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The Beat Generation
The Beat Generation is a generation that was disgruntled with the second world war. They created art and poetry over the materialism and conformity in a post-ww2 America. The Beats would usually think of ideas through sex, drugs, and writing. -
G.I. Bill
The bill was made to help out veterans from WW2. The bill helped in making hospitals, made low-interest mortgages available and granted stipends covering tuition and expenses for veterans attending college or trade schools. -
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Cold War
A period in which the United States and the Soviet Union were at conflict over their political beliefs. The term "cold" is used because there was no large-scale fighting between the two sides but there were major conflicts, know as the proxy wars, supported by the two sides. The Cold War ended when the Soviet Union crumbled in 1991. Eastern European countries split from the Soviet Union and formed their own countries. -
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Berlin Airlift
At the end of the Second World War, the Allies occupied and divided Germany. They also split the city of Berlin from the western powers in the west and the soviets in the right. Eventually, relations became hostile and the Soviets set up the Berlin Wall to keep the east inside Eastern Berlin. The west responded by airlifting food and fuel to Berlin from Allied airbases in western Germany. It ended in early 1949 when the Soviet forces lifted the blockade on land access to western Berlin. -
Fair Deal
A "Fair Deal" is what President Harry Truman called his plan. He announced it in a speech on January 5, 1949. His Fair Deal recommended that all Americans have health insurance, that the minimum wage (the lowest amount of money per hour that someone can be paid) be increased, and that, by law, all Americans be guaranteed equal rights. -
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Joseph McCarthy
During the early 1950's McCarthy claimed 205 communists had infiltrated the State Department. Throughout his political career, he would claim that people in congress were communists to boost his political gain. These actions coined a political term known as McCarthysim. Eventually, his actions were stopped in 1954 by U.S Army officers and civilian officials. -
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Korean War (The Forgotten War)
The Korean War began when about 75,000 soldiers from the North Korean Peoples Army poured across the 38th parallel, the boundary between the Soviet-backed Democratic Peoples Republic of Korean to the north and the pro-Western Republic of Korean to the South. Later during the war, the Americans worked anxiously to create some sort of armistice with the North Koreans. This would be better because the West feared a larger scale battle or even world war 3. Finally in, July 1953 the Korean War ended. -
Ike Turner
Ike Turner was born on the 5th of November, 1931. Ike Turner (black musician) made the first Rock & Roll song “Rocket 88”. His son was then ripped off by a white musician by the name of Bill Haley. Ike Turner passed away on December 12, 2007. -
Earl Warren Supreme Court
Earl Warren was the most liberal SCOTUS in history. Helped cut down on conservative practices like praying in school, interracial marriage, and more. -
Albert Sabin
Alber Sabin was born on August 26, 1906. Sabin was known as the developer of the oral live virus polio vaccine, Dr. Sabin not only dedicated his entire professional career to the elimination of human suffering though his groundbreaking medical advances, he also waged a tireless campaign against poverty and ignorance throughout his lifetime. Sabin passed away on March 3, 1993. -
Jonas Salk
Jonas Salk was born on October 28, 1914. Salk was an American medical researcher and virologist. He discovered and developed one of the first successful polio vaccines. Jonas Salk passed on June 23, 1995 -
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Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley was born on 1935. Elvis Presley was rock & roll’s first real star, not to mention one of the most important cultural forces in history, a hip-shaking symbol of liberation for the staid America of the 1950s. A white Southerner singing blues laced with country, and country laced with gospel, he brought together American music from both sides of the color line. He passed away in 1977. -
Brown v. Board of Education
Supreme Court decision that overturned the Plessy vs. Ferguson decision (1896); led by Chief Justice Earl Warren, the Court ruled that "separate but equal" schools for blacks were inherently unequal and thus unconstitutional. The decision energized the Civil Rights Movement in the 1950s and 1960s -
Polio Vaccine
Polio is an infectious disease caused by a virus that lives in the throat and the intestinal track. It is most often spread through person-to-person contact with the stool of an infected person and may also be spread through oral/nasal secretions. The Vaccine was created in 1955 by Jonas Salk. The Vaccine helped reduce the spread of polio and has almost been eradicated to this day. -
Emmett Till Tragedy
An African-American teenager who was lynched in Mississippi at the age of 14 after reportedly flirting with a white woman. He went to the store to buy some candy he whistled at Carolyn Bryant. Several nights later her husband and a friend kidnapped Emmett from his house and lynched him. They then threw his body into a nearby river. He was found and identified with his ring because his face was so badly disfigured. -
Little Richard
