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91 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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How did the 1950s change the average American family? What could they achieve?
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Women now were homemakers and workers,
Lower wages, still many stay at home moms, Baby boom = bigger family sizes, Cult of Domesticity, *More families were able to maintain middle class status |
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Role of highway system
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National defense - so troops could have more mobility across the country,
Created construction jobs and sped up suburbanization of America, Helped trucking, automobile, oil, and travel industries, but harmed RR industry, As a result, cities withered away while shopping malls flourished in suburbs, *Material/Industrial development |
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What were the results of defense spending? How did it change American industry and government?
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Arms race with the Soviet Union (Cold War),
NSC-68 - massive military buildup for Korean War, Results: harmed the economy (couldn’t withstand all the spending), America felt limitless, Industry: *****, Government: raised national debt, Truman wanted high spending, Eisenhower wanted less, *Wartime economy/everyone liked it; stronger relationship between business and government; fueled growth |
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What was the significance of the AFL-CIO merger?
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Helped the labor movement by creating one strong force instead of 2 opposing forces
*More powerful |
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Baby Boom
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Huge leap in birthrate in the decade and a half after 1945
End of wars More marriages too Ended 1957, but by 1973 extremely low birthrate *Population growth |
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What role were women expected to play in 1950s society?
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White collar employment gave more job opportunities for women
Pink collar ghettos Homemakers and workers - raises questions of home life and gender roles But mostly: the family! - take care of children *Traditional place in home |
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Beat Generation
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Rejected modern American life, sought romantic self-expression and nonconformity
Realism Writers, poets, playwrights *”Lost Generation” of the ‘50s, unconventional writers |
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What was Truman’s economic goal?
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FDR-esque / New Deal-esque
Fix Unemployment Fair Deal: increased minimum wage, tried to guarantee most ppl a job Stop Inflation-Economic Stabilization Act of 1945 - ineffective *Everyone should have a job |
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Taft-Hartley Act – who supported it? What was its goal?
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Weakened unions and limited collective bargaining by:
---Prohibit closed-shop, unions liable for damages from strikes, all union leaders must take non-Communist oaths, 60-day cooling period Truman did not support & vetoes, but Congress overrides Result: unions get stronger & AFL-CIO merge *Republicans were against unions |
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Election of 1948 – Why was it assumed the Democrats would lose?
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They thought Truman was doomed bc of his awful first term and:
---Inflation, shortages, and strikes *Democratic party split; Truman won |
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What role should did Eisenhower believe the government should play in the economy?
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Dynamic conservatism / modern republicanism
Moderate - stay in the middle Gov has too much power - give more power to the states Wanted balanced budget & less military spending No deficit spending *Limited role of government in the economy |
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How did developing black communities impact the economy? How did businesses react to these new communities?
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Very poor neighborhoods (bc of white flight to the suburbs) & migration of blacks from South to the North
De facto segregation - real estate agents wouldn’t show blacks houses in white neighborhoods Once whites left a neighborhoods, so did businesses and funding *Businesses had to appeal to blacks and there was an integration of blacks in the workforce |
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Diners Club
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Introduced first plastic credit card in 1949
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Levittown
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Created by the Levitt brothers in Long Island in the 1940s
Revolutionized home construction techniques - assembly line?, aesthetic monotony *Suburbanization |
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Dr. Spock
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Wrote The Common Sense Book of Baby and Child Care
Influenced how mothers raised their children |
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Brown v. Board of Education
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Ended segregation in public schools
Reversed Plessy v. Ferguson Resistance in Deep South |
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Montgomery Bus Boycott – why was it effective?
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Catapulted MLK Jr. into the mix
After Rosa Parks was arrested, MLK Jr rallies black community to do this Effective because a large portion of the bus riders were blacks, so the bus companies lost business/money *First time blacks united to pursue their goals |
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Civil Rights Act of 1957 / Civil Rights Commission
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Minor legislation - creates Civil Rights Commission
Allowed Justice Dept to legally go after the southern cities/states that tried to deny black voting rights Wasn’t used for another 8 years *First civil rights legislation since reconstruction, Civil Rights Commission |
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Civil disobedience – why was it successful?
