Unit 7: 1898 - 1945
Unit 7:2 - Imperialism: Debates
Summary: After William Seward’s purchase of the Alaska territory and the discovery of gold
there in 1898, an surge of newly imperialistic ideas overtook the nation. America was now a
fully developed empire and significant economic world power, with no more ability to move
west. This idea of accessing more gold and resources from other countries along with ideas such
as social darwinism, white man’s burden, and the ability to compete with other European nations
is what influenced many imperialist’s beliefs. On the other hand, anti-imperialists were weary of
George Washington’s warning to stay out of foreign affairs and of the idea that “lesser” races
would gain and reap the benefits of American citizenship. They took the stance of “the
constitution should follow the flag” as a ruse in hopes that imperialists would dislike the idea of
these minorities gaining citizenship.
Vocabulary:
- Frederick Jackson Turner: His frontier thesis stated that the colonization of the rugged
American frontier was decisive in forming the culture of American democracy and was a
significant outlet for sectional tensions. His theory was that America's unique
development could not continue in the absence of a frontier.
- Imperialism: Expansion of one country's political, economic, and military influence over
another country.
- Social Darwinism:The belief that only the fittest survive in human political and economic
struggle.
- Alfred Thayer Mahan: His thesis in “The Influence of Sea Power on History” stated that
supremacy at sea was essential for a nation's political and commercial success.
Persuaded by Mahan, congress approved the construction of a massive steel fleet of ships
- Self Determination: The anti-imperialist argument that the right of a people was to assert
its own national identity or form of government without outside influence.
Unit 7:3 - The Spanish-American War
Summary: Imperialists wanted to have control over Cuba, but at the time it was under Spanish
control. The effect that yellow journalism inflamed American feelings about the mistreatment of
these Cuban revolutionaries. The sinking of the USS Maine was blown heavily out of proportion
and McKinely issued an ultimatum to Spain demanding that they agreed to a ceasefire in Cuba.
Spain agreed, but public pressure influenced McKinley to declare war on them anyways. The
war itself was short, but its effects were major. Cuba became its own nation, but due to the Platt
Amendment, America had military power, and by extension, political influence and control in
Cuba. After this war, imperialistic ideas only grew and led to greater American influence in the
Philippines, Guam, and Puerto Rico. The most important effect of this war was establishing
America as a world class power readily available and willing to intervene in international affairs.
Vocabulary:
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Yellow Journalism: a style of newspaper reporting pushed by Pullitzer and Hearst that
emphasized sensationalism over facts.
De Lome Letter: Letter sent by a Spanish Diplomat to the Foreign minister of Spain that
was critical of McKinley. Intercepted and published by Hearst and was considered an
insult against the US national honor
Platt Amendment: Required Cuba to never sign a treaty with a foreign power that
impaired its independence, to allow the US to interfere in Cuban affairs to preserve
independence, and allow the US to maintain permanent Naval forces in Guantanamo Bay.
Emilio Augunaldo: Lead the Philippine-American War with tactics such as Guerilla
warfare, he thought the US was going to help them gain their independence, was angered
when their true intentions of conquering were revealed.
Open Door Policy: A proposition by Secretary of State John Hay to keep trade in China
open equally to trade with all countries, preventing any one nation from controlling trade
in the region. Was proposed to keep American involved in the lucrative Asian trade,
China was not involved in this decision.
Unit 7:4 - The Progressive Era
Summary: The progressives were a diverse group of people who all agreed on the necessity
of government intervention to stop the deterioration of society. Progressive journalists
and activists wanted to challenge corruption by putting power back into the hands of the
people. They were responsible for reforms such as the secret ballot and the direct
election of senators. They are also accredited with the progressive amendments which
established movements such as temperance & the right for women to vote. They helped
ensure that voters had more power and say on what went on in government. They also
worked to achieve social justice among the races and worked to end segregation and Jim
Crow laws in the south. There were also a string of Progressive presidents, most notably
Teddy Roosevelt. He ran on the campaign of a “square deal” which he proved meant that
he would consider both sides of an argument and come up with a fair solution. He was
also known as a “trust buster” and under the Sherman antitrust act he would dissolve bad
trusts that allowed monopolies and corruption. He was also a conservationist who
established the first national park.
Vocabulary:
- Muckrakers: Progressive journalists who exposed the “muck” and grime of American
corruption for the public. This includes Upton Sinclair, Ida Tarbell, and Jacob Riis.
- 17th Amendment: Transferred the ability of electing senators from the state legislatures
to the people
- Frederick Taylor: Made factory work more efficient by increasing productivity,
progressives wondered if this could be applied to government, Taylorism
- Niagara Movement: Civil Rights organization founded by WEB Du Bois who worked to
secure rights for the black population.
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NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People): main aims were
to end all forms of segregation and expand education opportunities
7:5 - WWI: Military and Diplomacy
Summary: Growing competition, nationalism, and tension between European nations came to
a climax in 1914 with the assasination of Archduke Fanz Ferdinand and the beginning of
WWI. It was split between the Allied and Central Powers, and in line with America’s
isolationist tendencies, they stayed out of it for as long as possible. The two main causes
of America’s limited involvement in the war was the German unrestricted submarine
warfare sinking the Lucitania among other American ships, and the interception of the
Zimmerman telegram. American interterferance was brief but ultimately helped the
Allies win the war. Wilson invested a strong interest in the Treaty of Versailles because
he wanted to ensure a peaceful future for these European nations. Because of illness, he
was not as involved as he wished, and although he proposed it congress rejected
America’s participation in the League of Nations.
