History of Human Rights and Social Justice

Holocaust

• Systematic genocide of 6 million Jews and millions more by Nazi Germany during WWII (1941-1945).
• Targeted groups included Romani people, disabled individuals, and political dissidents.

United Nations

• International organization established in 1945.
• Aims to promote global peace, security, human rights, and social/economic development.

Decolonization

• Process of ending colonial rule after WWII.
• Involved independence movements in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.

Double V

• WWII-era slogan advocating for victory over fascism abroad and racism at home.
• Used by African Americans.

Executive Order 9981

• 1948 order by President Harry Truman.
• Desegregated the U.S. military.
• Important step in civil rights progress.

Brown v. Board of Education

• 1954 Supreme Court case.
• Declared racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional.
• Overturned the "separate but equal" doctrine.

Causes of the Cold War

• Ideological conflict between the Soviet Union (communism) and the U.S. (capitalism/democracy).
• Post-WWII power struggles.
• Led to global tension and competition (1947-1991).

Iron Curtain

• Term coined by Winston Churchill in 1946.
• Described the division of Europe into Eastern (Soviet-controlled) and Western (U.S.-aligned) blocs during the Cold War.

Berlin Wall

• Built by East Germany in 1961.
• Separated East and West Berlin.
• Symbolized Cold War division until its fall in 1989.

Truman Doctrine

• U.S. policy established in 1947.
• Aimed to contain communism by providing aid to countries resisting it.

Marshall Plan

• U.S. initiative (1948).
• Provided over $12 billion in economic aid to Western Europe after WWII.
• Intended to prevent the spread of communism.

GI Bill

• 1944 law providing benefits to WWII veterans.
• Included education and home loan assistance.

Racial Covenants and Redlining

• Racial covenants: clauses in property deeds prohibiting sales to minorities.
• Redlining: discriminatory practice of denying loans/insurance to minority neighborhoods.

Korean War

• Conflict (1950-1953) between North and South Korea.
• North Korea (with Soviet/Chinese support), South Korea (with U.S. support).
• Ended with an armistice and division along the 38th parallel.

Thurgood Marshall

• First African American Supreme Court Justice.
• Crucial role in the legal fight against segregation, including Brown v. Board of Education.

McCarthyism

• Early 1950s period led by Senator Joseph McCarthy.
• Targeted alleged communists within the U.S. government and other institutions.
• Resulted in widespread fear and political persecution.

Black Panthers

• Militant African American political organization founded in 1966.
• Fought police brutality and racial oppression.
• Advocated for self-defense and community empowerment.

COINTELPRO

• FBI program surveilling and undermining perceived subversive groups.
• Included civil rights organizations, the Black Panthers, and anti-war activists.

Nuclear Arms Race

• Competition during the Cold War between the U.S. and Soviet Union.
• Focused on developing and stockpiling nuclear weapons.
• Led to significant global arms buildup.

Soft Power

• Ability of a country to influence others through cultural appeal, diplomacy, and moral authority.
• Alternative to military or economic pressure.

Space Race

• Cold War competition between the U.S. and the Soviet Union.
• Focused on achieving milestones in space exploration, including the Moon landing of 1969.

Red, Brown, Yellow, and Black Power Movements

• 1960s-70s movements advocating racial pride and empowerment.
• Included African Americans (Black Power), Native Americans (Red Power), Asian Americans (Yellow Power), and Latino communities (Brown Power).

Montgomery Bus Boycott

• 1955-56 protest in Montgomery, Alabama.
• Sparked by Rosa Parks' arrest.
• African Americans boycotted segregated buses.
• Led to Supreme Court decision against segregation on buses.

Civil Rights Act of 1964

• Prohibited discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.
• Advanced civil rights and ended segregation.

Counterculture Revolution

• 1960s and 70s cultural movement.
• Rejected traditional norms and embraced alternative lifestyles, including civil rights, sexual freedom, and anti-war activism.

Feminist Movement

• Social and political movement advocating for gender equality.
• Focused on women's rights, reproductive rights, and equal opportunities.

