American History: Cold War & Civil Rights Movement PDF

American History Unit 5A Early Cold War Historical Outline Notes: The Cold War Post-World War II Tensions U.S. and Soviet soldiers worked together to liberate Germany, but their hopes for lasting friendship were short lived as pre-existing issues and differing eco...

American History Unit 5A Early Cold War Historical Outline Notes: The Cold War Post-World War II Tensions U.S. and Soviet soldiers worked together to liberate Germany, but their hopes for lasting friendship were short lived as pre-existing issues and differing economic/political systems led to foreign policy clashes. Yalta Conference (February 1945) Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin discussed postwar Europe. Agreement on dividing Germany into occupation zones. Disagreements over Poland's government led to tensions. The creation of the United Nations (UN) aimed at maintaining peace. Truman's Leadership Truman took office after Roosevelt's death and faced rising tensions with Stalin. Potsdam Conference (1945) highlighted U.S.-Soviet disagreements. Truman hinted at atomic bomb capabilities, increasing Soviet distrust. Economic Systems and Ideological Clash U.S. supported capitalism; Soviets viewed it as unjust. Soviets sought to establish a buffer zone of friendly communist states. Iron Curtain Speech (March 1946) Winston Churchill warned of the division between Eastern (communist) and Western (democratic) Europe. The term "Iron Curtain" symbolized the growing divide. Cold War Begins Tensions are characterized by political, economic, and military conflict. Fear of nuclear confrontation led to restraint in direct military engagements. Nuclear Arms Race Both superpowers developed and tested nuclear weapons. Truman proposed the Baruch Plan to limit nuclear arms but faced Soviet opposition. Containment Policy George Kennan's "Long Telegram" outlined the need for containment of Soviet expansion. Truman Doctrine (1947) pledged U.S. support for nations resisting communism. Marshall Plan (1948)  Economic aid to Europe for recovery, aimed to prevent communism's spread. Soviets rejected the plan and pressured satellite nations to do the same. Formation of NATO and the Warsaw Pact NATO was established in 1949 as a collective security alliance among Western nations. The Warsaw Pact formed in response, uniting Soviet satellite states. Korean War (1950-1953) Conflict initiated by North Korean invasion of South Korea. U.S. and UN forces intervened under Truman's leadership. Stalemate led to an armistice, dividing Korea at the 38th parallel. Domestic Impact of the Cold War Fear of communism led to McCarthyism and investigations into suspected communists. HUAC targeted Hollywood and other industries, resulting in blacklists. Major Spy Cases Alger Hiss accused of espionage, later convicted for lying. Rosenberg case highlighted fears of Soviet atomic espionage, leading to their execution. Eisenhower's Presidency Shift in Cold War strategy towards brinkmanship and deterrence. Development of nuclear arsenals and introduction of covert actions by the CIA. U-2 Incident (1960) U.S. spy plane shot down over the USSR, straining relations. Eisenhower's refusal to apologize escalated tensions. Space Race Competition for technological superiority led to the launch of Sputnik by the Soviets. U.S. response included the establishment of NASA and the launch of Explorer I. Suez Crisis (1956) Conflict arose over control of the Suez Canal following Egypt's nationalization. U.S. intervention prevented military escalation. Conclusion The Cold War influenced global politics and alliances, with lasting implications for international relations. Eisenhower warned of the risks of the military-industrial complex in his farewell address.  American History Unit 5B Civil Rights Movement The Origins of the Civil Rights Movement Decline of Reconstruction: 1883 Supreme Court declared the Civil Rights Act of 1875 unconstitutional. Civil Rights Act of 1875 aimed to guarantee African Americans equal treatment in public spaces and jury service. 14th Amendment declared equality under the law for all races. Supreme Court ruling stated the law did not apply to private individuals or corporations. Increasing Restrictions: Federal court decisions and state laws limited African American rights. 1890 Louisiana law mandated "equal but separate" accommodations for races. Plessy v. Ferguson (1896): Homer Plessy challenged segregation laws. Supreme Court upheld "separate but equal," legitimizing segregation. Facilities for African Americans deemed "equal," leading to widespread segregation laws (Jim Crow laws). Rise of Jim Crow Laws: Poll taxes and literacy tests disenfranchised African Americans. Ku Klux Klan (KKK) formed to enforce white supremacy through violence and intimidation. Migration to Northern Cities: Economic strife led to the relocation of 6 million African Americans from the South to Northern cities. Racism persisted despite Northern laws against segregation. 1919 Chicago race riot exemplified racial tensions. Strategies and Early Movements Formation of NAACP (1909): Aimed for political, social, economic, and educational equality. Addressed lynching and segregationist practices. World War II Impact: African Americans contributed significantly to the war effort. Double V Campaign for victory abroad and at home. President Roosevelt's directives to end racial discrimination in war industries. Early Demands for Racial Equality Local Actions: Early protests and strikes, such as the successful Atlanta streetcar strike in 1892. Niagara Movement led to the establishment of NAACP. Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) (1942): Focused on grassroots activism and civil disobedience. Inspired by Gandhi’s principles of nonviolent protest. Jackie Robinson Breaks the Color Barrier (1947): First African American in Major League Baseball. Paved the way for integration in sports. Legal Challenges and Supreme Court Decisions Brown v. Board of Education (1954): The Supreme Court ruled that "separate but equal" is unconstitutional. Landmark case challenging segregation in public education. Responses to Desegregation: Southern resistance and "Southern Manifesto" pledging to uphold segregation. Little Rock Nine incident highlighted federal vs. state tensions. Key Events in the Civil Rights Movement Montgomery Bus Boycott (1955-1956): Sparked by Rosa Parks' arrest. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. emerged as a leader advocating nonviolent protest. Selma Campaign (1965): Focused on voter registration. The Edmund Pettus Bridge incident led to national outrage and support for voting rights. Civil Rights Act of 1964: Prohibited discrimination in public accommodations and employment. Voting Rights Act of 1965: Eliminated literacy tests and allowed federal oversight of voter registration. New Directions and Challenges Emergence of Black Power: Malcolm X advocated for self-defense and separation.  Formation of the Black Panther Party focused on community programs and anti-capitalism. Urban Riots and Violence: Response to ongoing discrimination and social injustices. Notable riots occurred after the assassinations of Dr. King and Robert F. Kennedy. Affirmative Action: Programs to address past discrimination. Continued debates over the effectiveness and fairness of these programs. Legacy and Ongoing Challenges Progress Achieved: Significant political and social advancements for African Americans. Increase in educational attainment and voter registration. Continued Struggles: Ongoing issues of economic inequality, housing discrimination, and systemic racism. Affirmative action remains a contentious topic. Cultural Impact: Greater interaction and integration between African Americans and whites compared to the pre- Civil Rights era. Historical outline notes with bullet points to make slides for lecture