Little Richard blew the lid off the Fifties, laying the foundation for rock and roll with his explosive music and charismatic persona.On record, he made spine-tingling rock and roll. His frantically charged piano playing and raspy, shouted vocals on such classics as “Tutti Frutti,” “Long Tall Sally” and “Good Golly, Miss Molly” defined the dynamic sound of rock and roll. -
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Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a protracted war between the communist government of North Vietnam and the U.S backed South Vietnamese. The war was also a part of a much larger war known as the cold war. The conflict lasted 25 years and eventually ended when the U.S backed out of Vietnam in 1973. Two years later the Northern Vietnamese took control of South Vietnam. -
The Interstate Highway System
In 1956, President Dwight Eisenhower signed the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956. The bill created a 41,000-mile “National System of Interstate and Defense Highways” that would, according to Eisenhower, eliminate unsafe roads, inefficient routes, traffic jams and all of the other things that got in the way of “speedy, safe transcontinental travel.” The real use for it was quick evacuation and movement into and out of cities. -
Southern Block
A group of southern congressmen who opposed Civil Rights. Congressmen filibuster in the 1957 passage of the Civil Rights Act. A filibuster by Strom Thurmond lasts over 24 hours but was broken and the act gets enough support to get passed. -
Little Rock 9
After Brown v. Board of Education, it was settled that integration was now the law of the land. African Americans were now allowed to go to white high school like Central High School. Governor Orval Faubus orders state troops to stop 9 black students from entering the high school. President Eisenhower intervened and deploys 101st airborne troopers to forcefully let in the African American students. Faubus backs down and lets in the student. -
Sputnik
Sputnik was the first artificial satellite to be successfully be launched into space by the Soviet Union. This prompted the U.S to create NASA and enter the space race. The public feared that the Soviets cold launch satellites into space which translated into the capability to launch ballistic missiles that could carry nuclear weapons from Europe to the U.S. -
Sit-Ins
A form of civil disobedience in which demonstrators occupy seats and refuse to move. Demonstrators would demand to be served but would usually end up getting harassed. Blacks and Whites would do it daily to get the message heard. -
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The Counter Culture
The counter culture occurred during the 60's. They seceded the Beat Generation and were know as hippies. These group of people rejected material possessions and norms. Also used drugs and LSD. -
Kennedy v. Nixon
In 1960, John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon squared off in the first televised presidential debates in American history. Kennedy won the debate because in the television he looked composed and ready. Nixon lost because he was feeling ill that day and did not look so good on televison. Audiences saw how great Kennedy look so they leaned towards his side. -
Bay of Pigs Invasion
On 1959, Fidel Castro and his guerrilla forces overthrew General Fulgencio Batista's government and took control of Cuba.in April 1961, the CIA launched what its leaders believed would be the definitive strike: a full-scale invasion of Cuba by 1,400 American-trained Cubans who had fled their homes when Castro took over. However, the invasion did not go well: The invaders were badly outnumbered by Castro’s troops, and they surrendered after less than 24 hours of fighting. -
Peace Corps
The Peace Corps was created by former President John F. Kennedy. The corps was created to inspire young college graduates to help in humanitarian projects. This helped in creating the era of liberalism. -
Cesar Chavez
Cesar Chavez uses strikes & marches for better working & living conditions for Mexican workers in California. Chavez was the head of the United Farm Workers Union (UFW). He also convinced 17 million American not to buy non-union picked grapes to help workers. His boycott worked and helped workers wages and conditions increase. -
MLK's Letter From Birmingham Jail
Martin Luther King Jr. is writing in response to criticism received regarding his "direct action" approach which was in response to white merchants failing to uphold an agreement made with blacks. he argued that non-violent tension is good. -
Birmingham Bombing
On September 15, a bomb exploded before Sunday morning services at the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama–a church with a predominantly black congregation that served as a meeting place for civil rights leaders. Four young girls were killed and many other people injured; outrage over the incident and the violent clash between protesters and police that followed helped draw national attention to the hard-fought, often dangerous struggle for civil rights for African Americans. -
Assassination of John F. Kennedy
On November 22, 1963, J.F.K was campaigning for the election of 1964. He planned to travel through downtown Dallas. While traveling in an open motorcade vehicle he was shot twice and died an hour later in a nearby hospital. JFK was shot by Lee Harvey Oswald. -
Lee Harvey Oswald
Oswald was an ex-marine with communist sympathies. Oswald left the marines and defected to the Soviet Union on October 1959. He then came back to the U.S on special permissions. He would later go on to shoot JKF from the 6th floor of the book depository. -
