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G.I. Bill (Servicemen’s Readjustment Act of 1944)
A law that offered a range of benefits to returning WWII veterans such as low-interest rates on houses & college tuition money to start businesses and is still around today for veterans. It was designed by the American Legion who helped push it through Congress. -
Fat Man
Was the second atomic bomb detonated on Japan by the United States during WWII, which prompted the Japanese to surrender a day later, resulting in the Allied victory. Was built by scientist and engineers at Los Alamos Laboratory. -
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Truman Doctrine
Was an American foreign policy that stopped the spread of communism by providing both economic and military aid to countries across that world that are under the threat of falling to communism. It also led to the formation of NATO. -
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Second Red Scare
Was the fear of communism stemming from the perception of losing to communism in nuclear technology at the onset of the Cold War against the Soviet Union. The fear permeated American politics, culture, and society. The paranoia was so strong that Americans thought that communist agents had infiltrated the federal government, resulting in massive witch hunts. -
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Marshall Plan
A plan devised by George Marshall to prevent the spread of communism in war-torn Western Europe following WWII. It did so by providing economic support in the way of loans to rebuild Europe and restore its faith in capitalism. Gave over 13 billion dollars in economic support -
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Berlin Airlift
In response to the Berlin Blockade by the Soviet Union (prevented access to railway, roads, and canals to sectors of Berlin under Western Control) the Western allies used planes to drop supplies to the people of west Berlin. Eventually, the Soviets gave in and opened the border. -
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Fair Deal
Domestic reform proposals of the second Truman administration included civil rights legislation and repeal of the Taft-Hartley Act. Also wanted to focus on Wants to focus on health care, public housing, education, public works, minimum wage, electricity and telephone access, but only extensions of some New Deal programs were enacted because of Korea and anti-communist agenda. -
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Beat Generation
People of this generation nicked name "beatniks" or "beats". Considered the proto-hippies. Consisted of artists, novelists, and poets. Rejected American materialism & culture and preferred individual freedom and pleasure through sex and drugs. Jackson Pollock and Mark Rothko were influenced. -
Ike Turner
Ike Turner is considered one of the earliest pioneer of rock and roll music. He formed the band Kings of Rythm as a teenager and in
1951 recorded "Rocket 88" which is considered as the first rock and roll. -
Bill Haley and the Comets
An American Rock n Roll band founded in the early 1950s. The band is credited as the first white group of musicians to bring attention to Rock n Roll not just in America, but across the world. Some of his most famous songs were "Crazy man Crazy" and "Rock Around The Clock" -
Dr.Jonas Salk
Salk was an American biologist and physician credited for the research and development of the first successful polio vaccine. -
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Elvis
Elvis Presley is a southern musician who is known for making Rock n' Roll music a phenomenon and is even considered the most influential cultural icons of the 20th century. He adapts his style of music from African-American rhythm and blues and stole of few of their songs too. He also had his own sexual suggestive dance style that offended many older Americans -
Brown v. Board of Education
A landmark supreme court case that ruled (9-0) that racially segregated schools are unconstitutional. It overturned the court's Plessy v. Ferguson which allowed "separate, but equal facilities". The case started when the Topeka board of education denied Linda Brown attendance to an all white school. She litigated the case with the help of Thurgood Marshall. -
Little Richard
Little Richard laid the foundation for rock and roll's success through his dynamic music and especially his charismatic showmanship. HIs unique music also played a key role in popularizing other genres such as funk and soul. His instant hit "Tutti Fruitti" (1955) is what initiated his success. -
Emmett Till Tragedy
Emmet Till was an African American teenager who visited Mississippi in 1955 with his mother at the age of 14. He supposedly flirted with a white woman in a shop as a dare by his friends. 4 days the later the women's husband Roy Bryant and John Milam break into his Emmett mothers home and brutally murdered him. His body was found in a river weeks laters. The funeral was an open casket to show the world what the south had done to Emmett. -
Rosa Parks
A Civil Rights activists that initiated the Montgomery Bus Boycott after she refused to give up her seat to a white man on a city bus. She and Martin Luther King Junior led the boycott until after 11 months the Supreme Court ruled segregation of public facilities illegal. -
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Eisenhower Interstate System
An intercontinental roadway system that interlinked major American cities. Eisenhower marveled at the Autobahn in Germany and wanted to build something similar in the U.S. Was originally designed for a quick evacuation in case of an attack, as well as mobilization of the military. -
Little Rock Nine
Nine black students were enrolled in a formally all-white Central High School in Little Rock Arkansas. The students tested the landmark supreme court case of 1954 that made segregation of public schools illegal. The governor of Arkansas responded harshly by sending the state National Guard to block black student entry. Dwight D. Eisenhower responded by sending federal troops to escort the students into the school. -
Albert Sabin
Sabin was a Polish American medical researcher, best known for his development for the first oral polio vaccination. His contribution played a crucial role in nearly eradicating the disease. -
New Frontier
