World War II to Sept. 11
Pearl HarborPearl Harbor• U.S. naval base in
Hawaii
• Attacked by Japan unexpectedly on December 7, 1941
• United States declares war on Japan and enters World War II
Japanese-American Internment Japanese-American Internment Camps Camps
• After Pearl Harbor, the United States racists fears led the country to put 120,000 Japanese Americans in concentration camps
Lend-Lease Act
• Passed after Pearl Harbor, the U.S. sends military equipment and supplies to its Allies during World War II
• Britain, France, Soviet Union and China all receive aid
War MobilizationWar Mobilization• Millions of men
volunteered after Pear Harbor to fight World War II
• Factories- were converted from consumer goods to military goods
Rationing for WWIIRationing for WWIIRationing- everything went
to the war, so Americans were only allowed a small portion of key items that were needed for the war
Americans donate metals, newspapers, rubber, clothes, paper to the war effort.
Women Work for the War Women Work for the War
Factories-millions take the place of men and build the machines of war.
Equality- first time women are seen as equal to their male counterparts. Will eventually lead to greater rights for women.
Rosie the Riveter- symbol of the American women’s war effort.
D-DayD-Day• D-Day- codename for
Operation Overlord, Allied troops landed in Normandy, France
• The largest sea invasion in history, German troops were caught off guard an unable to push back the invasion
• This was the beginning of the end for Germany in WWII
Battle of MidwayBattle of MidwayBattle of Midway- Led by
Admiral Nimitz, the U.S. sinks four Japanese Aircraft carriers to the American one.
Turning Point in the war against the Japanese who never fully recovered from the loss of the aircraft carriers and aviators from this battle.
Mass Production replaces our losses and puts the pressure on Japan.
Fall of BerlinFall of BerlinOne of the final battles in
the European Theater of WWII
The Soviet Union storms the city; bloodiest battles of the war
Hitler and most of his key leaders commit suicide during the battle
Ends the War in Europe
Manhattan ProjectManhattan Project
Los Alamos, New Mexico- This is where the United States developed the Atomic Bomb
President Truman- orders the dropping of it on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki to force the surrender of the country
Impact of the Atomic BombImpact of the Atomic Bomb
The Atomic Bomb was a game changer and for the first time humans could destroy the Earth
Made the U.S.A. a superpower in the world
Will lead to Nuclear energy and the Nuclear Arms Race between the U.S. and Soviet Union
Post WWII and the Cold WarPost WWII and the Cold War• Marshall Plan- was
America’s program for rebuilding Western Europe to protect it from communism.
• It was the United States best weapon against the influence of the Soviet Union
Cold War Cold War
• This was a name given to the relations between the U.S. & the Soviet Union in the second half of the 20th century which saw the buildup of nuclear arms.
Cold War and ContainmentCold War and Containment
Containment- the U.S. was determined to stop the spread of communism throughout the world
Truman Doctrine- American foreign policy to provide economic and military aid to any country to prevent it from becoming communist
The U.S. tried to contain the Soviet Union’s influence
Communist ChinaCommunist ChinaMao Zedong is the leader of
the Communist Revolution in China after WWII he overthrew the Nationalist leader Chiang Kai-shek in 1949.
Chiang Kai-shek will establish the country of Taiwan an island off the coast of China.
Americans blame Truman for not stopping the spread of communism
Korean WarKorean WarKorea- In 1950 Communist
North Korea invades South Korea
The U.S. sends troops in to help protect S. Korea and pushed N. Korea back to the Chinese border
Communist China sends in troops to help N. Korea and an armistice is signed in 1954 ending the war, leaving the country divided
McCarthyismMcCarthyismSenator McCarthy led the
second Red Scare in America during the 1950s
He lied about communist infiltrations in the U.S. government and army, destroying the lives of innocent people
He was later found to be lying about all of his accusations
Cuban RevolutionCuban RevolutionFidel Castro- led the suc-
cessful Cuban revolution in 1959 to overthrow the corrupt government backed by the U.S.A.
Castro- established a com-munist government in Cuba, this catches the U.S. off guard and angers it.
