Unit 2: WWII Aftermath Flashcards
Bretton Woods Conference (1944)
Established a new international monetary system to stabilize global economies after WWIl.
Berlin Airlift (1948-1949)
An Allied operation to supply West Berlin by air after the
Soviet blockade
Founding of the United Nations (1945)
Created to maintain international peace and
security after WWI.
Bretton Woods System Currency
The U.S. dollar was established as the central
reserve currency under this system.
. G.l. Bill (1944)
Provided educational and housing benefits to returning WWIl
veterans.
Interstate Highway Act (1956)
Funded the construction of a nationwide highway
system, boosting travel and suburban growth
Nuremberg Trials (1945-1946)
Prosecuted Nazi leaders for crimes against humanity.
Fixed Exchange Rate System (Bretton Woods)
Pegged currencies to the U.S.
dollar, which was convertible to gold.
McCarthyism (1950s)
A campaign led by Senator Joseph McCarthy to root out
suspected communists, creating fear and suspicion.
U.S. Economy in the 1950s
Marked by prosperity, consumerism, and suburban
expansion.
Suburbia in the 1950s
Resideritial areas outside cities grew due to economic
prosperity and affordable housing
Truman Doctrine (1947)
U.S. policy to contain the spread of communism by
providing aid to countries resisting Soviet influence
United Nations Security Council
Responsible for maintaining international
peace and security.
End of Bretton Woods System (1971)
This occurred when the U.S. ended the
dollar’s convertibility to gold
Opportunity Cost
The cost of the next best alternative foregone when making an
economic decision.
Cold War Superpowers
The United States and the Soviet Union were the primary
nations involved
Baby Boom (1946-1964)
A dramatic increase in birth rates after WWIl, leading to
population growth.
NATO (1949)
A military alliance formed to provide collective security against the
Soviet Union.
Iron Curtain
A term describing the division between Soviet-controlled Eastern
Europe and democratic Western Europe.
Cultural Impact of Rock and Roll
Artists like Elvis Presley shaped youth culture
in the 1950s.
Red Scare (1950s)
Fear of Communist influence in American government and society
Role of the United Nations
Focuses on international peacekeeping, diplomacy
and humanitarian efforts
Economic Problem: Scarcity
Societies must manage limited resources to satisfy
unlimited wants.
Cold War Ideological Conflict
A struggle between capitalism (U.S.) and
communism (Soviet Union).
National Defense Education Act (1958)
Increased funding for science, math, and foreign language education in response to Sputnik.
Division of Germany Post-WwII
Split into four occupation zones controlled by
the U.S., U.K., France, and the Soviet Union.
Effects of McCarthyism
Created widespread fear, blacklisting, and suppression
of political dissent,.
Sputnik Launch (1957)
Marked the start of the Space Race, pushing the U.S. to
advance its space program
House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC)
Investigated suspected
communist activities in the U.S.
Gender Roles in the 1950s
Women were expected to be homemakers, though
some entered the workforce in clerical jobs.
Marshall Plan (1948-1952)
U.S. initiative to provide economic aid to rebuild
Western Europe after WWII.
Levittown (1947)
The first mass-produced suburban housing development,
promoting affordable homeownership
White-Collar vs. Blue-Collar Jobs
White-collar jobs are ofice-based, while
blue-collar jobs involve manual labor
Warsaw Pact (1955)
A military alliance of communist nations led by the Soviet
Union in response to NATO,
22nd Amendment (1951)
Limited U.S. presidents to two terms in office
Korean War (1950-1953)
Ended with Korea divided at the 38th parallel,
maintaining tensions between North and South.
Policy of Containment
U.S. strategy to stop the spread of communism
influencing Cold War conflicts like Korea and Vietnam
Role of Women in the Workforce (1950s)
Women were primarily in clerical and
service jobs, with limited career opportunities.
Effects of Economic Prosperity
Led to consumerism, suburban expansion, and
technological advancements
