50s-70s

American History Study Guide 

1950s-1970s

Test will be comprised of 25-28 multiple choice and 1 long answer/essay question

President Dwight Eisenhower

• Won the 1952 election with the catchy slogan “I Like Ike”; chose Richard Nixon as VP
  
  

• Used the “Checkers speech” to defend himself against corruption charges on live TV
  
  

• Emphasized Cold War deterrence and created SEATO to combat communism in Southeast Asia
  
  

Ike Years (1953–1961)

• Oversaw the Korean War armistice and promoted “massive retaliation” through Secretary of State John Dulles
  
  

• 22nd Amendment passed: limits presidents to 2 terms
  
  

• Promoted a corporate, stable, and professional image in the presidency
  
  

The Korean War

• North Korea invaded the South in 1950 with Soviet approval; China joined later
  
  

• U.S. General Douglas MacArthur led a successful counterattack at Inchon but was fired for insubordination
  
  

• War ends in a stalemate with 1953 armistice; Korea remains divided at the 38th parallel
  
  

Dean Acheson’s “Green Light” Mistake

• Gave a speech excluding South Korea from the U.S. “defensive perimeter”
  
  

• Interpreted by North Korea and USSR as U.S. disinterest in protecting South Korea
  
  

• Contributed to the outbreak of the Korean War
  
  

Baby Boom

• Massive increase in U.S. birth rates from 1946–1964
  
  

• Fueled economic growth, consumerism, and suburban expansion
  
  

• Created long-term demographic and social impacts
  
  

Highway Act (1956)

• Created the Interstate Highway System under Eisenhower
  
  

• Aimed to improve national defense and transportation
  
  

• Encouraged suburbanization and car culture
  
  

“Military-Industrial Complex”

• Term from Eisenhower’s 1961 farewell address
  
  

• Warned against unchecked power of defense contractors and armed forces
  
  

• Reflected concerns about Cold War spending and influence on policy
  
  

Suburbia

• Mass migration to suburban neighborhoods post-WWII (e.g., Levittown)
  
  

• Supported by the GI Bill, highways, and home loans
  
  

• Criticized for promoting conformity and racial segregation
  
  

Civil Rights Movement

• Aimed to end segregation and achieve legal equality for Black Americans
  
  

• Involved legal challenges, protests, and grassroots organizing
  
  

• Major leaders included Martin Luther King Jr. and organizations like the NAACP, SCLC, and SNCC
  
  

Red-lining

• Discriminatory practice by banks and real estate agents denying loans to minority neighborhoods
  
  

• Institutionalized racial segregation and economic inequality
  
  

• Banned officially in later civil rights legislation, but effects persist
  
  

Brown v. Board of Education (1954)

• Supreme Court case that overturned “separate but equal”
  
  

• Ruled school segregation unconstitutional
  
  

• Led to slow, often resisted desegregation of schools
  
  

Emmett Till (1955)

• 14-year-old Black boy lynched in Mississippi for allegedly whistling at a white woman
  
  

• Open casket funeral shocked the nation and galvanized the Civil Rights Movement
  
  

• Killers were acquitted, exposing racial injustice in the South
  
  

Little Rock Nine (1957)

• Nine Black students integrated Central High School in Arkansas
  
  

• Faced mob violence; Eisenhower sent federal troops to enforce desegregation
  
  

• Became a symbol of federal enforcement of civil rights
  
  

Montgomery Bus Boycott (1955–1956)

• Sparked by Rosa Parks’ arrest for refusing to give up her seat
  
  

• Led by Martin Luther King Jr. and sustained over a year
  
  

• Resulted in Supreme Court ruling against bus segregation
  
  

Martin Luther King Jr.

• Leader of non-violent civil rights activism
  
  

• Advocated for integration, economic justice, and peaceful protest
  
  

• Famous for “I Have a Dream” speech and “Letter from Birmingham Jail”
  
  

Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC)

• Founded by MLK and others in 1957
  
  

• Focused on nonviolent protest and church-based activism
  
  

• Played major roles in Selma, Birmingham, and the March on Washington
  
  

Letter from Birmingham Jail (1963)

• MLK’s response to white clergymen criticizing his activism
  
  

• Defended civil disobedience and explained urgency of justice
  
  

• Became a foundational civil rights text
  
  

Non-violent training

• Civil rights activists trained in resisting provocation
  
  

• Tactics included sit-ins, marches, and freedom rides
  
  

• Emphasized discipline and moral authority
  
  

Sit-ins (1960)

• Began in Greensboro, NC, when four Black students sat at a segregated lunch counter
  
  

• Spread nationwide as a form of peaceful protest
  
  

• Helped desegregate public spaces and build SNCC
  
  

Civil Rights Act of 1964

• Banned segregation in public places and employment discrimination
  
  

