Unit 8: The Postwar Period and Cold War (1945-1980) Flashcards
1
Q
Cold War
A
conflict between communism (SU) and capitalism (US) – no actual conflict
- proxy wars in Korea in Vietnam
- US economy – dependent on exports and needed import metals
- rise of US and SU due to defeat of J and G during WWII
2
Q
Debate over Poland’s government
A
Soviets refused to recognize Poland’s conservative govt-in-exile –> communism took over –> spread to Hungary and Czech
3
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Truman Doctrine
A
cornerstone of containment – US would not instigate a war with SU but it would defend countries in danger of Soviet takeover
4
Q
Greece and Turkey
A
communism threatened to take over and England could no longer support them –> US sent aid
–> Truman doctrine
5
Q
Marshall Plan
A
send money to Europe to help rebuild its cities and economy – no SU countries participated
–> expected countries to become allies
6
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North Atlantic Treaty Alliance (NATO)
A
defense alliance US, Canada, and W Europe
7
Q
Berlin blockade
A
The Allies planned on merging their sectors of Berlin –> SU imposed blockade –> Truman refused to surrender city and ordered airlifts to supply food and fuel
8
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National Security Council and Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)
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created in fear of Soviet invasion after they detonated their first atomic bomb
9
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NSC-68
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document that said US should invest more money into military spending because they couldn’t trust other countries to help protect them against communism
10
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Reconstruction of Japan
A
After WWI, US occupied Japan whose colonial possessions were divided up (US took SK and SU took NK)
under Gen Douglas MacArthur, Japan wrote democratic constitution, demilitarized, and began economic revival
11
Q
Chinese Revolution
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US sided with nationalist Chiang Kai-shek vs communist Mao Zedong
–> communists won and Chiang was exiled to Taiwan
–> US refused to recognized Mao
12
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House on Un-American Activities (HUAC)
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Republicans who conducted investigations of supposed communists
13
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Truman’s investigations
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investigated federal employees in search of “security risks” - fired many, many resigned
14
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Alger Hiss
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A former State Dept official found guilty of consorting with communist spy
15
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Hollywood Ten
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investigations within Hollywood to root out communists –> blacklist
16
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Joseph McCarthy
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claimed to have a list of more than 200 known communists in State Dept –> brutal investigations
17
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blacklists
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lists of those tainted by charges of communism which prevented them from working
18
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Fall of McCarthy
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McCarthy accused Army of harboring communists –> army fought back
19
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Army-McCarthy hearings
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televised hearing that made McCarthy look foolish
20
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post-war economy
A
- end of wartime production = lay-offs, return of vets, and unemployment
- increased consumer spending from savings = inflation
21
Q
anti-unionism
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- United Mine Workers strike –> Truman seized mines to settle
- railroad strike –> Truman threatened to draft strikers
22
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President’s Committee on Civil Rights
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Truman issued report calling for end to segregation and for aggressive enforcement of antilynching laws
23
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Truman’s actions for civil rights
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- forbid racial discrimination in hiring of fed employees
- deseg Armed Forces
24
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Civil Rights victories
A
- NAACP won lawsuits against seg schools and buses
- Jackie Robinson
- coalitions with black and white groups
25
Dixiecrats
segregationists Dems who abandoned the party to support Strom Thurmond
26
Taft-Harley Act
passed by conservative Republican Congress over Truman's veto: prohibited "union only" work environments (closed shops), restricted right to strike, prohibited use of union funds for political purposes, and gave govt power to intervene in strikes.
