-
Cold War
- Cause: Post-World War II power vacuum; ideological clash between the U.S. (capitalism) and the Soviet Union (communism).
- Effect: Sustained geopolitical tension, arms race, and multiple proxy wars around the globe.
- Cause: Post-World War II power vacuum; ideological clash between the U.S. (capitalism) and the Soviet Union (communism).
-
Truman Doctrine
- Cause: U.S. concern over the spread of communism, particularly in Greece and Turkey.
- Effect: Established U.S. foreign policy of containment, leading to military and economic support for countries resisting communism.
- Cause: U.S. concern over the spread of communism, particularly in Greece and Turkey.
-
Korean War
- Cause: North Korea's invasion of South Korea in 1950, which was backed by the Soviet Union and China.
- Effect: A stalemate resulted in division of Korea at the 38th parallel, solidifying the Cold War tensions in Asia.
- Cause: North Korea's invasion of South Korea in 1950, which was backed by the Soviet Union and China.
-
McCarthyism
- Cause: Fear of communism during the early Cold War; Senator Joseph McCarthy's opportunism.
- Effect: Widespread accusations and investigations led to political repression, social paranoia, and a culture of fear in the U.S.
- Cause: Fear of communism during the early Cold War; Senator Joseph McCarthy's opportunism.
-
Brown v. Board of Education
- Cause: Legal challenge against racial segregation in public schools.
- Effect: Supreme Court ruling declared segregated schools unconstitutional, fueling the Civil Rights Movement.
- Cause: Legal challenge against racial segregation in public schools.
-
Montgomery Bus Boycott
- Cause: Rosa Parks' arrest for refusing to give up her bus seat, highlighting racial injustices.
- Effect: Led to a Supreme Court ruling that segregation on public buses was unconstitutional and boosted the national Civil Rights Movement.
- Cause: Rosa Parks' arrest for refusing to give up her bus seat, highlighting racial injustices.
-
Vietnam War
1955-1975
- Cause: U.S. commitment to prevent the spread of communism in Southeast Asia.
- Effect: Long and costly conflict; significant loss of life; led to anti-war movements and distrust in government. -
Sputnik
- Cause: Soviet Union's successful launch of the first artificial satellite.
- Effect: Triggered the Space Race and significant U.S. investments in science and education.
- Cause: Soviet Union's successful launch of the first artificial satellite.
-
Cuban Missile Crisis
- Cause: Soviet deployment of nuclear missiles in Cuba, viewed as a direct threat to the U.S.
- Effect: Brought the world to the brink of nuclear war; resulted in a U.S.-Soviet agreement to reduce tensions.
- Cause: Soviet deployment of nuclear missiles in Cuba, viewed as a direct threat to the U.S.
-
JFK Assassinated
- Cause: Political tensions and opposition to JFK’s policies.
- Effect: Shocked the nation, led to Lyndon B. Johnson's presidency, and the escalation of the Vietnam War.
- Cause: Political tensions and opposition to JFK’s policies.
-
March on Washington
- Cause: Push for civil rights and racial equality.
- Effect: Martin Luther King Jr.’s "I Have a Dream" speech raised national awareness for civil rights, influencing legislation.
- Cause: Push for civil rights and racial equality.
-
Civil Rights Act
- Cause: Ongoing civil rights activism and public support for ending segregation and discrimination.
- Effect: Outlawed discrimination and segregation, marking a significant victory for the Civil Rights Movement.
- Cause: Ongoing civil rights activism and public support for ending segregation and discrimination.
-
Tet Offensive
- Cause: A surprise attack by North Vietnamese and Viet Cong forces during the Vietnamese New Year.
- Effect: Shifted U.S. public opinion against the Vietnam War, leading to increased protests.
- Cause: A surprise attack by North Vietnamese and Viet Cong forces during the Vietnamese New Year.
-
MLK Killed
- Cause: Assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. by James Earl Ray.
- Effect: Resulted in nationwide riots and mourning; intensified focus on civil rights issues and the push for legislation.
- Cause: Assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. by James Earl Ray.
-
RFK Killed
- Cause: Assassination of Robert F. Kennedy while campaigning for the presidency.
- Effect: Furthered national turmoil and grief; impacted political landscape and American confidence.
- Cause: Assassination of Robert F. Kennedy while campaigning for the presidency.
-
Moon Landing
- Cause: U.S. competition with the Soviet Union in the Space Race.
- Effect: Significant technological and scientific achievement; boosted national pride and inspired future generations.
- Cause: U.S. competition with the Soviet Union in the Space Race.
-
Watergate Break-in
- Cause: Political discontent and the need for intelligence in the political sphere.
- Effect: Triggered a major political scandal leading to President Nixon's resignation in 1974.
- Cause: Political discontent and the need for intelligence in the political sphere.
-
Roe v. Wade
- Cause: Legal challenge regarding a woman's right to choose an abortion.
- Effect: Supreme Court ruling established abortion rights, leading to ongoing debates about reproductive rights.
- Cause: Legal challenge regarding a woman's right to choose an abortion.
-
Iranian Hostage Crisis
(1979-1981)
- Cause: U.S. support for the Shah of Iran led to anti-American sentiment during the Islamic Revolution.
- Effect: 52 American diplomats and citizens held hostage for 444 days; affected U.S. foreign policy and public perception.