• Gave federal government power to enforce civil rights laws
  
  

• Major legislative victory of the movement
  
  

Selma March (1965)

• Protest for voting rights led by MLK and others
  
  

• “Bloody Sunday” violence against marchers shocked the nation
  
  

• Contributed to passage of Voting Rights Act
  
  

Voting Rights Act of 1965

• Outlawed literacy tests and other voter suppression tactics
  
  

• Allowed federal oversight of elections in states with histories of discrimination
  
  

• Dramatically increased Black voter registration
  
  

Stokely Carmichael

• SNCC leader who popularized the term “Black Power”
  
  

• Shifted from nonviolence to a more militant, self-determination stance
  
  

• Criticized gradualism and integrationist goals
  
  

Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee (SNCC)

• Grassroots organization founded by college students
  
  

• Organized sit-ins, Freedom Rides, and voter registration drives
  
  

• Became more radical under Carmichael in the late 1960s
  
  

Black Power

• Movement emphasizing Black pride, autonomy, and self-defense
  
  

• Often contrasted with nonviolent integrationism
  
  

• Inspired cultural pride and challenged white liberalism
  
  

Black Panthers (founded 1966)

• Militant group advocating self-defense and community programs
  
  

• Provided free breakfast, clinics, and education in Black neighborhoods
  
  

• Targeted by FBI; became symbols of resistance and Black empowerment
  
  

John F. Kennedy

• Won 1960 televised debate vs. Nixon, appealing to a younger audience
  
  

• Handled Cuban Missile Crisis and Cold War tensions
  
  

• Assassinated in Dallas in 1963; succeeded by LBJ
  
  

Cuban Missile Crisis (1962)

• U.S. discovered Soviet missiles in Cuba
  
  

• Kennedy ordered naval blockade; 13-day standoff nearly led to nuclear war
  
  

• Resolved through secret deal: U.S. removed missiles from Turkey
  
  

Berlin Wall (1961)

• Built by East Germany to stop defections to the West
  
  

• Became a symbol of Cold War division
  
  

• Kennedy gave famous “Ich bin ein Berliner” speech
  
  

JFK Assassination (1963)

• Shot in Dallas by Lee Harvey Oswald (officially)
  
  

• Sparked national mourning and conspiracy theories
  
  

• LBJ used sympathy to push civil rights legislation
  
  

Lyndon B. Johnson

• Took office after JFK’s assassination
  
  

• Launched “Great Society” to fight poverty and racial injustice
  
  

• Escalated U.S. involvement in Vietnam
  
  

Great Society

• Ambitious domestic agenda to eliminate poverty and inequality
  
  

• Included Medicare, Medicaid, education, and environmental programs
  
  

• Criticized for government overreach and costly spending
  
  

Economic Opportunity Act (1964)

• Created programs like Job Corps, Head Start, and VISTA
  
  

• Part of the War on Poverty
  
  

• Targeted disadvantaged communities
  
  

Medicare (1965)

• Federal health insurance for people 65 and older
  
  

• Medicaid established for low-income individuals
  
  

• Major expansion of the welfare state
  
  

Gulf of Tonkin Resolution (1964)

• Authorized LBJ to use military force in Vietnam without a formal declaration of war
  
  

• Based on disputed naval incidents
  
  

• Marked start of major U.S. troop escalation
  
  

Tet Offensive (1968)

• Massive surprise attack by Viet Cong on South Vietnamese cities
  
  

• Turned public opinion against the war
  
  

• Contradicted claims that the U.S. was winning in Vietnam
  
  

War Protest in Music and Marches

• Artists like Bob Dylan and CCR criticized the war
  
  

• Campus protests, draft resistance, and anti-war marches escalated
  
  

• Reflected generational and cultural divides
  
  

Kent State Shootings (1970)

• National Guard killed four student protesters in Ohio
  
  

• Sparked nationwide outrage and more protests
  
  

• Symbol of government repression during anti-war movement
  
  

Pentagon Papers (1971)

• Leaked documents revealing U.S. government lies about Vietnam
  
  

• Published by The New York Times
  
  

• Fueled distrust in government and support for withdrawal
  
  

Election of 1968

• Nixon won on a “law and order” platform
  
  

• Robert Kennedy and MLK assassinated earlier that year
  
  

• Democratic Party divided over Vietnam War
  
  

Richard Nixon

• Appealed to the “Silent Majority” of conservative Americans
  
  

• Pursued Vietnamization and détente
  
  

• Resigned due to Watergate scandal
  
  

The Space Race / Apollo 11 (1969)

• U.S. lands first man on the moon (Neil Armstrong)
  
  

• Major Cold War win over the USSR
  
  

• Boosted national pride and science funding
  
  

