| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| civil liberties | Individual rights and freedoms protected by law, including freedom of speech, religion, and due process. |
| civil rights | The movement and legal efforts to secure equal rights and protections for African Americans and other marginalized groups, particularly regarding ending segregation and discrimination. |
| Cold War | The prolonged period of geopolitical tension between the United States and the Soviet Union and their respective allies, characterized by ideological conflict, nuclear arms race, and proxy wars, but without direct military confrontation between the superpowers. |
| Communist | An ideology and political system based on collective ownership of property and centralized control of the economy, associated with the Soviet Union during the Cold War. |
| conservatism | A political ideology emphasizing limited government, traditional values, and resistance to rapid social change, which resurgent in the postwar period. |
| free-market global economy | An international economic system based on capitalism and open trade that the United States promoted as an alternative to communist economic models. |
| international security system | Institutions and agreements established after World War II to maintain peace and collective defense, including organizations like NATO and the United Nations. |
| liberalism | A political ideology emphasizing individual rights, democratic governance, and an expanded role for government in addressing social and economic problems. |
| postwar | The period following World War II, from 1945 onward, characterized by American global leadership and significant domestic social and economic changes. |
| Reconstruction-era promises | The unfulfilled commitments made during Reconstruction (1865-1877) to provide equality and rights to formerly enslaved African Americans. |
| segregation | The forced separation of people based on race, enforced through laws and social practices, particularly in the American South. |
| social justice | The pursuit of fair treatment and equal rights for all people, particularly regarding issues of identity, discrimination, and systemic inequality. |
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| civil rights | The movement and legal efforts to secure equal rights and protections for African Americans and other marginalized groups, particularly regarding ending segregation and discrimination. |
| Civil Rights Act of 1964 | Federal legislation that prohibited discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin in public accommodations, employment, and other areas. |
| desegregation | The process of ending the forced separation of racial groups in public institutions, schools, and facilities. |
| direct action | Confrontational protest tactics such as sit-ins, marches, and demonstrations used to challenge discriminatory practices and laws. |
| individual liberties | Fundamental freedoms and rights guaranteed to individuals, such as freedom of speech, religion, and due process. |
| legal challenges | Court cases and lawsuits used to contest discriminatory laws and practices and establish legal precedents for civil rights. |
| nonviolent protest | A philosophy and strategy of achieving social and political change through peaceful means rather than force or violence. |
| racial discrimination | The unjust treatment of individuals or groups based on their race, often resulting in denial of rights, opportunities, or equal treatment. |
| racial equality | The principle that all individuals should have equal rights, opportunities, and treatment regardless of race. |
| social and political unrest | Widespread disorder and discontent arising from social tensions and political conflicts within society. |
| Supreme Court decisions | Rulings by the highest federal court that interpret the Constitution and establish legal precedents affecting civil rights and liberties. |
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| American Indian movements | Organized efforts by Native Americans to achieve social and economic equality and address historical injustices. |
| Asian American movements | Organized efforts by Asian Americans to achieve social and economic equality and address historical injustices. |
| civil rights | The movement and legal efforts to secure equal rights and protections for African Americans and other marginalized groups, particularly regarding ending segregation and discrimination. |
| counterculture | A social movement of the 1960s in which young people rejected mainstream values and norms of their parents' generation, advocating alternative lifestyles and social change. |
| Feminist movements | Organized efforts by women to achieve legal, economic, and social equality. |
| Latino movements | Organized efforts by Latino/Hispanic Americans to achieve social and economic equality and address historical injustices. |
| LGBTQ+ activism | Organized efforts by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer individuals to achieve legal, economic, and social equality. |
| redress of past injustices | Efforts to address and remedy historical wrongs and discrimination experienced by marginalized groups. |
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| anti-communist foreign policy | U.S. diplomatic and military strategies designed to oppose the spread of communism globally during the Cold War. |
| anti-war protests | Organized demonstrations and activism opposing U.S. military involvement in the Vietnam War. |
| counterculture | A social movement of the 1960s in which young people rejected mainstream values and norms of their parents' generation, advocating alternative lifestyles and social change. |
| liberal policies | Government programs and approaches associated with the Democratic Party and progressive reform that some leftist groups criticized as insufficient in addressing racial and economic inequality. |
| racial and economic status quo | The existing systems of racial segregation and economic inequality that some groups sought to transform during the 1960s. |
| sexual norms | Societal expectations and standards regarding sexual behavior and relationships that the counterculture challenged and sought to change. |
| Vietnam War | The prolonged conflict in Southeast Asia (1955-1975) between North Vietnam and South Vietnam, with significant U.S. military involvement that became a major source of domestic opposition. |
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| environmental movement | A social and political movement from the 1960s-1980s that advocated for legislative action and public awareness to address pollution and protect natural resources. |
| environmental programs | Federal initiatives and agencies established by the government to address environmental problems and implement environmental protection policies. |
