Cold War
What was the Cold War?
A period of political tension between the U.S. and the Soviet Union from the end of World War II until the early 1990s.
Who was Rosa Parks?
An African American civil rights activist known for refusing to give up her bus seat, sparking the Montgomery Bus Boycott.
What was the main goal of U.S. involvement in Vietnam?
To prevent the spread of communism in Southeast Asia.
What was the Second Red Scare?
A period of intense fear of communism in the U.S. after World War II, leading to government investigations and blacklisting.
What did the Berlin Wall symbolize?
The division between communist East Germany and democratic West Germany, and the broader divide between East and West during the Cold War.
What were the key events of the Berlin Airlift?
The U.S. and Britain provided supplies to West Berlin after Stalin cut off access in 1948.
What was the significance of the Birmingham Campaign?
It aimed to desegregate Birmingham and highlighted the brutality faced by civil rights activists, gaining national attention.
Describe the major events of the Vietnam War.
Key events include the Gulf of Tonkin Incident, Tet Offensive, and the Fall of Saigon.
How did McCarthyism affect American society?
It created a climate of fear, leading to accusations and persecution of individuals suspected of being communists.
When was the Berlin Wall constructed?
The Berlin Wall was constructed in 1961.
Describe the concept of mutually assured destruction (MAD).
A military strategy where both sides in a conflict have the ability to destroy each other with nuclear weapons, deterring them from starting a war.
Explain the impact of the March on Washington.
It brought together a diverse crowd advocating for civil rights and featured Dr. King's "I Have a Dream" speech, influencing future legislation.
How did the Vietnam War affect U.S. public opinion?
It led to widespread protests and a significant decline in trust towards the government.
What were the main fears during the Red Scare?
Fear of communist infiltration in the government and society, leading to concerns about national security.
What events led to the fall of the Berlin Wall?
Increasing pressure for reform in Eastern Europe and public protests led to the eventual opening of the Wall in 1989.
How did the Cold War affect U.S. foreign policy?
The U.S. adopted active internationalism and aimed to contain the spread of communism through various policies and alliances.
Who was Medgar Evers and why is he important?
A civil rights leader in Mississippi who was murdered for his activism, his death highlighted the dangers faced by civil rights workers.
What was the Tet Offensive?
A surprise attack by North Vietnamese forces during the Vietnamese New Year in 1968, which turned public opinion against the war.
Who were the Rosenbergs?
Julius and Ethel Rosenberg were executed for espionage, accused of passing atomic secrets to the Soviet Union.
How did the fall of the Berlin Wall impact Europe?
It marked the end of the Cold War and led to the reunification of Germany and greater European integration.
What role did the Atomic Age play in the Cold War?
It introduced nuclear weapons into military strategy, creating a constant threat of nuclear war between the U.S. and the Soviet Union
What was the Freedom Summer Project?
A campaign to increase voter registration among African Americans in Mississippi, facing violent resistance but resulting in many new registrations.
What were the long-term effects of the Vietnam War?
It resulted in changes to U.S. foreign policy and military engagement, as well as lasting impacts on veterans and American society.
How did the Second Red Scare end?
It gradually faded as McCarthy's influence waned and the public became skeptical of anti-communist hysteria.
What role did Gorbachev play in the fall of the Berlin Wall?
His policies of glasnost (openness) and perestroika (restructuring) encouraged reform movements in Eastern Europe, contributing to the Wall's fall.