Social studies Mod 12&13

After WW2 Korea was divided by the

38th parallel

line that marked the division between North Korea and South Korea

38th parallel

How did the growth of suburbs affect city life? Why did the federal government start giving money to cities for urban renewal projects?

As middle-class families who could afford it moved to living in suburban communities, this affected city life because the cities collected fewer tax dollars, as tax income declined. City services began to be reduced, hurting the people who still lived there and could not afford to move. The cities began to decay and worsen, which led to the need for renewal. The federal government realized this need and started giving money to the cities for urban renewal projects, which planned to improve city life by improving and restoring city services and bettering urban housing.

a significant increase in the number of babies born after World War 2

Baby Boom

one of America's worst foreign policy disasters, a group of Cubans exiled in the US wanted to invade Cuba and overthrow Castro

Bay of Pigs Invasion

Cold War barrier of concrete and barbed wire that seperated East and West Berlin in Germany into two parts

Berlin Wall

Struggle for global power between the United States and the Soviet Union

Cold War

a period of 13 days when nuclear war seemed likely

Cuban Missile Crisis

crewmate of Neil Armstrong; second man to walk on the moon

Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin

What potential problems might arise from giving the President powers such as in the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution?

From giving the President powers such as in the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, this could lead to potential problems such that they misuse the power and go against what is best for the United States or what the people want, since they now have the power to make war decisions and use any measures to repel any armed attack on the US . The president could use those powers to take actions that go against the constitution like in the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution which gave the president sole power to make war. By giving the power to the president, they could make irrational decisions and start war when there isn't a declaration of real war.

bill offering veterans aid for education, housing, and businesses

GI Bill of Rights

who was fired by President Truman in March 1951 for wanting to attack China

General Douglas MacArthur

Why was Germany divided into four sections at the Potsdam Conference?

Germany was divided into four sections at the Potsdam Conference because after its surrender, the Allied leaders decided to divide the conquered German territory into four zones, in which Britain, France, the U.S., and the Soviet Union would each occupy a zone, until Germany was ready to hold elections and rule itself.

national security adviser to President Nixon

Henry Kissinger

leader of Communist revolution against the French in Vietnam

Ho Chi Minh

wanted to free Vietnamese people with a communist revolution

Ho Chi Minh

What was the Berlin Wall?

In 1961, Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev built the Berlin Wall, a concrete barrier 28 miles long, 10 feet high, and topped with barbed wire and searchlights. The wall was built through the middle of the city and prevented East Germans from entering West Berlin. The wall was a symbol of the Cold War and of COmmunist tyranny.

What was the Cuban Missile Crisis and how was it resolved?

In October 1962, President Kennedy announced that the American U-2 spy planes had discovered Soviet nuclear missiles sites in Cuba, only 90 miles from the coast of Florida.If launched, these missiles could reach and potentially destroy American cities within minutes. Kennedy demanded that the SOciet Union remove the missiles and the U.S. The Navy formed a blockade around Cuba to prevent SOviet ships from bringing in more weapons. Finally the Soviet ships turned back, ending the crisis, as Premier Nikita Khrushchev agreed to remove the nuclear missiles from Cuba. In return, Kennedy promised not to invade Cuba and agreed to remove some missiles in Italy and Turkey.

term used to describe the division between the Soviet control of the European continent and the rest of the western world

Iron Curtain

Communist leader who established the People's Republic of China

Mao Zedong

U.S. grants and loans to fund European recovery from World War 2

Marshall Plan

American astronaut; the first man to walk on the moon

Neil Armstrong

postwar trial of Nazi leaders for war crimes

Nuremberg trials

Why was the TET Offensive a surprise to US forces and why is it a turning point?