| environmental regulations | Federal rules and standards established to control pollution, protect natural resources, and ensure environmental protection. |
| national energy policy | A comprehensive government strategy developed in response to oil crises to address energy production, consumption, and security concerns. |
| natural resources | Materials and assets provided by nature, such as land, water, minerals, and forests, that have economic or survival value. |
| oil crises | Periods of severe disruption in oil supply and availability in the Middle East that affected U.S. energy security and prompted policy responses. |
| pollution | The contamination of air, water, and land by harmful substances, which became a major focus of the environmental movement. |
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| conservatives | Political actors who sought to limit the role of the federal government and maintain traditional values, particularly prominent in the 1960s and 1970s. |
| evangelical Christian churches | Protestant Christian organizations and congregations emphasizing personal conversion experiences and the authority of the Bible, which experienced rapid growth in the 20th century. |
| federal government | The central national government of the United States with authority over the states. |
| foreign policy | Government strategies and decisions regarding relationships, alliances, and conflicts with other nations. |
| individual rights | Freedoms and protections guaranteed to citizens, often the subject of political debate and social movements. |
| liberals | Political actors who generally supported an expanded role for the federal government in addressing social and economic problems. |
| political scandals | Incidents involving government officials that damage public trust and confidence in government institutions. |
| public confidence | The level of trust and belief citizens hold in government institutions and their ability to function effectively. |
| religious conservatives | Individuals who advocate for traditional religious values and beliefs, and who became increasingly active in political and social movements during the 20th century. |
| religious movements | Organized groups or trends centered on religious beliefs and practices that gain followers and influence over time. |
| social and economic problems | Issues affecting society and the economy that governments attempt to address through policy. |
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| civil liberties | Individual rights and freedoms protected by law, including freedom of speech, religion, and due process. |
| civil rights | The movement and legal efforts to secure equal rights and protections for African Americans and other marginalized groups, particularly regarding ending segregation and discrimination. |
| Cold War | The prolonged period of geopolitical tension between the United States and the Soviet Union and their respective allies, characterized by ideological conflict, nuclear arms race, and proxy wars, but without direct military confrontation between the superpowers. |
| Communist | An ideology and political system based on collective ownership of property and centralized control of the economy, associated with the Soviet Union during the Cold War. |
| conservatism | A political ideology emphasizing limited government, traditional values, and resistance to rapid social change, which resurgent in the postwar period. |
| demographic changes | Shifts in the composition of a population, including changes in size, age distribution, migration patterns, and social characteristics. |
| free-market global economy | An international economic system based on capitalism and open trade that the United States promoted as an alternative to communist economic models. |
| liberalism | A political ideology emphasizing individual rights, democratic governance, and an expanded role for government in addressing social and economic problems. |
| national identity | A shared sense of belonging and common characteristics that define a nation and its people, distinct from colonial or regional identities. |
| racial equality | The principle that all individuals should have equal rights, opportunities, and treatment regardless of race. |
| segregation | The forced separation of people based on race, enforced through laws and social practices, particularly in the American South. |
| social justice | The pursuit of fair treatment and equal rights for all people, particularly regarding issues of identity, discrimination, and systemic inequality. |
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| changes | Transformations or alterations in conditions, experiences, or circumstances over a period of time. |
| Cold War policies | The diplomatic, military, and economic strategies employed by the United States and Soviet Union to advance their interests without direct armed conflict between the two superpowers. |
| collective security | A foreign policy approach in which multiple nations agree to defend each other against aggression, used by the United States to strengthen non-Communist nations. |
| Communist ideology | The political and economic beliefs of communism that the United States sought to limit during the Cold War. |
| containment | The U.S. foreign policy strategy of preventing the spread of communism to new territories or nations during the Cold War. |
| continuities | Elements, patterns, or conditions that remained consistent or unchanged over a period of time. |
| détente | A period of reduced tension and improved relations between the United States and Soviet Union characterized by mutual coexistence and diplomatic cooperation. |
| economic institutions | International organizations and systems created to promote free-market economies and economic cooperation among non-Communist nations. |
| international aid | Economic and military assistance provided by the United States to foreign nations to support their development and strengthen their resistance to communism. |
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| communism | A political and economic ideology based on collective or state ownership of property and the elimination of social classes, viewed as a threat by many Americans during the Cold War. |
| containment | The U.S. foreign policy strategy of preventing the spread of communism to new territories or nations during the Cold War. |
| Red Scare | A period of intense anti-communist fear and suspicion in the United States, characterized by investigations, accusations, and policies targeting suspected communists. |
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| baby boom | The significant increase in birth rates in the United States following World War II, lasting roughly from 1946 to 1964. |