Vocabulary:
- Zimmerman Telegram: Note sent to Mexico which solicited them to start a war with the
United States. In exchange, Germany would help Mexico regain the land they lost during
the Mexican-American War
- American Expeditionary Forces: Although their involvement was minimal, this American
military arguably tipped the balance of power in favor of the Allies.
- Treaty of Versailles: Treaty that ended the war in 1918, Woodrow WIlson was involved
and interested in the outcome of this treaty.
- Fourteen Points: Wilson’s idea to help unify and preserve relationships between European
powers, established League of Nations.
- League of Nations: Worldwide representative body where countries could negotiate their
problems instead of going to war.
7:6 - World War I: Home Front
Summary: The Social aspect of WWI caused the US to mobilize much of its economic,
industrial, and social resources in order to win. Those who opposed US involvement in
the war were swiftly handled. For example, in the age of Schenck vs the US, the
Supreme Court declared that a pamphlet encouraging people to oppose the war was a
violation of free speech (it isn’t absolute if it creates present danger). The Spanish Flu
also wiped out 675,000 Americans but the government suppressed the severity of this to
prevent lowering morale. After the war, anxieties continued to rise because of the 1st red
scare. Americans became more afraid of the looming threat of communism after the
Russian revolution and many suspicions and arrests were made. There was a massive
wave of immigrants and this was matched with strong nativist and discriminatory beliefs.
There was also the 1st Great Migration which was the large movement of southern blacks
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to the north to escape discrimination and to find industrial jobs (The north needed
workers because of the lack of immigrants)
Vocabulary:
- War Industries Board: Wartime agencies established by Wilson to coordinate labor, war
supplies & conserve and produce food for the war effort.
- Espionage & Sedition Act (1917 & 18): Made it a crime to oppose the war, interfere with
the draft, or say anything disloyal about the war effort.
- Palmer Raids: J Edgar Hoover was tasked with secretly investigating suspected radicals
(labor union leaders). Eventually, mass arrests were ordered (over 6,000 arrested, 500
deported)
- Emergency Quota Act (1921) & National Origins Act (1924): Nativist influence caused
these acts to restrict the number of immigrants in the US to a low percentage.
- Tulsa Massacre: A white woman claimed a black man assaulted her, an opposing group
of black folks intervened against a lynch mob and a full riot broke out leaving 300 black
people dead and many more homeless. This goes to show that not all was perfect in the
north.
7:7 - Innovations in Communication and Technology
Summary: As individual mobility increased because of the growing accessibility of the
automobile, people started moving further and further away from cities and the idea of
“suburbia” was born. Cities were beginning to be built around roads and cars. Mass
produced goods were becoming much more popular and the standard of living rose. With
this new market for goods the advertising industry also experienced a significant boom.
Popular culture also began to spread because of new technology such as the radio &
cinema. The idea of popular culture also emphasized regional and cultural differences
and highlighted the difference between white and black Americans.
Vocabulary:
- Henry Ford: Known for his work on cars, but also his idea of the assembly line
manufacturing which greatly dropped the cost of these automobiles and effectively
eradicated artisan skilled work.
- Assembly line: each worker would do the same menial task, creating a faster and more
efficient system of manufacturing.
- Sigmund Freud: neurologist who’s ideas on psychoanalysis heavily influenced the new
form of advertising used to manipulate the subconscious of consumers.
- Modernism: A critical view of the Bible and the belief that Darwin’s theory of evolution
could coexist with Biblical scripture.
- Fundamentalism: Every word in the Bible must be accepted as literally true.
UNIT 7:8 - 1920s: Cultural and Political Controversies
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Summary: The demographic shift and growing American population in cities led to increased
opportunities for women, immigrants, and internal migrants (African Americans). Women were
able to get jobs as teachers, nurses, and assembly line workers, although typically being paid less
than the average male worker. Another nativist backlash that was fueled by a fear of immigrants
taking their jobs caused mistreatment to surge in the 1920s. But a lot of these bigots were equal
opportunity offenders and made life for Black people dangerous as well. Throughout this time of
discrimination, some light shone through. The Harlem Renaissance showcased the beauty and
artistry of the black population and gave a promising outlook for the future. Lastly the fights
between the northern modernists and southern fundamentalists came to a climax at the Scopes
Monkey Trial when a Tennessee school teacher tried to teach evolution. The ultimate outcome
of this case was that fundamentalism was ultimately unable to defend itself against the growing
revolution of modernism.
Vocabulary:
- Flappers: Rebellious women who would cut their hair short, smoke & drink in public, and
expose their ankles.
- Nativism: The effort to protect the rights of native born citizens against the interests of
immigrants.
- Exodusters Movement: African Americans who migrated along the Mississippi River to
Kansas following the Civil War.
- Harlem Renaissance: revival of the arts and intellectual pursuits of the recently migrated
black population (Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Langston Hughes).
- Lost Generation: Authors such as F. Scott Fitsgerald and Ernest Hemingway whose main
themes were pervasive materialism and the waste of life and resources expended in WWI.
Unit 7:9 - The Great Depression
Summary: The era of American prosperity came crashing down on October 29, 1929 (Black
Tuesday). The stock market crashed and the great depression began because of many
factors, including the nation's severe debt, high tariffs, and the behavior of buying stocks
on a margin. Once the depression hit, many Americans fell into poverty and
homelessness, and president Hoover's laissez faire approach to government was largely
criticized during this time. In 1932 FDR was elected on a landslide, because the voters
saw him as the opposite of Hoover. Roosevelt campaigned on the promise of heavy
government intervention and worked to expand the scope of the federal government and
turn America into a limited welfare state.
