Modern United States History – Flashcards
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Superpower
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country that plays dominant economic, political and military role in the world
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Holocaust
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systematic murder by Nazis of Jews and other "inferiors".
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Civil Rights Act of 1964
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prohibited segregation of religion, race, or national origin in all Public Facilities and discrimination in education and employment
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Cold War
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A conflict that was between the US and the Soviet Union. The nations never directly confronted each other on the battlefield but deadly threats went on for years.
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Brown vs. Board of Education
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In 1954, the Supreme Court outlawed racial segregation in public school with this landmark case that reversed the Plessy v. Furgeson (1896) decision of "separate but equal"
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New Frontier
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President Kennedy's plain aimed at improving the economy, fighting racial discrimination, and exploring space.
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Anti-Semitic
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hostility towards Jews
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Manhattan Project
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a secret U.S. project for the construction of the atomic bomb
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totalitarianism
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single-party or ruler controls the political, economic, social, and cultural lives of its citizens
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Rock-and-Roll
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music originated in the gospel and blues traditions of African Americans
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Baby Boom
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increase in births from 1945-1964
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Bay of Pigs Invasion
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the failed attempt of Cuban exiles backed by the U.S. to overthrow the Cuban socialist government of Fidel Castro
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McCarthyism
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the act of accusing people of disloyalty and communism
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Brinkmanship
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the willingness to go to the brink of war to force an opponent to back down
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Iron Curtain
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A term by British Prime Minister Winston Churchill to describe the border between Soviet Union satellite states and Western Europe
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Tet Offensive
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this attack on U.S. forces in South Vietnam by Vietnamese communists in 1968 made Americans realize that the U.S. was not close to winning the war in Vietnam
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Kent State University
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An Ohio university where National Guardsmen opened fire on students protesting the Vietnam War on May 4, 1970, wounding nine and killing four
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Cuban Missile Crisis
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1962 crisis that arose between the United States and the Soviet Union over a Soviet attempt to deploy nuclear missiles in Cuba
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Harry Truman
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Became president when FDR died; gave the order to drop the atomic bomb
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Winston Churchill
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A noted British statesman who led Britain throughout most of World War II and along with Roosevelt planned many allied campaigns. He predicted an iron curtain that would separate Communist Europe from the rest of the West.
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Adolf Hitler
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Austrian born Dictator of Germany, implement Fascism and caused WWII and Holocoust.
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Lyndon Baines Johnson
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36th president of the US through assassination of Kennedy, distrusted
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John F. Kennedy
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1960; Democrat; Cold War: Bay of Pigs, Cuban Missile Crisis; established the Peace Corps, domestic program called the "New Frontier," promoted civil rights, major supporter of the space program; assassintated by Lee Harvey Oswald in 1963
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Joseph McCarthy
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1950s; Wisconsin senator claimed to have list of communists in American gov't, but no credible evidence; took advantage of fears of communism post WWII to become incredibly influential; "McCarthyism" was the fearful accusation of any dissenters of being communists
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Martin Luther King
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1929-1968. Pivotal leader of the American Civil Rights movement. Non-violent leader, became youngest person to receive the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964 for his efforts to end segregation and racial discrimination. Led Montgomery Bus Boycott, helped found Southern Christian Leadership Conference, and led March on Washington in 1963 where he delivered "I have a Dream" speech.
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Franklin Roosevelt
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32nd President of the US during Great Depression and World War II, New Deal
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Dwight D. Eisenhower
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Supreme Allied Commander in Europe, led the invasion of North Africa and the landing at D-Day.
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Ho Chi Minh
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1950s and 60s; communist leader of North Vietnam; used geurilla warfare to fight anti-comunist, American-funded attacks under the Truman Doctrine; brilliant strategy drew out war and made it unwinnable
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Mao Zedong
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(1893-1976) Leader of the Communist Party in China that overthrew Jiang Jieshi and the Nationalists. Established China as the People's Republic of China and ruled from 1949 until 1976.
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Joseph Stalin
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Bolshevik revolutionary, head of the Soviet Communists after 1924, and dictator of the Soviet Union from 1928 to 1953. He led the Soviet Union with an iron fist, using Five-Year Plans to increase industrial production and terror to crush opposition
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WW1 contribution to dictators?
