American Pageant Chapter 37 Flashcards

The Feminine Mystique

• Written by Betty Friedan, this influential book ignited second-wave feminism, urging women to transcend traditional suburban housewifery roles.

Rock 'n' Roll

• A significant musical genre from the 1950s that fused black rhythm and blues with white bluegrass and country, defining the era's youth culture through its energetic beats.

Checkers Speech

• A pivotal televised address by Richard Nixon in 1952, where he defended against corruption allegations, reinforcing his position on the presidential ticket.

McCarthyism

• A politically charged movement during the early 1950s led by Senator Joseph McCarthy, marked by unfounded accusations against many, stoking fear and paranoia about communism.

Army-McCarthy Hearings

• High-profile congressional hearings initiated by McCarthy to investigate alleged communist connections within the military, ultimately leading to public backlash and McCarthy's disgrace.

Jim Crow

• Racial segregation laws enforced in the Southern United States until the mid-20th century, based on the "separate but equal" doctrine, resulting in widespread discrimination and inequality.

Montgomery Bus Boycott

• A year-long protest against bus segregation initiated by Rosa Parks' refusal to give up her seat, becoming a key event in the Civil Rights Movement and promoting the leadership of Martin Luther King Jr.

Brown v. Board of Education

• The landmark 1954 Supreme Court ruling that declared racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional, setting a precedent for civil rights advancements.

Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC)

• Founded in 1960 by black students aiming to enhance civil rights through nonviolent protests and voter registration efforts.

Operation Wetback

• A government program to deport illegal Mexican migrants, which reflected rising tensions around non-European immigration during the mid-20th century.

Federal Highway Act of 1956

• Legislation signed under Eisenhower to develop a vast network of highways, facilitating suburbanization and improving national defense.

Policy of Boldness

• A foreign policy articulated by Secretary of State John Foster Dulles, aimed at confronting communism aggressively, leading to significant nuclear weapons stockpiling by the U.S.

Hungarian Uprising

• A series of protests against Soviet control in Hungary, brutally suppressed by Soviet forces in 1956, exposing Western limitations in Eastern Europe.

Battle of Dien Bien Phu

• The decisive military clash in 1954 where French forces were defeated by Viet Minh nationalists, marking the end of French colonial rule in Indochina.

Suez Crisis

• Triggered by Egypt's nationalization of the Suez Canal in 1956, leading to a failed British-French military intervention, signaling a shift in global power dynamics.

Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)

• Established in 1960, this cartel sought to control oil prices and access, enhancing the influence of Middle Eastern countries on the global oil market.

Sputnik

• The first artificial satellite launched by the Soviet Union in 1957, marking a significant milestone in the Space Race and prompting U.S. advancements in space technology.

Kitchen Debate

• A notable televised confrontation in 1959 between Nixon and Khrushchev, showcasing the ideological battle between American capitalism and Soviet communism.

Abstract Expressionism

• A major modern art movement of the mid-20th century characterized by spontaneous and energetic painting styles, exemplified by artists like Jackson Pollock.

International Style

• A distinctive post-WWII architectural style featuring steel-and-glass buildings, renowned for its minimalist designs and function.

Beat Generation

• A group of 1950s writers, including Kerouac and Ginsberg, who criticized societal norms and embraced experimental lifestyles in literature and culture.

Southern Renaissance

• A literary movement of the mid-20th century that reflected critically on Southern history, literature, and culture, spearheaded by writers like William Faulkner.

Dwight D. Eisenhower

• The 34th U.S. President from 1952-1960, recognized for his leadership during a prosperous economic era and his cautious approach to civil rights issues.

Richard Nixon

• 37th U.S. President (1969-1974), known for his early anti-communism, vice-presidency under Eisenhower, and significant political controversies leading to his resignation.

Betty Friedan

• A key feminist figure whose work encouraged awareness of women's issues and was instrumental in the emergence of second-wave feminism.

Elvis Presley

• A cultural icon of the 1950s, known for his charismatic performances and pivotal role in popularizing rock 'n' roll music.

Joseph McCarthy

• Notorious Wisconsin Senator infamous for his aggressive anti-communist campaigns and public hearings, ultimately censured for his conduct.

Rosa Parks

• An iconic figure in the Civil Rights Movement, whose act of defiance on a Montgomery bus sparked a significant boycott and movement for racial equality.

Martin Luther King Jr.

• Prominent civil rights leader recognized for his nonviolent activism and leadership during critical events like the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the March on Washington.

Earl Warren

• Chief Justice from 1953-1969 known for expanding civil rights through landmark court decisions, reshaping the legal landscape for American rights.

John Foster Dulles

• Eisenhower's Secretary of State, known for his aggressive Cold War strategies and support for U.S. actions in Vietnam.

Nikita Khrushchev

• Soviet leader from 1958-1964 noted for his de-Stalinization policies, confrontational stance in the Cold War, and involvement in critical events like the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Ho Chi Minh

• Revolutionary leader of Vietnam who led the fight against colonial powers and established North Vietnam post-French defeat in 1954.

Gamal Abdel Nasser

• Influential Egyptian President noted for his pan-Arab nationalist policies and the nationalization of the Suez Canal.

Fidel Castro

• Leader of Cuba from 1959 until 2008, known for his communist regime, opposition to U.S. policies, and pivotal events like the Bay of Pigs Invasion.

John F. Kennedy

• The youngest U.S. President (1961-1963), whose administration faced significant events such as the Cuban Missile Crisis and civil rights challenges before his assassination.

Lyndon B. Johnson

• U.S. President (1963-1969) noted for his Great Society programs aimed at addressing poverty and civil rights, as well as escalating involvement in Vietnam.

Jackson Pollock

• A leading figure in abstract expressionism, celebrated for his innovative dripping technique in painting.

Andy Warhol

• Influential pop artist recognized for his satirical portrayal of consumer culture through art forms that challenged traditional distinctions between fine and commercial art.

Eero Saarinen

• Renowned architect known for modernist designs, including iconic structures like the Gateway Arch in St. Louis and the TWA Flight Center in New York.

Jack Kerouac

• Novelist and central figure of the Beat Generation, acclaimed for his novel "On the Road," which encapsulated the group's ethos.

Allen Ginsberg

• Prominent poet of the Beat Generation, best known for "Howl," which explored themes of sexuality, spirituality, and societal critique.

Arthur Miller

• Notable playwright whose works, including "Death of a Salesman," explored themes of American identity and social pressures during the Cold War era.

Ralph Ellison

• Celebrated author of "Invisible Man," a seminal work that profoundly examined race and identity in 20th-century America.