The campaign program advocated by Kennedy in the 1960 election. Promised to revitalize the stagnate economy and proposals for the Peace corps as well as efforts to improve education and healthcare. Fueled and supported by his youthful following. -
Politics (Nixon, Kennedy)
The first televised presidential debate between John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon ushered a new era in which crafting a public image (in this instance, Kennedy wore makeup, while Nixon did not) became essential to a successful political campaign. This is because the people who watched the event thought Kennedy won, while the people who listened thought Nixon won. -
Peace Corps
A federal agency created by Kennedy to gather voluntary service by Americans to travel overseas to help build up impoverished countries, while at the same time, promoting American ideal across the world, helping to hinder the spread of communism. -
Resolution to the Cuban Missile Crisis
After a long period of intense negotiation, John F. Kennedy, and Khrushchev struck a deal. Both the Soviets and U.S. agreed not test nuclear weapons. Soviets will allow the U.S. to inspect ships and make sure the ICMBs leave Cuba and in return, the U.S. will not invade or plot against Cuba and will dismantle its ICBMs in Turkey. A communication line between the Soviets and U.S. was set up aswell. -
Birmingham March
MLK decides to move the center of the protest in Birmingham Alabama. Wanted to desegregate all of Birmingham, not just buses. He wielded the power of the media to broadcast brutality. Protestors stage sit-ins. King was eventually arrested. MLK was eventually arrested. On the second day of protest Bull Conner (head of the police) released hoses and dogs on the protesters, outraging the north. -
March on Washington
200,000 Americans gathered in Washington D.C. to rally for Jobs and Freedom. Was organized by civil rights and religious groups. Designed to shed light on the political and social challenges faced by African Americans across the country. The march was a key moment in the growing struggle for civil rights in the U.S. MLK's "I Have a Dream" speech was given during the march. -
"I Have a Dream Speech"
Martin Luther's famous speech was announced on the Lincoln Memorial overlooking a huge crowd gathered to celebrate the 100-year anniversary of former president Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation. In his iconic speech, he mentions how black have far too long been oppressed, and dreams of a day when won't discriminate against person for the color of their skin -
Birmingham Bombing
4 girls were killed when a bomb was hurled inside the 16th street Baptist Church in Birmingham 2 weeks after MLK's march. KKK was behind the bombing because they were upset about the MLK march. Men responsible never put in jail until recently. Same are still in jail today other died. -
Assassination of JFK
President John F. Kennedy was shot in Dallas Texas riding in an open vehicle for a parade by Lee Harvey Oswald. The first bullet hit his neck and the second fatal shot hit his head. He was then rushed to Parkland Hospital where he was later pronounced dead. -
Lee Harvey Oswald
He is accepted to be the assassin of JFK. Although there was never an official trial or statement however because he was murdered two days after President Kennedy's assassination by Jack Ruby in the basement of the Dallas Police Station. -
Jack Ruby
Jack is the Dallas nightclub owner who assassinated the assassin of JFK, Lee Harvey Oswald. As Oswald was being brought out of the police headquarters to a more secure county a jail, a crowd of police and press surrounded him. Jack emerged from the crowd and shot the Oswald. HIs motive was the rage he felt for his murder of the president. He was still charged with 1st degree murder. -
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Counter Culture
Seceded the Beat Generation. Consisted of hippie who rejected middle-class values, renouncing material possessions and used drugs such as (LSD and Heroin). Also made up of white middle-class students that followed the "New Left" who took on discrimination, poverty and were against the war in Vietnam. Some were very socialist; even communist. -
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Anti-War Movement
This movement was initiated by student protests as the free speech movement in California and eventually spread across the world. They opposed the war in Vietnam, condemning U.S. presence in the country, claiming it was a violation of Vietnams' rights as a country. Resulted in growing activism in college campuses -
Gulf of Tonkin Incident
This incident drew the U.S. more into the war in Vietnam. Supposedly, an American destroyer was attacked by North Vietnamese torpedo boat. Two days later another attack occurred. In both incidents, no ships were reported and the radar suspiciously malfunctioned. In turn, it was all a setup for the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution which prevented armed attack and further aggression in Vietnam. -
Daisy Girl Ad
Considered the most revolutionary television ad in American history. It was a political ad by president Lyndon B Johnson during the presidential election of 1964. It portrays a very young girl counting petals one to ten in the middle of a field. By the time she gets to nine another countdown sets and then it cuts to a giant mushroom cloud explosion. Used physiological techniques to make the audience there are in for a doomed future if Barry Goldwater gets elected. -
Barry Goldwater
Arizona Senator Republican who opposed Lyndon B Johnson in the election of 1964. He was very conservative. Wanted to get rid of the New Deal and the Great Society, Social Security, Tennesse Valley Authority and the nuclear test-ban treaty, civil rights legislation and the federal income tax. -
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The Great Society
Was the New Deal equivalent for Johnson; his version of democratic reform. Promised education, good standard of living and beautification. Went further than the New Deal, by adding civil rights legislation as well as federal aid to education. He also added unleaded gasoline, food label, and PBS, like Sesame Street. He also wanted national healthcare, but compromised with medicare. -
Death of MLK
MLK traveled to Memphis, Tennessee to give a speech at a local Church.He Stayed at the Lorraine Motel (frequent customer). On
April 4, 1968 - King shot talking to someone from the balcony.
