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Period: to
1950-1990
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Korean War
A war erupted between North Korea and South Korea. The North was communist and the South was a democracy. The US got involved since if the North won, that would be a victory for communism. It ended in July 1953, with the splitting of the Korean Peninsula at the 38th Parallel. [https://youtu.be/ZwFtqaM1LpM] -
Brown V. Board of Education
A landmark United States supreme court case in which the court declared state laws establishing separate public schools for black and white stydents unconstitutional. This created the term "separate but equal". The decision energized the Civil Rights Movement in the 1950s and 60s.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=KMO4kB0ft2o -
Vietnam War Begins
Vietnam War was a Cold War military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from November 1, 1955, to April 30, 1975 when Saigon fell. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of South Vietnam, supported by the United States and other capitalist nations. -
The Cold War Begins
After World War II, the long period of intense rivalry between the Soviet Union and the United States.There was intense economic, political, military, and ideological rivalry between nations, short of military conflict; sustained hostile political policies and an atmosphere of strain between the opposed countries. [https://youtu.be/LgD_-dRZPgs?list=PL6LZf-lTXs6jf34EFx6lBfLfZhPWYz3du] -
Suez Crisis
Egyptian President Nasser nationalized the Suez Canal, which had been owned mostly by French and British stockholders. This crisis failed without aid from the United States and marked an important turning point in the post-colonial Middle East and highlighted the rising importance of oil in world affairs. -
Ku Klux Klan rises again
The KKK was founded by Confederate veterans in 1865. It came about to oppress and terrorize African Americans through violence. Their presence surged again in the 1960's with the surge of the Civil Rights movement. The murders of 3 activists by the KKK helped pass the Voting Rights Act to be passed. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJXOzeUUjiE] -
Berlin Wall
The Berlin Wall built in 1961, it was a fortified wall made of concrete and barbed wire. It was used to prevent East Germans from escaping West Berlin. It was the most visible sign of the Cold war. Songs: Nikita by Elton John https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tg-Q-Acv4qs -
Cuban Missile Crisis
The United States and the Soviet Union came close to nuclear war when President Kennedy insisted that Nikita Khrushchev (leader of the USSR) remove the 42 missiles he had secretly inserted in Cuba. The Soviets eventually did so, nuclear war was averted, and the crisis ended.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09BB1pci8_o -
Woodstock
A 3-day rock concert in New York to give witness to the ideals of the counterculture. Performers included Richie Havens, Joan Baez, Janis Joplin, Santana, and The Grateful Dead.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tf1B9ktRCkg -
Watergate Scandal
It was an illegal break-in at the Democratic National Committee office in 1972 by members of Nixon's reelection campaign. Before the congress could impeach Nixon, he resigned. -
Iranian Hostage Crisis Begins
The 444 days in which American embassy workers were held captive by Iranian revolutionaries after young Muslim fundamentalists overthrew the oppressive regime of the American-backed shah, forcing him into exile. These revolutionaries triggered an energy crisis by cutting off Iranian oil. The crisis began when revolutionaries stormed the American embassy, demanding that the United States return the shah to Iran for trial. -
HIV/AIDS Breakout
In 1981, a rare form of cancer was reported among gay men in New York and California. It was commonly known as "gay cancer" before it became the face of HIV and AIDS. Men who seemed healthy experienced symptoms ranging from fevers to pneumonia. HIV became one of the biggest health concerns in modern history.
