold war strategy Prioritized nuclear weapons to deter the Soviet Union Shifted focus to nuclear power and off large armies (more “bang for their buck”) so they could cut costs	Shift from Truman's conventional containment polices Created nuclear stalemate as the Soviets created their own nuclear weapons in retaliation
NORAD (North American Aerospace Defense Command)	US/Canada Organization Provided aerospace warning, control, and maritime for North America Detected and defended against air missile attacks, constant watch	Created out of cold war fears and the Soviet Union (defence pact) Military cooperation with Canada and US
Redlining	Banks and govt deemed minority neighborhoods "hazardous" and “dangerous” Thus, residents were denied mortgages, insurance, and other financial services Created govt sanction maps	Enforced segregation Created lasting effects that impact minorities to this day Redlined neighborhoods were in decline
GI Bill	U.S. law providing education funds (college tuition), low-cost mortgages, and business loans to World War II veterans to help them transition to civilian life	Eased the transition back into civilian life Its benefits were often denied to minorities
SCLC (Southern Christian Leadership Conference)	Civil rights movement funded by Martin Luther King Jr and other black ministers Coordinated non violent protests (marches, “Montgomery Bus Boycott”) leveraged the power of Black churches to register voters and push for federal civil rights legislation Worked to educate black voters	Shifted civil rights tactics to mass protests and boycotts to combat segregation Mobilized and organized black churches

II Key Terms - Korea:

Term	Description	Significance to Unit Guiding Questions
Bodo League Massacre	Series of mass executions targeting suspected communist sympathizers and political opponents Carried out by the South Korean government and military This was during the summer 1950 after the outbreak of the Korean War South Korean government concealed the massacres for decades blaming the atrocities on the communists Main victims were members of the Workers’ Party of South Korea Many ordinary civilians were coerced into joining the anti-communist “Bodo League” (National Guidance League) for “re-education” purposes The US military and the UN forces were aware of the massacres but did not intervene at the time Death toll ranges from 60,000 to 300,000	How did the Cold War manifest in differing regions? What role did external powers play in the massacre's escalation? In what ways have civilians been affected by war? What are the challenges of historical interpretation? How did the US and UN justify ignoring the massacre? Why did they acknowledge it later on in history?
USAMGIK	Stands for United States Army Military Government in Korea Was the US’s post WWII occupying authority in South Korea (1945-1948) Established order, prompted anti-communisit governance, managed property, and laid foundations for modern South Korean political and administrative structures Lead to the formation of the Republic of Korea After Japanese surrender in 1945 Korea was divided at the 38th parallel for the US (South) and Soviet (North) occupation The Cold War shifted the USAMGIK’s goals from temporary administration to the establishment of a pro-American, anti-communist state Clashed with the Soviets aims Outlawed Korean self-governening bodies (Peoples Committees and Peoples Republic of Korea) Promoted right-wing conservative factions Alienated leftists Implemented public health systems and reformed education (teaching the English language) Failed to create a unified Korea due to the US and Soviet’s contrasting goals	How did the Cold War develop outside of Europe? What were the challenges and consequences of nation building? How significant was the USAMGIK period, 1945-1948, in solidifying the division of the Korean peninsula at the 38th parallel and making a unified, independent Korea impossible? Using sources from the period, how did the Korean press and populace view the US military presence, and what does this reveal about the dynamics of US and Republic of Korea relations at the time?
People’s Committees (postwar Korea)	Played a key role in Korea's division After the Japanese surrender these committees emerged nationwide 1945-1948 - local governments that were formed Acted as the foundational self-rule bodies managing administration, security, and economy in the power vacuum They were made up of nationalists, leftists, and workers Representatives of these committees formed the People's Republic of Korea in 1945 The Soviets supported these committees by taking control and naming them the Provisional People's Committee (led by Kim Il-sung) Enacted land reforms and nationalization The US dissolved these committees and viewed them as communist leading US established its own authority The committees represented the popular movement for self-governance in Korea The different approaches in the North and South resulted in deep political division Led to separate states by 1948	To what extent did foreign intervention determine the outcome of local conflicts and or state formation? What was the interplay between domestic political aspirations and external pressures? How did the US and Soviets conflicting ideological processes lead to conflict within Korea?
