Lecture Notes: APUSH Period 8 (1945-1980)

Overview

• Period 8 marks significant American involvement in global affairs, particularly against Communism.
• Era of youth activism protesting against racism, poverty, and inequality.

Key Themes

• Government Activism: Focus on the Cold War, Vietnam War, Korean War, Cuban Missile Crisis.
• Social Divide: Rise of Conservatives, Progressives, segregationists.
• Cultural Movements: Civil Rights, Feminism, Counterculture, Native American voting rights.

President Harry S. Truman (1945-1952)

• Cold War Initiatives:
  • Truman Doctrine: Resist Soviet expansion using support, not aggression.
  • Marshall Plan: Financial aid to Europe to deter Communism.
  • NATO: First major US alliance.
  • Berlin Blockade/Wall: Tensions with USSR.
• Asia: Communist takeover in China, division of Korea.
• Domestic Policies:
  • Struggled with unemployment and inflation post-WWII.
  • Civil Rights initiatives led to unpopularity within his party.
  • Korean War: Support for South Korea against the North.

President Dwight D. Eisenhower (1953-1960)

• Federal Spending: Prioritized military spending.
• Interstate Highway System: Boosted transport and tourism.
• Civil Rights Movement:
  • Brown v. Board of Education: Desegregation ruling.
  • Montgomery Bus Boycott: Protest against bus segregation.
  • Civil Rights Acts of 1957 and 1960.
• Arms Race: Deterrence strategy with USSR, NASA creation.
• Third World: CIA operations due to rising nationalisms.

President John F. Kennedy (1961-1963)

• Cuba:
  • Bay of Pigs: Failed invasion.
  • Cuban Missile Crisis: High tension resolved through negotiations.
• Domestic Policies:
  • Equal Pay Act: Promoted gender equality.
  • Desegregation efforts.
  • Civil Rights: Supported MLK's peaceful protests.

President Lyndon B. Johnson (1963-1968)

• Civil Rights Act of 1964: Banned discrimination.
• Voting Rights Act of 1965: Reinforced the 15th Amendment.
• Great Society: Programs for poverty and civil rights.
• Opposition: Criticized for expanding government role.
• Civil Rights Movement:
  • Chief Justice Earl Warren: Expanded civil rights protections.
  • Movement faced fragmentation post-King's assassination.

Political Activism

• New Left: Against poverty, racism, and the Cold War.
• Feminism: National Organization of Women for gender rights.
• Counterculture: Hippie movement against mainstream culture.

Vietnam War

• Early Involvement: US support for French against Communists.
• Expansion Under Johnson: Increased troops led to public protest.
• 1968 Peace Talks: Public pressure pushed for negotiations.

President Richard Nixon (1969-1974)

• Vietnam War: Sought to end US involvement.
• Dtente: Eased tensions with USSR and China.
• Nixon Doctrine: Emphasized alliances over military action.
• Watergate Scandal: Led to Nixon's resignation.

President Gerald Ford (1974-1976)

• Nixon Pardon: Controversial decision.
• Economic Challenges: Struggled with inflation and unemployment.

President Jimmy Carter (1977-1980)

• Economic Issues: Difficulty stabilizing the federal budget.
• Foreign Policy:
  • Middle East peace efforts.
  • Arms agreement with USSR.
  • Iran hostage crisis began.

Conclusion

• Period 8 is noted for its complex foreign policy and social changes.
• Many domestic issues tied to global political events.
• Guide focuses on connecting major events and ideas.