post war american society Flashcards
(40 cards)
1
Q
What was the G.I. Bill of Rights and how did it support post-war prosperity?
A
- Passed in 1944 to support returning WWII veterans
- Provided around $13 billion for:
- Education and training
- Housing and business loans
- Helped prevent a post-war recession
- Contributed to a strong middle class and economic boom
2
Q
What was the baby boom and what impact did it have on American society?
A
- In 1946, the USA saw a record number of births
- The generation born became known as “baby boomers”
- Created a huge demand for housing and consumer goods
- Sparked the growth of mass-produced suburbs, e.g. Levittowns
3
Q
How did suburban growth fuel consumerism in the 1950s?
A
Suburbs offered:
- Affordable, modern homes with appliances
- Iconic features like white picket fences and lawns
Encouraged mass consumption of:
- Cars, refrigerators, TVs
1956 Federal Aid Highway Act improved transport, enabling:
- Shopping malls
- Drive-in cinemas
- Fast food restaurants
4
Q
What was President Truman’s Fair Deal and what did it aim to do?
A
- Truman’s domestic reform plan, continuing Roosevelt’s New Deal
- Aimed to improve social welfare, civil rights, and economic equality
- Targeted areas like housing, minimum wage, and social justice
- Had mixed success due to political opposition
5
Q
What were the successes of the Fair Deal?
A
- Desegregated the military (Executive Order 9981, 1948)
- Increased minimum wage from 40c to 75c/hour
- Expanded Social Security coverage
- Funded low-cost housing and slum clearance
- Created a commission to investigate racial injustice
6
Q
What were the failures of the Fair Deal and why?
A
- Could not pass a national health insurance plan
- Opposed by Republicans and American Medical
Association - Civil rights laws blocked by Southern Democrats in Congress
- Southern leaders opposed changes to racial segregation - Many reforms faced strong political resistance
7
Q
Why did rock’n’roll become popular among American teenagers in the 1950s?
A
-Teenagers had more free time and disposable income after WWII
- Rock’n’roll was energetic, had a strong rhythm, and was easy to dance to
- DJ Alan Freed promoted African American R&B music as “rock’n’roll” to appeal to white audiences
- Artists like Chuck Berry, Little Richard, and Ritchie Valens gained popularity across racial lines
- Elvis Presley became a major figure with hits like Heartbreak Hotel in 1956
8
Q
How did television impact American culture in the 1950s?
A
- By 1960, 87% of American homes owned a TV
- Became the main source of entertainment and news, replacing radio
- Sitcoms like I Love Lucy and Leave It to Beaver shaped idealised family life
- Helped create a shared national culture across regional differences
- TV became more affordable and accessible during the decade
9
Q
How did the film industry respond to the rise of television in the 1950s?
A
- Films were shown in colour and widescreen, unlike black-and-white TV
- Gimmicks like 3D were introduced to attract viewers
- Promoted glamorous stars like Marilyn Monroe and rebellious icons like James Dean and Marlon Brando
- Positioned cinema as a more exciting, immersive experience than TV at home
10
Q
What was the Second Red Scare and why did it happen?
A
After World War Two, tensions rose between the USA and the USSR as their opposing ideologies of capitalism and communism led to the Cold War.
The USSR’s control over Eastern Europe and the creation of communist satellite states made Americans fear a global communist expansion.
In 1949, China became a communist country under Mao Zedong, shocking Americans who thought communism was mainly a European threat.
The USSR’s successful testing of an atomic bomb in the same year increased fears that Soviet spies were stealing American secrets.
High-profile espionage cases like those of Alger Hiss and the Rosenbergs convinced many Americans that communists had infiltrated the US government.
The Truman administration introduced loyalty checks and anti-communist investigations, which helped spread fear and suspicion across the country.
11
Q
What was the role of the HUAC (House Un-American Activities Committee)?
A
- Investigated suspected communists after WWII
- Held aggressive and public hearings — often pressuring witnesses
Accused key figures:
- Alger Hiss was convicted of perjury (1950)
- Ethel and Julius Rosenberg were executed in 1953 for espionage
- Accusations sometimes lacked strong evidence, but were widely publicised
12
Q
Who was Senator Joseph McCarthy and what was McCarthyism?