Vocabulary:
- Hawley-Smoot Tariff: Signed by Hoover, it imposed high tariffs on imported goods, but
crippled America’s ability to sell its excess products on a global market
- Speculation: Because it was assumed that stock market prices would keep rising, it was
common practice to borrow money to buy stocks. Therefore, most of the money in the
stock market was borrowed.
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Limited Welfare State: The government can provide limited assistance and take
responsibility for the economic welfare of its citizens.
Dust Bowl: Severe dust storms and drought that affected the Great Plains regions
agriculturally in the 1930s.
Hoovervilles: The shantytowns that many Americans were forced to live in when they
were faced with homelessness after the depression. The name was critical of Hoover and
the way that he handled the Depression.
Unit 7:10 - The New Deal
Summary: The Three Rs: relief for the unemployed, recovery for business, and reform of
economic institutions were the forefront of Roosevelt’s “New Deal”. The New Deal
introduced a multitude of programs such as the Public Works Administration, Tennessee
Valley Authority, and Civil Conservation Corps that all worked to improve American
infrastructure and lowered unemployment by hiring people to complete these jobs.
Programs such as the National Industrial Recovery Act established minimum wages,
shorter working hours, and regulation of prices which greatly aided the recovery of
businesses. Under reform, he limited the ways people could invest people’s money and
backed up bank deposits with federal dollars to ensure that there wasn’t a need to “rush
the banks” if the market ever crashed again. The New Deal was criticized from both ends
saying it wasn’t “liberal” or “conservative” enough. The New Deal left a legacy of
reforms that fostered the political realignment of Black people, working class, and ethnic
minorities.
Vocabulary:
- Glass-Steagall Act: In 1933 it increased the regulation in banks and limited the way it
could invest people’s money.
- Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation: Came into play because of the Glass-Steagall Act
and it guaranteed people’s bank deposits with federal money.
- Securities and Exchange Commission: Established to regulate the stock market and
prevent unethical behavior like buy on margin and insider trading.
- Social Security Act of 1935: provided a safety net of income for workers over the age of
65 by withholding a worker's wages and receiving it back when they reached retirement
age.
- Court Packing Scheme: Bill that would allow the president to appoint new Supreme
Court Justices for every justice that was older than 70.5 years. Abuse of checks and
balances, never passed.
Unit 7:11 Interwar Foreign Policy
Summary: After World War I, many Americans wanted to return to being mainly isolationist
or “normalcy”. This was reflected in who they elected president in 1920, Warren G
Harding, who was a strong isolationist. This caused an increase in tariffs and put a
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damper on world trade. America was using foreign policy in order to keep themselves
clear of international entanglements, but in the 1930s isolationism became harder to
maintain because of the rise of fascist and totalitarian governments in Europe. In 1939
World War II began and arguments over involvement in the war sparked. FDR wanted to
appease both sides of just conflict, so his solution was to discreetly help the allied powers
through. A series of acts and programs. Any hope of continued isolationism was
destroyed in 1941 at Pearl Harbor.
Vocabulary:
- Fordney-Mccumber Act: Raised tariffs on imported goods to protect factories and farms.
- Kellogg-Briand Pact: Signed by 63 nations, tried to make war illegal (aww how cute).
Signed outside of the League of Nations, impossible to enforce.
- Nye Committee: Provided unflattering evidence that large American corporations made a
lot of money from America’s involvement in WWII, and thus they were pushing for
America to enter WWII for those same economic benefits.
- Interventionists: foolish to isolate ourselves from conflicts in Europe, submarines and
airplanes made the Atlantic Ocean less of a buffer.
- Cash and Carry program: passed a looser neutrality act that allowed any belligerent in the
war to purchase armaments from the US, as long as they paid and used their own ships to
transport them. Because Britain controlled the seas, this benefitted them.
- Destroyers for Bases: U.S exchanged American destroyers for land rights on various
British possessions
- Lend-Lease Act: Allowed Britain to obtain the arms they needed from the U.S. on credit
Unit 7:12 - Mobilization
Summary: after Pearl Harbor, Roosevelt declared war on Japan and was fully immersed in
World War II. Although his original new deal plan included massive federal spending to
get the US out of the depression, we do not know whether or not that would’ve worked in
the long run because of this total war, American industry was leveraged for mobilization
and massive government spending went towards the war effort. America from
unemployment to a labor shortage that was addressed by using women and minorities for
wartime production. This caused an overnight transformation of the American economy.
Almost 15 million Americans of all different races served in the war.
Vocabulary:
- Office of War Mobilization & War Production Board: automobile factories began
producing planes, tanks, and other war munitions.
- Double V Campaign: NAACP pushed for black Americans to work for victory in the war
and against racism.
- Selective Service Act (1940): The first peacetime military draft in US history.
- Japanese Relocation and executive order 9066: during this time, Japanese Americans
were targeted due to the rift caused by Pearl Harbor. Fears of espionage led to Roosevelt's
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relocation order which authorized the federal government to relocate over 100,000
Japanese Americans to internment camps.
Korematsu vs the United States: refused to comply with Roosevelt’s executive order, and
his case made it all the way to the Supreme Court. He argued that forced removal was
unconstitutional and violation of the fifth amendment (protects Americans from
answering for crimes without the indigent of a grand jury). The court ruled it was
constitutional on the grounds that it was necessary to prevent espionage and sabotage.
