History America 1920s to 1970s Flashcards
What was the American dream?
The living standards of an American was 3x higher than the average British person now. Things such as:
. New Suburbs
. Spending rather than saving
. Modern conveniences
McCarthyism
The fear of communism in America, the Red Scare of 1920s. America’s values of democracy and freedom under threat. Other countries fell to communism.
McCarthy exposed.
McCarthy would always accuse people and “investigate” their involvement with communism. He was later exposed as a bully with little to back up his accusations.
Racial Prejudice
Racial Prejudice was still common even after WW2 despite black contribution to the war.
Struggle for equal education
NAACP challenged the legality of separate education in a case that was heard by supreme court. Brown vs Board of Education.
Little Rock Arkansas 1957
In 1957 the SC ordered Gov. Faubus to let 9 black students attend a white high school in Little Rock. Faubus ordered troops to prevent the students entering. The President sent troops to let them in.
Montgomery Bus Boycott
Rosa Parks challenged segregation laws on Montgomery buses. Activists formed MIA “Montgomery Improvement Association led by MLK) Bus companies lost 65% income.
Sit-ins
Students staged a sit-in at a lunch counter for whites only. The word was spread amongst towns and then it became popular across America.
Civil Rights Act 1964
The Civil Rights Act outlawed segregation in public places. Attention lifted to black people having the right to vote. Selma.
JFK and LBJ’s factors
. Unemployment benefit extended
. More aid to poor areas
Feminist movement
A female author Betty Frieden wrote a book about how unfairly women were treated, the book became popular across America causing the feminist movement for womens rights. They made it legal to get abortions, paternity leave and much more.