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Presidency of Lyndon B Johnson
Lyndon Johnson was one the great legislators of the 20th century. His plan to pass legislature was the Great Society. To get things passed through congress he would give people "The treatment" which made people feel pressured and uncomfortable. Passed many acts that helped minorities like the Civil Rights Act of 1964. -
The Warren Commission
Commission made by LBJ after killing of John F. Kennedy. The commission was made to see who really assassinated Kennedy. The commission had many suspect that were enemies of Kennedy. The conclusion is that Oswald killed Kennedy on his own. Commissioner is Chief Justice Warren. -
Barry Goldwater
In 1964, LBJ was opposed by this Republican Arizona senator who attacked the federal income tax, the Social Security system, the Tennessee Valley Authority, civil rights legislation, the
nuclear test-ban treaty, and the Great Society. -
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The Great Society
President Johnson called his version of the Democratic reform program the Great Society. In 1965, Congress passed many Great Society measures, including Medicare, civil rights legislation, and federal aid to education. -
Daisy Girl Ad
A controversial political advertisement aired on television during the 1964 United States presidential election by incumbent president Lyndon B. Johnson's campaign. Though only aired once (by the campaign), it is considered a factor in Johnson's landslide victory over Barry Goldwater and an important turning point in political and advertising history. -
Malcolm X
Malcolm X was a civil rights leader during the civil rights movement. He fought for rights just like Martin Luther King Jr the only difference is that Malcolm was militaristic. Malcolm joined the nation of Islam and Elijah Muhammed. Eventually, he separated from Elijah and black militancy. Elijah disagreed and had Malcolm gunned down in February 1965. -
Death Of Martin Luther King Jr.
On April 4, 1968, Martin Luther King, Jr., was assassinated at a Memphis hotel. James Earl Ray, a white man who resented the increasing black influence in society. King's murder set off a new round of riots across the country, while both blacks and whites mourned the tragic death of a charismatic leader. -
Silent Majority
The Silent Majority is a term given to the majority of people who are angry over the liberal practices that have been taking place in the 1960's. They were most prominent during Nixon's presidency when Nixon himself catered to the Silent Majority. They eventually helped Nixon win the election of 1968. -
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Nixon's Presidency
Richard Nixon won the election of 1968 aginst Hubert H. Humphrey. Nixon creates foreign policy known as the SALT 1 treaty. The treaty limits the number of nuclear weapons and arms the Soviet Union and the U.S can have. Eventually Nixon get caught up in Watergate scandal and quits being president in 1974. -
Apollo 11
Apollo 11 was launched from Cape Kennedy on July 16, 1969. The astronauts of the launch were Niel Armstrong, Michael Collins, and Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin. The shuttle landed on the moon and Neil Armstrong took the first step on the moon. This was a huge milestone especially during the Space race and the cold war. -
Watergate
The events and scandal surrounding a break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters in 1972 and the subsequent cover-up of White House involvement, leading to the eventual resignation of President Nixon under the threat of impeachment. The way Nixon covered up his butt was by handing over edited tapes that remove parts where he speaks about the Watergate Hotel Break-in. -
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Gerald Ford’s Presidency
Gerald Ford was vice president to Richard Nixon. After Nixon's resignation, Ford was placed as President. On September 8, 1974, one month after President Richard Nixon resigned the presidency amid the Watergate scandal, his successor, President Gerald R. Ford, announced his decision to grant Nixon a full pardon for any crimes he may have committed while in office. He also signed the Helsinki Accords. -
Reaganomics
During Reagan's presidency, he created a system of Reaganomics. This plan cut income and corporate taxes to spur the economy and create better jobs. Also reduced welfare spending and increase in defensive spending. Mostly Democrats were critical of his ideas and trickle-down economics. -
Oprah Winfrey
In 1976 Winfrey created a very popular talk show about issues and trends of the day. Eventually, she became very wealthy and one of the richest women in the world. In 2008 Oprah would go on to support Barack Obama in the election. In 2011 she would go on to create the OWN network. -
The Start of Home Video Game Systems
In the 1980's the first video game system launched. It was known as the Atari and began licensing games like Pac-man and space invaders. The system came equipped with a paddle and a joystick. This would spark an increase for video games which would later go on to create the Nintendo Entertainment System and more. -
Camp David Accords
The Camp David Accords were the peace accords signed by Menachem Begin and Anwar Sadat to finally end the Israeli-Egyptian disputes. The achievement by Carter is considered his greatest achievement in office. -
Moral Majority
The Moral Majority was created by Jerry Farwell an evangelical preacher. Farwell and other preachers preached this new movement that supported pro-life, pro-family, pro-American, and pro-Morality movements. They formed a conservative political bloc in late 70's and early 80's. -