27
Truman wins reelection
unpopular, but conservative Congress made him look better -- Taft-Harley Act, rebuked his welfare proposals
--> Truman challenged them to enact extremely conservative platform --> did nothing
28
The Korea War
North Korea invaded South Korea --> US intervened --> provoked China --> US pushed South
--> MacArthur wanted full Chinese confrontation --> Truman disagreed --> MacArthur publicly criticized pres --> fired
29
Election of 1952
Republican Dwight D. Eisenhower won
30
Eisenhower Years (1953-1961)
conformity, consensus of values (believed US the best, against communism, and suburbs), consumerism, civil rights movement, beats, rock 'n' roll
31
G.I Bill of Rights
provided allowance for educational and living expenses for returning soldiers and vets who wished to earn their high-school diploma or attend college
--> achieve prosperity + stimulate post-war economy (loans for homes/farms/businesses)
32
Eisenhower's domestic policies
- Wanted to balance budget, cut spending, and ease businesses regulation, but could not with Cold War
- New Look Army
- could not eliminate popular New Deal
- increased Social Security
- began Interstate Highway System (easier for military transport)
- high costs
33
New Look Army
Eisenhower reduced military spending by reducing troops and buying powerful weapons systems
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Termination
Eisenhower's new policy towards NAs: liquidate reservations, end federal support, and subject them to state law
--> wanted to reduce federal responsibilities but caused unrest and poverty
35
Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka
Supreme Court overturned the Plessy v. Fergusen "separate but equal" doctrine and ordered desegregation of schools
36
Response to Brown decision
paid for private schools, closed public schools
| --> Eisenhower did little
37
Little Rock Nine
a group of black students prevented by gov of Arkansas from enrolling in Little Rock High School
- -> Eisenhower did nothing
- -> Arkansas closed all public high school
38
Civil Rights Acts of 1957 and 1960
strengthened voting rights protection of Southern blacks and punishments for crimes against blacks
39
Montgomery bus boycott
began 1955 when Rosa Parks was arrested --> outrage --> boycott
40
Martin Luther King Jr
- brought to national prominence after the Montgomery bus boycott
- encouraged peaceful protests
41
Result of Montgomery bus boycott
Supreme Court ordered integration of all public transportation
42
Greensboro sit-in
students organized a peaceful sit-in which inspired national movement
43
John Fost Dulles
Secretary of State under Eisenhower
44
Liberation
Eisenhower's continued policy of containment - more intimidation
45
Massive retalliation
Eisenhower policy of using nuclear weapons to attack SU
46
Deterrence
Eisenhower policy that described how Soviet fear of massive retaliation would prevent their challenging the US and led to an arms race
47
Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD)
mere knowledge of it prevented either SU or US from deploying nuclear weapons
48
Brinksmanship
allowing confrontations with SU to escalate towards war,, attacking the enemy until they can't fight back
49
Domino theory
Eisenhower policy that spread of communism had to be checked in SE Asia because if SV fell, surrounding nations would too
50
Nikita Khrushchev
new Soviet leader after Stalin's death -- hope:
- denounced totalitarianism
- called for peaceful coexistence
51
Tensions remained between US and SU
Nikita Khrushchev seen as weak --> rebellions in Poland and Hungary --> crushed and continued bad relations
52
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
created after Soviet advances in nuclear arms development (hydrogen bomb) and space flight (Sputnik)
53
Quemoy and Matsu
Taiwan islands used as bases for commando raids on communists --> China bombed
--> Eisenhower declared US would defend islands strongly and hinted nuclear attack
54
Third World
Countries in Africa, Asia, and South America who broke free of European domination after WWII
potential markets and raw materials = US and SU want them in their spheres
55
Nationalism
advocacy for political independence which swept through Third World
56
Third World reluctance for long term alliance
US:
- distrust and resentment of wealth
- racist legacy
SU:
-dominated E Europe and had little interest in close relations
57
Aswan Dam (1956 Egypt)
US tried offering foreign aid to Egypt to help build the dam (to gain ally)
--> Nasser suspicious and turned to SU for aid
58
Suez Canal (1956)
Israel invaded Egypt, and then B and F invaded to take back control of the canal
--> Eisenhower forced B and F to withdraw
59
CIA covert operations
