Glossary
Anti-War Movement
A social and political movement, particularly prominent during the Vietnam War, that opposed U.S. military involvement and policies, advocating for peace and non-intervention.
Example:
The Kent State shootings, where National Guardsmen killed student protestors, galvanized the anti-war movement across college campuses, leading to widespread demonstrations.
Arms Races
A competition between two or more countries to have the best and most weapons, particularly nuclear weapons, in an effort to gain military superiority or deter attack.
Example:
The intense nuclear arms race between the U.S. and the Soviet Union led to both nations accumulating massive arsenals, creating the concept of mutually assured destruction.
Baby Boom
A significant increase in the birth rate, particularly in the United States, following World War II, lasting from the mid-1940s to the early 1960s.
Example:
The post-WWII baby boom led to a massive expansion of suburban housing and schools as families grew and demanded more resources.
Brown v. Board of Education
A landmark 1954 Supreme Court case that declared state-sponsored segregation in public schools unconstitutional, overturning the 'separate but equal' doctrine established by Plessy v. Ferguson.
Example:
The ruling in Brown v. Board of Education sparked widespread resistance in the South but laid the legal groundwork for desegregation across the nation.
Civil Rights Act of 1964
Comprehensive legislation that outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin, effectively ending legal segregation in public places and employment.
Example:
The passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was a monumental victory, prohibiting segregation in restaurants, hotels, and other public accommodations.
Civil Rights Movement
A social movement in the United States during the 1950s and 1960s aimed at ending racial segregation and discrimination against African Americans and securing equal rights.
Example:
The Montgomery Bus Boycott was a pivotal event in the Civil Rights Movement, demonstrating the power of nonviolent protest and community organizing.
Cold War
A period of geopolitical tension between the United States and the Soviet Union that lasted from the end of World War II in 1945 until the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. It was characterized by ideological conflict and proxy confrontations rather than direct military engagement.
Example:
The Cold War saw the U.S. and USSR compete for global influence, often through supporting opposing sides in regional conflicts like the Korean War.
Counterculture of the 1960s
A social and cultural movement characterized by a rejection of mainstream societal norms, materialism, and traditional values, often associated with the hippie movement and advocating for social and political change.
Example:
The Woodstock music festival became an iconic symbol of the counterculture of the 1960s, embodying its ideals of peace, love, and communal living.
Federal Government (increasing role in economy)
The expanding involvement of the U.S. federal government in economic policy and programs, aimed at promoting growth, stability, and social welfare.
Example:
The creation of the interstate highway system demonstrated the federal government's increasing role in the economy, investing in infrastructure to boost commerce and transportation.
Intersectional Feminism
A framework within feminism that recognizes how various forms of discrimination, such as racism, sexism, homophobia, and classism, intersect and overlap, creating unique experiences of oppression.
Example:
An intersectional feminist approach would analyze how a Black woman might face compounded discrimination based on both her race and gender in the workplace.
Interstate Highway System
A vast network of controlled-access highways in the United States, authorized by the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956, designed to improve transportation for commerce and national defense.
Example:
The construction of the Interstate Highway System revolutionized travel and commerce, making it easier to transport goods and connect cities across the country, while also facilitating suburban growth.
Marshall Plan
A U.S. foreign aid initiative enacted in 1948 that provided substantial financial assistance to Western European countries to help them rebuild their economies after World War II and resist the spread of communism.
Example:
The Marshall Plan not only helped rebuild war-torn Europe but also created strong trading partners for the United States, bolstering its economic influence and containing Soviet expansion.
Middle Class (rise of)
The significant expansion of a socioeconomic group characterized by moderate incomes, higher education levels, and a comfortable standard of living, largely fueled by post-war prosperity.
Example:
The rise of the middle class after WWII allowed many families to afford homes, cars, and college education for their children, shaping American consumer culture.
Multinational Corporations (growth of)
The increasing prominence and global reach of large companies that operate in multiple countries, expanding their influence through new technologies and international markets.
Example:
The growth of multinational corporations like IBM and General Electric symbolized America's expanding economic and technological influence worldwide.
National Organization for Women (NOW)
An American feminist organization founded in 1966 that advocates for women's rights and equality, working to eliminate discrimination and achieve full participation for women in society.
Example:
NOW played a crucial role in advocating for the Equal Rights Amendment and challenging sex discrimination in employment through legal and political action.
Post-World War II economic boom
A period of unprecedented economic growth and prosperity in the United States following World War II, driven by increased consumer demand, government spending, and global economic dominance.
Example:
The post-World War II economic boom led to widespread suburbanization and increased homeownership as families enjoyed rising incomes and new opportunities.
Proxy Wars
Conflicts where opposing powers support different sides in a war, rather than fighting each other directly, often to advance their own ideological or geopolitical interests.
Example:
The Vietnam War was a classic proxy war, with the U.S. supporting South Vietnam and the Soviet Union and China backing North Vietnam.
Second Wave of Feminism
A period of feminist activity in the U.S. beginning in the 1960s and lasting into the 1980s, focusing on issues beyond suffrage, such as reproductive rights, workplace equality, and challenging traditional gender roles.
Example:
The second wave of feminism challenged the notion that a woman's primary role was that of a homemaker, advocating for women's entry into professions previously dominated by men.
Service Sector (growth of)
The expansion of the economic sector focused on providing services rather than producing goods, including industries like healthcare, education, finance, and retail.
Example:
The growth of the service sector meant more Americans found employment in offices, hospitals, and schools rather than traditional manufacturing jobs.
The Feminine Mystique
A groundbreaking 1963 book by Betty Friedan that critiqued the societal pressure on women to find fulfillment solely through domesticity, often credited with sparking the second wave of feminism.
Example:
Betty Friedan's The Feminine Mystique articulated the 'problem that has no name,' describing the widespread dissatisfaction among middle-class American housewives.
Voting Rights Act of 1965
Federal legislation that prohibited racial discrimination in voting, outlawing literacy tests and other discriminatory practices that had disenfranchised African Americans.
Example:
The Voting Rights Act of 1965 dramatically increased African American voter registration and political participation, especially in the Southern states.