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Baby Boom generation
Generation starting from the starting from the early- to mid-1940s. The phrase baby boom refers to a noticeable increase in the birth rate following WWII. Children of that era were a generation with lots of poverty, many were deprived of the security of a home and job. -
Rock n' Roll
Genre of popular music that originated in the United States during the late 1940s and early 1950s. Evolved from combinations of gospel, jump blues, jazz, boogie woogie, and rhythm and blues, and country. Contributed to the civil rights movement because both African-American and white American teens enjoyed the music. -
G.I. Bill (Servicemen's Readjestment Act 1944)
A law that provided a range of benefits for returning World War II veterans. Signed into law in 22 June, 1944 by President Roosevelt. The act avoided the postponed life insurance policy payout for World War I veterans that caused political turmoil after that war. -
Iron Curtain
The boundary dividing Europe into two separate areas from the end of World War II in 1945 until the end of the Cold War in 1991. The term symbolizes the efforts by the Soviet Union to block itself and its satellite states from open contact non-Soviet-controlled areas. On the east side of the Iron Curtain were the countries that were connected to or influenced by the Soviet Union. -
McCarthyism
The practice of making accusations of subversion or treason without proper evidence to support these claims. The term refers to Senator Joseph McCarthy and has its origins in the United States during the Second Red Scare. Last from 1947 to 1956 and increased political repression and spread fear of Communist influence on American and of Soviet spies within America. -
House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC)
Created in 1938 to investigate alleged disloyalty and subversive activities on the part of US citizens and organizations suspected of having communist ties. In 1947, the committee held hearings of alleged communist propaganda and influence in the movie industry. After conviction on contempt of Congress "The Hollywood Ten" were blacklisted by the industry. -
Levittown
Built after World War II for returning veterans and their new families, the communities offered attractive alternatives to cramped central city locations and apartments. Production was modeled on assembly lines in 27 steps with construction workers trained to perform one step. A house could be built in one day when effectively scheduled, enabled quick and economical production of similar or identical homes with rapid recovery of costs. Began selling in March of 1947. -
Cold War
A state of geopolitical tension after World War II that mainly occurred between the US and the Soviet Union. The period is between 1947, the year the Truman Doctrine was announced, and either 1989, when communism fell in Eastern Europe, or 1991, when the Soviet Union collapsed. Some of the biggest conflicts during this time were the Vietnam War, the Korean War, the Space Race, and the Bay of Pigs. Lead to thousands of improvements of technology and economy. -
Containment Policy
The foreign policy of the United States during the Cold War in order to prevent the spread of communism. This policy was a response to a series of actions by the Soviet Union to increase communist influence around the globe. Became more used with the Trueman Doctrine, the American foreign policy whose stated purpose was to counter communist expansion. -
Truman Doctrine
An American policy which it's stated purpose was to counter Soviet geopolitical expansion during the Cold War. It was first announced to Congress by President Harry S. Truman on March 12, 1947. The Truman Doctrine became the foundation of American foreign policy, and led to the formation of NATO. -
Marshall Plan
An American plan to aid Western Europe by giving them over $13 billion in economic assistance to help rebuild there economies after the end of World War II. The plan was in operation for four years beginning on April 3, 1948. The goals of the plan were to rebuild regions, remove trade barriers, modernize industry, improve European prosperity, and prevent the spread of Communism. -
Berlin Airlift
Western Allies response to the Berlin Blocked by carrying supplies to the people inside of West Berlin. Aircrews from the United States, Britain, France, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa flew over 200,000 flights in one year, providing West Berlin with almost 8,893 tons of necessities each day. In response, on the 12th May 1949, the USSR lifted the blockade of West Berlin. -
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
An intergovernmental military alliance between several North American and European countries based on the North Atlantic Treaty that was signed on 4 April 1949. The Korean War galvanized the organization's member states, and an integrated military structure was built up under the direction of two US Supreme Commanders. The course of the Cold War led to a rivalry with nations of the Warsaw Pact, that formed in 1955. -
