Jp Rubet
4/27/14
APUSH
Vocab Cards 57
The Intolerant 20’s
121. Hero Worship
Definition- Admiration for great men, or their memory/ Excessive admiration for
someone.
Description-During the years after WWI, veterans were regarded very highly and
respected by society. People such as Babe Ruth, Bobby Jones, and Charles
Lindbergh became public role models, showing bravery and national pride.
Significance-The spark of celebrities emerged during this time.
Cross Reference-Conformity, “Lost Generation”
122. Consumer Revolution
Definition-A dramatic and wide-reaching change in the way something works, is
organized, or the people's ideas about it.
Description-It was the time period during which the desire for exotic imports
increased dramatically due to economic expansion and population growth. Many
consumers wanted to obtain cars, kitchen appliances, radios, off the rack clothing,
and credit.
Significance-Increase imports of international goods.
Cross Reference-Conformity
123. Radio
Definition-A device capable of both receiving and transmitting spoken messages
between individuals.
Description-The discovery of the existence of radio waves by James Clerk Maxwell
allowed for creation of the radio which produced transmissions of speech and music
through a radio, which enabled commercial broadcasting. It created radio shows
such Amos & Andy, The Shadow, and Fibber McGee.
Significance-Created the first radio broadcasting stations.
Cross Reference- Conformity, “Talkies” (1927), Advent of “National Pastime”,
Consumer Revolution
124. “Talkies” 1927
Definition- It was motion pictures that had sound recorded by a vibraphone.
Description-The first talkie was The Jazz Singer, which was released in October of
1927. It was extremely popular and the talkies automatically took off and raised
Hollywood to a higher status within society. It sparked fame for names like Al
Jolson, Bela Lugosi, and Charlie Chaplin.
Significance- First films with sound.
Cross Reference- Consumer Revolution, Advent of “National Pastime”, Radio
125. The Automobile
Definition-Known as the Model T
Description-It was created by Henry Ford using the assembly line combined with
the method of mass production to innovate the automotive industry for years to
come. This method also increase the supply rate which in turn, decreased the prices
of products.
Significance-It effect the U.S. economically by stimulating growth in other
industries such as steel, rubber, glass, and oil and socially by expanding individuals’
geographical horizon/possibilities. It also created “The Big Three” Ford, GM, and
Chrysler. Not to mention it sparked the creation of filling station, diners, motels, and
road building.
Cross Reference-Consumer Revolution, Radio, Advent of “National Pastime,”
“Talkies”
126. Advent of “The National Pastime”
Definition-The arrival of a notable thing or event
Description-The amateur sport of gentlemen and Union soldiers during the last
quarter of the 19th century (Baseball). This sparked the creation of the World Series,
the song “Take me out to the Ball Game” and food such as Crackerjack and Hot
Dogs. It also introduced famous baseball player such as Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, Lou
Gehrig, CY Young and Christy Mathewson.
Significance-Introduced the idea of the sport baseball.
Cross Reference-Consumer Revolution, Radio, The Automobile, “Talkies”
127. Harlem Renaissance
Definition-A time period where a great revival of art, literature, and learning took
place.
Description- It was the time where specifically African Americans were extremely
expressive of their culture. The renaissance first started in Harlem, New York where
blacks advanced in music, literature, drama, art, and dance.
Significance-Gave African American a new and improved status in society because
of the contributions made to the world.
Cross Reference- Jazz Age, Countee Cullen Claude McKay, Langston Hughes,
Zora Neal Hurston
128. Jazz Age
Definition-A distinct period of history.
Description-It is referring specifically to the 1920s which was a time of cultural
change. Generally, it refers to the arts such as writing, music, artwork, and
architecture. American Jazz music also emerged from the African American church
and community which became international and uniquely American.
Significance-Created the music genre Jazz.
Cross Reference-Harlem Renaissance, Conformity, Duke Ellington, Ella
Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Billie Holiday
Causes of Great Depression
129. Inequitable Distribution of Income
Definition-It is the goal of an entrepreneur to keep costs as low as possible, in order
to keep profits as high as possible.
Description-Manual labor was the biggest expense a business owner had. Thus, in
order to keep costs low, the owner paid the workers barely enough to live/survive.
The distribution of wealth was not evenly spread out with 1% of people securing
20% of the nation’s income.
Significance-It hurt the economy dramatically and strained the profit margins
entrepreneurs so desperately protected.