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Germany had bitter feels about carrying the blame for the war and the League of Nations was unable to prevent Dictators from building powerful armies.
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Appeasement encourage aggression?
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Appeasement allowed Hitler to become more confident in pushing for additional lands.
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How did Americans react to events in Europe and Asia in the early years of World War II?
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Americans were alarmed, but wanted to try to avoid war.
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Why did the United States give more and more help to the Allies?
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The United States did not want the Allies to lose the war.
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How did the United States react to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor?
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The United States declared war on Japan and quickly mobilized its armed forces and industries to fight.
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What role did the productive capacity of the United States play in World War II?
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The huge capacity of U.S. industries allowed the nation to organize and prepare for war quickly.
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Why did Roosevelt support a "Europe First" strategy even though it was Japan that first attacked the United States?
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Roosevelt believed Hitler and Germany were the more dangerous enemy and so had to be defeated first.
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How did World War II change Americans at home?
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A) Women and minorities found new opportunities in the workplace. B) African Americans achieved some improvements in civil rights. C) Japanese Americans experienced injustices in internment camps. D) The U.S. government helped manage and control the American economy. E) All of the above.
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What effects did having the atomic bomb have on the role of the United States in a post World War II world?
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It will make the United States the most powerful nation in the world, but this will push other countries to acquire the same capability.
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What actions did the Nazis take to carry out Hitler's "Final Solution"?
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They gathered all Jewish people in German controlled lands, and sent them to death camps.
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What goals did the Allies set for Eastern Europe at the Yalta Conference?
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The Allies decided that Poland, Romania, and Bulgaria would have free elections.
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What steps did the United States take to increase its role in the post World War II world?
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The United States took a leadership role in establishing international agreements, organizations and punishing war criminals.
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How did the goals of U.S. and Soviet foreign policy differ after World War II?
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The Soviets wanted to increase their influence and extend Communism, the U.S. wanted to limit Communism and rebuild defeated nations.
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What events caused President Truman to propose what became known as the Truman Doctrine?
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Communist uprisings in Turkey and Greece, threatened their democratic governments.
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Why were the Communists able to win the Chinese Civil war?
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The Chinese Nationalist lacked troops and support from the American government.
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How did President Truman react to the North Korean invasion of South Korea?
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He ordered U.S. troops to South Korea and obtained the support of the United Nations for a counterattack.
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Why did the United States government decide to build a hydrogen bomb?
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It would be more powerful then the atomic bomb, which might give the United States a nuclear advantage over the Soviet Union.
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How was Eisenhower's approach to foreign affairs different from that of Truman?
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Truman believed in using conventional weapons, while Eisenhower believed in building a nuclear arsenal.
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Why did the Rosenberg case attract nationwide attention and controversy?
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A) Fear of atomic secrets being passed to the Soviets. B) Fear of innocent citizens being persecuted for being Jewish. C) Fear of innocent citizens being persecuted for holding unpopular beliefs. D) All of the above.
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What events led to Senator McCarthy being censured by the U.S. Senate?
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The American public saw on television McCarthy's bullying tactics.
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What did Americans expect to happen to the American Economy after WW2?
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Economic depression.
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Why did the fed gov increase spending during Eisenhower presidency?
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Interstate Highways and education (scientists)
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What motivated Americans to move to suburbs?
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Families, where a kid could grow up with grass stains on his pants
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Consumer spending skyrockets because...?
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credit
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How did rock and roll gain in popularity?
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symbol of youth, Elvis
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Minority issues?
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Housing and employment discrimination
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How did fed gov respond to decline of cities?
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Urban renewal projects, backfired
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Why troops to Little Rock, Arkansas?
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To protect nine students
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How did SALT I support Nixon's new policy for dealing with the Soviet Union?
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eased tension between SU and US
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Why did Nixon reach out to China?
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Wedge between soviet and china, trade, peace in Vietnam
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What did the War Powers Act do?
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Consult congress before starting war to check formation of American foreign policy and stop growth of imperial presidency.
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1968 democratic convention in Chicago?
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Bloody riot in 1968 in Chicago to protest the Democratic National Convention because of Democratic support of the Vietnam war. Led to Republican win for the presidency.
