Final Exam Study Guide

Presidents in Order

1. Harry S. Truman (1945–1953)

   • End of WWII, start of Cold War
   • Truman Doctrine, Marshall Plan, Korean War

2. Dwight D. Eisenhower (1953–1961)

   • Brinkmanship, CIA covert actions, Eisenhower Doctrine
   • Warsaw Pact, Space Race begins

3. John F. Kennedy (1961–1963)

   • Cuban Missile Crisis, Bay of Pigs, New Frontier
   • Assassination in 1963

4. Lyndon B. Johnson (1963–1969)

   • Great Society programs, escalation of Vietnam War
   • Civil Rights Acts, Tonkin Gulf Resolution

5. Richard Nixon (1969–1974)

   • Vietnamization, détente with USSR and China
   • Ended Vietnam War, Watergate scandal

Chapter 18: Cold War Conflicts

Section 1: Origins of the Cold War (pg. 602–608)

• Cold War: Tension between US and USSR without direct armed conflict.
• Harry S. Truman: Early Cold War policies, Truman Doctrine, and Marshall Plan.
• Joseph Stalin: Soviet expansion in Eastern Europe.
• United Nations (UN): Platform for US-Soviet rivalry.
• Potsdam Conference: Shift in US-Soviet relations post-WWII.
• Satellite Nations & Iron Curtain: Soviet influence in Eastern Europe.
• Containment: US policy to prevent communism spread.
• Truman Doctrine: US support for anti-communist countries.
• Marshall Plan: US aid to rebuild Western Europe.
• Berlin Airlift: US supplies West Berlin after Soviet blockade.
• NATO: Alliance to counter Soviet aggression.

Section 2: The Cold War Heats Up (pg. 609–615)

• Chiang Kai-shek & Mao Zedong: Chinese Civil War leaders.
• Failure of containment in China: Rise of communist government.
• Syngman Rhee & Kim Il Sung: Leaders of South and North Korea.
• Korean War: North Korean invasion of South Korea.
• General Douglas MacArthur: Led UN forces, dismissed by Truman.
• 38th Parallel: Divider of Korea post-war.

Section 3: The Cold War at Home (pg. 616–621)

• Truman’s Loyalty Review Board: Investigated federal employees.
• HUAC: Targeted Hollywood and government for communist ties.
• Hollywood Ten & Blacklist: Blacklisting of industry figures.
• McCarran Act: Required communist organization registration.
• Alger Hiss/The Rosenbergs: Espionage and execution cases.
• Senator Joseph McCarthy: McCarthyism and communist hunts.

Section 4: Two Nations Live on the Edge

• Hydrogen Bomb: Arms race with Soviet Union.
• Eisenhower & Brinkmanship: Policy of massive retaliation.
• CIA Covert Operations: Counter Soviet influence.
• Eisenhower Doctrine: US support for resisting communism in the Middle East.
• Warsaw Pact: Soviet-led military alliance.
• Nikita Khrushchev: Soviet leader during key Cold War events.
• Space Race (Sputnik): Competition for space dominance.
• U-2 Incident: US spy plane downed over USSR.

Chapter 20: The New Frontier and the Great Society

Section 1: Kennedy and the Cold War (pg. 670–678)

• 1960 Presidential Election: Kennedy vs. Nixon.
• Kennedy/Nixon Debates: First televised debates.
• Camelot Years: Iconic Kennedy presidency.
• Flexible Response vs. Brinkmanship: Military strategy shift.
• Fidel Castro & Cuban Dilemma: Tensions with Cuba.
• Bay of Pigs Invasion: Failed attempt to overthrow Castro.
• Cuban Missile Crisis: US-Soviet standoff over missiles.
• Berlin Wall: Division of Berlin.
• Hot Line & Limited Test Ban Treaty: Communication and arms agreements.

Section 2: The New Frontier (pg. 679–683)

• Kennedy’s New Frontier Program: Domestic reforms.
• Peace Corps/Alliance for Progress: International aid initiatives.
• NASA/Moon Landing: Space exploration achievements.
• Poverty & Civil Rights: Limited progress during Kennedy years.
• Kennedy Assassination (Nov 22, 1963): Significant US event.

Section 3: The Great Society (pg. 686–693)

• Lyndon B. Johnson's Success: Social reform initiatives.
• Civil Rights Acts: Landmark legislation.
• War on Poverty: Programs to reduce poverty.
• 1964 Presidential Election: Johnson's electoral victory.
• Great Society Programs: Medicare, Medicaid, education, housing.
• Warren Court: Expanded civil rights and liberties.

Chapter 22: The Vietnam War Years

Section 1: Moving Toward Conflict (pg. 730-735)

• Ho Chi Minh: Vietnamese independence leader.
• Vietminh & Vietcong: Opponents of US-backed government.
• French/Japanese Occupation: Pre-Vietnam War history.
• Domino Theory: Rationale for US involvement.
• Geneva Accords & 17th Parallel: Division of Vietnam.
• Ngo Dinh Diem: Weaknesses and authoritarian rule in South Vietnam.
• Ho Chi Minh Trail: Supply route for North Vietnam.
• Kennedy/LBJ in Vietnam: Military escalation.
• Tonkin Gulf Resolution: Authorized military force.
• Operation Rolling Thunder: Bombing campaign.

Section 2: U.S. Involvement Escalates (pg. 736-741)

• General William Westmoreland: US military strategy.
• Jungle Warfare: Challenges and destructive tactics.
• Search-and-Destroy Missions: Impact on civilians.
• Sinking Morale: Soldier demoralization.
• Living-room War & Credibility Gap: Public perception challenges.

Section 3: A Nation Divided (pg. 742-747)

• Draft & "Working Class" War: Socioeconomic disparities.
• African Americans in Vietnam: Civil rights issues.
• New Left: Anti-war political movement.
• SDS & FSM: Student activism.
• Teach-ins & Protests: Opposition to the war.
• Doves & Hawks: Division over war strategy.

Section 4: 1968: A Tumultuous Year (pg. 748-753)

• Tet Offensive: Major attack's impact.
• LBJ Withdrawal: Decision not to run.
• RFK Candidacy & Assassinations: Political and social upheaval.
• Democratic National Convention: Protest and violence.
• Nixon's Victory: Presidential election.

Section 5: The End of the War and Its Legacy (pg. 754-761)

• Henry Kissinger & Vietnamization: Policy change.
• Silent Majority: Support for Nixon's policies.
• My Lai Massacre & Cambodia Invasion: Controversial events.
• Kent State University: Violent protest response.
• Pentagon Papers: Government deception revealed.
• Fall of Saigon: End of Vietnam War.
• War Powers Act: Limit on presidential powers.