Cross Reference- 25% Unemployment
130. Overproduction
Definition-Making a surplus of a manufactured good.
Description-It is the excess of supply over demand of products being offered in a
market. This leads to lower prices and/or unsold goods along with the possibility of
unemployment. In turn, it leads to consumers without jobs buying less and less of
the products that were already being made in excess (John Says’ Law).
Significance-Main cause of the Great Depression.
Cross Reference- Over Extension of Credit by Banks, 25% Unemployment
131. Bad Foreign Debt from WWI
Definition-An accumulation of money that is owed.
Description-During WWI, many countries began to run out of resources necessary
to continue the fight. The U.S. took up the cost and supported their allies.
Unfortunately, after the war the money was still unpaid and cause the circular debt
crisis.
Significance-Created the Dawes Plan which failed due to lack of economic
overview.
Cross Reference-WWI, Circular Debt
132. Stock Market Speculation
Definition-The act of predicting stock market trends. If the speculation was good,
investors would buy. If the speculation was bad the investors would sell.
Description-During the 1920’s, many “experts” were speculating trends of stocks.
Many people bought stocks with borrowed money from banks. This led to many
inflated highs and severe crashes throughout the decade leading to an unstable
economy.
Significance-The main cause for the Great Depression.
Cross Reference-Stock Market Crash, Great Depression
133. Over extension of Credit by Banks
Definition-When banks gave out loans to people who had no means to pay them
back.
Description-Many small banks had this problem with farmers. Large banks did this
with foreign countries in an attempt to recoup WWI losses. When they could no
longer lend money, many banks went bankrupt and the people lost their loans.
Significance-These actions almost caused the shut down the American banking
system.
Cross Reference-Circular Debt, Great Depression
134. Lack of Economic Forecasting by Coolidge Administration
Definition-Calvin Coolidge essentially undid every regulatory reform the
progressive era achieved. He was president from 1923 to 1928, and he believed in
limited business practices.
Description-He did not care for economics and made no attempt to keep track of
government spending. He also was a believer in laissez-faire, disapproved of
Woodrow Wilson’s financial reforms and didn’t use scientific government.
Significance-He also believed in letting economic problems dealing with
themselves, which in turn jeopardized the economy.
Cross Reference-25% Unemployment, Great Depression, Pres. Coolidge,
Progressive Era
135. Outcomes of Great Depression
Definition-Effects of the Great Depression
Description-The initial outcome was the stock market crash of 1929. This crash
revealed the 25% unemployment rate to the public, and showed a realization to the
people that they were in a financial crisis. In the panic, citizens began to run on the
banks, pulling out all of their money. Farmers, specifically, were severely affected
by the depression, as it was paired with the dust bowl and completely ruined their
farms (Their only source of income). Not to mention, millions were homeless,
facing starvation and the Middle class savings wiped out .
Significance-FDR created the New Deal which saved the U.S. His goal was to
restore America to its glory and complete change all social institutions as they were.
Cross Reference-25% Unemployment, Great Depression, FDR
136. 25% Unemployment
Definition-The ratio between the individuals unemployed versus those who are
currently in the labor work force.
Description-It was the rate of unemployment in America during the Great
Depression. It was extremely high. Consumers were being paid too little to purchase
anything outside of the necessities. Therefore it lead to lay-offs and unemployed
workers could buy even less than before. Ultimately created an economic stalemate.
Significance-It took 15 years to revive back to a stable rate (1942).
Cross Reference-Outcomes of Great Depression, Inequitable Distribution of
Income
137. Bank Failures
Definition-As the depression went on, banks started over extending themselves with
loans.
Description-The banks ultimately bankrupted themselves and went out of business.
The descent began as soon as the crash in 1929. The run on the banks followed right
after the crash and completely flushed out the banks’ capital in circulation. Thus, it
created the FDIC.
Significance-FDR saw that this as a major issue and created the “bank’s holiday”.
This event stop the people runs on the banks and soon after they were restored.
Cross Reference-FDR, Overextension of Credit by Banks, Great Depression
138. Herbert Hoover’s call for “Volunteerism”
Definition-Herbert Hoover felt it was the responsibility of the wealthy to hold up
the poor through the depression.
Description-He believe that the problem had less to do with over production, and
more to do with a lack of distribution of wealth. His solution was to convince the
wealthy to take part in philanthropic acts and support those less fortunate through
the depression.
