APUSH Unit 9

I. The Cold War (1947-1991)

1. Origins of the Cold War

   • Ideological Differences: The United States and the Soviet Union represented fundamentally different ideologies: capitalism and democracy versus communism and totalitarianism.

   • Post-War Aims: The U.S. aimed to promote democracy and capitalism, while the Soviet Union sought to spread communism and create a buffer zone of friendly states in Eastern Europe.

   • Yalta and Potsdam Conferences: These conferences exposed deep disagreements between the Allies regarding the future of Europe, particularly the fate of Germany and Eastern European nations.

2. Containment Policy

   • Truman Doctrine (1947): Pledged U.S. support to any nation resisting communist expansion, initially focusing on Greece and Turkey.

   • Marshall Plan (1948): Provided economic aid to help rebuild Western European economies, preventing the spread of communism by alleviating economic distress.

   • NATO (1949): A military alliance among North American and European powers to counter Soviet aggression, marking a significant commitment to collective security.

3. Cold War Crises

   • Berlin Blockade (1948-1949): The Soviet Union blocked access to West Berlin, leading to the Berlin Airlift, where the U.S. and its allies supplied the city by air until the blockade was lifted.

   • Korean War (1950-1953): A conflict sparked by North Korea's invasion of South Korea, resulting in a U.S.-led intervention to defend South Korea and prevent the spread of communism in Asia.

   • Cuban Missile Crisis (1962): A tense standoff between the U.S. and the Soviet Union after the discovery of Soviet nuclear missiles in Cuba, resolved through diplomacy and a U.S. pledge not to invade Cuba.

   • Vietnam War (1954-1975): A prolonged conflict in which the U.S. supported South Vietnam against communist North Vietnam, reflecting the domino theory and the broader containment strategy.

II. The Civil Rights Movement (1954-1968)

1. Origins and Foundations

   • Legacy of Segregation: Segregation and discrimination against African Americans persisted in the South despite the 14th and 15th Amendments.

   • Brown v. Board of Education (1954): The Supreme Court declared state laws establishing separate public schools for black and white students unconstitutional, overturning Plessy v. Ferguson.

   • Montgomery Bus Boycott (1955-1956): Sparked by Rosa Parks' refusal to give up her seat on a bus, the boycott led to the desegregation of Montgomery's bus system and propelled Martin Luther King Jr. to national prominence.

2. Key Figures and Organizations

   • Martin Luther King Jr.: Advocated for nonviolent civil disobedience, leading numerous protests and marches, and promoting racial equality and justice.

   • Malcolm X: Initially advocated for black separatism and Black Power, later shifting towards racial unity before his assassination in 1965.

   • SNCC (Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee): Organized sit-ins and other forms of nonviolent protest to challenge segregation and discrimination.

   • SCLC (Southern Christian Leadership Conference): Led by Martin Luther King Jr., the SCLC coordinated civil rights activities and promoted nonviolent resistance.

3. Legislative Achievements

   • Civil Rights Act of 1964: Prohibited discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin, and outlawed segregation in public accommodations.

   • Voting Rights Act of 1965: Eliminated discriminatory voting practices, such as literacy tests, and authorized federal oversight of voter registration in areas with a history of discrimination.

III. The Great Society (1964-1969)

1. Goals and Philosophy

   • War on Poverty: Aimed to reduce poverty and create a more equitable society through government programs and initiatives.

   • Social Welfare Programs: Expanded government involvement in social welfare, health care, and education to improve living standards and opportunities for all Americans.

2. Key Programs

   • Medicare and Medicaid (1965): Medicare provided health insurance for the elderly, while Medicaid provided healthcare assistance for low-income individuals and families.

   • Elementary and Secondary Education Act (1965): Provided federal funding to public schools to improve educational resources and opportunities for students.

   • Head Start (1965): Offered early childhood education, health, and nutrition services to low-income children and families to prepare them for school.

IV. Social and Cultural Transformations

1. The Counterculture Movement

   • Values and Beliefs: Rejected mainstream values and norms, advocating for peace, love, individual freedom, and experimentation with drugs and alternative lifestyles.

   • Impact on Society: Influenced music, fashion, art, and literature, promoting greater tolerance and challenging traditional social norms.

2. The Women's Rights Movement

   • Feminist Goals: Advocated for gender equality in employment, education, and politics, challenging traditional gender roles and stereotypes.

   • Key Figures: Betty Friedan, author of "The Feminine Mystique," and Gloria Steinem, a leading feminist activist and writer.

   • Achievements: продвижение и защита репродуктивных прав, увеличение представительства женщин в политике и бизнесе, а также изменения в общественном сознании относительно гендерных ролей и равенства.

3. Environmental Movement

   • Growing Awareness: Increased awareness of environmental issues, such as pollution, deforestation, and the depletion of natural resources.

   • Key Events: Publication of Rachel Carson's "Silent Spring" (1962), the first Earth Day (1970), and the establishment of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 1970.

V. Foreign Policy and Global Challenges

1. Détente with the Soviet Union

   • Nixon's Visit to China (1972): A historic diplomatic breakthrough that normalized relations between the U.S. and China, altering the balance of power in the Cold War.

   • SALT I and SALT II: Strategic Arms Limitation Talks aimed to reduce the production and deployment of nuclear weapons, easing tensions between the U.S. and the Soviet Union.

2. Middle East Conflicts

   • Six-Day War (1967): A brief but significant conflict between Israel and its Arab neighbors, resulting in Israel's capture of the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and Golan Heights.

   • Yom Kippur War (1973): A surprise attack by Egypt and Syria on Israel, leading to a U.S.-brokered ceasefire and increased U.S. involvement in the region.

VI. Political and Economic Developments

1. The Watergate Scandal

   • Nixon's Resignation (1974): President Richard Nixon resigned from office following the Watergate scandal, which involved a break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters and a cover-up by the Nixon administration.

2. Economic Challenges

   • Stagflation: A combination of high inflation and high unemployment that plagued the U.S. economy in the 1970s, caused by rising oil prices, government spending, and declining productivity.

   • Energy Crisis: Shortages of oil and rising energy prices led to rationing, conservation efforts, and increased exploration for new energy sources.