Robert L. Johnson
Robert Johnson was the founder of Black Entertainment Televisions (BET). This was the first black-owned company traded on the New York Stock Exchange. Johnson was the first black billionaire in 2001 and the first African American to be listed on Forbes world's richest list. -
Three Mile Island
This is a partial nuclear reactor meltdown in Eastern Pennsylvania. The nuclear radiation from meltdown leaked into a nearby town but no one was affected by it. After this event, many Americans were weary of nuclear power and this form of power lost popularity. -
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Iran Hostage Crisis
When Ayatollah R. Khomeini seizes the U.S. embassy and threatens to hold Americans hostage until Pahlavi is returned to Iran from the U.S. so that he can be tried for treason. Carter tries sending helicopters to rescue hostages but helicopters crashed and Carter is seen as a failure. Khomeini negotiates and end to it and releases hostages 444 days later. -
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Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan
Afghanistan increasingly turned to the Soviet Union for support after the United States established military ties with Pakistan in 1954.The Soviets in return used the strategic location of Afghanistan, at the juncture of Asia and the Middle East, to counter the U.S. alliance with Pakistan and the surrounding Persian Gulf states. The Soviets began withdrawing from Afghanistan in May 1988 and were gone by February 1989. -
The New Right
Outspoken conservative movement of the 1980s that emphasized such "social issues" as opposition to abortion, the Equal Rights Amendment, pornography, homosexuality, and affirmative action. Many were very angry over liberal policies and big government. -
Rise of the N.R.A
The National Rifle Association was first created to promote gun safety. After the growth of gun control laws in the 60's the NRA started to become more politically involved. They did not become political lobbyist until the 1980's and eventually endorsed Ronald Reagan. -
Lionel Sosa
In the 1960s created own advertising agency; founder of the largest Hispanic advertising agency in the US; Hispanic media consultant for six Republican campaigns; 2006 recognized as one of 25 Most Influential Hispanics in America by TIME. -
Election of 1980
Republicans nominated Ronald Reagan, against re-nominated Jimmy Carter, who nobody, not even his own Democrats liked. Reagan won easily and was very popular, Carter won only six states and the District of Columbia, putting the Republicans back in control for the first time in 25 years. Carter was defeated with dignity though and was well meaning but had a lack of managerial skills. -
A.I.D.S Crisis
Diagnosed in the US in 1981; didn't receive much attention as perceived as a gay man's disease; Falwell said men getting what they deserve; over 32,000 died in a 7 year period. It starts to affect heterosexuals through blood transfusions. -
MTV
Music Television first aired in 1981. It aired the first music video to air which was The Buggles "Video Killed the Radio Star". The channel was popular with the teens of this era and helped launch many stars careers. Some of these stars include Michael Jackson and Madonna. MTV went on to revolutionize the music industry and become an influential source of pop culture and entertainment in the United States and other parts of the world. -
Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) “Star Wars”
SDI was a missile shield defense against incoming Soviet missiles. The way it shielded was by shooting incoming missiles with lasers. The true purpose of this was to give the plans to the Soviets and hoped they went bankrupt trying to develop this plan. The SDI was a failure by the US so they canned the idea. -
Rap Music
Rap Music came into popularity in the late 1980's. The rhythmic and poetic style was known as hip-hop back then. It grew into popularity because night clubs would usually play this genre of music. Most of the time rap artist would speak instead of sing over their beats and sounds. They would usually speak about problems and issues affecting the inner city. -
Reagan Doctrine
The Reagan Doctrine allowed the U.S to support guerilla fighting communists. This also switched the pln of attack for communism. Instead of containing communism they would make sure to get rid of it. They helped overthrow communist governements but in return they would put in bad people like dictators. -
Challenger Explosion
The Challenger exploded right after takeoff, killing all of the 7 astronauts on it, including a teacher. The explosion was caused cold weather that had damaged the shuttle. The explosion would go on to stall NASA's progress for two years. -
The Balkans Crisis
Bosnian Muslims, Serbs, and Croats were killing each other by 10,000s, Clinton eventually was forced to intervene, US-led NATO forces launched a massive aerial bombardment of Servia. The U.S helping shows how committed they are to human rights. -
First Iraqi War
after Iraq invaded Kuwait, the US invaded Iraq to liberate Kuwait; Iraq set Kuwait's oil fields on fire so the Americans couldn't gain the oil; this conflict caused the US to set military bases in Saudi Arabia; also called Operation: Desert Storm. -
Rodney King Incident
In 1991, Rodney King(African American) was chased for 78 miles in his car by L.A police. Eventually, the chase came to an end and the police dragged him out of his car. They then proceeded to beat him while he was on the ground and surrendering. After this event, there were riots over the L.A police demanding justice for King. Shops were looted by rioters. -
