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McCarthyism
A time period, late 1940s to early 1950s, of intense fear and paranoia that spread throughout the US, fueled by the actions of Senator Joseph McCarthy. McCarthyism was used to describe the political and social phenomenon of accusing individuals of being communist sympathizers or spies without sufficient evidence. This era was marked by a widespread fear of communism and the belief that it was infiltrating every aspect of American society, including government, entertainment, and education. -
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McCarthyism
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Truman Doctrine
On March 12, 1947, Truman, in a congressional speech, expressed how the US would be expending 400 million dollars to protect all foreign nations being threatened by communism. The doctrine was a direct response to the British government's decision to withdraw from its financial and military support of Greece and Turkey, which were facing communist insurgencies. Truman believed that the United States had a responsibility to contain the spread of communism -
Korean War
The war began in 1950 when North Korea, with the support of the Soviet Union and China, invaded South Korea. After the invasion the US began to join the war efforts, supporting South Korea. The war was a bloody fight between two ideologies; Communism and Capitalism. After years of negotiations, a ceasefire agreement was signed in 1953, officially ending the war. However, the two Koreas remain technically at war, as a formal peace treaty was never signed. -
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Korean War
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Brown v. Board of Ed
The Brown v. Board of Ed case was brought forth by the parents of Linda Brown, who was denied enrollment in a nearby all-white school in Topeka, Kansas. The family argued that the 'separate but equal' doctrine established by the Plessy v. Ferguson case in 1896 was inherently unequal and violated their daughter's rights under the 14th Amendment of the Constitution. The case made its way to the Supreme Court and eventually won, making segregation in American public schools unconstitutional. -
Vietnam War
The battle began in November 1955, and was fought between communist supported North Vietnam, and capitalist supported South Vietnam. The war stemmed from lingering ideological tensions from the Cold War. The Vietnam war was characterized by brutal guerrilla warfare tactics and even introduced new chemical warfare. The war was extremely deadly. In 1973, a ceasefire was signed, and the United States began withdrawing its troops. However, the fighting continued, with North Vietnam winning in 1975. -
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Vietnam War
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Montgomery Bus Boycott
A pivotal event in the Civil Rights Movement that took place in Montgomery Alabama in December 5,1955. It was sparked by the arrest of Rosa Parks, a black woman, who refused to give up her seat on a segregated bus for a white passenger. This act of resistance led to her arrest and a subsequent boycott of the city's bus system by the black community. The boycott lasted for 381 days, ending in December 20, 1956 after the Supreme Court deemed bus segregation unconstitutional. -
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Montgomery Bus Boycott
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Sputnik
On October 4, 1957, the Soviet Union launched Sputnik, the first artificial satellite, into space. This event marked a significant moment in history and sparked the beginning of the Space Age. The event also catalyzes the “space race” between America and the Soviet Union. Sputnik was a small, spherical satellite, measuring only 23 inches in diameter and weighing 184 pounds. It was equipped with four antennas and transmitted a simple radio signal back to Earth. -
Cuban Missile Crisis
A major Cold War confrontation between the United States and the Soviet Union brought the world to the brink of nuclear war. The crisis began on October 16, 1962, when American intelligence discovered that the SU was secretly installing nuclear missiles in Cuba. This discovery was a major threat to US national security, and a nuclear standoff ensued. Eventually, a deal was reached on October 28, 1962; the SU agreed to remove the missiles from Cuba, and the US pledged not to invade Cuba. -
March on Washington
On August 28, 1963, the march brought together over 250,000 people from multiple backgrounds to advocate for civil rights and racial equality in the United States. At this march, MLK gave his infamous “I Have A Dream” speech. The main goal of the march was to put pressure on the federal government to pass civil rights legislation and to call attention to the ongoing struggle for racial justice. -
JFK assassinated
On November 22, 1963, President John F. Kennedy, riding in an open-roof vehicle through the streets of Dallas, Texas, was shot and killed by Lee Harvey Oswald. After his death, his vice president Lydon B Johnson took over as president. JFK’s death sparked national outrage, sadness, and speculation. His death also set a precedent and new concern for presidential safety -
Civil Rights Act
A revolutionary piece of legislation in the United States that aimed to end discrimination and segregation based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. The act was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson on July 2, 1964. The act was signed in response to the ongoing civil rights movement, which had been advocating for equal rights and opportunities for African Americans and other marginalized groups. -
Tet Offensive
A military campaign in the Vietnam War was launched by the North Vietnamese against the South Vietnamese and American troops on January 30, 1968. This surprise attack, which coincided with the Vietnamese New Year (Tet), was a turning point in the war and had a major impact on both the military and political landscape of Vietnam. The offensive was a massive coordinated effort by the North-V, involving multiple attacks on major cities, towns, and military installations across South-V. -
MLK Killed
On April 4, 1968, MLK, an infamous civil rights activist, at the age of 39, was fatally shot while standing on the Lorraine Motel balcony located in Memphis, Tennessee. MLK was allegedly shot and killed by James Earl Ray; there has been speculation about who the true culprit of MLK’s death is as many believe Ray was framed by the government. Regardless, the news of MLK’s death spread throughout the world, and people were filled with anger, grief, and a sense of hopelessness. -
RFK Killed
On June 5, 1968, RFK, former Attorney General and Senator was assassinated during his presidential campaign, at the age of 42. He had just finished delivering a victory speech at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles after winning the California Democratic primary. As he made his way through the hotel's kitchen, he was fatally shot three times by Sirhan Sirhan. The news of RFK's death shocked the country, as many saw him as a symbol of hope and unity in a time of political and social turmoil. -
Moon Landing
On July 20, 1969, the United States achieved one of the greatest feats in human history by successfully landing two astronauts, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, on the surface of the moon. This momentous event was the culmination of years of scientific research, technological advancement, and intense competition between the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War. -
Watergate Break-in
A major political scandal that occurred in the United States in 1972. It involved a group of five men who were caught by a security guard breaking into the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate office complex in Washington D.C. The men were attempting to steal confidential documents and wiretap phones in order to gather information for President Richard Nixon's re-election campaign. -
Roe v. Wade
A judicial decision in 1973 by the United States Supreme Court that declared access to safe and legal abortion as a fundamental right under the Constitution. Norma McCorvey, known as "Jane Roe" in the case, filed a lawsuit against the state of Texas for its law that made it a crime to have an abortion unless the woman's life was in danger. McCorvey argued that this law violated her right to privacy, which was protected under the due process clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. -
Iranian Hostage Crisis
The crisis began on November 4, 1979, when a group of Iranian students stormed the US Embassy in Tehran, taking 52 US diplomats and citizens hostage. The group demanded that the US return the exiled Shah of Iran, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, to stand trial for crimes committed during his reign. The US refused to comply, leading to a prolonged standoff between the two countries. Finally, on January 20, 1981, after 444 days in captivity, the hostages were released and the US agreed to leave Iran alone. -
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Iranian Hostage Crisis