A
- Republican senator from Wisconsin
- Claimed in 1950 to have a list of 200+ communists in government
- Used public fear to gain power and media attention
- Accused people without solid evidence — often ruined reputations
- McCarthyism = paranoid, unproven accusations of communism
13
Q
Why was McCarthyism significant in 1950s America?
A
- Created a culture of fear — people feared being accused or blacklisted
- Civil liberties were violated (e.g. right to a fair trial, freedom of speech)
- Many lost jobs and careers, especially in entertainment and government
- Even President Eisenhower avoided directly challenging McCarthy
14
Q
What led to McCarthy’s downfall?
A
- In 1954, McCarthy accused the US Army of being “soft” on communism
- Army-McCarthy hearings were televised, revealing his aggressive tactics
- Public opinion turned against him due to his bullying behaviour
- Senate voted to censure McCarthy later that year
- Lost influence and died in 1957
15
Q
How does McCarthyism reflect wider Cold War fears in the USA?
A
Showed how deeply fear of communism shaped American society
Reflected anxiety over USSR’s growing power and espionage threats
Reinforced anti-communist foreign and domestic policies (containment)
Exposed tensions between national security and civil rights
Linked to wider Cold War context — not just internal politics
16
Q
Why was Plessy v. Ferguson (1896) significant?
A
- Legalised segregation under “separate but equal” doctrine.
- Justified Jim Crow laws that enforced racial separation.
- Led to unequal public services and opportunities for Black Americans.
- Protected by the Supreme Court, so hard to challenge legally.
- Deepened racism, especially in southern states.
17
Q
What did Brown v. Board of Education (1954) achieve?
A
- Supreme Court ruled segregated schools were unconstitutional.
- NAACP lawyers proved segregation harmed Black children’s education.
- Overturned Plessy v. Ferguson for schools specifically.
- Aimed to end segregation in public education.
- Provided legal momentum to the civil rights movement.
18
Q
Why was the Little Rock Crisis important (1957)?
A
- Central High School in Arkansas was ordered to desegregate.
- White mobs and the governor tried to block Black students.
- Showed Southern resistance to federal desegregation laws.
- Highlighted how court rulings were ignored locally.
- Drew national and international attention to civil rights.
19
Q
How did President Eisenhower respond?
A
- Governor Faubus used the National Guard to stop integration.
- Eisenhower sent federal troops to protect the Little Rock Nine.
- Asserted federal authority over state defiance.
- First major presidential intervention in civil rights.
- Helped students attend school safely but under threat.
20
Q
What happened to the Little Rock Nine?
A
- Faced daily racist abuse and threats inside the school.
- Elizabeth Eckford was harassed by an angry white mob alone.
- Minnijean Brown was expelled after reacting to bullying.
- They were brave but experienced trauma and isolation.
- Became national symbols of the fight against segregation.
21
Q
What was grassroots activism in the civil rights movement?
A
- Involved ordinary people, not just famous leaders, fighting for racial equality.
- Local communities organised protests, sit-ins, and legal challenges.
- Inspired national attention through acts of courage and non-violence.
- Events like Emmett Till’s murder and the Montgomery Bus Boycott sparked outrage and activism.
- Created momentum that helped drive legal and political change.
- Showed that mass participation—not just leadership—was essential to success.
22
Q
Why did the Montgomery Bus Boycott start?
A
- Rosa Parks, a local NAACP activist, was arrested on 1 December 1955 for refusing to give up her seat to a white man.
- Her arrest sparked outrage in the African American community of Montgomery, Alabama.
- The NAACP and Women’s Political Council quickly organised a bus boycott to protest segregation.
- The Montgomery Improvement Association was formed to lead the movement.
- Dr Martin Luther King Jr., a young Baptist minister, was chosen as the leader of the boycott.
- The boycott was a powerful act of non-violent resistance aimed at ending segregation on public buses.