On January 30, 1968 the Vietnamese celebrated their New Year, called Tet. Previously, during this celebration there was a cease-fire that halted fighting, however in 1968 Vietcong and North Vietnames forces launched attacks all over South Vietnam as well as the US Embassy in South Vietnam's capital, in what was known as the Tet Offensive. These attacks came as a surprise to US forces because they thought that since it was the holiday there would be a cease-fire, they did not expect the North Vietnames to continue fighting on their holiday. The Tet Offensive was considered a turning point because although South Vietnamese and US forces successfully fought off the attacks, Americans were shocked. They had been told that the war was going to soon be over and they should be confident in the US, but now they saw that the enemy was still strong, losing confidence in the US and trust that the government officials were being honest about the war. Americans now didn't know what truly was happening and where the US stood in the war or when it would end. Fighting in Vietnam intensified after the Tet Offensive and the war dragged on.

program that sent volunteers to developing countries to help with projects such as digging wells and building schools

Peace Corps

What nonmilitary tactics did President Kennedy use to confront communism?

President Kennedy was committed to the Cold War policy of stopping the spread of communism around the war. He sought out nonmilitary ways to deal with communism in programs such as the Alliance for Progress, where the US pledged $20 billion in aid to Latin American countries to improve conditions and relations, and the Peace Corps program, which sent volunteers to developing countries to help with projects such as digging wells and building schools.

Republican president elected in 1968

Richard M. Nixon

Why did so much of the Cold War revolve around Berlin ?

So much of the Cold War revolved around Berlin because following World War 2 the city of Berlin was divided into the two parts of the Soviet-controlled East Berlin and the democratic West Berlin controlled by the Americans, French, and British. Because West Berlin was deep within the Soviets occupied zone of Germany, it was a constant point of tension between the Communists and the West. Berlin was important because it showed how the Western part of Berlin was committed to rebuilding Europe and stopping the spread of the Soviet communism, symbolizing how the forces of freedom and democracy were able to stand up to the forces of communism.

series of coordinated surprise attacks launched by the Vietcong and North Vietnamese on the Vietnamese New Year- January 30, 1968

Tet Offensive

How did the TET Offensive become a "turning point" for Americans involvement in Vietnam

The TET Offensive was considered a turning point because although American forces were successful, American were shocked. They had been told that the war was reaching its end and the US was strong, but now from the surprise attacks of North Vietnam, this showed that the enemy was still strong and therefore the war would continue. Americans didn't believe government officials now, and were unsure of the foreseeable future of the war.

guerrilla fighters opposed to the South Vietnamese government

Vietcong

rush by the United States and the Soviet Union to build more weapons

arms race

a plan to improve services and housing in deteriorating cities

urban renewal

Why were the U.S. and Western European countries concerned about Soviet expansion?

After creating a communist government in Poland, the Soviet Union under Stalin's rule began to expand its control. The U.S. was concerned with this expansion because it cut these countries that the Soviet Union was taking complete control of, off from the Western world, referring to it as the iron curtain. The Soviet's expansion led to the Cold war or the struggle between them and the U.S. for global power. Because Western Europe was devastated after the war and was economically unstable, they were vulnerable to the Soviet's communism taking over, which led to the Marshall plan that the Soviet leaders rejected. The Soviet Union then suddenly blocked all rail, highway, and water traffic between Western Germany and the city of Berlin, which instilled fear in the U.S. and Western European countries.

How were the goals of the Hawks and Doves different in the Vietnam era?

After the Tet Offensive surprise attack and seeing the brutality of the war through television, some Americans began to lose trust, faith, and support of the Vietnam War and the U.S. abilities. The "Doves" opposed the war believing that it was draining money they thought should be spent on social programs at home. The Doves were named after the bird that symbolizes peace, for they wanted the war to end and there to be peace. Supporters of the war were known as the "Hawks", who supported an increase in military spending because they believed that winning the Cold War was more important than domestic programs at home.

an attempt by the Soviet Union to send nuclear missiles to Cuba; U.S. Navy formed a blockade to prevent Soviet ships from bringing in weapons

Cuban missile crisis

What was Levittown? Why did some criticize suburban life?

Due to the growing demand for homes in the suburbs, this encouraged the development of new suburban neighborhoods. Levittown was created by WIlliam Levitt on Long Island, New York as one of the nation's first preplanned suburbs. Levitt built more than 17,000 low-priced, mass-produced houses. Some people criticized suburban life stating it was too heavily based on consumer culture and it encouraged conformity or sameness. Some communities even refused to sell homes to black families. Other critics of suburban life said that the suburbs and homes were turning productive farmland into less productive residential areas, leaving less land for farmers to use.