Unit 7:13 - World War II: Military
Summary: American commitment in the war was strengthened when German atrocities
against the Jews came to light. At first, American effort was poured into the Pacific
theater of the war because of Japan, but with Russia and Britain, they were soon able to
take part in the war on the European front. After D-Day and hitler’s last stand at the battle
of the bulge, VE day and VD day soon followed. VE day was the result of the continued
push into France and VD day was the result of the Manhattan Project and the two atomic
bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The morality of this decision is still being
debated and in the end the death toll was about 140,000.
Vocabulary:
- Battle of Coral Sea & Midway: Occured in 1942, result was that the US was able to push
back the Japanese on the Pacific Front
- Tehran Conference: Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin met to plan for a second front in the
European Theater
- D-Day: 200,000 Allied troops landed in Normandy,France in 1944, it was the big step for
the Allied powers to liberate France.
- Battle of the Bulge: Hitler’s last major offensive assault against the Allied armies.
“Bulge” meant to drive a wedge between the Allied powers and Berlin.
- Island-Hopping Campaign: A method of cutting off Japanese supplies by occupying
smaller, less strategic islands
Unit 7:14 - Postwar Diplomacy
Summary: after World War II, America emerged as the most powerful nation on earth for a few
different reasons. Because of their late involvement in the war, while other European nations
were rebuilding six years of destruction, they remained intact. The critical role the US played in
the winning of the war also helped them emerge as a superpower. After the end of the war, one of
the most pressing issues was to limit the spread of Soviet communism. After Stalin violated the
terms of the Yalta conference, the United States enacted the Marshall plan. The most significant
result of the end of World War II was the creation of the United Nations. This was originally
attempted after World War I with the League of Nations, but failed because the United States
Congress wouldn’t allow America to join it, and the fact that the league of Nations had no ability
to enforce its resolutions.
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Vocabulary:
- Yalta Conference: America, Britain and Russia decided that Germany would be jointly
occupied by the three of them and the French, and agreed that Eastern European nations
would be able to choose their leaders through popular sovereignty.
- Marshall Plan: US program that offered a great deal of money to European nations who
were trying to rebuild. Imposed with the intention of spreading capitalism and not
communism.
- United Nations: The second successful attempt to prevent future wars. The UN had
peacekeeping soldiers whose mission was to stabilize unstable environments when they
arise.
Unit 7 Short Answer Questions
1.
a) Evaluate the relative importance of the the US involvement in WWI
The US's total involvement in the war was relatively minor due to the fact that they were only a
part of it in the last few years of the conflict after the sinking of the Lusitania and the
Zimmerman telegram to protect American nationalism. Although it may be relatively minor,
there was still some American involvement secretly in support of the Allies before they entered
the war, and once they entered they effectively helped tip the balance in favor of the Allied
powers victory.
b) Evaluate the relative importance of one effect in America after WWI
After WWI, the effect it had on American Imperialism was major and ignited a spark in the
minds of many anti-isolationist Americans who wanted to spread their influence and have
America become a political, economic, and social power.
c) Evaluate the relative importance of another effect in American after WWI
Another effect of WWI was the establishment of the League of Nations, which was an attempt
made by Wilson to prevent future wars between European countries, but was largely
unsuccessful and irrelevant because Congress never allowed America to join or give it any
power.
2.
a) Explain one isolationist view in the debates over imperialism in the late 19th century
An Isolationist view In America following the start of the Spanish American war in 1989 was the
lingering fear many American citizens had of George Washington’s criticism of American
involvement in foreign affairs.
b) Explain one anti-isolationist view in the debates over imperialism in the late 19th
century
On the other hand, an anti-isolationist view included those of Alfred Thayer Mahan and his
thesis “The Influence of Sea Power on History” which stated the importance of having a strong
and influential Navy to establish American as an economic power.
c) Explain another anti-isolationist view in the debate over imperialism
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Another anti-isolationist view was one of Josiah’s Strong and his idea of the superiority of the
Anglo Saxon race, and the duty of Christian’s to spread the gospel to lesser and blinded nations,
thus the idea of white man’s burden.
3.
a) Explain one similarity in attitudes about the nation’s proper role in the world
For the vast majority, both isolationists and anti-isolationists were hesitant in extending the rights
and benefits of American citizenship to the nations they wanted to dominate and influence, this
led to a surge of discrimination and racism against many immigrants in the 20th century.
b) Explain one difference in attitudes about the nation’s proper role in the world
While the anti-isolationists saw the benefit in increasing American influence overseas through
the control of other nations, many isolationists argued that a nation’s right to self determination is
inarguably and exactly what American was fighting for in their revolutionary war.
c) Explain another difference in attitudes about the nation’s proper role in the world
After the settlement of the frontier, American exceptionalism ideas shifted towards a more
international outlook and sought to gain other spheres of influence in Asia and the Caribbean.
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Unit 8: 1945-1980
Unit 8:2 - The Cold War From 1945 to 1980
Summary: Soon after the end of World War II, capitalist America and the communist Soviet
union were quickly interlocked in a stalemate known as the Cold War. Although the US and
Soviet Union never engaged in open warfare and was more a battle of ideologies, the Cold War
caused some small proxy wars in other nations. The cause for growing tension was the result of
the Russian revolution, and America’s retaliation to communism, such as Truman’s containment
policy and the Marshall plan. The expansionist nature of communism led to an “Iron Curtain“ to
descend across the continent. After World War II, the clear ideological division was a parent
when Western powers wanted to help Germany become strong again while The Soviet wanted to
get control over as many communist states as possible With Germany being a minor threat. The
other major factor of the Cold War was the advancement of the atomic and hydrogen bomb and
the looming threat of mutually assured destruction. As I stated earlier, no fighting broke out in
the US or the Soviet Union , but there was a small war in Korea over disputes on the 38th
parallel.