Significance-The private charities such as soup kitchens, bread lines, “Good Will”
clothing, and boarding houses ultimately failed because there was no return for the
money they were shelling out.
Cross Reference-Philanthropy, Great Depression
139. Hoovervilles
Definition-A form of income for the unemployed, their jobs were to build cities
during the Great Depression.
Description-Shanty towns that the unemployed built in the cities during the early
years of the Depression; the name given to them shows that the people blamed
Hoover directly for the Depression. They were also near railroad yards.
Significance-Showed how the people blamed Herbert Hoover for the Great
Depression
Cross Reference-Herbert Hoover, Great Depression, 25% Unemployment, Hoover
Blankets, Hoover Flags
140. Hoover Blankets
Definition-Was named after Herbert Hoover and was an item used to keep the
homeless warm.
Description-It was a newspaper that was used like a blanket by the homeless to stay
warm in the cold.
Significance-Showed the harsh living conditions of the homeless during the Great
Depression.
Cross Reference-Great Depression, Herbert Hoover
Civil Rights Movement
261. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Definition-An American clergyman, activist, and leader in the African-American
Civil Rights Movement. He is best known for his role in the advancement of civil
rights using nonviolent civil disobedience.
Description-A Baptist minister, Martin Luther King Jr. became a civil rights activist
early in his career. He led the 1955 Montgomery Bus Boycott and helped found the
Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) in 1957, serving as its first
president. With the SCLC, he organized nonviolent protests in Birmingham,
Alabama, that attracted national attention following television news coverage of the
brutal police response. He also helped organize the 1963 March on Washington,
where he delivered his "I Have a Dream" speech.
Significance-When he delivered his famous “I Have a Dream” Speech, he
established his reputation as one of the greatest orators in American History.
Cross Reference-Southern Christian Leadership Conference, Rosa Parks and the
Montgomery Bus Boycott, Civil Disobedience, The Little Rock Nine
262. Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC)
Definition-Southern Christian Leadership Conference, founded by Martin Luther
King, Jr., taught that civil rights could only be achieved through nonviolent protests.
Description-It was initially called the "Negro Leaders Conference on Nonviolent
Integration," and then "Southern Negro Leaders Conference”. However, the group
eventually chose "Southern Christian Leadership Conference" (SCLC) as its name,
and expanded its focus beyond busses to end all forms of segregation. They also
worked very closely with the SNCC.
Significance-SCLC worked to end all forms of segregation in the United States.
Cross Reference-Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott, Civil
Disobedience, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., The Little Rock Nine
263. Civil Disobedience
Definition-Civil disobedience is the non-violent refusal to obey certain laws,
demands, and commands of a government, or of an occupying international power.
Description-Civil disobedience is one of the many ways people have rebelled
against what they classify as unfair practices by their government or occupying
nations. In seeking an active form of civil disobedience, one may choose to
deliberately break certain laws, such as forming a peaceful blockade or occupying a
facility illegally. Although, sometimes violence has been known to occur they still
remain non-violent. Protesters practice this non-violent form of civil disobedience
with the expectation that they will be arrested. Many of them also realize that they
could be attacked or even beaten by the authorities.
Significance-Civil disobedience has been used in many nonviolent resistance
movements in India, East Germany, South Africa, America and it is proven to work.
Cross Reference-Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott, Dr. Martin Luther
King Jr., Southern Christian Leadership Conference, The Little Rock Nine,
Mohandas Gandhi, Henry David Thorough
264. The Little Rock Nine
Definition-A group of African American students enrolled in Little Rock Central
High School in 1957.
Description-The students were initially prevented from entering the racially
segregated school by Arkansas Governor Faubeus, and then attended the school after
the intervention of President Eisenhower. The U.S. Supreme Court issued its historic
Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas. The decision declared all laws
establishing segregated schools to be unconstitutional and it called for the
desegregation of all schools throughout the nation.
Significance-After this event, the segregation of schools no longer existed in the
U.S. It allowed all ethnics groups to attend American public schools.
Cross Reference-Civil Disobedience, Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus
Boycott, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Southern Christian Leadership Conference
265. Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee
Definition-One of the organizations of the American Civil Rights Movement in the
1960s.