President Eisenhower places an embargo on Cuba to isolate it
Baby BoomBaby Boom
1945–1965 are the baby boom years; the birth rate in the United States soars when soldiers return from World War II and the Korean War.
Interstate Highway ActInterstate Highway ActEisenhower gets Congress
to pay for a Federal Highway system, for Defense.
The highway connects people to the suburbs, cities, schools, and shopping malls.
Whites begin to flee to the suburbs like Levittown.
Fast Food restaurants develop to feed the people in the cars of Suburbia
LevittownLevittown
The first large scale suburban development in the United States
The cookie cutter home development, it is the inspiration for suburbs everywhere
SputnikSputnikIn 1957 the Soviet Union
launched the first ever satellite into space
This frightened Americans who felt the U.S. had fallen behind the Soviet Union
The U.S. devotes millions into Science and Math education to improve our technology
Jackie RobinsonJackie RobinsonThe first black to integrate
Major League Baseball in 1947 with the Brooklyn Dodgers
This leads to Truman desegregating the Military and re-launches the Civil Rights Movement after WWII
Integration of the U.S. MilitaryIntegration of the U.S. Military
President Truman- orders the integration of the U.S. military in 1948
One of the first major Civil Rights changes of the 20th century
Brown v. Board of EducationBrown v. Board of Education
The Supreme Court ended the practice of Separate but Equal in 1954
Southern reaction to Brown v. Southern reaction to Brown v. Board of EducationBoard of Education
Little Rock Nine- were 9 African-Americans who integrated Little Rock Central H.S.
President Eisenhower had to send in the Air Force to protect them from angry whites
White Southerners were angered over the end of Separate but Equal
Televised DebatesVoters fell in love with the physical appearance and
charisma possessed by Kennedy. He was confident and organized.
Nixon was pale, sweating and tense.
This election proved the power of T.V. in politics
Election of 1960 Kennedy Wins!!!!!
VS.
Bay of Pigs InvasionKennedy’s biggest mistake, he gives approval to a
plan by the C.I.A. to overthrow Castro using Cuban exiles.
The exiles are captured by Castro on the beaches of Cuba
Embarrassment- Kennedy is forced to pay a ransom (food/medicine) to free the exiles.
Castro- uses this to get more support from the Soviet Union and strengthen his grip on power.
Cuban Missile CrisisCuban Missile Crisis
Crisis- the closest the world ever came to all out nuclear war.
Spy planes discover that Cuba was building underground missile sites for nuclear weapons that could reach the U.S. in minutes
Cuban Missile CrisisCuban Missile CrisisKennedy Reacts- orders a
naval blockade of Cuba until all weapons are removed.
The U.S.S.R. is told that any ship that tries to run the blockade will start a full scale war with the U.S.
Khrushchev Reacts- turns the Soviet ships around and removes the missiles if Kennedy promises not to invade Cuba
Fallout of the Cuban Missile CrisisFallout of the Cuban Missile Crisis
• Hotline- direct line between D.C. and Moscow to allow for peaceful talks
• Khrushchev- reputation is damaged in the U.S.S.R.
• Nuclear Test Ban Treaty-100 nations agree to stop open air testing of nuclear weapons
• Criticism- Kennedy seen as soft for not ousting Castro, brinkmanship policy
Kennedy Assassination Kennedy Assassination November 23,1963
President Kennedy is assassinated in Dallas, Texas.
Stunned Americans- were devastated by the Kennedy assassination, remember where they were.
Civil Rights Agenda- gets a boost with his death as Vice President Johnson is a better politician, Johnson will get several landmark laws passed.
Vietnam WarVietnam WarMilitary conflict between the
Communist forces of North Vietnam supported by China and the Soviet Union and the non-Communist forces of South Vietnam supported by the United States.
Tet OffensiveTet OffensiveVietcong troops take
advantage of a cease fire between the North and South and launch a sneak attack
U.S. military defeats the Vietcong but Americans turn on the war
President Johnson losses American support for the war, the media attacks the war.
