Harry Truman (1945-1953)
Dwight D. Eisenhower (1953-1961)
John F. Kennedy (1961-1963)
Lyndon B. Johnson (1963-1969)
Richard Nixon (1969-1974)
100
What did Truman do in regards to Civil Rights in the United States?
Truman established a committee of 15 men. This purpose was to recommend new legislation and protect people from discrimination by compliling a report and making recommendation. This included the commission on civil rights, making lynching illegal, and working on the right to vote. He also issued Executive Order 9981 in 1948 that desegretated the military.
100
What was the post-war economic boom and how did it happen?
A post-economic boom happened after WWII fueled by wartime savings. It took place through a doubled GDP, introduction of the GI Bill, and defense spending. America started to become a service-based economy. However, life for African Americans, women, and Native Americans was still limited.
100
What was important in the 1960 election?
Closest elections in U.S. history. Kennedy won by a margin of 100,000. He was the first Catholic to run for president, and this was important becausemany were skeptical that he would put faith before his country. He vowed he would keep politics and religion separate. Television was important because as more people owned televisions, they watched the presidential debate, and people said that Nixon won on radio, but Kennedy won on TV.
100
What was the Civil and Voting Rights Act?
Proposed by Kennedy in 1963 and passed by Johnson in 1964, the Civil Rights Act made segregation based on race, religion or national origin illegal in public spaces. It also banned discrimination in the workplace and created the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission which could file lawsuits for aggrieved workers. It was closely followed by the Voting Rights Act which banned any discrimination in voting, such as literacy tests or turning people away.
100
What led to Nixon’s fall?
House Judiciary Committee charged Nixon with obstruction of justice, abuse of power, & contempt pf Congress for refusing to obey a congressional subpoena; Nixon lied under oath & was charged with perjury; He also new of administration's role in crime but agreed to obstruct FBI's investigation; Fired all of his Cabinet members to attempt to convince public that he had no role in the scandal
200
What was the Fair Deal?
This was Truman’s domestic policy with 21 points. This addressed price controls, full employment, provision of jobs for veterans, taxation and legislation. The principle was all Americans should have health insurance, a minimum wage increase and civil rights. Congress rejected the health plans but approved minimum wage increase. They also passed the fair employment act that outlawed racial and religious discrimination. It built on FDR’s New Deal. It was a transition into a peacetime economy.
200
What did Eisenhower do in regards to highways?
Eisenhower instituted the Federal Aid Highway Act of 1956. This made trade easier and helped boost the post-war economy.
200
What was the new frontier
Kennedy’s plan for changing domestic poverty. This included decreasing poverty, implementing the space program, and overall increasing American morale and well-being. He made changes in housing, increased funding for elderly homes, past the omnibus housing bills with proposed spending 3.9 million to improve current housing and created public housing units. He also raised the minimum wage to $1.25 through the equal pay act.
200
What was the “war on poverty”?
LBJ declared this during his 1964 State of the Union Address. He wanted to solve problems of civil rights, joblessness, inadequate schools, housing and healthcare by improving living conditions. He introduced legislation, programs, and tax cuts to give all Americans a better quality of life. Some acts created under this idea were the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964, Medicare and Medicaid (1965), The Department of Housing and Urban Development Act (1965), the Water Quality and Clean Air Act (1965), the Tax Cuts Revenue Act of 1964, and the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.
200
What was the Nixon Doctrine?
• Issued in 1969 • Represented a move away from the policies followed in Asia since Truman • Stated that nations were responsible for their own defense
300
What was the Double V Campaign?
Pittsburgh Courier launched a weekly black newspaper titled Double V Campaign. It sought to empower Americans and desegregate the military, as well as give blacks full citizenship and rights at home.
300
What was the first suburbia? What is suburbia?
In 1974, Abraham Levitt created the first Suburbia, known as Levittown. Under post-war prosperity, this kind of lifestyle was promoted and turned into what is now known as the American Dream.
300
What were Kenedy's economic goals?