Jeju Uprising	Conflict on South Korea’s Jeju Island from 1948-1949 Leftist guerrillas opposed to separate elections dividing Korea clashed with US backed security forces Led to many civilian deaths, brutal crackdowns, and immense suffering Demonstrates the early stages of violence due to the division of Korean The UN supervised elections to establish a separate South Korean government Jeju residents protested the UN-mandated elections due to the fear of permanent division The South Korean Communist Party led the armed resistance April 3, 1948 - insurrection began and guerillas attacked police US forces responded with extreme violence Up to 80,000 dead Established the division of Korean Covered up by authoritarian regimes	To what extent did the uprising challenge the change of the existing political system or ruling power? Did the uprising lead to a change in leadership, form of government, or political ideology? In what ways did the uprising affect different social classes, ethnic groups, or regions within the society? What were the economic causes of the uprising, and to what extent were these grievances addressed afterward?
Domino theory	Cold War belief that if one country in Southeast Asia fell to communism neighboring countries would inevitably follow like a row of dominoes Became central to the US containment policy under JFK Coined by Eisenhower in 1954 Used to justify support for South Vietnam and military escalation (believed the loss of Vietnam would trigger the domino effect) When North Vietnam was victorious us the US withdrew from the South in 1975 the widespread collapse did not happen Only Laos and Cambodia fell to communism Disproved the theory’s inevitability Demonstrates the oversimplification of complex geopolitical situations leading to costly and unsuccessful interventions (Cold War mindset)	How did the belief in the Domino Theory influence the US foreign policy decisions, particularly regarding its involvement in the Vietnam War? What were the main criticisms of the Domino Theory, and how did the actual outcomes challenge its validity? To what extent was the Domino Theory a genuine fear of communist expansion versus a justification for American interventionism driven by other geopolitical or economic interests?
NSC-68	Top secret US policy document that defined America's aggressive Cold War strategy, advocated for a massive military buildup (hydrogen bomb), and increased decease spending to counter the perceived global communist threat from the Soviet Union Shifted from diplomacy to militarized containment Justified interventions like the Korean War Became the blueprint for Cold War policy Created in 1950 after the Soviets developed the atomic bomb and China fell to communism Influenced interventionism and promoted military approaches to containing the USSR	To what extent was NSC-68 a reaction to the ‘loss of China’ and the Soviet Union’s first atomic bomb test rather than a new proactive strategy? How did the Korean War serve as the catalyst for the implementation of NSC-68 recommendations? Evaluate the different perspectives within the US government regarding the nature of the Soviet threat and the best approach to containment.
Inchon Landing (Pusan Perimeter)	1950 surprise amphibious attack led by General MacArthur at Inchon - far behind enemy lines Turned the tide of the Korean War Cut off supply lines from the North Korean People’s Army and led to the recapture of Seoul After North Korea invaded the UN and South Korean forces were pushed to the southeastern edge of Korea The defensive line known as the Pusan Perimeter was held on the brink of collapse Inchon, a port city near Seoul, was chosen due to its strategic access to the capital (had challenging terrain) US Marines and other UN forces attacked amphibiously and secured the port The North Korean People’s Army was caught off guard and rapidly collapsed leading the the recapture of Seoul This success reversed the war's momentum and ended the desperate fight for survival at the Pusan Perimeter Allowed UN forces to go on the offensive	How did the establishment and defense of the Pusan Perimeter reflect the US policy of containment as outlined in NSC-68? To what extent was the UN’s ability to hold the Pusan Perimeter dependent on the logistical support provided by the port and naval superiority? In what ways did the success of the Inchon Landing contribute to the decision to cross the 38th parallel and what were the immediate consequences of this decision? How did the intense fighting at the Pusan Perimeter influence subsequent military strategies and the perception of North Korean military capabilities?
Korean Independence Movement	Was a multi-faceted struggle against Japanese colonial rule from 1910-1945 Peaceful protests, armed resistance, and diplomatic efforts to achieve self-determination, featuring exiled governments and diaspora activism Used guerrilla fighters operating from China and Manchuria to launch attacks The Korean Provisional Government was established in Shanghai, China to lead from exile (supported by Chinese Nationalists) Armed guerrilla warfare that led to assassinations Peaceful protests working for cultural preservation and diplomatic appeals Targeting diaspora in the US Japan annexed Korea in 1910 and applied harsh colonial policies Resulting in oppression, economic exploitation, and cultural assimilation	How did the Korean diaspora contribute to the movement's success? How did the experience of Japanese colonization and the independence struggle form modern Korean identity? How did Japanese occupation impact Korean’s view of the US and Soviet occupation? How did the Korean Independence Movement influence or challenge imperialist ideologies? How did the Korean Independence Movement influence other anti-colonial movements globally?