Opposition to the Vietnam WarOpposition to the Vietnam WarBegins on college campuses
but spreads to all walks of life as the war drags on for years and deaths mount
Television shows the graphic nature of the war, turning Americans against it
People protest the ability of the wealthy and middle class to “buy” their way out of the war, leading to bigger protests by the poor against the war
Opposition to the Vietnam War• Protesters- calls for civil
disobedience; counsels students to go abroad, antiwar demonstrations, protests increase, some become violent
• Some men burn draft cards; some refuse to serve; some flee to Canada
Lyndon Johnson’s Great SocietyLyndon Johnson’s Great SocietyThe Great Society-
Johnson’s program to end poverty and racism in the U.S.
1. Medicare- medical insurance program for those 65 and older.
2. Medicaid- government paid healthcare for poor and disabled
Civil Rights and TelevisionCivil Rights and TelevisionFor the first time Southern
tactics to maintain segregation are shown on T.V. horrifying white liberals
The beatings, killings, and attacks on African-Americans force White America to confront segregation and inequality
Letter from Birmingham JailLetter from Birmingham JailWritten by Martin Luther King
Jr. it is his attempt to explain to White America why victims of segregation, violent attacks, and murder found it difficult to wait for injustices to end in the South
I Have a Dream- King’s most famous speech given in Washington D.C., it calls for a future of racial harmony and peace
Civil Rights Act of 1964Civil Rights Act of 1964This law signed by
President Johnson banned discrimination of any kind in any park, restroom, library, theater, and public building in America
This was inspired by King’s “I have a dream” speech
Voting Rights Act of 1965Voting Rights Act of 1965Outlawed the Jim Crow
restrictions on African Americans right to vote declaring it unconstitutional
Banned the use of literacy tests, poll taxes, jelly bean counting
Let the Federal government to overlook voting rights violations and register millions of minorities in the 1960’s
SNCC and SCLCSNCC and SCLCSNCC- Student non-violent
Coordinated Committee was made up of young people who were the front line soldiers of the Civil Rights Movement
SCLC- Southern Christian Leadership Committee were the “leaders” of the movement. They were the organizers and speech makers
Warren Court 1953-1969Warren Court 1953-1969The Supreme Court under
Justice Warren will protect the rights of individuals and minorities
Key Cases:1.Brown vs. Board of Ed
1954-ends separate but equal
2. Miranda v. Arizona- criminals must have their rights read, lawyer present during questioning
National Organization of WomenNational Organization of Women• NOW- founded to
promote equal rights for women of all races in America
• NOW fights for political, social, and economic equality in America
Environmental MovementEnvironmental MovementSilent Spring- written by
Rachel Carson it set off the Environmental Movement in America
It led to the Water Quality Act of 1965 and the Earth Day
Environmental Protection Agency- established to limit pollution, protect the environment and clean up polluted sites in America
United Farm WorkersUnited Farm WorkersLed by Cesar Chavez he
fights for the rights of migrant farm workers
Improved the working conditions and wages of migrant workers
Used non-violent protests to achieve their goals
Martin Luther King Jr. AssassinatedMartin Luther King Jr. Assassinated• April 4th, 1968- Martin
Luther King Jr. is shot on a motel balcony in Memphis, Tenn., by James Earl Ray.
• Riots break out in African American communities revealing the anger and frustration still felt in the North and South.
Robert F. Kennedy AssassinatedRobert F. Kennedy AssassinatedRobert F. Kennedy- is run-
ning for the office of President.
June 5, 1968- RFK is shot by an assassin after winning the presidential primary in California.
Reaction- many counter culture supporters, African Americans and democrats are devastated. He was the last liberal “60’s” politicians.
Democratic National Convention 1968Democratic National Convention 1968
Protesters are marching out of anger at the convention
Chicago police attack and beat protesters who were marching to the convention
T.V.- Conservative White America sees this as an attack against their country and vote Republican to restore order in the country
The Conservative MovementThe Conservative MovementBarry Goldwater(1964)
runs for President, this is the beginning of the conservative movement
President Richard Nixon (1968)wins office, elected by the “silent majority” who want America restored to the good old days
Conservative MovementConservative Movement
The "Solid South" angry with Democratic party support of Civil Rights for African-Americans and Women
Opposition to "Liberal" Supreme Court's Judicial Activism
Beliefs- they opposed civil rights, gun control, liberals, Feminism, Affirmative Action, Sexual Revolution, Hippies, Gay Rights, Great Society, big government, Social Security, and Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA).
