World War II
"Day of Infamy" December 7, 1941. Over 1,100 men died aboard the USS Arizona.
Bombing of Pearl Harbor
(1950 - 1953) arguably the most brutal war America has ever been involved in - 54,000 Americans would lose their lives in what became known as "The Forgotten War." The USSR and China would aid North Korea. At the conclusion of fighting the country would remain divided at the 38th Parallel. The war has never officially ended. America still has troops there today. President Truman called this war "A Police Action."
The Korean War
Communist leader of Cuba who led a successful revolution in 1959. He declared Cuba would become a Communist state. (90 miles from Florida)
Fidel Castro
the first artificial satellite was launched by the USSR on October 4, 1957.
Sputnik
(1954) Supreme Court decision overturned Plessy v. Ferguson. Supreme Court ruled that all public schools should be desegregated with all deliberate speed. "Separate can never be equal."
Brown vs Board of Education
the turning point of the war in the Pacific, from this point forward the Japanese would be on the defensive.
Battle of Midway
the United States policy designed to keep Communism from spreading after WW II.
Containment
The plan to rebuild Europe after WW II to avoid the spread of communism. The U.S. spent billions in war torn countries. Secretary of State George Marshall felt that stronger countries could avoid falling to communism.
Marshall Plan
Senator Joseph McCarthy (1950s) fear of Communism - he used fear to gain political power. His tactics destroyed many lives. President Truman announces a plan to investigate Federal Employees for connections to communism. Senator John F. Kennedy challenged McCarthy and his tactics.
McCarthyism
(1896) Supreme Court decision that created the "separate but equal" doctrine. As a result many states across the South had "Jim Crow Laws." Separate water fountains, restrooms, entrances, segregated seating at movie theatres, etc. Most importantly, segregated schools.
Plessy vs Ferguson
Operation Overlord - June 6, 1944 the greatest amphibious invasion in history to that point - A second front designed to liberate Europe would be opened.
D-Day
belief that if one nation fell to Communism, so would those around it.
domino theory
United States C-54 cargo planes transported needed supplies into the city of Berlin after Stalin ordered the roadways and waterways into the city sealed off. (food, fuel, medicine, etc.)
Berlin Airlift
Military alliance formed by the USSR with other communist countries from Eastern Europe.
Warsaw Pact
"Tune in, Turn on, Drop Out," was a common phrase of this movement. Beatniks, Hippies, Flowerchildren. Became popular during the Vietnam War. Huge party at Woodstock, NY in the Summer of 1969.
counter culture
May 8, 1945 would become known as...
VE Day
58,000 Americans would lose their lives in the first TV war. The United States wanted to prevent communism from spreading. Although America inflicted extremely heavy casualties on the enemy, public opinion turned against the war. More bombs were dropped here than on Germany, Japan, and Korea combined.
Vietnam War
A United States plan to help Greece and Turkey avoid falling to communism. Within this doctrine, President Truman said America would aid any free people (country) fighting against communism.
Truman Doctrine
period of time after WW II until the early 1960s, millions of babies were born in the United States.
baby boom
(1957) Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. Nine African-American students became the first to attend. Ernest Green was the first to graduate. The 101st Airborne had to be sent in to escort the students to class.
Little Rock 9
FDR this Executive Order would place more than 100,000 Japanese Americans into Internment camps. Korematsu v. the United States (1944) the Supreme Court agreed with FDR that American citizens should be protected from possible uprising. Finally, under President Reagan in the 80s the government would apologize and make payments to survivors.
Executive Order 9066 (Japanese Internment Camps)
this resolution was passed by Congress giving President Lyndon Johnson authority to escalate U.S. involvement in Vietnam after the USS Maddox and USS Turner Joy were said to have been fired on by North Vietnamese gun boats.
Gulf of Tonkin
Military alliance formed by the United States and allies to provide security in the event of an attack by the USSR.
NATO
Cuban exiles in the United States were trained by the CIA to overthrow Fidel Castro and his communist regime. President Kennedy's biggest failure - at the last moment JFK called back the air support and the mission failed. It was an embarrassment for the US.
Bay of Pigs
(1966) Supreme Court decision - a suspect must be made aware of his or her rights when arrested. "You have the right to remain silent, anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law...
Miranda vs Arizona