Vietnamization

• Nixon’s policy to gradually withdraw U.S. troops and shift burden to South Vietnam
  
  

• Aimed to end U.S. involvement without “losing” the war
  
  

• Ultimately failed; South Vietnam fell in 1975
  
  

Bombing of Cambodia (1969–70)

• Secretly expanded war into Cambodia to disrupt Viet Cong supply lines
  
  

• Undermined public trust in Nixon
  
  

• Triggered massive protests, including at Kent State
  
  

Détente

• Nixon’s policy of easing Cold War tensions with USSR and China
  
  

• Included arms control talks and diplomatic visits
  
  

• Marked shift from confrontation to negotiation
  
  

SALT I Treaty (1972)

• Strategic Arms Limitation Talks agreement between U.S. and USSR
  
  

• Limited number of nuclear weapons
  
  

• First major arms control treaty of the Cold War
  
  

War Powers Act (1973)

• Limited president’s power to send troops without Congressional approval
  
  

• Passed after Vietnam and Cambodia bombings
  
  

• Reasserted legislative control over war-making
  
  

Silent Majority

• Nixon’s term for Americans who did not publicly protest but supported him
  
  

• Opposed to counterculture and anti-war movement
  
  

• Helped shift politics rightward
  
  

26th Amendment (1971)

• Lowered voting age from 21 to 18
  
  

• Prompted by Vietnam War draft arguments
  
  

• Empowered youth participation in democracy
  
  

2nd Wave Feminism

• Focused on workplace equality, reproductive rights, and ending gender roles
  
  

• Influenced by Betty Friedan’s The Feminine Mystique
  
  

• Linked to Civil Rights and antiwar movements
  
  

Title IX (1972)

• Banned sex discrimination in federally funded education
  
  

• Expanded women’s sports and academic opportunities
  
  

• Major milestone in gender equality
  
  

Watergate

• Break-in at DNC headquarters linked to Nixon campaign
  
  

• Led to cover-up and massive scandal
  
  

• Sparked impeachment proceedings
  
  

Saturday Night Massacre (1973)

• Nixon fired special prosecutor Archibald Cox
  
  

• Top DOJ officials resigned in protest
  
  

• Increased calls for Nixon’s impeachment
  
  

Woodward and Bernstein

• Washington Post reporters who investigated Watergate
  
  

• Used informant “Deep Throat” to uncover truth
  
  

• Their work helped expose the cover-up
  
  

U.S. v. Nixon (1974)

• Supreme Court ruled Nixon must turn over tapes
  
  

• Rejected executive privilege as absolute
  
  

• Sealed Nixon’s political fate
  
  

Nixon’s Resignation (1974)

• First and only U.S. president to resign
  
  

• Avoided impeachment by stepping down
  
  

• Gerald Ford became president
  
  

Gerald Ford (1974–1977)

• Pardoned Nixon, hurting his popularity
  
  

• Faced economic recession and rising inflation
  
  

• Presided over U.S. withdrawal from Vietnam
  
  

Jimmy Carter’s Election (1976)

• Ran as a Washington outsider and moral leader
  
  

• Faced challenges with economy and foreign policy
  
  

• Emphasized human rights in diplomacy
  
  

Inflation / Economic Problems

• 1970s marked by “stagflation” — high inflation and unemployment
  
  

• Oil crisis worsened economic conditions
  
  

• Undermined public confidence in leadership
  
  

Camp David Accords (1978)

• Peace treaty between Egypt and Israel brokered by Carter
  
  

• Egypt recognized Israel; Israel withdrew from Sinai
  
  

• Landmark Middle East peace agreement
  
  

Iranian Hostage Crisis (1979–1981)

• Iranian revolutionaries seized U.S. embassy in Tehran
  
  

• 52 Americans held hostage for 444 days
  
  

• Major blow to Carter’s presidency
  
  

Invasion of Afghanistan / Olympics (1979)

• USSR invaded Afghanistan; U.S. boycotted 1980 Moscow Olympics
  
  

• Cold War tensions reignited
  
  

• Led to U.S. support for anti-Soviet rebels (Mujahideen)
  
  

Election of 1980

• Ronald Reagan defeated Jimmy Carter
  
  

• Promised to restore American strength and reduce government
  
  

• Marked conservative shift in U.S. politics
  
  

Ronald Reagan

• Promoted “Reaganomics” — tax cuts and deregulation
  
  

• Increased defense spending and challenged the USSR
  
  

• Known as the “Great Communicator”
  
  

1. How did the civil rights movement begin, develop, and what changes were made as a result?

Beginning:

• Sparked by longstanding segregation and discrimination, especially in the South.
  
  

• Brown v. Board of Education (1954) declared segregated schools unconstitutional.
  