March 1st Movement	Series of protests held by koreans + korean diaspora (international korean people/communities) against japanese colonial rule Began on march 1 1919, cont. Mostly thru march/apr that yr 1500-1800 total protests, 0.8-2mil participants Peaceful nature, but frequently suppressed in violent ways 1920 korean estimate of 7509 deaths and 46948 arrests Global disinformation campaign on protests conducted by japanese authorities afterwards Denied protests happening Portrayed as violent uprising Claimed that koreans in need of japanese rule Led to korean independence movement, creation of korean provisional govt Damaged jpn international reputation Granted koreans some limited cultural freedoms (series of policies “cultural rule”)	Usa did not take any significant action as result of the protests Would be hypocritical to support due to us own colonialism "the consulate [in Seoul] should be extremely careful not to encourage any belief that the United States will assist the Korean nationalists in carrying out their plans and that it should not do anything which may cause Japanese authorities to suspect [the] American Government sympathizes with the Korean nationalist movement" (us state department to japanese ambassador) Shows us policy in regards to korean human rights
Military Industrial Complex	Relationship between a country’s military and the defense industry which supplies it Influences public policy Term used to criticize us foreign policy Coined by eisenhower in opposition to the vietnam war	Us mic contributed to south korea’s rapid industrialization Integrated south korea into us defense industry by investing in s korean industries
Moscow Conference (1945)	Conference between foreign ministers of usa, uk, and ussr Led to creation of the Soviet-Anglo-American Communiqué Created a provisional govt for korea Called for the establishment of a joint commission in korea under consortium of usa, ussr, uk, and china 4-power trusteeship of up to 5 years would be needed before korea gained independence Incurred protests from koreans	Became point of contention between korea and usa Furthered cold war tensions
No Gun Ri massacre	Mass killing of south korean refugees by us military in central south korea Occured early in the korean war - 1950 Estimated that 250-300 were killed, majority being women and children Had been us army orders to fire at any approaching civilians due to north korean infiltration of refugee groups	Long term Failure of us policy toward korea Result of border scrimmages, which had been a product of cold war tensions No acknowledgement until Bill Clinton issued statement of regret about the incident, but refused to apologies or provide compensation to survivors
Perimeter Speech	1950 speech by us secretary of state dean acheson Defined american pacific’s defensive perimeter, which did not include south korea Could potentially have signaled an american green light for the north korean invasion which started korean war Many historians now argue it had very little actual impact on soviet decisions	Shows how us prioritized own self interest over actual support for south korea Long term failure of american policy towards korea
SEATO	“Southeast asia treaty organization" Organization for collective defense, primarily created to block further communist gains in se asia Generally considered a failure due to internal conflicts hindering use of seato military	Used us idea of containment Represents broad anti-communist ideology across the globe
United States Army Military Government in Korea	Official ruling body of south korea 1945-1948 After-effects of japanese occupation still felt, causing political and economic issues Popular discontent from us govt support of japanese occupation in korea Kept former japanese governers as advisors Censored and forcibly disbanded prk Supported un elections which divided country Refused to recognize provisional govt of the republic of korea Us military had no knowledge of korean language or culture, causing destabilizing effects from us policy	Hurt us-korean relationships quite a bit in the long term Showed how the us didn’t actually care about the korean people, but expanding their own territory/sphere of influence and keeping ussr under control
White Paper on Chinese Civil War	Published 1949 by us department of state in response to public concern regarding impending victory of chinese communist forces in chinese civil war “Beyond the control of the government of the united states” Detailed how the us has helped china and how they are friends Met with backlash by us republicans and mao zedong/china, who cited the opium war and us support of chiang kai shek	Signaled us policy of non intervention in chinese civil war, suggesting similar approach in korea Solidified us involvement in asian conflicts in the long-term