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For movement to be successful, you need support of white politicians in north & you need to convince northern white Americans’s consciences to battle for civil rights
Belief - this is mainly a southern problem (they need to realize it was not) People saw nonviolent people subject to harassment by the police and it showed the police in a negative light and the blacks in a positive light |
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James Meredith – what was the reaction to his admission to the University of Mississippi?
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He faced violent opposition when trying to register
JFK sent in 400 federal marshals and 3,000 troops to help enroll him into his first class |
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How did the movement change in the mid-60s?
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The government starts supporting the movement by passing:
Civil Rights Act of 1964 - banned segregation in private facilities open to the public Title 7 - banned discrimination in hiring Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Fight shifts from ending Jim Crow (which ended) to enfranchisement *More violent/aggressive |
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What branch of government was most supportive of Civil Rights?
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Judicial
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Explain Stokely Carmichael’s view of “Black Power”
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Self-defense
”It is a call for black people in this country to unite, to recognize their heritage, to build a sense of community. It is a call for black people to define their own goals, to lead their own organizations.” Did not believe in integration, but rather racial separatism *Blacks should own their own commodities, have control over economic, social, and political institutions |
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De facto segregation – what are examples?
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Whites moving away from blacks
Etc... (Segregation by matter of fact - not by laws) |
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Why did the U.S. distrust the Soviet Union?
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Signed a non-aggression act with Hitler and then did land grab in east Europe
Katyn Forest Massacre - discovered in Poland during WWII ---20,000 Polish gov officers rounded up and executed Concept of free elections ---Russia subverted them after Yalta and Potsdam in Germany Communism / Marxism - violent and worldwide revolution Didn’t help that much in the Pacific Stalin: purges, killed more people than Hitler, leader |
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Poland – How did events in Poland impact the Cold War?
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After Yalta, Poland would have a representative government and free elections, but Stalin broke this
Poland “Solidarity” movement - martial law & Reagan imposed economic sanctions against Poland Solidarity movement topples communist regime, then it prompted other eastern European nations to topple communism Then the Berlin Wall came down Basically USSR breaks up, Gorbachev no longer is the ruler of anything *First political confrontation (Yalta and Potsdam) |
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Iron Curtain – Winston Churchill
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Dividing Europe: non-communists vs. communists
West vs. East Europe |
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Containment Policy
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Prevent further spread of communism, but get rid of communism that already exists
Similar to quarantine by FDR Any means necessary *Kennan, first applied in Turkey/Greece then dominant foreign policy afterwards |
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Marshall Plan – explain the ideology behind it.
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Stop advance of iron curtain by making Europe financially secure
So, give them money to rebuild economies from the war And, once they have money they can invest it and buy our stuff |
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What role did Germany play in the Cold War? What was the US view? Soviet view?
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After WWII, divided into 4 sections controlled respectively by: Great Britain, the US, France, and the Soviet Union
Later on, GB, Fr, and US combined their areas into one Eventually, Germany let into NATO, led to Warsaw Pact *First physical confrontation??? |
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China – How did the US react to it becoming communist? How did critics of Truman react?
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Truman believed fight against communism in China was unwinnable (sending money is a waste, because the people want to be communist)
US refuses to recognize China (instead recognize island of Taiwan as China) Americans were outraged that communism had spread and containment had failed, and thus were angry at Truman His critics claimed he wasn’t doing enough to stop communism! |
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Korean War – causes. Why did we get involved?
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N: USSR, S: US; UN kicks out troops from both USSR & US
Korea divides along 38th parallel North Korean army passes the parallel into South Korea and captures the capital Seoul and the South Korean army is destroyed Because, this is an “act of aggression”, the US intervened A UN mission was sent to Korea, led by US General Douglas MacArthur Because he is leading the mission, the US is mainly involved In the end, MacArthur is fired for not following Truman’s orders |
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38th Parallel
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The parallel through which North and South Korea are divided
Originally USSR controlled the North, and the US controlled the South, but then, the UN ordered them to leave The UN set up an election to determine whether Korea would be communist or democratic - split, so then, the nation split along the parallel |
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Ho Chi Minh – how did he go from ally to enemy?
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Led nationalist movement, then declared Vietnam independent from France
US supports him when he fights Japan in the Indochina War Then, we give Vietnam back to the French Ho Chi Minh becomes a dangerous communist aggressor He is an enemy because he is communist now |
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Describe the U.S. policy toward the Middle East. What were the goals of both Truman and Eisenhower?
