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G.I. Bill (Servicemen's Readjustment Act 1944)
The returning of veterans from WWI was a rough & low time, & Roosevelt wanted to do better for the veterans returning from WWII. He also wanted to expand the middle class to prevent an economic problem. The preparation for returning vets began well before the end of the war. Former American Legion National Commander, Harry W. Colmery, suggested to extend rights to all men and female veterans of WWII, not just certain vets who met specifically set criteria. His idea adopted the basis of the G.I. -
HUAC
The HUAC was a committee of the U.S House of Representatives that investigated claimed communist activity in the U.S. during the early years of the Cold War. Hearings were in front of Congress, and produced dramatic and sometimes questionable responses form the accused. This organization represented the fear, distrust, and repression during the years of the Cold War and the anticommunist hysteria in the 1950s. -
Containment Policy
The containment policy was a United States policy that used different strategies to prevent the spread of communism in the U.S. . It was a middle ground between détente and rollback. -
Truman Doctrine
Foreign American Policy who's purpose was to counteract the spread of communism during the cold war. The policy was further developed when the U.S. declared to support Turkey and Greece against communist control. This policy supported free people under oppression of their government, which is one of the main ideas of America. -
Rust Belt vs Sun Belt
The rust belt was the midwestern and northwestern area in the U.S. of cities whos populations and economies were depleting, due to the halt of productions of many raw materials during WWII, which left many factories abandoned in the middle of globalization and an oil crisis in the U.S. The sun belt consisted of the warm climate states, whos economies were boosted by chemical, electronic, oil, and weapons industries. This area was a new place of opportunity for the rust belt "refugees". -
Cold War
After WWII, tensions between the once-allied nations, the U.S. and the Soviets, increased. Stalins increase of thirst for the spread of communism created a wary nation in America. The U.S. began their containment policy as the soviets spread communism to satellight nations, and the Cold War had begun. Throughout the Cold War was a race of technology, such as atomic bombs and space technology, and a race of bomb threats between the nations. -
Levittown
Levittown is the iconic postwar planned community. It began as a shrewd business move, when the homebuilding firm Levitt and Sons specialized in middle class dwellings on New Yorks Long Island before WWII. To provide homes for the returning veterans, the company bought seven square miles to make residents from 1947 to 1951. -
Berlin Airlift
The Berlin Airlift was the action taken to continue transporting goods into Soviet-Occupied Western Berlin after the Soviets had closed all roads and means of ground transportation into Berlin. Against the hopes of the Soviets, who wished to occupy Germany for themselves, the U.S., France, and Britain continued to delivers supplies into Berlin. For one year, nearly 2.3 million tons of cargo was delivered into West Berlin. -
Marshall Plan
The Marshall Plan was the program towards Europes recovery after WWII, and $13 million was funded to finance Europes economic recovery from 1948 to 1951. It was succesful at sparking economic recovery, and is named after the man who commerced it: Secretary of State George C. Marshall. -
National Atlantic Treaty Organization
NATO is a political and military alliance, created by the U.S. and Great Britain in 1949 to protect independent countries from communism. NATO upholds democratic values and is aimed to build trust and prevent conflict between nations. NATO also is committed to peaceful resolutions, though when necessary, will have the military to handle situations. There are currently 29 members. -
Domino Theory
The Domino Theory was the belief that the communist government in one government would spread to other nations neighboring that country quickly. This reason was a was to justify the U.S.'s involvement in the Vietnam War. -
Iron Curtain
As defined by Churchill's speech, the Iron Curtain was the separation between Western and Eastern Europe that had descended upon them. Western Europe had political freedom, and Eastern Europe was under Soviet Rule. The term was also used to describe the isolation the Soviet union had. -
Beatniks
The Beatniks sought real experiences, and were mainly writers who wrote about physical and spiritual pleasures. Ginsberg and Kerouac were the two most important figures. This small group of novelists attracted the youth of the age, and its fashion and stereotypes found their way into pop culture. The Beat movement was short lived. -
McCarthyism
Wisconsin Senator Joseph McCarthy claimed that 205 communists had infiltrated into the State Department, and conducted a series of investigations and hearings in effort to expose the supposed communists in various areas of the government. The term is now used to describe defamation of character and/or reputation by public unsustained charges. -