23
Q
What was the impact of the Montgomery Bus Boycott?
A
- The boycott lasted 381 days and severely hurt the finances of the Montgomery bus company.
- Black residents organised carpools, walked to work, and remained united in their protest.
- The campaign gained national attention and showed the power of mass grassroots activism.
- In 1956, the Supreme Court ruled that segregation on buses was unconstitutional.
- The boycott marked Martin Luther King Jr.’s rise as a national civil rights leader.
- It inspired similar movements across the South and became a model for peaceful protest.
24
Q
What was non-violent direct action and how did it help the Civil Rights Movement?
A
- Non-violent direct action involved peaceful protests and civil disobedience to challenge segregation and racism.
- Tactics included sit-ins, freedom rides, boycotts, and peaceful marches (e.g., the 1963 March on Washington).
- Activists refused to retaliate, even when faced with violence or arrest.
- Televised images of peaceful protesters being attacked shocked the public and increased support for civil rights.
- Helped pressure the US government to pass key laws like the Civil Rights Act (1964) and the Voting Rights Act (1965).
- Inspired by Martin Luther King Jr. and the philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi.
25
What were the Greensboro sit-ins and why were they significant?
- Began in February 1960 by Black students in Greensboro, North Carolina at a segregated Woolworth's lunch counter.
- Inspired similar sit-ins across the South — over 50,000 students took part by April.
- Peaceful protest against segregation that helped energise the youth-led civil rights movement.
- Led to the formation of SNCC (Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee), promoting grassroots activism.
26
What role did the SCLC and SNCC play in the Birmingham Campaign (1963)?
- SCLC (founded by Dr King in 1957) used non-violent protest to challenge segregation.
- In April 1963, they launched a desegregation campaign in Birmingham, Alabama.
- Included sit-ins, marches, boycotts, and support from SNCC and local schoolchildren.
- Protesters faced brutal police violence (fire hoses, police dogs); images were televised, gaining national sympathy.
- Increased pressure on the government to act on civil rights.
27
What was the significance of the March on Washington (1963) and Bloody Sunday (1965)?
March on Washington (August 1963): 250,000+ people gathered for jobs and freedom; broadcast nationwide.
- Featured speeches by John Lewis (SNCC) and Dr King’s “I Have a Dream” speech.
- Helped build support for the Civil Rights Act (1964).
Bloody Sunday (March 1965): SCLC-led Selma to Montgomery march for voting rights.
- Marchers were violently attacked by police; shocking footage aired nationally.
- Contributed to the passing of the Voting Rights Act (1965).
28
What was the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and why was it important?
- Passed by President Lyndon B. Johnson under pressure from the civil rights movement.
- Outlawed segregation in all public places (e.g. restaurants, schools, transport).
- Banned discrimination in employment based on race, colour, religion, sex, or national origin.
- Marked the official end of Jim Crow laws in the South.
- Gave the federal government power to enforce desegregation and investigate civil rights abuses.
29
What did the Voting Rights Act of 1965 achieve?
- Targeted racial discrimination in voting, especially in the Southern states.
- Banned literacy tests, poll taxes, and other barriers used to stop Black people voting.
- Allowed federal officials to supervise elections and voter registration in areas where discrimination had occurred.
- Led to a significant increase in African American voter registration and political representation.
- A key response to events like Bloody Sunday and the Selma marches.
30
What was the Fair Housing Act (part of the 1968 Civil Rights Act)?
- Banned discrimination in housing based on race, religion, or national origin.
- Made it illegal to refuse to sell or rent property based on these factors.
- Aimed to tackle segregation in housing and improve access to better living conditions for minorities.
- Came shortly after Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination, partly in response to civil unrest.
31
How did the 1968 Civil Rights Act support Native American rights?
- Extended civil rights protections to Native American tribes.
- Affirmed the right of Native Americans to self-determination and equal treatment under the law.
- Recognised Native Americans’ tribal sovereignty while still protecting individual rights.
- Marked an important step in expanding the civil rights movement beyond just African American issues.
32
Who was Malcolm X and what were his beliefs?