James Earl Ray shot him from a distance (later arrested in London)
Shot King through the cheek and it severed a major artery. King dies at a local hospital soon after. -
Apollo 11
Was the spaceflight that landed the first 2 men on the moon that was funded by the American space program known as NASA. The two astronauts were Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong who was the first to step on the moon. America planted a U.S. flag on the moon, symbolizing the victory over the Soviet union in the space race. -
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Watergate
5 of Nixon’s “plumbers” stole campaign information. Fixed a broken wire tap. Caught by a security guard, arrested. During the election of 1972, Nixon distances himself from Watergate. Crushes George McGovern (D) in the election.The trial of the “Plumbers”. Came out that White House paid a bribe to keep “plumbers” quiet. Revealed Nixon used taping systems to record his conversations. Wanted tapes for the future presidential book. After being investigated gives an edited version of tapes, resigned -
Roe v Wade
Women protesting for legalized abortion for years. Most states totally outlawed it. Sometimes allowed only for the life of the mother and other extreme reasons. Norma McCorvey sued Texas for her right to privacy under the name Jane Roe. Had the baby before SCOTUS case. Gave it up for adoption. SCOTUS rules outlawing abortion is unconstitutional. -
Heritage Foundation
Non-profit lobbying group that promoted conservative policies like free enterprise, limited government, individual freedom, values, strong national defense. Conservative public policies that promotes the principles that made America great -
Endangered Species Act
Requires Fish and Wildlife Service to list species of plants and animals that are threatened with extinction. Further steps to protect after identification. Was signed because wildlife was being killed off by industrialization and poison in the environment. -
Beginnings of the Personal Computer
In the mid-1970s, computers & other electronics begin to revolutionize industry. Steve Jobs & Steve Wozniak change America forever with the Apple 1 Computer in 1976.
Bill Gates also introduces a new operating system in 1980 to IBM for home computers. Before this time, computers were too big and expensive for personal use. Used primarily for military purposes before the 1970s. -
Camp David Accords
Treaty between Israel & Egypt (took land from 6 day war)
Israel withdraws from Sinai Peninsula, Gaza and West Bank. Israel stops settling West Bank. Palestinians are also promised their own government. Signed by Menachem Begin and Anwar Sadat to finally end the Israeli-Egyptian disputes. Considered Carter's greatest achievement in office -
Three Mile Island
Location of a power plant in Pennsylvania where mechanical failure and human error combined caused an escape of radiation over a 16-mile radius. Luckily, no one was sickened but, Americans were now weary of nuclear power after this. -
Moral Majority
a prominent American political organization associated with the Christian right and Republican Party. Founded by Jerry Falwell (an evangelical preacher) that was pro-life, pro-family, pro-American and pro-morality. Other evangelicals preach this movement. Formed a conservative bloc in the late 70s and early 80s. -
The New Right
A collection of different conservative groups in a business, religious right, former Democrats, Neoconservatives. Many angry over liberal policies like welfare and busing. Wanted smaller government and industrial jobs back. South starts voting Republican. -
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Iran Hostage Crisis
U.S. supported Shah of Iran flees to U.S. after the revolution because it was a major oil supplier.The Shah was a brutal dictator and anti-communist (became unpopular). Ayatollah Khomeini rises and leads Islamic revolution. He greatly mistrusted the U.S. Shah will flee Iran, we give him amnesty to America. 52 Americans were taken hostage from the American embassy in Tehran. Special forces team sent to rescue, failed because helicopters crashed. Iraq invades to get hostages 444 days later. -
Robert Johnson
Robert Johnson was the 1st Black billionaire. He founded BET (Black Entertainment Television) which first aired in the 1980s.He sold the program to Viacom in 2001. -
Home video game systems
Home video game systems and arcade games began to become very popular in becoming an entertainment staple in 1980. The Atari was one of the first at home affordable consoles. Popular, now classic arcade games such as Pac-man, Tetris and Space Invaders. -
Sam Walton’s Just-in-Time Inventory
Sam Walton’s Just-in-Time Inventory began around the time when Walmart began to expand nationwide. Sam Walton's strategy for stocking products in was making sure the products arrive at the precise time in they are needed through the use of computers track inventory. As a result, there was no need for large in-house stock -