forceful method of increasing influence abroad:
- newspapers reported disinformation in US favor
- bribed politicians
--> overthrew govts of Iran and Guatemala, and tried to assassinate Fidel Castro
60
Election of 1960
(R) Richard Nixon vs (D) John F. Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson
both campaigned against communism --> Kennedy won
61
Military-industrial complex
Eisenhower warned of combination military might + profitable arms industries creates powerful alliance whose interest did not correspond to those of public
62
1960s
hope-filled era:
- young, ambitious Kennedy
- New frontier
- -> divided America on Vietnam war and civil rights
63
Kennedy's Cold War policy
perceived SU and communism as major threats to security of US
64
Cuba
pro-US dictator overthrown by communist Fidel Castro
- -> nationalized US property
- -> Castro - SU treaty
- -> Eisenhower imposed partial trade embargo
- -> Eisenhower broke diplomatic relations
- -> stronger Castro-SU alliance
65
Bay of Pigs Invasion (1961)
Kennedy approved CIA plan to send trained Cuban exiles to invade Cuba and cause revolution against Castro
- -> did not provide adequate military support
- -> failed and antagonized SU and allies
66
Berlin Wall
built by SU to prevent East Germans from leaving the country
symbolic significance: repressive nature of communism and physical reminder of Cold War divide
67
Cuban Missile Crisis (1962)
US spy planes detected SU missile sites in Cuba and ordered they be removed --> imposed naval quarantine and announced on TV --> since public, SU demanded US not invade Cuba and remove missiles in Turkey --> agreed and made it appear US won
68
Peace Corps
mission to provide teachers and specialists in agriculture, health care, transportation, and communications to the Third World in hopes of them adopting US progress -- nation building
--> successes but conflict humanitarian goals vs govt foreign policy and resentment of US style
69
New Frontier
Kennedy's reform program: legislation that increased unemployment benefits, expanded Social Security, increased minimum wage, and aided farmers
70
Kennedy and women's rights
- pres commission that recommended removing all female obstacles
- Equal Pay Act 1963
71
Equal Pay Act (1963)
required all men and women be paid equally for equal work
| --> loophole by changing job titles
72
James Meredith
Kennedy enforced desegregation of University and Alabama and University of Mississippi for first integrated student
73
Civil Rights Act of 1964
proposed by Kennedy and passed by Johnson: outlawed discrimination based on a person's race, color religion, or gender
most comprehensive piece of civil rights legislation
74
Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC)
led by MLK which staged peaceful demonstrations
75
Freedom Riders
organized by Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) which staged sit-ins on buses
76
Student Coordinating Committee (SNCC)
did grassroots work in areas of voter registration and antisegregationist activism
77
Medgar Evars
NAACP leader who was shot to death by anti-integrationist
78
resistance to civil rights movement
assaults by police and fire department
| --> reports + Kennedy's death horrified US and bostered movement
79
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
passed by Johnson to enforce employment clause of Civil Rights act
80
Voting Rights act of 1965
passed by Johnson which attacked states who denied blacks the right to vote
81
Economic Opportunity Act
Johnson passed which gave $1b for poverty relief
82
Johnson's War on Poverty
- Project Head Start (prepared underprivileged children for school)
- Upward Bound (for HS students)
- Job Corps (trained unskilled)
- Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) (domestic peace corps)
- Legal Services for the Poor (legal council)
- Dept of Housing and Urban Development
- Medicare and Medicaid
83
Great Society
Johnson's social agenda
84
The Warren Court (1960s)
- worked to enforce voting rights for blacks
- forced states to redraw congressional districts so minorities can receive greater representation
- prohibited school prayer
- protected right to privacy
85
Gideon v. Wainwright
SC ruled that defendant in a felony trial must be provided a lawyer for free if he/she cannot afford one
86
Miranda v. Arizona
SC ruled that, upon arrest, a suspect must be advised of his or her right to remain silent and to consult with a lawyer
87
Resistance to Warren court
- police attacks (Selma and Birmingham)
- Klu Klux Klan
- 3 killed in Mississippi
88
Nation of Islam
Malcolm X urged blacks to claim their rights by "any means necessary" (autobiography)
89
Black Power
new radical program for civil rights movement - SNCC, CORE, Black Panthers
90
