America as a World Power

#Cold War Conflicts and Triumphs: A Last-Minute APUSH Review 🚀

Hey there, future AP US History master! Let's dive into the key events of the Cold War era, focusing on the Middle East and the Space Race. This guide is designed to be your quick, go-to resource for exam success. Let's make sure you're feeling confident and ready to ace this thing!

#US-Israel Relations: Navigating a Complex Landscape 🌍

• The Balancing Act: The U.S. aimed to maintain good relations with both oil-rich Arab states and the newly formed state of Israel (1948).

• Suez Canal Crisis (1956):

  • Egypt's Gamal Nasser nationalized the British and French-owned Suez Canal after the U.S. denied funding for the Aswan Dam.
  • Britain, France, and Israel launched a surprise attack, which the U.S. opposed.
  • Eisenhower, furious at being kept in the dark, sponsored a UN resolution condemning the invasion.
  • Invading forces withdrew under pressure from the U.S. and global opinion.

  

#Eisenhower Doctrine: Containing Communism in the Middle East 🛡️

• 1957 Announcement: The U.S. pledged economic and military aid to any Middle Eastern country threatened by communism.

• Application: Eisenhower sent 14,000 marines to Lebanon to prevent a civil war between Christians and Muslims.

  

#OPEC: The Rise of Oil Power 🛢️

• Formation (1960): Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq, Iran, and Venezuela formed the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

• Objective: To coordinate petroleum policies, stabilize oil markets, and ensure a steady income for producers.

• Current Members: Algeria, Angola, Gabon, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Venezuela, and Ecuador.

#Military-Industrial Complex: Eisenhower's Warning ⚠️

• Farewell Address: Eisenhower warned against the growing influence of the military-industrial complex.

• Definition: The network of industries producing military goods that could push the government towards aggressive actions.

• Call to Action: Eisenhower urged Americans to be vigilant and ensure that decisions were based on national interest, not corporate gain.

#Sputnik and the Space Race: A Technological Showdown 🚀

• Sputnik Shock (1957): The Soviet Union launched the first satellites, Sputnik I and Sputnik II, shocking the U.S.
• National Defense and Education Act (NDEA) (1958): Congress responded by funding math, science, and foreign language education, and providing student loans.
• NASA's Creation: The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) was created to direct U.S. space efforts.

#The Space Race: Key Milestones 🏅

• Yuri Gagarin (1961): First person to orbit Earth (Soviet).

• Project Mercury: U.S. program to send a man into space.

• Alan Shepard (1961): First American in space (but not in orbit).

• Gemini Program: Focused on learning about space travel and extravehicular activity.

• John Glenn (1962): First American to orbit Earth.

• Project Apollo: NASA's lunar landing program.

• Apollo 1 Tragedy (1967): Three astronauts died in a launch simulation fire.

• Apollo 8 (1968): First manned mission to orbit the moon.

• Apollo 11 (1969): Neil Armstrong became the first man to walk on the moon.

  

The Space Race was a major aspect of the Cold War, symbolizing the competition between the U.S. and the Soviet Union in technology and ideology. It also spurred significant advancements in science and engineering.

#Camp David Accords: A Step Towards Peace 🕊️

• 1978 Meeting: President Carter invited Egyptian president Anwar Sadat and Israeli prime minister Menachem Begin to Camp David.
• Camp David Accords: A framework for negotiations, not a full peace settlement.
• Key Points: Called for peace between Israel and Arab neighbors, self-government for Palestinians, and an end to the state of war between Egypt and Israel.
• 1979 Treaty: Egypt became the first Arab nation to recognize Israel, with the return of the Sinai to Egypt.
• Unresolved Issue: The fate of Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip remained unsettled, contributing to the ongoing conflict.

#Iran Hostage Crisis: A Test of American Power ⏳

• Iranian Revolution (1979): Ayatollah Khomeini led a fundamentalist revolt against the Shah, who was a U.S. ally.

• Embassy Seizure: Irate mobs seized the U.S. embassy in Tehran and took 53 Americans hostage after the Shah was allowed into the U.S. for medical treatment.

• Failed Rescue Mission: A U.S. rescue mission failed in 1980. * Hostage Release: The hostages were released on the day of Reagan’s inauguration after 444 days of captivity.

#Final Exam Focus: Key Takeaways and Strategies 🎯

• High-Priority Topics:
  • The Space Race and its impact on American society and education.
  • The complexities of U.S. involvement in the Middle East.
  • The significance of the military-industrial complex.
  • The causes and consequences of the Iranian Revolution.
• Common Question Types:
  • Multiple-choice questions on key events and policies.
  • Short-answer questions on the causes and effects of specific events.
  • Free-response questions analyzing the impact of the Cold War on U.S. foreign policy.
• Time Management:
  • Quickly scan questions and identify key terms.
  • Prioritize questions you feel confident about.
  • Allocate time for each section and stick to your plan.
• Common Pitfalls:
  • Misreading questions or not understanding the prompt.
  • Not providing enough specific evidence to support your arguments.
  • Rushing through the exam and making careless mistakes.
• Strategies for Success:

  • Use the process of elimination on multiple-choice questions.

  • Outline your essays before you start writing.

  • Use specific historical evidence to support your points.

  • Stay calm and confident, and trust your preparation!

#

Practice Question

Practice Questions

#Multiple Choice Questions

1. The Eisenhower Doctrine was primarily intended to: (A) Promote democratic reforms in the Middle East (B) Provide economic aid to developing nations (C) Contain the spread of communism in the Middle East (D) Establish a military alliance with Arab states

2. The launch of Sputnik in 1957 led to which of the following in the United States? (A) A decrease in federal spending on education (B) The creation of the Department of Defense (C) Increased funding for math and science education (D) A reduction in the space exploration program

3. The Camp David Accords, brokered by President Jimmy Carter, were significant because they: (A) Ended the Cold War (B) Established a lasting peace in the Middle East (C) Led to a peace treaty between Egypt and Israel (D) Resolved all outstanding issues between Israel and Palestine

#Short Answer Question

Briefly explain the significance of the military-industrial complex, as described by President Eisenhower in his farewell address. How did this concept relate to the Cold War?

#Free Response Question

Analyze the ways in which the Cold War influenced U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East from 1945 to 1980. Be sure to discuss specific events and policies.

FRQ Scoring Breakdown

• Thesis (1 point): Presents a clear, historically defensible thesis or claim that establishes a line of reasoning.
• Contextualization (1 point): Describes a broader historical context relevant to the prompt (e.g., the overall dynamics of the Cold War).
• Evidence (2 points): Provides specific examples of U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East during the Cold War (e.g., Eisenhower Doctrine, support for Israel, involvement in Iran).
• Analysis and Reasoning (2 points): Explains how the Cold War influenced these policies, showing the relationship between the Cold War and U.S. actions in the Middle East.
• Complexity (1 point): Demonstrates a nuanced understanding of the topic by considering multiple perspectives or acknowledging the limitations of U.S. actions.

You've got this! Go out there and show that exam who's boss! 💪