APUSH Quarter 4 Lessons 1&2

United Nations – International organization founded in 1945 to promote global peace, security, and cooperation, replacing the League of Nations.

Yalta Conference (1945) – Meeting between FDR, Churchill, and Stalin to discuss post-war Europe; led to the division of Germany and Soviet influence in Eastern Europe.

Potsdam Conference (1945) – Final WWII meeting between Truman, Churchill (later Attlee), and Stalin; increased tensions over Eastern Europe and issued an ultimatum to Japan.

GI Bill (1944) – Provided education, housing, and financial benefits to WWII veterans, helping to expand the middle class.

Desegregation of Armed Forces (1948) – Executive Order 9981 by President Truman ending racial segregation in the U.S. military.

Baby Boom (1946-1964) – Period of increased birth rates following WWII, leading to major demographic and economic shifts.

Fair Deal – Truman’s domestic policy aimed at expanding New Deal reforms, including healthcare, civil rights, and housing programs.

Containment – U.S. Cold War policy to prevent the spread of communism, first outlined by George Kennan.

George Kennan – Diplomat who authored the "Long Telegram," advocating for the containment policy against Soviet expansion.

Get Tough Policy – Truman’s approach toward the Soviet Union, rejecting appeasement and demanding free elections in Eastern Europe.

Truman Doctrine (1947) – U.S. policy to provide military and economic aid to countries resisting communism, starting with Greece and Turkey.

Marshall Plan (1948) – U.S. economic aid program that helped rebuild Western European economies to prevent the spread of communism.

NSC-68 (1950) – National Security Council report urging a massive military buildup to counter the Soviet threat.

NATO (1949) – Military alliance between the U.S. and Western European nations to counter Soviet expansion.

Warsaw Pact (1955) – Soviet-led military alliance in response to NATO, uniting Eastern Bloc nations.

Berlin Airlift (1948-1949) – U.S. and British operation to supply West Berlin by air after the Soviet Union blockaded the city.

Point Four Program (1949) – Truman’s initiative to provide U.S. aid to developing nations to counter communism.

Korean War (1950-1953) – Conflict between North (communist) and South Korea (backed by the U.S. and UN); ended in a stalemate.

38th Parallel – Dividing line between North and South Korea before and after the Korean War.