Contemporary American History Final Exam – Flashcards

Flashcard maker : Steven Colyer
Lend Lease Act
An arrangement for the transfer of war supplies, including food, machinery, and services to nations whose defense was considered vital to the defense of the United States in World War II
Holocaust
Hitler wanted to “cleanse” Europe by eliminating all the people he found undesireable starting with Nazi Germany
Winston Churchill
Prime Minister of Great Britain during World War II and part of the “Big Three”
Operation Overlord
The successful United States and British invasion of France in June 1944 during World War II
Yalta Conference
Meeting of U.S. President FDR, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, and Soviet Premier Joseph Stalin held in February 1945 to plan the final stages of World War II and postwar arrangements
C.I.A. (Central Intelligence Agency)
established in 1947; coordinates the gathering and evaluation of military and economic information on other nations. Product of National Security Act that further supported Cold War mentality.
Marshall Plan
Secretary of State George C. Marshall’s European Recovery Plan of June 5, 1947, committing the United States to help in the rebuilding of post-World War II Europe.
N.A.T.O. (North American Treaty Organization)
Ten European countries plus Canada and the United States whom together formed a mutual defense pact in April 1949.
Truman Doctrine
Harry Truman’s statement in 1947 that the United States should assist other nations that were facing external pressure or internal revolution.
Cuban Missile Crisis
Disagreement between the Soviet Union and the United States over the placement of Soviet nuclear missiles in Cuba
N.A.S.A. (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)
founded in 1958 in response to the Soviet launching of the Sputnik 1
Limited Nuclear Test Ban
Treaty signed by the United States, Britain, and the Soviet Union, outlawing nuclear testing in the atmosphere, in outer space, and under water.
Civil Rights Act of 1964
federal legislation that outlaws discrimination in public accomodation and employment on the basis of race, sex, skin color, religion, or natural origin
Civil Disobedience
The refusal to obey certain laws, demands, and commands of a government, or of an occupying international power.
Freedom Summer
Voter registration effort in rural Mississippi, organized by Black and White Civil Rights workers in 1964
Voting Rights Act
Legislation in 1965 that overturned a variety of practices by which states systematically denied voter registration to minorities
Counter Culture
various alternatives to mainstream values and behaviors that became popular during the 1960s, including experimenting with psychedelic drugs, communal living,, Asian religions, and experimental art.
Black Panthers
Political and Social movement among Black Americans, founded in Oakland, California in 1966, and emphasizing Black economic and political power
Pentagon Papers
Classified Defense Department documents on the history of the United States’ involvement in Vietnam, prepared in 1968 and leaked to the press in 1971. Revealed how leaders deceived public and Congress in conduct of US in SE Asia.
War on Poverty
Programs between 1963 and 1966 designed to break the cycle of poverty by providing funds for job training, community development, nutrition, and supplementary education
Vietnam War
Highly controversial, S. Vietnam vs. N. Vietnam and all of its anti-communist allies
Strategic Arms L.T.
Treaty signed in 1972 by US and Soviet Union to slow nuclear arms race during Nixon administration. First success at arms control since beginning of cold war and a major public relations victory for both leaders.
Watergate
Scandal involving Nixon and other high authorities in the White House where Nixon bugged the democrat meeting and paid off people to keep silent (remember the movie about the reporters)
AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome)
incurable disease spread through bodily fluids (unprotected sex, needles, blood transfusions, etc.) had a large outbreak in the 1960s and affected a large amount of people
Americans with Disabilities Act
An act that required employers to provide access to their facilities for qualified employees with disabilities.
Camp David Accords
Agreement signed by Israel in Egypt in 1978 that set the formal terms for peace in the Middle East.
E.P.A. (Environmental Protection Agency)
federal agency created in 1970 to oversee environmental monitoring and cleanup programs
Department of Homeland Security
Cabinet-level department created by the Bush Administration to manage U.S. security.
Internet
The system of interconnected computers and servers that allows the exchange of email, posting of Web sites, and other means of instant communication.
Multiculturalism
people taking pride in their heritages and standing up for themselves and their beliefs
N.A.F.T.A. (North American Free Trade Association)
an agreement for free trade between the United States and Canada and Mexico; became effective in 1994 for 10 years
Silicon Valley
The region of California including San Jose and San Francisco that holds the nation’s greatest concentration of electrical films
World Trade Organization
An international body founded in 1995 to promote international trade and economic development by reducing tariffs and other restrictions.
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