| economic growth | An increase in the total output of goods and services produced by an economy over time. |
| federal spending | Government expenditures by the federal government on programs, infrastructure, defense, and other initiatives. |
| migration | The movement of people from one region or country to another, often in search of better opportunities or resources. |
| private sector | The part of the economy run by private individuals and businesses rather than by the government. |
| social mobility | The ability of individuals to move up or down in social and economic status within a society. |
| suburbs | Residential areas on the outskirts of cities, characterized by lower population density and single-family homes, which experienced significant growth after 1945. |
| Sun Belt | The region of the southern and southwestern United States that experienced rapid economic growth and population migration after 1945, becoming a major political and economic force. |
| technological developments | Advances in technology and innovation that improve productivity and create new industries and consumer products. |
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| conformity | Adherence to established social norms, values, and behaviors; in postwar culture, the pressure to adopt standardized ways of thinking and living. |
| homogeneous | Uniform or similar in character, composition, or nature; in the context of postwar culture, referring to the standardization and similarity of cultural expression. |
| mass culture | Standardized cultural products and values produced for and consumed by large populations, particularly through media and entertainment. |
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Brown v. Board of Education | A landmark 1954 Supreme Court decision that declared racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional. |
| civil rights movements | Organized efforts by groups seeking to secure equal rights and end discrimination based on race, particularly in the United States during the mid-20th century. |
| desegregation | The process of ending the forced separation of racial groups in public institutions, schools, and facilities. |
| desegregation of the armed services | The federal policy that ended racial segregation in the U.S. military, allowing African Americans to serve in integrated units. |
| racial equality | The principle that all individuals should have equal rights, opportunities, and treatment regardless of race. |
| segregation | The forced separation of people based on race, enforced through laws and social practices, particularly in the American South. |
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Cold War competition | The ideological, political, and military rivalry between the United States and Soviet Union that extended into various regions including Latin America. |
| decolonization | The process by which former colonial territories gained independence from European and other imperial powers, particularly in Asia and Africa after World War II. |
| military–industrial complex | The interconnected relationship between the military establishment and defense industries that influences government policy and spending decisions. |
| nationalist movements | Political movements in newly independent nations that sought to establish national identity and sovereignty, often becoming focal points in Cold War competition for allies. |
| non-Communist regimes | Governments supported by the United States during the Cold War that opposed communist ideology, regardless of their commitment to democratic principles. |
| nonaligned | Nations that refused to formally align with either the United States or the Soviet Union during the Cold War, instead pursuing independent foreign policies. |
| nuclear arsenal | A country's stockpile of nuclear weapons; a major point of debate during the Cold War regarding military strategy and deterrence. |
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Cold War | The prolonged period of geopolitical tension between the United States and the Soviet Union and their respective allies, characterized by ideological conflict, nuclear arms race, and proxy wars, but without direct military confrontation between the superpowers. |
| communism | A political and economic ideology based on collective or state ownership of property and the elimination of social classes, viewed as a threat by many Americans during the Cold War. |
| containment | The U.S. foreign policy strategy of preventing the spread of communism to new territories or nations during the Cold War. |
| decolonization | The process by which former colonial territories gained independence from European and other imperial powers, particularly in Asia and Africa after World War II. |
| executive power | The authority of the president to conduct foreign and military policy, which became a subject of debate regarding appropriate limits on presidential decision-making. |
| nationalist movements | Political movements in newly independent nations that sought to establish national identity and sovereignty, often becoming focal points in Cold War competition for allies. |
| nonaligned | Nations that refused to formally align with either the United States or the Soviet Union during the Cold War, instead pursuing independent foreign policies. |
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| anti-communism | Opposition to communist ideology and Soviet expansion, a central principle of mid-20th century American foreign policy. |
| federal government | The central national government of the United States with authority over the states. |
| federal legislation | Laws passed by Congress at the national level to implement government policies and programs. |
| Great Society | Lyndon Johnson's domestic program that used federal legislation and programs to address racial discrimination, poverty, and other social issues in the 1960s. |
| immigration laws | Federal legislation that regulates who can enter and settle in the United States, including restrictions, quotas, and eligibility requirements. |
| immigration patterns | The trends and characteristics of who immigrates to a country, including their origins, timing, and reasons for migration, which change over historical periods. |
| liberalism | A political ideology emphasizing individual rights, democratic governance, and an expanded role for government in addressing social and economic problems. |
| policy debates | Ongoing political discussions and disagreements about government decisions and their implementation. |
| poverty | The state of lacking sufficient income and resources to meet basic needs, identified as a persistent national problem in postwar America. |
| racial discrimination | The unjust treatment of individuals or groups based on their race, often resulting in denial of rights, opportunities, or equal treatment. |