Description-The SNCC grew into a large organization with many supporters in the
North who helped raise funds to support SNCC's work in the South, allowing fulltime SNCC workers to have a $10 per week salary. SNCC’s major contribution was
in its fieldwork, organizing voter registration drives all over the South.
Significance-The SNCC played a leading role in the 1963 March on Washington,
Mississippi and Freedom Summer.
Cross Reference- Freedom Summer, Voter Registration Drives
266. The Greensborough, North Carolina Lunch Counter Sit Ins
Definition-A series of nonviolent protests in 1960 which led to the Woolworth’s
department store chain reversing its policy of racial segregation in the southern
United States.
Description-The Greensborough sit-ins were an instrumental action, leading to
increased national sentiment at a crucial period in US history. The primary event
took place at the Greensborough, North Carolina Woolworth's store.
Significance-The sit-in movement was used and practiced the strategy of
nonviolence linked to civil obedience.
Cross
Reference-Civil
Disobedience,
Student
Non-Violent
Coordinating
committee
267. Letter from a Birmingham Jail
Definition-A letter written on April 16, 1963, by Martin Luther King, Jr. defending
the strategy of nonviolence resistance to racism.
Description-It argues that people have a moral responsibility to break unjust laws.
It enjoyed widespread publication and became the key text for the American civil
rights movement of the early 1960’s.
Significance-It was a key text for the American civil rights movement.
Cross Reference-Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., SCLC, Civil Disobedience
268. Freedom Summer
Definition- Freedom Summer was a campaign in the U.S. launched in June 1964 to
attempt to register as many African American voters as possible in Mississippi which
had excluded most blacks from voting.
Description-The project also set up dozens of Freedom Schools, Freedom Houses,
and community centers in small towns throughout Mississippi to aid the local black
population. The White and Black college students also rode busses through the
South, flaunting segregation laws.
Significance- Freedom Summer was only possible because of years of past work
done by numerous African Americans who lived locally in Mississippi.
Cross Reference-Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., SCLC, Civil Disobedience, Voter
Registration Drives
269. Voter Registration Drives
Definition-An effort undertaken by a political campaign, political party, or other
outside groups that seek to register to vote those who are eligible but not yet
registered.
Description-Sometimes these drives are undertaken for partisan purposes, and target
specific demographic groups that are likely to vote for one candidate or other.
However on the other hand, such drives are sometimes undertaken by non-partisan
groups and targeted more generally.
Significance-Voter Registration Drives often have helped large groups of people
gain the right to vote (SNCC).
Cross Reference-Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., SCLC
270. Gov. Fabeus of Arkansas
Definition-The 36th governor of Arkansas.
Description-He is best known for his 1957 stand against the desegregation of the
Little Rock School District during the Little Rock Crisis, in which he defied a
unanimous decision of the United States Supreme Court by ordering the Arkansas
National Guard to stop African-American students from attending Little Rock
Central High School.
Significance- Gov. Faubeus caused many conflicts during the Little Rock Crisis in
1957.
Cross Reference-Little Rock Nine, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
271. Gov. Wallace of Alabama
Definition-He was an American politician and the 45th governor of Alabama.
Description- He is known for his Southern Populist and segregationist attitudes
during the desegregation period. He eventually renounced as a segregationist but
remained a populist.
Significance-America's most outspoken supporter of racial segregation.
Cross Reference-Gov. Faubeus of Arkansas
272. “Massive Resistance”
Definition-It was a policy declared by U.S. Senator Harry F. Byrd, Senator of
Virginia on February 24, 1956, to unite other white politicians and leaders in
Virginia in a campaign of new state laws and policies to prevent public school
desegregation.
Description-After the Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court Decision in
1954, the policy was declared to unite other white politicians and leaders in Virginia.
Although state and federal courts negated most of the laws created to implement
Massive Resistance by January 1960, some policies and effects of the campaign
against integrated public schools continued in Virginia for many more years.
Significance-Many schools, and even an entire school system, were shut down in
preference to integration.
Cross Reference-Little Rock Nine, Freedom Summer
273. White Citizen Councils
Definition-An American white supremacist organization formed on July 11, 1954.
Description-After 1956, it was known as the Citizens' Councils of America. With
about 60,000 members, mostly in the South, the group was well known for its
opposition to racial integration during the 1950s and 1960s, when it retaliated with
economic boycotts and other strong intimidation against black activists, including
depriving them of jobs.
Significance-Unlike the Ku Klux Klan, the WCC met openly.