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Truman strengthened the relationship in the Middle East (to use against the Soviet Union) - solidified relationship w/ Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi
---Used Middle East to get oil to help Europe ---Supported the creation of Israel Eisenhower: ---Iranian coup to install Mohammed Reza Pahlevi as dictator(hurt relationship with the people of Iran) ---Suez Crisis ---Helped end a civil war in Lebanon ---Eisenhower Doctrine - send economic aid to Middle Eastern nations combating communism *Protect western access to oil supply |
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Loyalty Program
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Truman - investigation of people seeking government jobs and those in jobs
Goal: to find communists and protect the country 3 million investigated, 3,000 fired - very small amount fired for communism (some for homosexuality, alcoholism, gambling) Basically, just make an accusation (high level of fear), don’t need much evidence Political suicide to stand up to the red scare |
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Bay of Pigs – why did JFK support it?
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Cubans who escaped to the US under Fidel Castro were trained by the CIA and sent to Bay of Pigs to invade Cuba
CIA wanted to give them “boots on the ground”, but JFK refused and said that they were only there to blow up the Cuban airforce In the end, air force isn’t blown up, Cubans captured and tortured, we deny and look bad internationally (Fear that the Soviet Union would overtake Cuba into communism, and JFK wanted to prevent the further spread of communism) *He didn’t fully support it |
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Cuban Missile Crisis – what were the goals of the U.S.?
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Get the Soviet Union to remove the missiles from Cuba (too close to us!!)
Naval blockade, very close to WWIII, then they comply as long as we remove missiles from Turkey, we comply, positive dealings and stuff *Determination to block communism |
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Domino Theory
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If one nation fell to communism, the neighbors would then fall, and then the region, and then the continent, and then the world, etc...
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Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
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US was protecting South Vietnamese ships off the coast of North Vietnam
---North Vietnam accused us of being in their territory ---USS Maddox attacked by torpedo ships twice Johnson asks Congress to pass resolution to give him a blank check to further use force if necessary with no approval needed from Congress *Justified efforts in Asia |
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What role did the government play in providing welfare?
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*Government should play a more active role
***** |
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What obstacles did JFK face in the Election of 1960?
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Against Nixon - status quo and cold war policies, wanted to extend freedom throughout the world
During debate, those on the radio knew that Nixon actually won *Catholicism |
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What role did Television play in the Election of 1960?
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Debate between JFK and Nixon
Most people watched TV vs. listened to the radio JFK looked glowing and youthful while Nixon looked sinister and sick |
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New Frontier – why did it struggle?
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(conservative) Congress would not pass his legislation
Big business did not support it |
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JFK assassination – why was he in Dallas?
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He was campaigning there and he believed if he didn’t get Texas’s vote, he wouldn’t win the election
He went in a parade |
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What were LBJ’s goals as President?
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Civil Rights Act of 1964
---Banned racial discrimination in private facilities open to the public ---Strengthened federal government to end segregation in public places and schools ---Title 7 - banned discrimination in hiring ---EEOC - Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Great Society - social welfare (end poverty), civil rights, education as instrument of economic equity, beautify cities & environment *Secure welfare state |
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Explain the Great Society. Why did it fail?
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Tet Offensive
*Vietnam War - too much spending |
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How did LBJ differ from JFK?
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LBJ is “Great Persuader” - understood legislative process and could get stuff done from both force and diplomacy
He was a bully and could get things done |
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Election of 1968 – What happened to the Democratic party? Explain why Nixon won?
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Democratic Party divided between Eugene McCarthy, Humphrey, RFK
---McCarthy - college students supported, immediate end of Vietnam War ---Johnson drops out - “too busy being president to run” ---Humphrey - Great Society, Vietnam, not popular with youth ---RFK - Brother’s legacy, minorities RFK assassinated, between McCarthy and Humphrey Convention - would adopt pro-Vietnam platform Led to SDS (Weathermen) protested - led to violence Nixon won, because people felt like they needed new leadership & promised a return to Law and Order, End Vietnam War, Great Society is a failure & silent majority |
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Election of 1964 – explain why LBJ won? (The Daisy Girl)
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LBJ vs. Barry Goldwater
Daisy Girl commercial - shown once: ---Girl counting petals on a daisy, then a nuclear bomb explodes ---If you vote Goldwater, you’re children will die bc he’s a warmonger |
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Why did the cease-fire ending the Six-Day war not reduce tension in the Middle East?