Effects of MLK's assassination
movement fragmented: integration and peaceful change vs empowerment through self-imposed segregation and aggression
91
The New Left
combination of progressive student groups formed from Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) with the Port Huron Statement
ideals: elimination of poverty and racism, end to Cold War politics
92
Free Speech Movement
expanded from 1964 student protests at Uni of CA at Berkeley when uni banned civil rights and antiwar demonstrations
93
Betty Friedan's The Feminine Mystique
openly challenged people's assumptions about women's place in society
94
National Organization for Women (NOW)
fought for legislative changes - failed Equal Rights Amendment
95
Gay Liberation
- Stonewall riot
| - Gay Pride parades
96
Roe v. Wade (1973)
enabled women to obtain abortions in all 50 states within the first trimester
--> controversial
97
Griswold v. Connecticut
established precedent for a constitutional right to privacy
98
Counterculture
rebellion against "the establishment", nonconformity: hippies (long hair, shabby clothes, drugs, "free love")
99
Rachel Carson's Silent Spring
blew the whistle on the widespread use of the chemical pesticide DDT, leading to its eventual ban
100
Clean Air Act of 1955
first law to control the use of airborne contaminants
101
Beatnikes
Beat Movement of the 1950s challenged conservativism of Eisenhower era by publishing works championing bohemian lifestyles, drug use, and nontraditional art --> inspired hippies
102
Origins of US involvement in Vietnam
Until WWII, Vietnam was French colony --> exploitation of resources led to rise of Vietminh resistance led by Ho Chi Minh --> Wilson ignored Ho's appeal for self-determination in 14 points
Japan invaded Vietnam during WWII and ended French control --> V helped defeat Japan --> drafted Vietnamese Declaration of Independence
--> US refused to recognize and recognized Bao Dai (emperor in S under F control)
--> F defeated in Battle of Dien Bien Phu (Truman aided F)
103
Geneva Accord (1954)
-divided Vietnam on 17th parallel with communism in North and democracy in South --> elections held in 2 years for unified country
104
Ngo Dinh Diem
South Vietnamese leader allied with the US
105
US sabotage of Geneva Accords
US feared Ho would win the election and allied with Diem and provoked communist attack
106
Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO)
US rallied B, F, Thailand, Pakistan, Philippines, New Zealand, and Australia to provide for SV's defense against communism
107
Opposition to Diem
despotic control of SV: imprisoned enemies, persecuted Buddhist monks, and closed critical newspapers
108
Vietcong
South Vietnamese citizens who joined NV out of opposition to Diem
109
Green Berets
military advisors sent by Pres Kennedy to Kietnam
110
Fall of Diem (1963)
CIA helped SV military stage coup to overthrow Diem --> killed Diem and his brother
--> Kennedy assassinated and Johnson took over
111
Johnson's involvement in Vietnam
had the opportunity to withdraw, but Kennedy's advisors convinced him that US forces could overwhelm any opposition
--> remained committed to using forces to achieve "total victory"
112
Gulf of Tonkin
it was reported that NV had fired on two American destroyer ships - never confirmed
113
Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
Allowed president to take any measures he deemed necessary to protect American interests in the region
--> Johnson increased participation (basically declaration of war)
114
"Operation Rolling Thunder"
Johnson authorized massive Air Force bombing raids on NV that lasted for weeks: dropped Agent Orange and Napalm = destruction of jungles
115
Americanization of Vietnam War
Johnson essentially took over Vietnam war from SV
| --> increased opposition to draft
116
Tet Offensive (1968)
launched by NV - inflicted damage on US forces and almost captured SV capital Saigon
--> turning point in US confidence and realized underestimated NV
117
My Lai Massacre (1968)
US soldiers becoming frustrated began to act unspeakably: abused innocent SV civilians thought to be apart of the Viet Cong
--> outrage and protests
118
Election of 1968
Johnson withdrew from presidential race
conservative Richard Nixon won
119
assassination of MLK (April 1968)
killed by white assassin --> civil unrest
120
Robert Kennedy
Democratic nominee for 1968 Election, bastion of hope, advocate for poor and critic of war --> assassinated
121
1968 Democratic convention
Americans protested outside --> police ordered to break up crowds forcefully --> outrage
--> nominated pro-war Hubert Humphrey
122
George Wallace
third candidate in 1968 election - segregationist campaign = popular in South
123
Conservative resurgence of 1970s