Vocabulary:
- Satellite States: Soviets controlled and manipulated elections, sole purpose was to serve
communist purposes and increase communist influence.
- Truman Doctrine: After soviet pressure was on Greece and Turkey, Harry Truman
advocated the containment of communism by lending capitalist support to any country
that was threatened by Soviet communism. Congress offered $400 million in support to
fend them off.
- Marshall Plan: allocated $13 billion in financial aid for Europeans to rebuild after WWII,
filled European nations with capitalist dollars and kept that idea in their heads.
- Berlin Blockade: Soviet blockade of canals, roads, and railways that western powers used
to help supply Berlin. Response to this was the US’s Berlin airlift.
- NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization): Military alliance made to resist any
aggressive actions of the Soviet Union.
- Warsaw Pact: Soviet reaction to NATO, did the same thing just for communist countries.
Unit 8:3 - The Red Scare
Summary: The second red scare refers to the American fear of Soviet communism, and the push
to root it out at home. This fear emulsified tensions with the Soviet Union and was combated
with harsh federal law that stifled the freedom of labor unions. Many acts were passed that made
it more and more difficult for workers to unionize and strike, it also made workers swear they
were not communists and would blacklist anyone suspected of it. Senator Joseph McCarthy was
the most prominent example of an alarmist during this time, and his accusations and
investigations regularly exacerbated the imposing threat of espionage and Russian spies.
Vocabulary:
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Taft Hartley Act (1947): Made in response to labor union strikes that made it more
difficult for workers to unionize and strike.
Federal Loyalty and Security Program: Truman’s orders that made union leaders swear
that they were not communists.
UnAmerican Activities Committee: Searching for communist influence everywhere in
America, especially Hollywood. Blacklisted at least 10 prominent Hollywood directors
who refused to testify in Congress about their communism.
McCarthyism: A brand of vitriolic, fear-mongering, anti-communist that was pushed and
executed by senator Joseph McCarthy.
Rosenberg Case: A couple was accused and executed for being involved in espionage in
relation to Russia’s ability to test its first atomic bomb (stolen American plans).
Unit 8:4 - Economy after 1945
Summary: Because of WWII, there was a massive spike in productivity and federal spending on
infrastructure, which heightened the standard of living for many Americans. The growing
families and retiring veterans that followed the end of the war, led to an increased demand for
housing, which only increased the popularity and necessity of suburbs and highways. The middle
class commuting to work became more popular, and the minorities and lower classes were left in
the cities. An example of the growing idea of suburbia was the migration to the Sunbelt in the
south and west, which caused a massive economic and political shift in power due to the
increasing population and tax dollars.
Vocabulary:
- G.I. Bill (1944): WWII veterans were given the opportunity to go to college and take out
low interest loans to buy houses and start businesses at the expense of the federal
government.
- Levittown: A suburban community (first in NY) built by William J. Levitt.
Mass-produced, low income homes that provided a low cost solution to the housing
demand.
- Interstate Highway Act (1956): Created fast-moving highways that gave people the
occasion to travel quickly from urban to rural areas.
- Baby boom: The massive increase of the 50 million people added to the American
population after WWII
- Sun Belt: Span of 15 states through the American southwest (from Cali to Carolinas) that
experienced terrific population and productivity expansion during World War 2. People
came to the Sun Belt in search of jobs, a better climate, and lower taxes
Unit 8:5 - Culture after 1945
Summary: The 1950s for a time of widespread, predictable, popular culture that were meant to
conform with strict American ideas and steer completely clear of communism. The widespread
use of the television and its few networks also fostered a homogeneous American identity. The
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use of credit also meant people could afford more and pay it off overtime, thus raising the
standard of living and allowing more time for fun. Rock ‘n’ roll music also gained popularity at
the time, and although it had roots in the black community, the popularity of it was shared
mainly through the whites with faces such as Elvis and The Beatles.
Vocabulary:
- Beatniks: A group of poets who rebelled against conformity of the age through poetry,
Jack Kerouac “On the Road” is a great example of free form & stream of consciousness
poetry. J.D. Salinger’s “Catcher in the Rye” also critiqued the phoniness of conformity.
- Feminine mystique: a book written by Betty Friedan that is often credited with sparking
second-wave feminism in America. It challenged traditional roles for women, arguing
that housework did not fulfill all women's desires for satisfaction and achievement.
Unit 8:6 - Early Steps in the Civil Rights Movement (1940s & 50s)
Summary: even after the Civil War and the 13th through 15th amendments, Jim Crow laws and
segregationist policies made it difficult for black Americans to truly integrate into society.
During the 40s and 50s, great strides were made in the civil rights movement and there was lots
of activist pressure on the American government to uphold their decade-long promises. President
Truman made great strides in respect to civil rights with the executive order 9981, committee on
civil rights, and 24th amendment. Supreme cases, such as Brown vs the board of education,
helped convert age-old segregationist laws. However, there was lots of southern pressure and
resistance, such as the southern manifesto and Little Rock 9 that prevented black students from
integrating fully.