• Bring down unemployment • Improve healthcare • Improve housing funding • Increase minimum wage • Better social security • Cut taxes However, more than half of his bills were turned down by Congress. He was only able to: • Raise minimum wage • Cut taxes • Give housing assistance • Better social security
300
What was the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, and was it considered effective?
This funded primary and secondary education so that all children could have equal opportunities. Funds were appropriated for professional development and teaching materials. It was not considered extremely effective because schools used funding for unnecessary supplies, because LBJ wanted a system of self-sufficient states and school systems.
300
What was the Watergate scandal?
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
400
What was the Taft-Hurley Act?
It was originally the Labor Management and Relations Act of 1947. Truman did not like it but the Republican-dominated Congress overrode his veto. He never implemented it. It said that workers did not have the right to strike freely
400
What did Eisenhower do in terms of McCarthy?
During his term, Eisenhower ended McCarthy’s reign of terror after McCarthy started insulting higher-up representatives. He could not openly shame McCarthy, but he did convince congress to conduct an investigation which eventually ended up de-seating him. Fun fact: McCarthy died an alcoholic 2 years later.
400
Describe the Civil Rights issues that took place during Kennedy's term
When the freedom riders were attacked, the interstate commerce commission declared the segregation of transportation illegal. Segregation in education was also declared illegal when James Meredith attempted to go to Ole Miss, causing a large riot that killed 2 and injured 300.
400
What is Medicare/Medicaid and how did it come about?
Medicare provides low cost medical insurance and hospitalization for the nation’s elderly and disabled Americans, while Medicaid provides a health care plan for low income people. They were part of the Social Security Act Amendments of 1965. The original idea came from Truman, but it wasn’t put into action until Johnson.
400
What was New Federalism?
Opposition to the War in Vietnam and to growing federal social programs "converts" southern Democrats to vote Republican in increasing numbers. Republicans run former Vice President Richard Nixon for president in 1968. He runs on a small-government, anti-war campaign as defender of the "silent majority.” Nixon advocated a policy of cutting back Federal power and returning that power to the states. This was known as the "New Federalism"
500
What did Truman do in regards to Civil Rights in 1948?
Truman issued Executive Order 8802 in 1941. This was an order to desegregate the military. By 1948, the military was desegregated.
500
What was the Brown v. Board of Education ruling and Browder v. Gayle ruling and what led to them? What was Eisenhower’s involvement?
Brown v. Board of Education was the name given to 5 cases concerning segregation in public schools. The Supreme Court decided that segregation in schools was unconstitutional. Browder v. Gayle was the case following the Montgomery Bus Boycotts, arguing that the decision made in Brown v. Board applied to public transportation as well as education. Because of this, black citizens throughout the nation could ride city buses as equals. Eisenhower was racist and didn’t want to enforce civil rights decisions, but he eventually ordered the Army’s 101st Airborne Division to Central High School in Arkansas to enforce Brown v. Board when Governor Orval Faubus deployed the Arkansas National Guard to prevent black students from entering the school.
500
Describe Kennedy's involvement in the Peace Corps.
Due to his visit to Michigan University, he established the Peace Corps. This was one of his greatest successes.
500
What was the Revenue Act of 1964 and what was its result?
This was originally proposed by JFK but was not passed until LBJ. It reduced taxes on individuals and corporations by about 10% to try and stimulate the economy. The bill meant to reduce corporate income tax rate from 52 percent to 48 percent over the subsequent two years. The federal government took a $9.5 billion revenue decline, but investment increased and unemployment lowered.
500
Name three of Nixon'e achievements in domestic policy.
OSHA Nixon; The division of the Department of Labor that sets and enforces occupational health and safety rules EPA and the clean air act An independent federal agency established to coordinate programs aimed at reducing pollution and protecting the environment (Nixon) Endangered Species Act Law designed to protect plant and animal species in danger of extinction under Nixon in 1973 Price and Wage Controls In times of high inflation, this suggests that the government regulate the maximum prices that can be charged and wages that can be paid, at least in large industries (Nixon n 1971)
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