How did the development of new technology affect American culture in the 1950s?

Due to the increase in incomes during the 1950s, new technology developed, affecting the American life that rapidly began to change as more money was available to buy a variety of products, making life safer and easier. People could now afford new products, items, and technology. People started shopping in malls and eating at new fast-food restaurants. Many families could afford at least one television set and spend about six hours a day watching the same news, comedies, and sports shows as those all over the country. New styles of music were introduced in the 1950s, such as bebop and rock 'n' roll that became increasingly popular.

How did the outcome of China's Civil War affect the US response to North Korea's attack?

During China's civil war, the US decided to support the Nationalists party as part of its commitment to stop communism, however when the Nationalists were defeated, the Communists officially took over and Americans feared that all of Asia soon might be taken over by communism. When North Korea attacked and China sent soldiers to help them attack South Korea, Truman refused to use air strikes on Chinese cities and attack China, as he was determined to contain the war in Korea, but sent troops to provide aid to South Korea and try to stop the spread of communism.

Why did FDR support the formation of the UN?

During the war, President Roosevelt emphasized the need for a new international organization to promote world peace, since the previous efforts of the League of Nations following WW1 had failed. Roosevelt did not believe the United States alone could bring peace to the whole world and therefore felt that it needed to be a cooperation of the whole world, in which the United Nations would help establish.

domestic programs and civil rights protections proposed by Truman

Fair Deal

Communist Cuban leader

Fidel Castro

Cuban rebel leader who led a revolution and established a Communist government

Fidel Castro

How did the Marshall Plan help stabilize Western Europe after WW2?

Following WW2 Western Europe was devastated, which threatened both the stability of Europe and the U.S. economy that relied on trade with Europe. Through the Marshall Plan, the US helped fund Western Europe with more than $13 million in U.S. loans and grants so that European leaders could develop plans for economic recovery.

How did both the Arms and Space races influence the Cold War?

Following WW2 conflicts arose between the US and the Soviet Union, because both had previously been allies and superpowers. As Stalin expanded control over the nation of Eastern Europe, Americans feared the takeover of Communism. In 1950 Truman approved the work on the hydrogen bomb, first tested in 1952. Following the US test, the Soviet Union tested their first hydrogen bomb the following year, becoming the world's second nuclear superpower. This led to the arms race where both the US and Soviet Union raced to build more weapons. When the SOviets launched the world's first artificial satellite, Americans feared that by this ability they could launch missiles to attack the US. Therefore the US responded by launching its own satellite. The Arms and Space races contributed to the Cold War because both sides were fighting to maintain power over the other, through the number and danger of weapons produced.

What was the Baby Boom and how did it affect American society for the next 75 years?

Following the American economic boom during the 1950s, millions of Americans earned more money that they were able to spend on things they never could before. Young Americans felt financially secure and enthusiastic to get married and start families following the war. This led to a baby boom, which was a significant increase in the number of babies born after the war. This baby boom would affect American society for the next 75 years because the increase of population affected the economy, workforce, way of life, movement of people, amount of houses and living styles, etc...

Why did the "Sun Belt" grow and prosper after the war?

Following the war, soldiers returned home and incomes increased. As the economy boomed, this led to the baby boom and increased number of marriages, babies, and families. Americans now had the money, time, and opportunities to relocate to new parts of the country to improve their quality of life, find jobs, and settle down. Many businesses and workers were encouraged to move to the Sun Belt, an area of southern and western states that had a warm climate all year and low tax rates. The region's population doubled in the 30 years after the war due to these changes. The 1956 Highway Act also encouraged travel allowing people to move to suburban areas and commute to their jobs in cities, as well as increasing business and personal travel across the nation.

paths and tunnels used as a supply route by the North Vietnamese

Ho Chi Minh trail

How did Joseph McCarthy's accusations inspire the new Red Scare?

In February 1950, Joseph McCarthy's accusation that 205 communists were secretly working in the US State Department shocked the nation. Although this accusation was not true, American believed him and became scared. McCarthy led ab anti-communsim witch hunt for the next four years that ruined many people's lives and spread fear and hysteria, in what was called the Second Red Scare.