1950's Prosperity
Time United States was the world’s strongest military power and it's economy was booming with thing such as new cars, suburban houses and other consumer goods available to more people than ever before. The 1950s were also an era of great conflict and war. There was the civil rights movement and the crusade against communism at home and abroad creating underlying divisions in American society. -
Beatniks
Media stereotype that prevalent throughout the 1950s to mid-1960s, displayed the more superficial aspects of the Beat Generation literary movement of the 1950s. Stressed artistic self-expression and the rejection of the mores of conventional society. Brought changes and different styles of music, art, and poetry. -
Korean War
The 3 year war between North Korea and South Korea. The war began on 25th June 1950 when North Korea invaded and attacked South Korea along the border. The United Nations came to the aid of South Korea due to hoping to contain the communist north, while China and the Soviet Union gave some assistance to North Korea hoping to spread communism. -
Rosenberg Trial
On March 3, 1951 Ethel and Julius Rosenberg were arrested and prosecuted for the accusation of selling nuclear secrets to the Russians. This case was cause due to the Second Red Scare, making neighbors suspicious of one another due to the possibility of Russian spies. The trial lasted almost a month and ended on April 4 with convictions for the couple, they were sentenced to death row on April 6. -
Dwight D. Eisenhower
An American statesman who served as the 34th President of the United States from January 20, 1953 to January 20, 1961. Eisenhower's main goals in office were to contain the expansion of the Soviet Union and reduce federal deficits. After the Soviet Union launched Sputnik in 1957, Eisenhower authorized the establishment of NASA, which led to the Space Race. -
Domino Theory
A prominent theory from the 1950s to the 1980s that claimed if one country in a region came under the influence of communism then the surrounding countries would follow. The domino theory was used by the United States during the Cold War to justify Americas need to intervene in events around the world. Described by President Dwight D. Eisenhower during a news conference on April 7, 1954 while referring to communism in Indochina. -
Vietnam War
A conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to 30 April 1975. South Vietnam was supported by the United States in order to prevent the spread of communism, while the North was supported by the Soviet Union and China. Direct U.S. military involvement ended on 15 August 1973, won by North Vietnamese Army in April 1975 and North and South Vietnam were reunified the following year. -
Jonas Salk
An American medical researcher and virologist, discovered and developed one of the first successful polio vaccines. The 1952 U.S. polio epidemic was the worst outbreak in the nation's history, of nearly 58,000 cases reported that year, 3,145 people died and 21,269 were left with paralysis. On April 12, 1955 Salk has successful created a vaccine for the disease and was hailed as a "miracle worker." -
Space Race
Competition between the Soviet Union and the United States for dominance in spaceflight capability. Originated by the missile-based nuclear arms race that occurred following World War II, aided by German missile technology. The Space Race began on August 2, 1955 when the Soviet Union responded to the US announcement of intent to launch artificial satellites, The Soviet Union beat the US to this on October 4, 1957. -
Interstate Highway Act
The authorization of $25 billion to be used for the creation of 41,000 miles of the Interstate Highway System. Claimed to have been built over a period of over 10 years, the largest public works project in American history through that time. Claimed to be built for the purpose of national defense, in the event of an invasion by a foreign power, would allow the US to transport troops quickly. -
Sputnik
The first built satellite, launched by The Soviet Union into Earth's orbit on 4 October 1957. The success of Sputnik triggered the part of the Cold War called the Space Race. The launch created new developments in politics, military, technology, and science. -
Ray Kroc
An American businessman who joined the company McDonald's in 1954. Kroc opened the first McDonald's franchised under his partnership with the McDonald brothers. In 1961, he bought the company for $2.7 million and expanded it into a massive food chain that came to almost every state. -
John F. Kennedy
The 35th President of the United States from January 1961 until his assassination in November 1963. In April 1961 he authorized the failed attempt to overthrow the Cuban government of Fidel Castro in the Bay of Pigs Invasion. After Kennedy's death, Congress enacted many of his proposals including the Civil Rights Act of 1964. -
Bay of Pigs
