APUSH Chapter 38 Flashcards

Key Figures in American History

• John F. Kennedy: U.S. President during the Cold War; known for handling the Cuban Missile Crisis and events like the Berlin Wall's construction and the early Vietnam War.
• Robert F. Kennedy: Ran for President in 1968, appealing to diverse groups; assassinated after the California primary victory.
• Walt Whitman Rostow: Influential theorist in modernization, author of "The Stages of Economic Growth".
• Robert McNamara: U.S. Secretary of Defense during Vietnam; resigned following significant American losses.
• Martin Luther King, Jr.: Prominent civil rights leader advocating for nonviolent resistance; assassinated in 1968; received Nobel Peace Prize in 1964.
• Lyndon B. Johnson: Signed key civil rights legislation; initiated the War on Poverty and programs like Medicare and Medicaid.
• Michael Harrington: Author of "The Other America"; highlighted poverty in hidden communities.
• Barry Goldwater: 1964 Republican presidential candidate; lost to Johnson by a historic margin; opposed federal involvement in civil rights.

Civil Rights Movement

• Malcolm X: Militant civil rights activist advocating for black empowerment.
• Stokely Carmichael: Leader of the SNCC; promoted a separatist philosophy known as Black Power.
• J. William Fulbright: Senator who led public hearings against the Vietnam War, drawing significant attention to anti-war sentiments.
• Hubert Humphrey: Johnson's Vice President; sought the presidential nomination in 1968 but lost the election.
• George Wallace: Racist governor of Alabama; ran for president on platforms of segregation and law enforcement.

Cold War Policies and Programs

• Flexible Response: Military strategy designed to use conventional forces instead of nuclear options in conflicts.
• Modernization Theory: Explains global economic disparity through cultural and technological differences.
• Credibility Gap: Discrepancy between the Johnson administration's claims and public perception during Vietnam.
• New Frontier: Kennedy’s campaign initiative promising economic renewal and legislative reforms in civil rights and healthcare.
• Peace Corps: Civilian service organization aimed at assisting developing nations.
• Bay of Pigs Invasion: Failed 1961 CIA-backed operation to overthrow Castro in Cuba; resulted in Kennedy's acceptance of responsibility.
• Cuban Missile Crisis: Critical 1962 standoff between the U.S. and USSR over Soviet missiles in Cuba, resolved through negotiation.

Major Legislation and Social Programs

• Alliance for Progress: U.S. initiative to aid Latin American countries combatting poverty and related issues.
• Freedom Rides: Nonviolent protests in 1961 against segregation on interstate buses by integrated groups.
• March on Washington (1963): Historic civil rights rally where MLK delivered his "I Have a Dream" speech; significant attendance of 250,000.
• War on Poverty: Johnson's program aimed at increasing social services for impoverished communities.
• Great Society: Johnson's ambitious reform agenda that included Medicare, civil rights laws, and education aid.
• Civil Rights Act of 1964: Legislation prohibiting discrimination based on race, gender, and religion; empowered federal enforcement.
• Voting Rights Act of 1965: Eliminated voter suppression tactics like literacy tests; facilitated greater black political participation.

Conflicts and Their Impact

• Black Power Movement: Movement insisting on economic independence and self-defense for African Americans.
• Six Day War (1967): Brief but intense conflict between Arabs and Israelis, altering Middle Eastern dynamics.
• Operation Rolling Thunder: Air campaign against North Vietnam intended to diminish its military capability.
• Hawks and Doves: Hawks supported the Vietnam War; Doves opposed it, reflecting the national divide on war issues.
• Tet Offensive (1968): Major North Vietnamese assault during the Lunar New Year; led to increased anti-war sentiment in the U.S.
• Beat Poets: Influential literary group from the 1950s promoting anti-establishment views through unique literary styles.
• Free Speech Movement: Student-led initiative advocating for campus rights and freedoms throughout the 1960s.
• Students for a Democratic Society (SDS): Active college organization fighting for civil rights and against the Vietnam War; influential until its decline in the late 1960s.

Explore key terms and events from Chapter 38 of APUSH. This quiz focuses on significant figures like John F. Kennedy and critical moments during the Cold War, including the Cuban Missile Crisis and the space race. Test your knowledge and enhance your understanding of American history during this pivotal period.