Period 8: Glossary (College Board AP® US History): Revision Note

Themes in Period 8

• Politics and Power (PCE)

• Social Structures (SOC)

• Migration and settlement (MIG)

• Work, Exchange and Technology (WXT)

• American and Regional Culture (ARC)

• America in the World (WOR)

• Geography and environment (GEO)

Contextualizing Period 8

Cold War era – The U.S. faced global rivalry and major domestic change during this period

Postwar society – Economic growth and activism reshaped the nation

The Cold War from 1945 to 1980

Cold War – Long struggle between the U.S. and the Soviet Union involving no direct fighting but an arms race, technological competition and espionage

Containment – Policy of stopping the spread of communism

Truman Doctrine – U.S. support for countries resisting communism

Marshall Plan – Economic aid to rebuild Europe and limit communist influence

Cuban Missile Crisis – The Soviet Union placed missiles aimed at the U.S. in Cuba. President Kennedy authorised a blockade of Cuba until they were removed. The world was on the verge of a nuclear war. This crisis highlighted Cold War tensions and led to improved communications

The Red Scare

Red Scare – Fear of communist influence in the U.S.

McCarthyism – Aggressive anti-communist accusations and investigations

Economy after 1945

Postwar boom – The economy grew quickly after World War II

Suburbanization – Many families moved to the suburbs

Baby boom – A major increase in births shaped society and schools

Culture after 1945

Television – TV became a major force in culture and politics

Conformity – Many Americans embraced stable family and social roles in the 1950s

Early Steps in the Civil Rights Movement (1940s and 1950s)

Brown v. Board – The Supreme Court ruled school segregation unconstitutional

Montgomery Bus Boycott – A successful protest against segregation in public transportation

America as a World Power

Korean War – A Cold War conflict that reinforced containment

Military-industrial complex – A close relationship between defense spending, government, and industry.

The Vietnam War

Vietnam War – A divisive conflict tied to Cold War containment

Tet Offensive – A surprise attack by the Vietcong on many South Vietnamese cities and U.S. military bases. This helped weaken public confidence in the war.

The Great Society

Great Society – Lyndon B Johnson’s (LBJ) agenda to reduce poverty and expand people's rights

Medicare – Health insurance program for older Americans

Medicaid – Health coverage for low-income Americans

The African American Civil Rights Movement (1960s)

Martin Luther King, Jr. – A leader who helped achieve major civil rights legislation through non-violent protest

Civil Rights Act of 1964 – Banned segregation and discrimination in many settings

Voting Rights Act of 1965 – Protected the voting rights of minority populations, especially in the South

Nonviolent protest – Activists used marches, sit-ins, and boycotts to protest

The Civil Rights Movement Expands

Black Power – A movement emphasizing racial pride, power, and self-determination

Second-wave feminism – Movement for greater gender equality

Chicano movement – Latino activists pushed for civil rights and labor reform

Youth Culture of the 1960s

Counterculture – Many young people challenged traditional values

Antiwar movement – Opposition to Vietnam mobilized students and activists

The Environment and Natural Resources from 1968 to 1980

Environmental movement – Some Americans pushed for stronger protections for land, air, and water

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) – A federal agency created to regulate environmental protection

Society in Transition

Sunbelt growth – Population and economic power shifted toward the South and West

Conservative reaction – Some Americans pushed back against rapid cultural and political change

·Watergate Scandal – Secret tapes revealed President Nixon's involvement in efforts to cover up a break-in to Democratic party headquarters. This scandal reduced trust in government and expanded limits on presidential power

Nixon’s Resignation – Abuse of presidential power and revelation of a cover-up