Vocabulary:
- Executive order 9981: Truman banned segregation in the US armed forces, didn’t enforce
it until 2 years later when the Korean War began in 1950 (didn't want to lose support in
the South)
- Committee on Civil Rights: Created by Truman in 1946 to examine the true conditions of
civil rights in America and give solutions to the problems they Identified. (Abolishment
of poll taxes, desegregation of the military, federal protection from lynch mobs)
- 24th Amendment: abolished the poll tax
- Southern Manifesto: Southern resistance to Brown v Board, congressional representatives
wrote this to argue for the cort’s gross abuse of power, led to some southern states
shutting down their schools rather than integrating them.
- Little Rock 9: Arkansas governor Orval Faunus called the national guard on 9 black
students trying to enter Little Rock High School. Eisenhower sent federal troops to
protect the students.
Unit 8:7 - America as a World Power
Summary: Still deeply involved in the Cold War and an arms race with the Soviet Union, the
development of America the world power led to its involvement in the revolution of wars of
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many other countries, not to mention the space race as well. America’s desire to remake the
world into the image of democratic capitalism is what continued to fuel this war. America’s
involvement in Israel and the camp David accords in 1978, the Guatemalan Revolution, and, the
Iranian revolution, strengthened America’s influence overseas and gave them access to vital
enough resources such as oil. They also extended almost $1 billion in economic aid to South
Vietnamese to stabilize the economy and combat communism. The overarching goal of this was
to continue to spread democratic capitalism, and strengthen American world influence. Although
Eisenhower warned against the proliferation of the military industrial complex which related to
the involvement of business in military policy decisions.
Vocabulary:
- Jacobo Arbenz: Leader of Guatemala elected in 1951, too socialist for the Americans
because he nationalized the land on which the Americans were growing food to distribute
to impoverished Guatemalans. The CIA trained Guatemalan insurgents to revolt and
overthrow him.
- Bay of Pigs Invasion: Campaign started by Eisenhower, executed by Kennedy that was
training Cuban revolutionaries to overthrow Castro. The invaders were quickly killed
and was a massive failure. Solidified communism in Cuba.
- Cuban Missile Crisis: Soviets were stockpiling nuclear weapons in Cuba (very close to
the U.S.). America was tense and retaliated by doing the same thing in Turkey. The
Soviets eventually stood down.
- Domino Theory: Eisenhower’s argument that if South Vietnam fell to communism, the
rest of the region would quickly follow. Justified American involvement in the Vietnam
War.
- Military Industrial Complex: Eisenhower’s warning not to allow big businesses to make
decisions about military intervention, because their material interest would trump any
care they had for the actual wellbeing of the nation.
Unit 8:8 - The Vietnam War
Summary: The Geneva conference intended to settle issues resulting from the first Indochina war
and Vietnam was temporarily divided at the 17th parallel as a result. Under the leadership of
China and the United States realized the importance of helping southern Vietnam, to prevent
other south asian countries falling to communism. Kennedy started off by sending military
advisors and substantial aid, but after the Gulf of Tonkin incident, the US sent many more troops
and took “all necessary measures” to protect U.S. interests in Vietnam. Full scale American
involvement began with Johnson’s long planned aerial bombardment of North Vietnam called
operation rolling thunder. Johnson also continued to approve the dispatch of tens of thousands of
troops and by the end of 1967, the United States had over 485,000 troops and Vietnam And
16,000 Americans had died in conflict. Given that this was the first major televised war. Johnson
faced lots of resistance due to the limited information he had been given about the atrocities of
this war. Once Nixon took office, he began to implement Vietnamization, and proclaimed the
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Nixon doctrine, which declared the Asian allies would receive support without the extensive use
of US ground forces. Nixon also ordered a bombing of Vietnam, which caused the North
Vietnamese to agree to armistice, which allowed the US to withdraw the last of its troops and get
back over 500 prisoners of war. The Paris accords of 1973 promised a cease-fire and in the end
the US lost over 58,000 American lives and spent $118 billion on the war which wrecked the US
economy for years.
Vocabulary:
- Ho Chi Minh: Communist leader of North Vietnam;
- Gulf of Tonkin Incident & Resolution: Vietnamese fired on a U.S. battleship that was
there to “support” South Vietnam. This was Johnson’s justification for U.S. military
intervention in Vietnam and congress allowed the president to exercise whatever powers
were considered necessary to protect American interests in the region.
- Credibility gap: Johnson was lying and sugarcoating the dire situations of the war, was
largely ineffective because many Americans had television and could see a clear
disconnect.
- Tet Offensive: Surprise North Vietnamese attack on U.S. troops. Johnson requested
200,000 troops be sent to Vietnam but his advisors turned against him and Johnson did
not run for office again.
- Vietnamization: Nixon’s goal to reduce American involvement without it looking like
defeat. Removed American troops and ground support while still giving South
Vietnamese financial aid and munitions.
Unit 8:9 - The Great Society
Summary: Johnson’s internal improvements during the Cold Era were largely just an expansion
of FDR’s New Deal. His idea for the “Great Society” was to abolish poverty through a series of
programs that mirrored the limited welfare state created by FDR. In the end, it only has limited
success and cycles of poverty, because lots of federal funding was being sucked up by the
Vietnam conflict. Still, the establishment of Medicare, Medicaid, and opportunities for
immigrants were great improvements that were implemented because of Johnson’s Great Society.
This was a golden age for liberalism, a great example of this was the Warren Court which made
great strides in the use of birth control, the separation of church and state, and the appointment of
attorneys. Lyndon B. Johnson's overarching idea was that the ills of society can be rated by
government action, and this reached its high point of efficacy in the mid 1600s.