- Former member of the Nation of Islam, a Black separatist group.
- Changed his name from Malcolm Little to Malcolm X to reject his "slave name".
- Believed in Black pride, self-reliance, and armed self-defence, unlike MLK’s non-violence.
- Powerful speaker who exposed systemic racism and promoted Black identity and dignity.
- Inspired the Black Power movement and later organisations like the Black Panthers.
33
What was the significance of Malcolm X after leaving the Nation of Islam?
- Left the Nation of Islam in March 1964 due to ideological disagreements.
- Founded the Organization of Afro-American Unity (OAAU) to fight racism globally and support civil rights.
- Became more open to working with other civil rights leaders, including those supporting non-violence.
- Assassinated in 1965, but his message influenced future activism, especially the Black Power movement.
- His legacy focused on Black empowerment, anti-colonialism, and challenging injustice worldwide.
34
Why did the idea of Black Power emerge in the mid-1960s?
- New civil rights laws (1964 & 1965) improved legal rights, but did not solve poverty or racism.
- Black unemployment was twice as high as for white Americans.
- Many Black communities still faced poor housing, low wages, and police brutality.
- Frustration grew, especially among younger activists, leading to a demand for greater economic justice, safety, and pride.
35
What did Stokely Carmichael mean by ‘Black Power’?
- SNCC leader Carmichael used the term in 1966, calling for a new approach.
- Had supported non-violence but became disillusioned after peaceful protestors were violently attacked.
'Black Power' meant:
- Pride in Black identity and heritage
- Autonomy – Black communities having control over their lives
- Solidarity – working together for progress
- Greater economic and political power
It was both a slogan and a radical new strategy.
36
How was Black Power shown at the 1968 Olympics?
- Tommie Smith and John Carlos gave the Black Power salute on the victory podium at the 1968 Olympics (200m event).
- Wore black gloves, no shoes (to highlight poverty), and looked down during the anthem.
- The protest was televised globally — sparked massive attention.
- Seen as a bold protest against racism in the USA and a symbol of Black pride and resistance.
37
Which famous figures supported Black Power and why?
Muhammad Ali, world-famous boxer, became a civil rights figure.
- Refused to fight in the Vietnam War in 1967, saying it was unfair to fight abroad while Black people were oppressed at home.
- Lost his title, faced jail, but became a symbol of courage and Black pride.
-Smith and Carlos also became role models, despite being punished for their Olympic protest.
- These figures helped bring Black Power ideas to a wider audience, showing confidence and resistance.
38
What was the Black Panther Party for Self-Defense and what did it believe in?
- Founded in 1966 by Huey Newton and Bobby Seale in California.
Published a Ten-Point Plan demanding:
- Full employment
- Decent housing and education
- An end to police brutality
- Believed non-violence was not enough to achieve real freedom.
- Used their constitutional right to carry weapons and formed patrols to monitor police behaviour in Black communities.
- Promoted self-determination, community empowerment, and Black pride.
39
How did the government respond to the Black Panther Party?
- The FBI, led by J. Edgar Hoover, saw the Panthers as a threat.
- Launched COINTELPRO, a secret programme to disrupt and destroy Black activist groups.
- Used spying, wiretapping, and false criminal charges to target Panther leaders.
- Panthers were accused of violence, but they also ran community programmes (e.g. free school breakfasts, health clinics).
- The government’s crackdown showed how radical Black activism was treated as a serious threat during this time.
40
What happened during the assassination of Dr Martin Luther King Jr, and why was it significant?
By the late 1960s, Dr King focused more on economic and social justice, including poverty and workers’ rights.
He also spoke out against the Vietnam War, which made him controversial in some circles.
In April 1968, he went to Memphis, Tennessee, to support a strike by Black sanitation workers demanding equal pay and treatment.
On 4 April 1968, he was assassinated on the balcony of his hotel by James Earl Ray, a white racist.
His death led to riots in over 100 US cities, showing the deep anger and frustration over racism and inequality.
Dr King’s assassination marked a turning point — many activists became more radical, feeling peaceful protest alone was not enough.