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Rock n' Roll
The popular music known as "Rock n' Roll" originated in the U.S. in the mid 1950s. Throughout the next decade, Rock n' Roll would evolve from its simplest form to what is more familiarly known. It is founded on country-music and R&B, and was more exotic and thrilling than any music before its time. A major early Rock n' Roll figure was Elvis Presley. -
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Space Race
With the rise of communism in Europe, and the beginning of the Cold War, the growing threat of nuclear weapons, wide range and counter espionage, & the war in Korea grew tension. Tensions led to the creation of NASA in the U.S. In 1968, Apollo 8 was the first manned mission to orbit the moon, & on July 16, 1969, the U.S. astronauts Neil Armstrong Edwin Aldrin, & Michael Collins, the Apollo 11 space mission was successful, and the U.S. had their first, and the worlds first, lunar landing & walk. -
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1950s Prosperity
The United States stood at the top of the world in the 1950's. It had the strongest military power, a booming economy, new inventions of technology, and availability of productions. Many conflicts also arose, such as the civil rights movement and the fight of communism at home in the U.S. -
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Korean War
75,000 soldier of the North Korean People's Army invaded South Korea across the 38th parallel. By July, America entered the war on South Koreas behalf. Many worried it would be the beginning of a war with communism itself, or the beginning of WWIII. By the end of the war, 5 million soldiers and civilians lost their lives. Korea is still divided by North (Dictator side) and South (Republic Side). -
Rosenberg Trial
Ethel and Julius Rosenberg were on trial in New York southern district court for the accusation of selling nuclear secrets to the Russians. They were members of the Communist Party, and the only evidence to support the accusation was their confession of Greenglass. -
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight D. Eisenhower was the supreme commander of the Allies in WWII. He led the massive invasion on D-Day. He also ran for president against the democrats and won presidency, serving through the Cold-war tensions and the Korean War. -
Ray Koc
Rya Kroc was an American entrepreneur who expanded the small local chain known as McDonalds to the worlds most profitable franchise, by wanting quality to taste as good in Alaska as it did in Alabama. His famous slogan was "In business for yourself, but not by yourself." He was able to persuade both franchises and suppliers to by into his vision with this slogan. -
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Vietnam War
A costly and long war between the North Vietnamese and their Communist allies and the South Vietnamese with their U.S. allies. The conflict grew due to the cold war. More than 3 million people were killed. Opposition to the war bitterly divided americans. The U.S. military withdrawal from South Vietnam after an agreement was reached. This was caused by the Democrats in congress who prevented much of the militaries needed power to win the war, & south Vietnam was taken over for two years later. -
Interstate Highway Act
President D. Eisenhower singed the Federal-Aid highway act, which would create 41,000 miles of highway that improved roads to make them more quick and safe. These roads would also provide a quick evacuation from key cities targeted by atomic bomb attacks, allowing a whole other level of safety to be considered in case of emergencies. -
Sputnik
Sputnik was the worlds fist artificial satellite, launched by the Soviet Union. This launch would being the Space Race between the Soviet Union & the U.S. The satellite made an orbit around the earth every hour and 36 minutes and had signals being sent back to Earth that were strong enough to be picked up by amateur radio operators. In January, 1958, the satellites orbit was broke and it burned up in Earths atmosphere. The U.S. feared these technological advancements, and the space race began. -
John F. Kennedy
John F. Kennedy was the 35th president of the United States. He was the youngest man and first Catholic President in office. Kennedy was born into one of the wealthiest families, had an elite education, and was a military hero. He confronted the Cold War tensions in Cuba, Vietnam, and other places, and provided federal support for the Civil Rights movement. On Nov. 22, 1963, he was Assassinated in Dallas, Texas and sent a silent shock wave around the world. -
Bay of Pigs Invasion
Fidel Castro, Cuban nationalist, overthrew General Fulgencio Batista in Havana. The U.S and CIA tried to push Castro from power, and in April 1961, launched what they believed would be a definitive strike to bring down the communist and dictatorial government. The invasion failed, as the invaders were badly outnumbered by Castro's troops and surrendered within 24 hours. -
Jonas Salk