Vocabulary:
- Office of Economic Opportunity: Literacy programs and vocational training to help
impoverished Americans to help abolish poverty. Not as effective as it could have been
because lots of funds were going to the war effort.
- Medicare: Program that introduced federally funded health insurance for people over 65
- Medicaid: federally funded health insurance for those in poverty.
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Warren Court: Supreme Court decisions under Chief Justice Earl Warren that expanded
liberalism.
Gideon v Wainwright (1963) - state will provide you an attorney if you can’t afford one.
Griswold v Connecticut (1965) - laws that forbade birth control were unconstitutional
Engel v Vitale (1962) - school mandated prayer was a violation of the separation of church and
state.
Baker v Carr (1962) - making sure that legislative district lines were periodically redrawn in
order to reflect actual population density. “One person, one vote”
Unit 8:10 - The African American Civil RIghts Movement (1960s)
Summary: in the 1960s, the civil rights movement got a second win with lots of engagements in
Woodcock and sittings by people of All ages. These nonviolent movements were often met with
extreme reactions, such as high-pressure fire hoses, Police dogs, and other manifestations of
brutal force. The most alarming part of all of this was lots of these practices were enacted on
children involved in the movement (Children’s Crusade). Another approach to the civil rights
movement was a more aggressive and militant movement led by Malcolm X, and he saw the
necessity of black militant groups like the black Panthers to secure black rights through violence.
Growing support for civil rights had significant results such as the civil rights act and voting
rights act of 1964 and 65. There were cases in the Supreme Court that expanded civil rights such
as Loving vs Virginia in 1967, which made interracial marriage legal. The civil rights movement
began to die down when Martin Luther King was murdered in 1968, but we must not forget the
legislative and judicial victories that were enacted because of protest and support.
Vocabulary:
- Montgomery Bus Boycott: Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat to a white passenger in
1955 and was arrested. The city led a year long boycott of the bus company that led it to
end its policy of requiring black passengers to yield their seats to whites.
- Sit-In Movement: Movement started by a younger crowd of activists where they would
sit at white only counters in restaurants and demand service.
- SCLC (Southern Christian Leadership Conference): In 1963, Martin Luther King Jr and
his followers would gather in Montgomery for peaceful protests that were often met with
excessive violence under public safety commissioner Bull Connons directions.
- March on Washington: 200,000 activists gathered at the Washington Monument and
listened to the “I Have a Dream” speech (society defined by equality).
- Civil Rights and Voting Rights Acts: made discrimination on the basis of race, religion,
or sex illegal. Prohibited racial discrimination by eliminating literacy tests and poll taxes.
Unit 8:11 - The Civil Rights Movement Expands
Summary: After the original uprising of the civil rights movement in the African-American
community, inspiration for justice soon followed in other minorities. For example, the women’s
movement was centered around looking for equality and a lot of traction after the world war
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when women took over men’s jobs as a part of the war effort and gave them a sense of national
pride and ability to contribute to society. The counterculture movement also provided a
significant surge in rights for women and their bodily autonomy. During this time. Latinos were
working for unlivable wages on farms and ranches, to combat this Cesar Chavez and Dolores
Huerta formed the United Farm Workers movement and they fought for increased wages. The
natives also formed the American Indian movement in 1968 to try and reclaim their heritage and
cultural practices and defend their right to self determination. Any example of their resistance
was the occupation of Alcatraz, which led to the self-determination act of 1975. Strides were also
taken in gay liberation with the stonewall inn raid of 1969 and in the 1970s Homosexuality was
no longer considered a mental illness.
Vocabulary:
- Feminine Mystique: Written by Betty Friedan, explored the boredom and imprisonment
of the typical housewife stander that was pushed in the 1950s who would take care of her
family at the expense of her own needs.
- National Organization for Women (NOW): She also helped fund NOW in 1966 which
helped advocate for women’s rights in securing equal opportunity and pay in professional
careers.
- Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972: banned any discrimination on the basis
of gender with respect to education, and secured funding for women’s sports in high
school/college.
- Equal Rights Amendment: wanted to add a sexual rights amendment to the constitution,
never ratified because of Phyllis Schlafly and her STOP ERA and the want to keep
privileges such as separate bathrooms, dependent wife benefits, and exemption from the
draft
- Occupation of Alcatraz: Occupational protest in 1968 led by the American Indian
Movement and resulted in the Self Determination Act of 1975 which gave Native control
over their lands, education, and law enforcement.
Unit 8:12 - Youth Culture of the 1960s
Summary: For decades, youth have always been at the forefront of change. This was specifically
relevant in the Vietnam war and in colleges, because these students were the ones at risk of being
drafted. There was also a movement emphasizing change and the rejection of conformity called
counterculture, and it was mainly adopted by the hippies who had expressive style of clothes,
music, and experimental drugs. Music such as Bob Dylan, Elvis, the Beatles, and Jimmy Hendrix
were a divide from the music that their parents listened to, and was a way for them to express
their individuality and rejection of homogeneity.
Vocabulary:
- Young Americans for Freedom (YAF): conservative students who supported AMerica’s
involvement in Vietnam, for the containment of communism.
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Students for a Democratic Society: (SDS): Didn’t want to be rafter for what they thought
was an immoral war.
Port Huron Statement: stressed participatory democracy and direct government action
Kent State Massacre: In 1970, The national guard was sent to oversee the protest to
prevent vandalism and looting, and one guard opened fire and killed 4 students.