Gay Rights Movement

• Struggle for civil rights for LGBTQ+ individuals.
• Gained momentum in the 1960s.
• Led to legislative and cultural changes, including same-sex marriage.

Vietnam War

• Conflict (1955-1975) in Vietnam.
• U.S. fought to prevent the spread of communism.
• Resulted in a costly and controversial military defeat.

Watergate Scandal

• 1970s political scandal involving the Nixon administration.
• Cover-up of a break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters.
• Led to Nixon's resignation.

Domino Theory

• Cold War belief that if one country fell to communism, neighbors would follow.

Loving v. Virginia

• 1967 Supreme Court case.
• Struck down laws banning interracial marriage.

Ronald Reagan

• 40th U.S. president (1981-1989).
• Former actor.
• Implemented conservative policies (tax cuts, military buildup).

Fall of the Berlin Wall

• 1989 event marking the end of the division between East and West Germany.
• Symbolized the collapse of Soviet influence.

Iran Hostage Crisis

• 1979-1981 diplomatic crisis.
• 52 American diplomats and citizens held hostage in Iran.

Jimmy Carter

• 39th U.S. president (1977-1981).
• Known for human rights, energy policy, Camp David Accords.
• Presidency marred by the Iran Hostage Crisis.

Reaganomics

• Economic policies of Ronald Reagan.
• Emphasized tax cuts, deregulation, and reduced government spending.

War on Drugs

• Government initiative (1980s) aimed at reducing drug use and trafficking.
• Employed law enforcement and punitive measures.
• Had disproportionate impacts on minority communities.

Iran-Contra Affair

• 1980s political scandal.
• Involved secret arms sales to Iran and funding of Contra rebels.
• Violated U.S. law.

Mikhail Gorbachev

• Last leader of the Soviet Union (1985-1991).
• Reforms (glasnost and perestroika) contributed to the end of the Cold War and Soviet Union's dissolution.

Gulf War

• 1990-1991 conflict triggered by Iraq's invasion of Kuwait.
• U.S.-led coalition expelled Iraqi forces.

L.A. Riots

• 1992 series of violent protests in Los Angeles.
• Triggered by the acquittal of police officers involved in the Rodney King beating.
• Highlighted racial tensions.

Waco Siege

• 1993 standoff between the FBI and the Branch Davidian religious group in Waco, Texas.
• Ended in a raid resulting in deaths.

Oklahoma City Bombing

• 1995 terrorist attack in Oklahoma City.
• Killed 168 people.
• Carried out by Timothy McVeigh.

September 11 Attacks

• Coordinated terrorist attacks by al-Qaeda on the U.S. in 2001.
• Led to nearly 3,000 deaths and changed global security.

War on Terror

• Global campaign by the U.S. after 9/11.
• Aimed at eliminating terrorist organizations, particularly al-Qaeda.
• Included military interventions in Afghanistan and Iraq.

George W. Bush

• 43rd U.S. president (2001-2009).
• Presidency marked by the 9/11 attacks, the War on Terror, and the 2008 financial crisis.

Bush Doctrine

• Foreign policy strategy articulated by President George W. Bush.
• Emphasized preemptive strikes against threats and spreading democracy.

U.S. War in Afghanistan

• Conflict initiated in 2001 following the 9/11 attacks.
• Aimed to dismantle al-Qaeda and remove the Taliban.

Second Iraq War

• 2003 U.S. and coalition invasion of Iraq.
• Based on claims of Iraq possessing weapons of mass destruction.
• Led to long-term instability.

Great Recession

• Severe global economic downturn starting in 2007.
• Caused by the collapse of the housing bubble.
• Resulted in widespread unemployment.

Barack Obama

• 44th U.S. president (2009-2017).
• Passed healthcare reform (Affordable Care Act).
• Promoted progressive policies.
• Led the recovery from the Great Recession.

This quiz explores significant historical events and milestones related to human rights and social justice, including the Holocaust, the establishment of the United Nations, and key legal rulings such as Brown v. Board of Education. Test your knowledge on the impact of these events on society and their role in shaping modern human rights movements.