Unit 1 Test Flashcards
Great Depression
1930s:
The Great Depression was the worst economic downturn in the history of the industrialized world, lasting from the stock market crash of 1929 to 1939.
It began after the stock market crash of October 1929, which sent Wall Street into a panic and wiped out millions of investors.
Very high unemployment (about 1/3 of the workforce unemployed)
Almost half the country’s banks failed
New Deal
1930s:
Series of programs and projects instituted during the Great Depression by President Franklin D. Roosevelt that aimed to restore prosperity to Americans
National government employed millions of workers to do a variety of tasks including many public works projects (e.g., roads, bridges, dams, buildings).
Significantly increased the size and reach of the national government
World War II
1942-1945:
Allied Powers (especially Britain, France, and Russia) defeated Axis Powers (especially Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan)
War began in Europe in September, 1939, but the U.S. did not join until December 1942
Nazi Germany carried out the Holocaust
A genocidal effort to eliminate all Jews
Killed roughly 6 million Jews along with many political dissidents, Roma (called “Gypsies”), LGBT, and disabled people
Cold War
1945-1989
Conflict and competition between U.S. and U.S.S.R. (also called “Soviet Union”)
Ideological clash between capitalist democracy and communist totalitarianism
Both powers had nuclear weapons, so nuclear war was a constant threat
Although the two countries never went to war directly, they supported groups and governments that were defending or advancing capitalism or communism (e.g., in Korea and Vietnam)
Civil Rights Movement
1950s-60s:
Movement by minorities and concerned whites to end racial discrimination
Civil rights groups employed predominantly non-violent tactics, while white governments and citizens often responded with violence
Achieved several legal changes enhancing the equality of minority groups
Martin Luther King, Jr. is the most famous leader, though the movement consisted of many groups and many leaders
Vietnam Conflict
Late 60s, Early 70s
The Vietnam War pitted communist North Vietnam and the Viet Cong against South Vietnam and the United States. The war ended when U.S. forces withdrew in 1973 and Vietnam unified under Communist control two years later.
Originally popular, the conflict became deeply polarizing in the U.S. as casualties mounted and progress was minimal
The government withheld information from the public and even outright lied to the public
Public trust in government was shaken
Watergate
1970s:
A June 1972 break-in to the Democratic National Committee headquarters led to an investigation that revealed multiple abuses of power by the Nixon administration.
Nixon ultimately resigned from the presidency in 1974
Trust in government was shaken again
Economic Hardship
Period of high unemployment and high inflation Energy crisis (long lines at gas stations). The combination of economic trouble, dramatic social change from the Civil Rights Movement and other social movements, and the sense of betrayal after the Vietnam Conflict and Watergate scandal created turbulent times in the mid- and late-1970s
Government
Organization w/a monopoly on the legitimate use of force to control human behavior
State of Nature
Total Freedom. “Life in a state of nature is nasty, brutish, and short”
Order/Security
In the US, Republicans and Democrats disagree about the level of order vs. security. We need Government in order to not have freeloaders.
Social Contract
People create the government to protect all individuals
3 Things Governments Do
- Provide Security
- Provide Public Services
- Resolve conflicts
Conservative/Republican “Right”
Smaller Government Gun rights Immigration Traditions Free Enterprise Laissez Faire Individual Financials Patriotism
Liberal/Progressive/Democrat “Left”
Bigger government Social welfare Education Reform Civil Rights Separation of church and state
Definition of Political Culture
Set of ideas, values, and attitudes about government and the political process held by a community or nation
