social studies Flashcards
(41 cards)
What was the Truman Doctrine?
A U.S. foreign policy providing military, financial, and political aid to democratic countries threatened by communism.
The doctrine aimed to contain the spread of communism after World War II.
What was the purpose of the Marshall Plan?
To provide economic aid to Western Europe after World War II to rebuild economies and prevent communism.
The plan was crucial for the recovery of Europe and the containment of Soviet influence.
What was the Arms Race?
The competition between the U.S. and Soviet Union to develop better weapons and nuclear technology.
This arms buildup contributed to Cold War tensions.
What was the Berlin Airlift?
The U.S. supplied West Berlin with food and fuel by air after the Soviet blockade.
It was a response to communist pressure during the early Cold War.
What does NATO stand for?
North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
NATO was formed to provide collective security against the Soviet Union.
What was the Korean War?
A conflict involving U.S. intervention to support South Korea against North Korea’s communist expansion.
It exemplified the Cold War’s policy of containment.
Define the Cold War.
A period of intense rivalry between the U.S. and Soviet Union centered on the containment of communism worldwide.
It lasted from the late 1940s until the early 1990s.
What was the Bay of Pigs Invasion?
A failed military operation by the U.S. to overthrow Fidel Castro in Cuba in April 1961.
The operation was a significant embarrassment for the Kennedy administration.
What triggered the Cuban Missile Crisis?
Cuba secretly housed Soviet missiles, leading to a tense U.S.-Soviet confrontation.
The crisis is considered the closest the Cold War came to escalating into a nuclear war.
Who was Joseph McCarthy?
A U.S. Senator who fueled fears of communist infiltration in the government during the Red Scare.
His actions led to investigations and accusations without proper evidence.
What was the Tonkin Gulf Resolution?
A resolution passed by Congress in August 1964 giving President Johnson authority to use military force in Vietnam.
It was based on reported attacks on U.S. ships.
What does the term ‘Silent Majority’ refer to?
Americans who supported U.S. efforts in Vietnam and traditional values but did not publicly protest.
The term was popularized by President Nixon in a 1969 speech.
What were the reasons America became involved in Vietnam?
To prevent the spread of communism, support South Vietnam, and due to the domino theory.
The belief was that if Vietnam fell, neighboring countries would follow.
How did American views on the Vietnam War change after the Tet Offensive?
Many Americans lost faith in the war effort, believing it was unwinnable despite military successes.
The Tet Offensive marked a significant turning point in public opinion.
What was the reaction to Nixon’s invasion of Cambodia?
It triggered massive protests and public outrage across the United States.
Many viewed it as an escalation of the Vietnam War.
What happened during the Kent State student protests?
National Guard troops opened fire on students, killing four and wounding nine.
This incident intensified antiwar sentiment nationwide.
When did U.S. and North Vietnam peace talks begin?
In Paris in 1968, leading to the Paris Peace Accords in 1973.
The accords resulted in a ceasefire and U.S. troop withdrawal.
What is the War Powers Act?
A law passed in 1973 limiting the president’s ability to send U.S. forces into combat without congressional approval.
It was passed over President Nixon’s veto.
Why was the Vietnam War called the ‘Living-Room War’?
Because graphic combat footage was broadcast on television, bringing the realities of war into American homes.
This visibility fueled opposition to the war.
What does CORE stand for?
Congress of Racial Equality.
CORE was a civil rights organization fighting to end segregation.
What was the role of the NAACP?
To challenge segregation and racial injustice through legal channels.
The organization has been pivotal in civil rights advocacy.
What was the SCLC?
Southern Christian Leadership Conference.
It organized nonviolent protests for civil rights, led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
What is the SNCC?
Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee.
A youth-driven group known for organizing sit-ins and voter registration drives.
What actions did President Truman take for Civil Rights?
Desegregated the U.S. military and advocated for civil rights legislation.
His efforts laid groundwork for future civil rights advancements.