A failed military invasion of Cuba undertaken by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) on 17 April 1961. The invasion was intended to overthrow the communist government of Fidel Castro. Launched from Guatemala and Nicaragua, the invading force was defeated within three days by the Cuban Revolutionary Armed Forces. -
Cuban Missile Crisis
A 13-day confrontation between the United States and the Soviet Union concerning Soviet ballistic missile deployment in Cuba. The U.S. established a military blockade to prevent further missiles from reaching Cuba. The confrontation is considered the closest the Cold War came to turning into a nuclear war. -
Great Society
A set of domestic programs in the United States launched by Democratic President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964. The main goal was the elimination of poverty and racial injustice. New spending programs that addressed education, medical care, urban problems, rural poverty, and transportation were launched by this. -
Lyndon B. Johnson
The 36th President of the United States from 1963 to 1969. In 1964, Congress passed the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, granting LBJ the power to use military force in Southeast Asia without having to ask for an official declaration of war. Johnson's presidency marked the peak of modern liberalism after the New Deal era. -
Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
Enacted August 10, 1964, was a joint resolution that the United States Congress passed in response to the Gulf of Tonkin incident. Historically significance because it gave U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson authorization for the use of conventional military force without a declaration of war. The Johnson administration relied upon the resolution to begin escalation of U.S. military involvement in the Vietnam War. -
Anti-War Movement
Organized opposition to U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War beginning in 1964 on various college campuses in the United States. In 1967 antiwar activists formed the National Mobilization Committee to End the War in Vietnam which organized several large demonstrations between the late-1960s and 1972. Counter-cultural songs, organizations, plays and other literary works encouraged a spirit of nonconformism, peace, and anti-establishmentarianism. -
Tet Offensive 1968
One of the largest military campaigns of the Vietnam War, launched on January 30, 1968, by forces of the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese. Surprise attacks against military and civilian command and control centers throughout South Vietnam on the Tết holiday, Vietnamese New Year. Caused American public support for the war soon declined and the U.S. sought to end the war. -
Moon Landing
The first arrival of a manned spacecraft on the surface of the Moon. The Apollo 11, made by the United States, was the first manned mission to land on the Moon, on 20 July 1969. The landing gave the United States the win over the Soviet Union in the Space Race. -
Vietnamization
The policy of the Richard Nixon administration to end U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War. The policy had the US equip, and train South Vietnamese forces and assign them to combat while steadily reducing the number of U.S. troops. The plan was initially announced to the American people in a nationally televised speech on November 3, 1969. -
Rust Belt vs Sun Belt
In the 1970s economic and political prominence shifted from the Midwest and Northeast to the South and West. The South became known as the Sun Belt for its growing economic opportunities. The Midwest became the Rust Belt due to the economic decline, population loss, and urban decay due to the shrinking of its industrial sector. -
Betty Friedan
An American writer, activist, and feminist, as well as a leading figure in the women's rights movement in the United States. In 1966, Friedan co-founded the National Organization for Women (NOW) to bring women more equality. Friedan organized the nationwide Women's Strike for Equality on August 26, 1970 which successfully broadened the feminist movement. -
26th Amendment
Amendment prohibiting states and the federal government from using age as a reason to deny voting to citizens of the United States who are at least eighteen years old. Driven in large part by the student activism movement protesting the Vietnam War. The amendment became part of the Constitution on July 1, 1971 -
Richard Nixon
The 37th President of the United States, serving from 1969 until 1974. Nixon ended American involvement in the war in Vietnam in 1973 and ended the military draft. Nixon also presided over the Apollo 11 landing, which ended the Space Race and gave America the win. -
War Powers Act
Federal law intended to make sure the president cannot declare war on another nation without consent of Congress first. During the Cold War, the United States was in many conflicts without a declaration of war. Congress became concerned with the depletion of there authority to decide when the United States should become involved in a war or the use of armed forces.