Wisconsin senator who made charges of communism in the government and military

Joseph McCarthy

Couple tried for providing Soviet spies with secret details about atomic bomb design

Julius and Ethel Rosenberg

How did the GI Bill of Rights help smooth the transition for soldiers after the war?

New laws such as the GI Bill of Rights helped ease the transition for returning soldiers by offering veterans money for school and loans for houses, farms, and businesses. With the GI Bill's educational benefits the veterans could attend colleges and technical schools to train for jobs. The home loans allowed veterans to buy houses built after the war and take out loans to open their own businesses.

mutual defense alliance of the United States, Canada, Iceland, and nine Western European nations

North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)

What role did the Space Race play in the Cold War?

One aspect of the Cold War was the space race that rose during the 1960s, proving yet again the conflict and tension between the Soviets and the United States. The Soviet Union and the United States competed in the Space Race in attempts to explore space. In April 1961 the Soviet Union advanced when Yuri Gagarin became the first person to travel into space, orbiting Earth once. Determined, the US wanted to catch up to and surpass the Soviet Union, so Congress provided NASA with billions of dollars to fund the development of new space-travel technology.

What events led President Johnson to ask for the power to escalate the conflict in Vietnam?

President Johnson was determined to prevent Communists from taking over South Vietnam, therefore he waited for the right time to take action. In the summer of 1964, a naval battle led to a rapid expansion of U.S. involvement in Vietnam and Johnson asked for the power to do so. On August 2, 1964 the USS Maddox reported an exchanged gunfire with North Vietnamese torpedo boats in the Gulf of Tonkin. When US ships were attacked again, despite the uncertainty of it being a real attack, this led President Johnson to declare the incident an act of war, asking Congress to give him the power to take military action in Vietnam.

Why were some women frustrated with 1950s society?

Some women were frustrated with the 1950s society and their expectations of women following the war because even after all of their hard work and contributions during the war, when the men returned women now could only find work in certain fields. Women were also frustrated that at some point in their lives they were expected to give up their jobs and get married, commiting to life as a wife and mom.

world's first artificial satellite, launched by the Soviet Union in 1957

Sputnik

What decisions were made at the Yalta Conference?

Stalin agrees to enter war against Japan after Germany surrenders. Stalin agrees to hold free elections in Eastern Europe when war is over. Stalin is given islands close to Korea. The leaders decide to temporarily divide Germany into 4 occupation zones (Br, Fr, US, SU) after war.

student group active in protesting the Vietnam War

Students for a Democratic Society

southern and western states that offered a warm climate year-round and low tax rates

Sun Belt

What was the Berlin Blockade and Airlift?

The Berlin Blockade was an attempt by the Soviet Union to limit the ability of the US, Great Britain, and France to travel to their sections of Berlin that were within Russian-occupied East Germany. On June 24, 1968 the Soviet Union halted all access to Berlin by land, blocking all rail, road, and canal access to the western zones of Berlin. The U.S. responded to the Soviet blockade by organizing the massive Berlin airlift, using military cargo planes to bring food and supplies to the city and its starving people. The US flew in 5,000 tons of supplies per day including food and fuel to keep Berlin's 2 million citizens alive.

How did the Cold war affect the relationship between the US and USSR?

The Cold War affected the relationship between the US and USSR because during WW2 they had cooperated to win the war and were allies. Following the war however, they both emerged as superpowers, but with differing views. Where the US remained committed to capitalism and democracy, the Soviet Union hoped to spread communism. When the USSR began spreading communism, the struggle for power between the US and them ignited in the cold war. The two countries competed for power through the arms and space races, one trying to have more powerful and larger quantities of weapons than the other and being the first to reach space.

According to the domino theory, what did US leaders think might happen if Vietnam became a communist country?

The Domino Theory stated that if one country in a region came under the influence of communism, then the surrounding countries would follow in a domino effect. The US interpreted this theory to justify its support of the anti-communist government of SOuth Vietnam. American leaders were concerned that the Vietminh victory would lead to the spread of communism in Asia, when one country became Communist, the nearby countries would also fall to communism.