The Internet
The Internet first started up in military bases during the 1960's. It was used to exchange data between the military. Then in the 1980's supercomputers were used to allow communication in college campuses. Eventually, computers came into retail in the 1990's and were in tens of millions of homes. The internet allowed increased communications and more. -
Election of 1992
The election of 1992 had three major candidates. The candidates were William "Bill" Jefferson Clinton (Democrat), George H.W. Bush (Republican) and Ross Perot (Independent). Clinton would win 43% of the vote. Ross took votes away from Bush. -
World Trade Center Attack 1993
In 1993, terrorist exploded massive car bombs in the basement parking lot of the World Trade Center. The terrorist hoped the bombs made the towers collapse the building. The bomb left a six stories hole underground. The incident didn't cause too much damage so it was quickly forgotten. This made companies aware of their resources being in danger so they backed up their files just in case. -
North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)
The North American Free Treaty Agreement encompasses Mexico, Canada, and the United States. The treaty knocks down trade barriers between North America and expands treaty. This also put many rules and regulations on agriculture and technology industries. NAFTA also put a stop on knock- off brands from Mexico. -
The Lewinsky Affair
A scandal broke which said that Clinton had an affair with a White House Intern known as Monica Lewinski. The Special prosecutor got ahold of the affair from a Linda Tripp. Clinton decides to deny everything and testifies to Starr that he didn't do anything wrong. Later the House of Representatives tried ti impeached Clinton for lying under oath. The charges didn't get enough votes and remained president. -
Bush v. Gore (SCOTUS)
Initiated in Florida year 2000 presidential election. Democratic Gore wanted recount due to voting irregularities in 3 Democratic counties. In a 5-4 decision, Supreme Court halted the recount, giving Bush the presidency. -
George W. Bush
George Bush was the governor of Texas. In 2000 Bush ran against Al Gore. Bush ran as the republican candidate and won the election. Ran the presidency with compassionate conservatism. Bush promised to use private industry, charity, and religious organizations to help poor. Bush will cut taxes for the rich during his presidency. Also created the No Child Left Behind Program. The program revamps standards and linking federal funding to student performance on standardized tests. -
9/11 Attacks
On September 11, of 2001, 19 Al-Qaeda hijacked 4 planes and took control of them. They used a box cutter to threaten the passenger and even attacked one who tried to fight back. Two of the planes hit the twin towers and made them collapse. The 3rd plane tried attacking The Pentagon but didn't create much damage. The fourth plane tried attacking the White house but couldn't find it, eventually, the plane nosed dived into a field. Al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden claimed responsibility. -
The USA PATRIOT act
The act stands for the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism. The patriot act expands government's law enforcement powers. After the 9/11 attacks, security concerns led to new federal legislation. The act detained immigrants monitored bank accounts and wiretapped suspected callers. Very controversial due to the fact that it disrupted civil liberties. Some saw it as the executive branch abusing its power. -
Hurricane Katrina
Considered to be the one crisis of the Bush administration's second term and in is inefficiency to deal with the crisis. It destroyed 80% of New Orleans and more than 1300 people died, while the damages were $150 billion. -
The Great Recession
In the middle of the 2008 election, the economy went bust in the middle of the campaign. Falling home prices, poor lending habits by banks, risky investments lead to massive foreclosures. The government forced to bail out failing banks, brokerage houses & insurance companies. To fight the recession Bush helps by bailing out financial institutions with federal money. Will loan almost 1 trillion to private banks. -
Election of 2008
Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama fought for the Democratic nomination; John McCain as the Republican; Obama ran a grassroots campaign that engaged young voters and the black community; the failing economy was the centerpiece of the election. Barack Obama became the first African-American president in history. -
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Obama Presidency
Obama first came into office in 2008 and stayed for two terms. Obama nominates Sonia Sotomayor (first Hispanic Justice) but failed due to Republican refusal on hearings. In 2009 he created the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. This created $700 billion in government spending, new jobs, and spurred economic growth. He also created the Affordable Care Act which reformed private insurance. Everyone was required to have private insurance or you had to pay a fine. -
Sonya Sotomayor
Sonya Sotomayor was made a judge by the Obama administration. She is known as the first female Hispanic judge in the supreme court. This decision was confirmed in 2009 by the Supreme Court. -
Affordable Care Act
An expansion of Medicaid, most of the employers must provide health insurance, have insurance or face surtax, prevents rejection based on pre-existing condition. Also referred to as "Obamacare", signed into law in 2010. Also made people buy some for of isurance and if not they had to pay a fee.