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Middle Eastern countries refused to recognize Israel; Israel refused to give up territory
***** |
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Cesar Chavez – how did he impact the political role of Hispanic Americans?
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Organized union movement of Chicano farmers
Grape pickers - united migrant workers to fight against harsh conditions |
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Law and Order
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Nixon in election of 1968
Promised end to riots and assassinations Why Nixon won - Dem Convention was too chaotic |
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OPEC – impact on U.S. and the economy.
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Oil shortages/embargo
Hurt the economy because we were too dependent on foreign oil Project Independence to become more independent - speed limit of 55mph, open Alaskan pipeline, etc *Raised prices, increased inflation, main cause of economic problems in ‘70s |
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Nixon Doctrine - Vietnamization
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Nixon Doctrine:
---Honor all foreign treaties ---Provide nuke shield to allies in attack ---Provide help, but attacked nation will do all the fighting ---Save $$$ by not 100% supporting lesser allies ---We’ll back you up, but won’t send ground troops Vietnamization: ---Increase and train ARVN ---Universal Conscription ---Phoenix Program - train S. Vietnam to infiltrate villages |
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How did Nixon escalate the conflict in Vietnam? How did the nation react?
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Cambodia - under attack & Pol Pot takes over
Ho Chi Minh trail - follow to find supplies and cut the lines off Invade Cambodia, not successful Viewed the war as unwinnable and this is an unnecessary escalation of war (Also, invade Laos w/out America knowing) ***** |
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Pentagon Papers
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Released by Daniel Ellsburg
Laos attacks w/out American public knowledge while LBJ promised not to expand the war Discussed how we had no exit strategy, indicated that LBJ & JFK misled Congress & lied to American people |
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Describe Nixon’s foreign policy in regards to Communist countries.
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Ping Pong Diplomacy w/ China - restoring diplomatic relations
Détente - easing tensions with the Soviet Union ---Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty - don’t give nuclear weapons to other nations ---SALT I - strategic arms limitation treaty ---Berlin Accords - recognized East and West Germany ---3 year grain sale to USSR |
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Watergate – results. How did it impact the image of the Presidency?
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Impeached, but resigns before the impeachment trial begins
Ford became president - illegitimate & also pardoned Nixon Loss of faith in the presidency American cynicism towards politics ***** |
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N.O.W. – discuss their views.
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*Women are not equal, inspired by civil rights legislation
Women need to fight to gain equality Equality is declining Esp. inequity in the workplace Equality for all people - not just women |
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A.I.M. – discuss their views.
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*Became militant in advocating Native American rights
Violence - Battle of Wounded Knee |
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Gloria Steinem
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*Leader of feminist movement; women don’t need men
Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) doesn't get passed |
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How did Nixon handle environmental issues?
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Established EPA
Strengthened Clean Air Act Strengthened Water Quality Act Created OSHA (Occupational Safety and Hazards Administration) Protect workplace environments |
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Ralph Nader – consumer protection.
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*Leading consumer protection advocate of the ‘70s
***** |
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How did Carter try to stimulate the economy? How did he change from this plan in 1979?
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At first, deficit spending & increased interest rates (cut taxes?????)
---Led to higher inflation and huge deficits ---Angered conservatives Then, changed to budget cuts and social program cuts ---Angered liberals |
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How did Carter try and deal with the energy crisis of 1979?
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*Reduce nation’s oil imports, improve energy efficiency
Malaise Speech - blamed America for being too materialistic |
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Afghanistan – How did it impact US / Russian relations?
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(Russia’s Vietnam)
UN demands Russia withdraws US provides billions in aid to Afghanistan to fight against We boycott 1980 Summer Olympics Carter Doctrine - we will use military force if necessary to defend national interests; first middle east policy Possible end to détente *No SALT II, no Olympics, increased Cold War in late ‘70s |
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What were the goals of the conservative coalition in terms of welfare?