Jonas Salk was born in New York, and was the eldest of three Russian- Jewish immigrants. He was the first in his family to go to college, and earned his Medical Degree from the New York University School of Medicine in 1939. Throughout his advancing career, he would developed a vaccine to the frightening virus of the time: Polio. The vaccine was safe and effective, and dropped the number of polio cases form more than 45,000 to only 910 by 1962. -
Cuban Missile Crisis
The Cuban Missile Crisis was a very directly dangerous conflict between the Soviets and the U.S. during the Cold War. This was a time of high nuclear conflict between the two superpowers, when the
Soviets based nuclear missiles in dictatorial Cuba, 40 miles from Florida, U.S. This 13 day political and military standoff brought the world to believe a nuclear war was near. Disaster was avoided by a treaty to agree to no nuclear testing above ground, and the U.S. promising not to invade Cuba. -
Betty Friedan
Betty Friedan broke new ground by exploring the new idea of women participating out of tradition. She helped advance the women's right movement and was a founder of the National Organization for Women. She also encouraged women's involvement in politics. -
Great Society
The Great Society was a series of legislations, programs, and policies by Lyndon B. Johnson to end poverty, reduce crime, abolish inequality, and improve the environment. This was the largest social reform in history. Johnson presented his goals at his speech in 1964 at the university of Michigan. -
Baby Boomers Generation
Nearly nine months after WWI, the cry on the baby was heard across the nation and the generation of the baby boomers began. In 1946, more babies were born than ever before. 3.4 million babies were born, which was a 20% increase from the usual number. The baby boomer generation continued, with more than 4 million babies being born every year, until 1964 when the boom began to taper off. 76.4 million people, known as the "baby boomers", made up 40% of the population in the U.S. -
Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
Authorized by President Lyndon Johnson, the U.S. took all the measures necessary to stop the spread of communism in Northern Vietnam. Two destroyers stationed off the coast of Vietnam were attacked, and the U.S. became fully involved in the Vietnam War. -
Lyndon B. Johnson
L.B.J was the 36th president of the United States. He was sworn into office after the assassination of J.F.K. He aimed his reforms to his idea known as the "Great Society", to improve American life. Many programs he championed impacted education, health, and civil rights. LBJ failed to lead the nation out of the Vietnam War, and declined his second term for presidency. -
Tet Offensive 1968
The coordinated series of North Vietnamese attacks on more than 100 cities in South Vietnam to try and encourage the U.S. to withdraw its involvement in Vietnam. With heavy casualties and destruction, a turning point in the war was created, and the withdrawal of American forces slowly was forced upon them. -
Anti-War Movement
The Anti-War Movement was made up of college students, middle-class, labor unions, and government institutions. It gained influence in 1965 after the U.S. began bombing North Vietnam. The peak of the anti-war movement was in 1968, after the succesful Tet Offensive by North Vietnam that showed the American people that the end of the war was no were near in sight. This eventually led to the withdrawal of American troops and "Vietnamization". -
Vietnamization
Vietnamization was the strategy used to attempt to limit Americas involvement in the Vietnam war. All military responses were taken to South Vietnam, the farthest away from the war. Nixon believed withdrawing american troops from Vietnam would prepare the South Vietnamese to fight on their own. The flaw caused a deep scar to come in the Vietnam war. -
Moon Landing
Kennedy challenge to put the first man on the moon during the Space Race with the Soviets was finally completed. At 4:18 p.m. , the lunar module lands. At 10:56 p.m., Armstrong takes the first steps for mankind on the lunar surface, with more than a million people watching. His famous quote was spoke then, "Thats one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind." For two and a half hours, the astronauts collect samples from the lunar surface. -
26th Amendment
The right of a citizen who is 18 years or older of the United States to vote shall not be denied or curtailed. The age was lowered from 21 to 18, when young men in WWII and the Vietnam war were denied their right to vote but were being drafted to fight for their country. Congress passed the amendment in 1971. -
Richard Nixon
Richard Nixon was the 37th president of the United States. He ended the Vietnam war and improved relations with the Soviets and China. Nixon was the only president to withdraw from office, due to the Watergate scandal. -
The War Powers Act
The War Powers Act was enacted as a veto on President Nixon as a congressional resolution to limiting the presidents power to initiate or escalate the US. militaries actions abroad, and requires the president to notify Congress after the Armed forces are deployed. There is a limited time the units can be abroad without congresses approval. Its effectiveness has been constantly debated, especially during the Vietnam war, and has been difficult to comply to for several presidents.