Nixon PresidencyNixon PresidencyVisits China to open up
relations, only a staunch anti-communist could repair relations, recognizes Communist China
Watergate Scandal: – Centered on Nixon’s
attempt to cover up a burglary at the offices of the Democratic Party
– Crime committed by Nixon’s reelection team
- Nixon forced to resign due to his attempts to cover up the break-ins
Americans turn on the governmentAmericans turn on the government
Americans no longer trust the government after the disastrous Vietnam War and Nixon Presidency
American become very cynical about their political leaders
Americans want President Nixon arrested to stand trial
President Gerald FordPresident Gerald FordHe becomes president
after Nixon resigns
Ford grants Nixon a Presidential pardon on Watergate; people are angry
Ford is president during a recession and can’t deal with the high unemployment and gas prices
Key Supreme Court DecisionsKey Supreme Court DecisionsRoe v. Wade 1973- this
case legalized abortion in the United States
Bakke v. California 1978- A white male sues the University of California for reverse discrimination.
• The Supreme Court bans the use of race in college admission applications
Camp David AccordsCamp David Accords
Negotiated by President Carter it is a peace settlement between Egypt and Israel.
First step in the peace process between Israel and Arab nations
Egypt recognizes Israel, the 1st Arab nation in the world to do so.
Iranian Revolt 1979Iranian Revolt 19791979 Ayatollah Khomeini
overthrew the U.S. backed Shah of Iran and established a Islamic fundamentalist government
President Carter was unable to deal with the situation, which led to another oil shortage when Iran stopped producing oil
Iran Hostage CrisisIran Hostage Crisis• 50 members of the U.S.
Embassy in Iran are held hostage when Iranian students overwhelm the guards.
• For 444 days President Carter can not get the hostages freed.
• Led to Carter’s defeat in the Presidential election of 1980
President Ronald ReaganPresident Ronald Reagan• His election is seen as
a victory for the Conservative Movement
• During his presidency he will appoint conservative judges to overturn the decisions of the Warren Court
ReaganomicsReaganomicsAn economic policy followed
by President Reagan it wanted to:
1. Give the wealthy huge tax cuts, the wealthy are then suppose to help the poor by starting businesses and creating jobs
2. Budget Cuts, reduced government spending on all domestic programs
3. Build up the armed force
Iran-Contra ScandalIran-Contra ScandalThe Reagan administration
agreed to sell billions in weapons to Iran for help in freeing American hostages in the Middle East.
President Reagan was dealing in illegal weapon sales beyond his powers, upsets the system of checks and balances in America.
• Conservative America does not care sees him as a great president
Collapse of the Soviet UnionCollapse of the Soviet UnionReagan’s plan was to force
the U.S.S.R. to keep up in an arm’s race, this bankrupts the Soviet Union
The leader of the Soviet Union Gorbachev establishes better relations with the U.S.
The collapse of the Soviet Union marks the end of the Cold War in 1991
President ClintonPresident ClintonNorth American Free Trade
Agreement (NAFTA)- this created a free trade zone between the U.S., Canada and Mexico
Impeached in 1998 by the Republican House of Representatives, Clinton becomes the second U.S. President to be impeached
Clinton is acquitted by the Senate
2000 Presidential Election2000 Presidential ElectionHighly controversial
election in which Vice President Gore wins the popular vote but loses the electoral vote to President Bush
Supreme Court- selects Bush as President when it refuses to allow Gore to continue arguing the election in Florida
War on TerrorismWar on TerrorismSeptember 11, 2001-
America is attacked beginning the “war”
Operation Enduring Freedom: invasion of Afghanistan in 2001
Operation Iraqi Freedom: War in Iraq in 2003