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Reaganomics
Federal economic policies of the Reagan administration. Used trickle down economic policies, monetarist fiscal policy, supply-side tax cuts, and domestic budget cutting. Contributed to strong economic growth during the "roaring 80s". Centered around the goal of reducing the size of the federal government. -
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Reagan Doctrine
The U.S. support anywhere in the world to guerilla groups fighting communism. This changed from the original goal of simply containing communism, now getting rid of Communism completely. For instance, we gave money and military help to anti-communist forces in El Salvador. -
Satellite Entertainment
Satellite entertainment began with the start of the space shuttle program and the first launch in 1981. The goal was to position satellites throughout space to enhance worldwide communication at more efficent levels. Satellites are essential for cell phones, satellite television and even the internet. -
Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) “Star Wars”
Reagan's intent to pursue high technology missile defense system that would act as a Missile shield defense against Soviet incoming missiles. Satellites with lasers shoot down incoming missiles. Reagan intended to give Soviets the same technology and hoped they would go bankrupt in doing so. But SDI was a failure to U.S. However, Soviets did take the challenge and spent more resources than U.S. devolving it. Start resenting communsim as a result. -
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Iran Contra Affair
Scandal that erupted in the Reagan administration. The Sandinistas (pro-communist) overthrow pro-American dictator in Nicaragua. Reagan secretly arms the Contras and Congress finds out but Reagan's administration continues to illegally support the Contras. The administration got money by selling weapons to Iran. Exchanged the release of hostages American hostages in Lebanon. A plane eventually crashes revealing the weapons -
Challenger Explosion
On a very cold Florida morning, the Challenger was launched. 73 seconds later, the shuttle explodes due to the unusually cold Florida weather, instantly killing everyone on board. The space shuttle program was halted as an investigation was taken place to implement new safety regulation. Resumed in 1988. -
Video Head System (VHS)
The VHS was at the height of its popularity during the late 1980s and early 1990s. The VHS (Video Home System) was the standard for consumer-level analog video recording on tape cassettes. Was eventually overthrown by the introduction of DVDs in the mid-1990s. Was used to watch movies, shows etc. -
Fall of the Berlin Wall
As the Cold War began to subside across Eastern Europe. So the spokesman of East Berlin communist party announced to open up relations with the western part of the city. Starting at midnight, he allowed citizens GDR to cross the border. At midnight, the wall opened up on several checkpoints, and people flooded through partying it up. -
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Persian Gulf War / 1st Iraq War
This war was codenamed under "Operation Desert Storm". Started after Iraq invaded Kuwait because Saddam Hussein blamed Kuwait for flooding the world with cheap oil. President bush then quickly deploys troops to Saudi Arabia because U.S.worried Sadam would continue to invade other countries and taking over their oil fields. -
Rodney King Incident
Early morning, King was with 2 passengers, Bryant Allen and Freddie Helmsdriving west on the Foothill Freeway in the San Bernadino Valley. He was then chased by police, and when caught, video footage showed Rodney being beaten up by police after allegedly lunging at an officer. He was it 56 times while a dozen officers stood and watched. -
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The Balkans Crisis
After Yugoslavia broke up after the fall of communism in 1991, a bloody Civil War broke out between Croatia (catholic), Serbia (orthodox) and Bosnia (Christian and Muslim). The Serbian forces murder thousands of Muslim Bosnia's. prompting the release of NATO to bring troops and begins to bombs sites to stop the genocide. U.S> shows its commitment to human rights -
World Trade Center Attack - 1993
Terrorists detonate massive car bombs in the basement parking garage of the World Trade Center with the goal of collapsing the building Did not happen however it did leave a six-story hold on the ground. The incident was quickly forgotten. -
North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)
This pact was signed by Bill Clinton. Allowed unrestricted trade that encompasses Mexico, U.S., Canada. Knocked down trade barriers.