Many eager to bring back traditional values - dismayed by new movements, alarmed by costs of social welfare programs, religious distrusted rejection of traditional morals, Southerners resisted civil rights
--> Nixon appealed to them - reverse encroaching federal power
124
Phyllis Schlafly
lobbied against the Equal Rights Amendment - claimed it would lead to conscription of women into war, negatively affect women in divorce cases, and allow men into women's-only colleges
125
Vietnamization
Nixon promised to end US involvement in Vietnam by turning war over to SV
126
Nixon and Vietnam War
War vet = US must win war:
- began withdrawing troops
- increased intensity of air strikes
- ordered bombings of Cambodia
127
Henry Kissinger
Secretary of State under Nixon who completed negotiations for peace treaty with NV
128
Post-peace negotiations Vietnam (1975)
As US troops began vacating, NV launched attack on SV --> Saigon fell --> Vietnam united over communist rule
129
War Powers Resolution 1973
passed by Congress to prevent future president from involving the military in another undeclared war
required president to obtain congressional approval for any troop commitment lasting longer than 60 days
130
Nixon and SU
Nixon increased trade with SU and negotiated arms treaties
131
Nixon and China
Nixon traveled to China which eased tensions = opened trade and use as leverage against SU
132
Detente
Nixon's policy of "openness" that called for countries to respect each other's differences and cooperate more closely
--> brief period of relaxed tensions but ended when SU invaded Afghanistan
133
Nixon Doctrine
announced that the US would withdraw from many of its overseas troop commitments, relying instead on alliances with local govts to check spread of communism
134
Economy under Nixon
Economy worsened: stagflation (combined recession-inflation) --> none of his efforts helped
135
Kent State University
heightened political tensions with national guardsmen shot and killed four protesters at the school who were protesting US decision to invade Vietcong camps in neutral Cambodia
--> division between youth and middle America
136
Pentagon Papers (1971)
newspapers published a top-secret govt study of the history of US involvement in Vietnam: documented numerous military miscalculations and lies govt had told the public
--> Nixon fought aggressively to prevent publication (US currently involved in secret negotiations with NV, SU, and China and feared destroying credibility)
137
Plumbers
A team of investigators put together by Nixon after he failed to suppress the Pentagon Papers: undertook disgraceful projects such as burglarizing a psychiatrist's office to father information on Daniel Ellsberg
138
Watergate Hotel
During 1972 elections, the plumbers sabotaged campaigns of Democrats and botched burglary of democratic headquarters in Watergate Hotel
139
Watergate hearings
information was slowly revealed that incriminated pres closest advisors --> discovered secret tapes of Nixon's conversations --> Senate demanded and Nixon refused and claimed executive privilege
140
Nixon's resignation
lost battle with the tapes and resigned instead of face impeachment proceedings
141
General Ford
took office after Nixon's resignation and pardoned Nixon
142
Spiro Agnew
Nixon's first vp who had resigned in face of impending criminal charges --> replaced by Gerald Ford
143
Ford and the economy
Weak economy: oil embargo organized by Arab nations under OPEC increased fuel prices
--> inflation = unemployment
144
Jimmy Carter
elected in 1976 after Ford's declining popularity
145
Carter and the economy
inherited weak economy: increased inflation + slow economic growth = worsened stagflation
--> failed to balance budget
146
Department of Energy
created by Carter to oversee research of alternative power sources - debate over use of nuclear power
147
Three Mile Island
where a Pennsylvania nuclear power plant failed which released radioactive materials into the atmosphere
--> reinforced opponents of nuclear power
148
Peace agreement between Israel and Egypt
President Carter personally invited leaders of Israel and Egypt to Camp David and brokered agreement
149
Israel-Egypt conflict
Began when Israel declared independence in 1948 and was besieged by hostile Arab neighbors --> heightened during Six Day War when Israel took control of Sinai Peninsula
150
Sandinista government
the revolutionary government of Nicaragua whom Carter befriended --> turned against them when they allied with SU and Cuba
151
Carter and Iran
American hostages were taken in retaliation for America's support of repressive Shah --> released only after Reagan took office
152
Carter and Panama
negotiated treaty that gave Panama control of the Canal zone