  

• Emmett Till's murder (1955) and the Montgomery Bus Boycott (1955–56) drew national attention.
  
  

Development:

• Nonviolent protest led by MLK and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC).
  
  

• Sit-ins, Freedom Rides, and March on Washington (1963) expanded grassroots activism.
  
  

• Violent backlash in Birmingham, Selma, etc., increased pressure on lawmakers.
  
  

Results:

• Civil Rights Act of 1964: Banned segregation and employment discrimination.
  
  

• Voting Rights Act of 1965: Banned literacy tests; enabled federal oversight of elections.
  
  

• Inspired later movements (e.g., Black Power, women's liberation, LGBTQ+ rights).
  
  

2. What were Johnson’s greatest achievements and biggest mistakes?

Achievements:

• Civil Rights Act (1964) and Voting Rights Act (1965)—landmark civil rights legislation.
  
  

• Great Society programs: Medicare, Medicaid, Head Start, and War on Poverty.
  
  

• Education and environmental reforms: Elementary and Secondary Education Act; Clean Air Act.
  
  

Mistakes:

• Escalation of the Vietnam War: Gulf of Tonkin Resolution gave him broad powers; led to deepening U.S. involvement without clear strategy.
  
  

• Credibility gap: Americans began to distrust government statements about the war.
  
  

• War spending drained resources from domestic programs and soured public opinion.
  
  

3. How did the years 1968–72 (pre-Watergate) mark a turning point in public attitudes toward government and war?

Turning Point Events:

• Tet Offensive (1968) shocked Americans—proved war was far from over despite government claims.
  
  

• My Lai Massacre (1968, revealed 1971) and Pentagon Papers (1971) exposed government deception.
  
  

• Widespread protests (Kent State 1970) against the Cambodia bombings.
  
  

• 1968 election: Rise of “silent majority” and political polarization.
  
  

Public Sentiment:

• Shift from trust in government (post-WWII optimism) to deep skepticism.
  
  

• Growing “credibility gap” and disillusionment, especially among young Americans.
  
  

4. What factors prevented the U.S. from achieving its goals in this era (especially in Vietnam)?

Vietnam Factors:

• Guerrilla tactics of Viet Cong; U.S. lacked understanding of terrain and culture.
  
  

• Unclear objectives: Was the goal containment, democracy, or victory?
  
  

• Lack of South Vietnamese support: Corrupt regimes lost legitimacy.
  
  

• Televised war: Public backlash grew with graphic images of war.
  
  

Homefront:

• Divided public opinion and widespread protests weakened political will.
  
  

• Draft inequities (class and race-based) fueled resentment.
  
  

5. Feminism’s achievements and limits during the era (First vs. Second Wave & ERA opposition):

First-Wave Feminism (late 1800s–1920):

• Focused on legal equality and suffrage.
  
  

• Key figures: Susan B. Anthony, Carrie Chapman Catt.
  
  

Second-Wave Feminism (1960s–80s):

• Focused on social, economic, and reproductive rights.
  
  

• Key figure: Betty Friedan, author of The Feminine Mystique (1963); helped found NOW.
  
  

Achievements:

• Title IX (1972): Prohibited sex discrimination in education.
  
  

• Greater access to jobs, education, and birth control (e.g., Roe v. Wade 1973).
  
  

Limits:

• ERA (Equal Rights Amendment) passed Congress in 1972 but failed ratification.
  
  

• Opposition from Phyllis Schlafly, who argued the ERA would dismantle traditional gender roles and harm families.
  
  

6. What was Watergate and how did it affect the nation?

Summary:

• Break-in at DNC HQ (1972) by Nixon campaign operatives (the “plumbers”).
  
  

• Nixon administration attempted to cover up involvement.
  
  

• Investigations revealed abuse of power, secret tapes, obstruction of justice.
  
  

Impact:

• Nixon resigned (1974) to avoid impeachment—first U.S. president to do so.
  
  

• Deepened public distrust in government (post-Vietnam disillusionment intensified).
  
  

• Led to new reforms: campaign finance laws, greater transparency, and limits on executive power (War Powers Act, FOIA expansion).
  
  

7. Compare and contrast two presidents from this unit (e.g., Johnson vs. Nixon):

Johnson:

• Strengths: Domestic policy and civil rights leadership (Great Society).
  
  

• Weaknesses: Vietnam escalation, loss of public trust.
  
  

Nixon:

• Strengths: Foreign policy—opened relations with China, détente with USSR.
  
  

• Weaknesses: Watergate scandal, abuse of executive power, resigned in disgrace.
  
  

Contrast:

• Johnson: Liberal vision, progressive reformer, war undermined legacy.
  
  

• Nixon: Pragmatic conservative, skilled strategist, undone by paranoia and illegal actions.