What was the Ho Chi Minh Trail, and why was it a target of US bombing?

The Ho Chi Minh Trail was a series of paths and tunnels used as a supply route by the North Vietnamese that led from North Vietnam, through Laos and Cambodia, and into South Vietnam. Johnson had ordered Operation Rolling Thunder, a series of air strikes on war industries in North Vietnam, and used them to disrupt the Ho Chi MInh Trail. Since the trail was located in neutral countries, the US could not attack on the ground, therefore it became a target of US bombing, in attempts to kill troops and destroy their supplies.

What was the purpose of the United Nations and how was it different than the League of Nations?

The League of Nations was established as a result of WW1 in an attempt to promote international peace by an international assembly of nations to settle disputes and encourage democracy, it failed and the U.S. never officially joined due to opposition from Congress members who did not want the U.S. getting involved in other countries' problems. In contrast, the United Nations was created during WW2 as a new organization, after the League of Nations had clearly failed, to promote world peace. In 1945 representatives from 50 countries, including the U.S. met to write the UN Charter which declared the organization's commitment to unite our strength to maintain international peace and security.

How did the Truman Doctrine establish U.S. Foreign Policy for the next 45 years?

The U.S. developed a new foreign policy to deal with the Cold War, or the struggle for global power between the U.S. and the Soviet Union. The policy was based on preventing the SOviet Union from expanding its influence around the world. One of the policies was the Truman Doctrine, which provided aid to help foreign countries fight communism and the Soviet Union. The money was used to support free people who were fighting armed minorities and outside pressures of communism

Why were the US and USSR able to cooperate with each other during the Suez and other Middle Eastern crisis?

The US and USSR were able to cooperate with each other during the Suez and other Middle eastern crises because the Soviet Union was allied with Egypt who was pushing the world to the brink of another world war by nationalizing the Suez Canal in which Britain and France relied on for trade. The US would be forced to defend its allies, the French and British since the Soviet Union threatened to crush them as they invaded the canal area. The US and USSR both knew that each had a stockpile of weapons that could destroy much of the world, therefore they agreed to condemn the invasion, preventing a much bigger world war tha the Cold war that was already taking place between the two superpowers. The US and Soviet Union both pressured France, Great Britain, and the Soviet Union to withdraw.

Why did the US have a second "Red Scare" in the 40s and 50s? Why did it last so long?

The US had a second "Red Scare" in the 40s and 50s due to Cold War fears and the Soviet Union's aggressive expansion. Americans feared that there were communists in America, within the factories, offices, shops, etc...Congress held hearings to look into Communist influence in the movie industry, and spy cases increased fear in Americans. People feared that Communists were within the government and working within America. It lasted so long because as the Cold war continued, fears increased due to the threatening spread of the Soviet Union and Communism. Joseph McCarthy contributed to fear in AMericans by charging that Communists were working inside the State Department without concrete proof of crimes.

What were the long term effects of the Vietnam war?

The Vietnam War changed the lives of millions of people, both in Southeast Asia and the US, influencing American politics and foreign policy to this day. Many thousands of Americans and millions of Vietnamese were killed and injured in the war. Vietnam was destroyed in the war and continued as a Communist nation. About 1.5 million Vietnames left Vietnam following the war and hundreds of thousands of them immigrated to the US, making significant contributions to the communities they joined. Soldiers returning to the US following the war battled with post-traumatic stress of the war and hatred from antiwar protesters. America was politically divided following the war because many Americans had lost trust in government officials, which led to the War Powers Act that required the president to have congressional approval before committing troops to battle. The war left a dismal economic effect, influencing the development of the US. The cost added to taxpayers contributed to the national debt and brought about inflation.

What was the result of the US and the Soviet Union building more and more weapons?

The arms race

Why were the Nuremberg Trials important?

The first time individuals could be tried for war crimes

How did the post war economic boom impact American life in the 1950s?