Rules put in place for several industries like ag and technology. Many Americans lose many jobs from NAFTA, but did stop Mexican knock-off products -
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Don't Ask Don't Tell
The Clinton Administration's new policy of allowing people of the LGBT community to enlist into the military and lasted until 2011. They remained anonymous about it. Reversed the old policy that barred homosexual enlistment. -
Contract with America
In the 1994 congressional election in which the democrat suffered a crippling defeat, Republicans led by Newt Gingrich promoted a "contract with America". This contract was a promise to be more open with the people about what they do. Promoted smaller government and middle-class tax cut. Where upset over healthcare. -
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Lewinsky Affair
Clinton started an affair with a White House intern, Monica Lewinsky starting in November of 1995. Prosecutor Kenneth Star got ahold of the affair from Linda Tripp who was informed by Monica of the affair. Once the media found out, he denies the whole thing. Eventually Hous of Representatives impeaches clinton for lying. -
Welfare Reform
Also known as The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act is a U.S. federal law signed by Clinton that brought about Major changes in welfare. Was a cornerstone for the Republicans Contract with America. Replaced the AFDC program and supplanted the JOBS porgram. -
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Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA)
A federal law that defends heterosexual marriage by defining marriage as only between a man and woman. States don't have to accept gay marriages from other states. This law, however, was overturned in Windsor vs. the United States 2013 as being unconstitutional. -
Bush v. Gore
SCOTUS ruled 5-4 in favor of Bush that the state of Florida's court-ordered manual recount of the voting cards was unconstitutional. The outcome of the election was solely dependent upon Florida, where Bush won by a mere 1,800 votes. Because it was so close Florida law demanded a recount of the ballots. -
9/11 Attacks
19 al-Qaeda hijackers boarded 4 commercial airplanes (Flight 11, Flight 175, Flight 77 and Flight 72) carrying box cutters. 2 of the planes hit the World Trade Center buildings and 1 hit the Pentagon. After two hours of the crash, both towers collapsed. This was the last attack on American soil since the bombing of Pearl Harbor and the first mainland attack on the U.S. -
PATRIOT ACT
The full title of the act is the "Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001". This act was signed into law by president George W. Bush in response to the 9/11 attacks. It expands government law powers and allows intelligence agencies to conduct wide-sweeping (wiretapping, recording cell phones calls etc.) searches and surveillance. Many oppose it because it grants too much power to executive. -
No Child Left Behind Act
An act of Congress pushed through by Bush that supported standards-based education reform in response to reports of declining schools across the country, It also links federal funding to student performance on standardized tests. -
Hurricane Katrina Disaster
This Hurricane struck New Orleans as a category 3 hurricane, costing the life of 1,245 people and 108 billion dollars in damage. This was due to New Orleans low elevation and the levee system failing to hold the massive storm surge brought on by the storm that flooded 80% of New Orleans. -
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The Great Recession
The Great Recession officially lasted from December of 2007 to June of 2009, but its effects were still felt for a few years after. It was a period of strong economic decline that was the most severe downturn financially since the Great Depression. The recession was caused by falling home prices, risky investments and poor lending habits by banks. Forced the government to bail out failing banks, insurance companies and brokerage houses -
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
A stimulus package put together to stimulate the floundering economy by increasing government spending by 700 billion to create new jobs and save existing ones. Was enacted by the 111th Congress, and signed into law by president Obama. -
First Hispanic SCOTUS judge - Sonya Sotomayor
President Obama nominated Sonya Sotomayor, the first Hispanic SCOTUS judge, and first female Hispanic SCOTUS judge. Her nomination was confirmed by the Senate 61 to 31. -
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Affordable Care Act (ACA) “Obamacare”
Obama passed the ACA to make reforms for private health insurance. It mandated everyone to have health insurance or pay a fine. Obama's goal was to have universal health care for everyone in the U.S. As of May 4, 2017, however, a bill passed the House that will repeal Obama Care with the new GOP health care law. -
Undoing of DOMA
In 2011, President Obama instructed the Justice Department to no longer uphold the constitutionality of the Defense of Marriage Act which was the illegal prohibition on recognition of same-sex marriage.