Haight Ashbury District: Most concentrated manifestation of the hippie movement
Unit 8:13 - The Environment and Natural Resources from 1968 to 1980
Summary: Because of America’s alliance with Israel, tensions and the Middle East and the US
direly with respect to their access to Middle Eastern Oil. Because of this, America had to find
alternative sources of energy, like nuclear energy. Nuclear energy required uranium parentheses,
which was much more accessible) and did not emit greenhouse gasses, but in the end did not
gain much of a foothold because of the 3 mile island disaster and Chernobyl, which struck fear in
many Americans' minds regarding its safety. However, this did not dampen the momentum of the
environmental movement which led President Richard Nixon to create the environmental
protection agency to manage pollution, and this was partially a response to the river fire in 1969.
Another policy he passed was the clean air act in 1963.
Vocabulary:
- Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC): Oil producing Arab nations got
together to better control the prices of the oil they exported, raised prices and reduced
exports to America in 1973
- Three Mile Island: A nuclear reactor on this island in Philadelphia melted down in 1979
and expelled tons of radioactive waste. Made people weary of nuclear energy.
- Silent Spring: Written by Rachel Carson in 1962, discussed the dangers of DDT
pesticides and how they were destroying the Earth.
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): Established by Nixon in 1970, manage
pollution & pesticides and oversee regulations of industries that polluted.
- Clean Air Act: Also Nixon, law aimed to control air pollution on a national scale.
Unit 8:14 - Society in Transition
Summary: The period in the 1960s and Johnson’s great society was a time of liberal revolution
and protest against conformity. Soon after, there was a harsh conservative backlash when Reagan
was elected. The young Americans for freedom were some of the first conservative college
students who were instrumental in Avery Goldwaters New Right campaign. The John Birch
Society also opposed communism and emphasized radical and individualistic thinking.
America’s oil crisis and stagflation led to a recession in the 1970s which was only made worse
by president Nixon cutting federal spending. The Watergate scandal also came to play in 1972,
When Nixon's knowledge, endorsement, and cover-up of his reelection committee bugging
phones and stealing documents was revealed, Nixon was impeached, and then resigned. All of
this left many conservatives unsure and scared for the future of the nation. The last argument
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conservatives had with liberals was over affirmative action. A good example of this was Alan
Bakke v The University of California, where the Supreme Court ruled that minority quotas were
unconstitutional and violated the equal protection clause of the 14th amendment. They
determined that race cannot be the only determining factor for admission.
Vocabulary:
- New Right: Barry Goldwater’s campaign that resisted liberalism, openly populist and
Christian values, and was anti-egalitarian.
- John Birch Society: Extremist conservatives who opposed communism and advocated
for limited government and spun out right wing conspiracy theories.
- National Review: More moderate approach to conservatism, it was William F. Buckley’s
magazine denounced the JBS because he didn't want to radicalize the conservative
efforts.
- Religious Right: Group of conservative Christians who organized to oppose liberal trends
(Roe v Wade)
- Moral Majority: In 1979, evangelist pastor Jerry Falwl founded the moral majority which
seamlessly mended conservatism and Christianity.
Unit 8 Short Answer Questions
1.
a) Briefly explain ONE specific postwar event that would support the rhetoric of
Joseph McCarthy.
The Rosenberg trial accused and executed an undercover Soviet couple of espionage and stealing
plans that helped the Soviet Union develop their version of the atomic bomb. Was nationally
covered, and helped rationalize his intense beliefs.
b) Briefly explain ONE specific tactic used by Joseph McCarthy that was condemned
as a “witch hunt” or “McCarthyism”
His maneuvers of spreading paranoia and misinformation included making Union leaders swear
they were not communists under the Federal Loyalty and Security program. He would use
powerful language and fear-mongering to gain support.
c) Briefly explain ONE cause of McCarthy’s appeal to blue-collar Americans
Most of his support came from blue collar citizens because of their shared criticism of the
educated elite. McCarthy couldn’t appeal to anyone who was too educated because they would
see through his overbearing and extreme tactics, so instead he manipulated and scared the less
educated lower class.
2.
a) Briefly explain ONE significant cause of the Cold War
After the Soviet Union violated the terms of the Yalta congress and gained communist control in
many of the countries on the border between Germany and Russia, the U.S. recognized the
importance of battling the overbearing hand of communism that was grasping all of these newly
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decolonized countries. Preventing the spread of communism and continuing democratic
influence across the globe was of utmost importance to many of the Persidents during this time
such as Eisenhower, Truman, and Kennedy.
b) Briefly explain how ONE of the following either supported or hindered the
achievement of US foreign policy goals
- UN Security Council
- Marshall Plan
- NATO
The Marshall Plan successfully aided many European nations rebuild themselves after WWII and
was a success in the U.S. policy to contain communism. Rebuilding and stabilizing foreign
governments and economies with American dollars greatly helped stop the influence of
communism overseas.
3.
a) Briefly explain ONE way the Great Society attacked poverty
Johnson’s Great Society was an extension of FDR’s New Deal and it’s goal was the use of
government intervention and the use of a limited welfare state to help many Americans escape
poverty such as The Office of Economic Opportunity that provided vocational training to help
unskilled workers get jobs.
b) Briefly explain ONE way the Warren Court expanded the rights of defendants in
the criminal justice system.
It established the rights of the 5th amendment and the right to an attorney to be appointed to you
if you cannot afford one.
c) Briefly analyze of effect of the “one man, one vote” policy on American politics
It emphasized democracy and equal rights by making it necessary to redraw state legislation lines
to more accurately represent the population and make sure that everyone had the same weight of
votes.
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