The post war economic boom during the 1950s impacted American life in many ways. People had more money to spend and felt financially secure, so they began starting families, getting married, and having babies. Americans began to relocate to new parts of the county in efforts to improve their quality of lives or find jobs. New highways helped to increase both business and person travel between cities. People began building homes and suburban communities and life developed.

What steps did the US take to help rebuild Western Europe and Japan after WW2?

Through the Marshall Plan, Western Europe received over $13 billion in U.S. loans and grants for European economic recovery. Japan was also left devastated following the war, and U.S. forces under General Douglas MacArthur occupied Japan and began a series of reforms to help rebuild the country and prevent communism from taking over. The US helped to strengthen and modernize the Japanese economy as well.

congressional resolution that gave military authority to President Johnson

Tonkin Gulf Resolution

US policy of containing communism through economic aid

Truman Doctrine

policy of providing aid to help countries fight communism

Truman Doctrine

constitutional amendment lowering the voting age to 18

Twenty-Sixth Amendment

organization dedicated to resolving international conflicts

United Nations (UN)

granite wall in Washington, DC, which lists the names of soldiers killed or missing in Vietnam; designed by Maya Ying Lin

Vietnam Veterans Memorial

strategy of having the South Vietnamese army take over the fighting

Vietnamization

law passed in 19773 that requires congressional approval to commit troops to an armed struggle for more than 60 days

War Powers Act

How did the Truman Doctrine influence our response to North Korean aggression? Why did the UN send troops to Korea in 1950?

When North Korea invaded South Korea, this forced President Truman to make a decision on whether the US should use force to stop the attacks. The Truman Doctrine had previously stated that the US had new policies based on containment of the Soviet Union and through the Doctrine the US would provide aid to countries to help fight communism, but now the North Koreans were attacking and something must be done. The President decided to give SOuth Koreans "cover and support" through US air and sea forces, just as he had stated he would in the Truman Doctrine. The UN sent troops to Korea in 1950 to help them stop the invasion and Communism takeover of North Korea.

How did President Kennedy remove Soviet Missiles during the Cuban Missile Crisis?

When President Kennedy discovered Soviets were installing nuclear missiles in Cuba, he demanded in a press conference that they remove them. During the Cuban missile crisis, the U.S. Navy formed a blockade around Cuba, preventing Soviet ships from bringing in more weapons. Finally the Soviet ships turned back and after the crisis, Krushchev agreed to remove the nuclear missiles from Cuba.

commander of the U.S. ground forces in Vietnam

William Westmoreland

How did Joseph McCarthy increase America's being afraid of Communism? How did tv affect his power?

Wisconsin senator Joseph McCarthy increased Americans' fear of Communism by stating that Communists were working inside the State Department, although he produced no concrete proof of crimes. McCarthy claimed to have the names of 57 people he stated were Communists within the government, which instilled fear in Americans that Communism would soon take over America. Television affected McCarthy's power because in 1954 in televised Senate hearings, where the whole nation was watching, he charged that the US Army had Communists in it, and for five weeks he pressured the senate, until finally attacking a young assistant in the army attorney's law firm. The television increased McCarthy's power by spreading fear to all Americans watching.

meeting between "Big Three" to discuss post war peace

Yalta Conference

meeting of leaders to agree on postwar strategies

Yalta conference

young writers, or "beatniks" who criticized society with unusual writing styles and rebellious behavior

beats

How were the NATO and Warsaw Pact similar

both created military alliances

willingness to go to the brink of war to stop communism

brinkmanship

policy of preventing the Soviet Union from expanding its influence

containment

concern that if one nation became Communist, nearby nations would follow

domino theory

opponents of the war

doves

policy of increased involvement in the war followed by President Johnson

escalation

supporters of the war

hawks

people who "dropped out" of mainstream society and built a counterculture during the 1960s that emphasized individual freedom, nonviolence, and communal sharing

hippies

nuclear weapon far more powerful than the atomic bomb

hydrogen bomb

policy of finding hidden enemy camps and destroying them with massive firepower and air strikes

search-and-destroy missions

why did people criticize 1950s society

some women were discouraged by the limited roles society placed on them; some writers criticized the conformity of America's mainstream society

powerful countries who influenced events in their parts of the world

superpowers