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Limit wasteful spending on social programs
*Roll back welfare state ***** |
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What did Republicans gain in the Election of 1980?
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They gained control of the Senate for the first time in 25 years
***** |
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Explain Reaganomics (Supply-side economics).
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Goals: Cut taxes for wealthy/bug business
---Wealthy will spend -> businesses will grow ---Businesses will hire more people ---People will spend money -> growing economy ---Balance budget -> drastically cut social programs *Cut taxes & reduce spending - trickle down***** |
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What was Reagan’s attitude toward military spending?
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Peace through strength - massive military buildup
***** |
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How did Reagan fight the Cold War? How would you describe his foreign policy?
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Peace through strength - become too advanced for the Soviets
Very aggressive foreign policy - end of détente But eventually - Glasnost & Perestroika & Reagan Corollary*** |
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What happened to unions in the 80s?
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*Public turned against them, became weaker
They declined |
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Results of the Election of 1980 – discuss impact.
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*Reagan won; complete sweep for Republicans
Reagan Revolution - wave of conservatism |
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Walter Mondale
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Democrat against Reagan in Election of 1984 (VP of Carter)
Not many people supported him, because security lagged under Carter |
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Results of the Election of 1988 – discuss why?
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Lower voter turnout in 65 years
Lots of mudslinging Gary Hart -> Michael Dukakis (D) vs. H. W. Bush (R) Because he attacked Dukakis/mudslinging |
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Describe George HW Bush’s campaign strategy in 1988?
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Attacked Dukakis - he’s unpatriotic, soft on crime, soft on defense, an overly liberal wimp
***** |
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How did the Gulf War impact George HW Bush?
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Positive because he handled the event positively
Approval rating was 89% (but then he lost the election) |
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Causes & Results of Persian Gulf War
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Causes: Saddam Hussein (Iraq) attacked Kuwait for their oil field to recover economy after war with Iran
---US/UN ultimatum to leave, then large coalition of nations to drive Iraq out of Kuwait Results: Iraq driven out of Kuwait, Saddam Hussein was not overthrown ---(To limit casualties, we were not prepared to occupy & rule Iraq, Iraq would be defenseless against Iran) |
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Why was the collapse of communism so significant?
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*Biggest event in world history
End of Cold War |
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Immigration Act of 1990
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*Raised immigration quotas
************** |
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What happened to the economy in the 90s under Clinton?
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1st term - drastic tax increase, Reps (Newt Gingrich) wouldn’t pass budget so government shut down for 3 weeks
Economy skyrocketed from internet boom ---Widespread investing, stock market skyrockets, lower interest rates, inflation drops, unemployment down to 4%, government surplus |
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What problems did the “aging” revolution present to America?
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*Graying of social security - couldn’t support everyone
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Explain the impact of AIDS.
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*Health crisis not limited to one segment of the population; everyone was affected
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How was affirmative action viewed in the 1990s? How did the federal courts get involved?
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*Backlash, resented, suffered setbacks, federal government attacked it and courts turned on it
*************** |
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What would be considered President Clinton’s (and Hilary’s) biggest failure?
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National health care reform (plan never got out of congress, Hillary in charge)
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What did Republicans gain in the midterm elections of 1994?
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Gained control of both houses
Contract with America (response to Clinton’s tax hikes) - failed?? They couldn’t keep the house majorities bc government shutdown |
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Clinton – peace agreements between Israel and PLO.
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Meeting @ White House w/ Israel Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and PLO Leader Yasir Arafat
Agreed on self-rule for Palestinians in Israel Then, Rabin was assassinated So, the agreement basically ended ***** |
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Sandra Day O’Connor
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First Female Supreme Court Justice
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Sandinistas vs Contras – What role did Reagan play in this conflict?
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Nicaragua - Pro-West Contras vs. Communist Sandinistas
Reagan involved in the Iran-Contra Affair: ---Illegally sold missiles to Iranians to release hostages from Palestinians ---Used profits to funnel money to the Contras so they could buy weapons ---Violates Boland Amendment |
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Kenneth Star - Whitewater
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Special prosecutor in Whitewater scandal
---Real estate venture in AR, Jim McDougall ran it, Clinton invested, money from venture was funneled into Clinton's campaign fund---Starr investigates and Hilary says the written documents were shredded |