Cross Reference-Gov. Faubeus of Arkansas, Gov. Wallace of Alabama
274. Medger Evers
Definition-An African American civil rights activist involved in efforts to overturn
segregation at the University of Mississippi.
Description-After completing his secondary education, he became active in the civil
rights movement. He also became a field secretary for the NAACP.
Significance-Evers's legacy has been kept alive in a variety of ways . It is said that
Evers was memorialized by leading Mississippi and national authors, both black and
white.
Cross Reference-The Little Rock Nine, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
275. Malcom X, The Nation of Islam, and Black Nationalism
Definition--Malcolm Little, he was a Muslim minister and human rights activist. He
also was the Senior Leader of The Nation of Islam.
Description-To his supporters, he was a courageous advocate for the rights of
blacks, a man who indicted white America in the harshest terms for its crimes against
black Americans. Detractors accused him of preaching racism, black supremacy,
Black Nationalism and violence.
Significance-He has been called one of the greatest and most influential African
Americans in history.
Cross Reference-Freedom Summer, Voter Registration Drives
276. Poor People’s March on Washington, 1963
Definition-It was an effort to gain economic justice for poor people in the United
States. It was organized by A. Philip Randolph and the SCLC, carried out in the
wake of his assassination (King was assassinated in 1968). King was the keynote
speaker and SNCC were heavily involved with this event.
Description-The Campaign demanded economic and human rights for poor Blacks,
Chicanos, Indians, and Whites. After presenting an organized set of demands to
Congress and executive agencies, participants set up a 3000-person tent city on the
Washington Mall, where they stayed for six weeks.
Significance-It was described as the movement’s “Little Bighorn”
Cross Reference-Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., SCLC
277. The Civil Rights Act of 1964
Definition-A landmark piece of civil rights legislation in the United States that
outlawed major forms of discrimination against racial, ethnic, national and religious
minorities.
Description-It ended unequal application of voter registration requirements and
racial segregation in schools, at the workplace and by facilities that served the
general public. The powers that were first given to enforce the act were initially
weak, but were supplemented during the later years.
Significance-Congress used its authority to legislate under several parts of the U.S.
Constitution and stated its duty to guarantee all citizens equal protection of the laws
under the 14th and 15th amendment.
Cross Reference-Voting Rights Act of 1965
278. 23rd Amendment
Definition-It permitted citizens in the District of Columbia to vote for Electors for
President and Vice President.
Description-The amendment was proposed by Congress on June 17, 1960, and
ratified by the states on March 29, 1961. The first Presidential election in which it
was in effect was the presidential election of 1964.
Significance-Prior to the passage of the amendment, residents of Washington, D.C.
were forbidden from voting for President or Vice President, as the District is not a
U.S. state. However, they are still unable to send voting Representatives or Senators
to Congress.
Cross Reference-24th Amendment, Voting Rights Act of 1965
279. 24th Amendment
Definition-Prohibits both Congress and the states from conditioning the right to vote
in federal elections on payment of a poll tax or other types of tax.
Description-The amendment made the poll tax unconstitutional in regards to federal
elections. However, it was not until the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6–3 in Harper v.
Virginia Board of Elections (1966) that poll taxes for state elections were
unconstitutional because they violated the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th
Amendment.
Significance-Before the 24th Amendment, poll taxes were used to prevent AfricanAmericans from voting.
Cross Reference-Voter Registration Drives, Freedom Summer, Voting Rights Act
of 1965
280. Voting Rights Act of 1965
Definition- The act that enforced the fifteenth amendment to the Constitution of the
United States.
Description-The Act prohibits states from imposing any "voting qualification or
prerequisite to voting, or standard, practice, or procedure ... to deny or abridge the
right of any citizen of the United States to vote on account of race or color."
Significance-Outlawed discriminatory voting practices that had been responsible for
the widespread disenfranchisement of African Americans in the U.S.
Cross Reference-23rd Amendment, 24th Amendment, Civil Rights Act of 1964
The 1990’s
389. The Rise of China, Inc.
Definition-The increase of China as a competitor to the U.S.
Description-With the world's largest population and its rapid industrialization,
China offers a wealth of opportunities for companies catering to its rising middle
class. Its economy is growing 3 times faster than the U.S. and with their rising
population they have continued to grow exponentially.
Significance-Showed that China was surpassing the U.S. and created competition
between the two nations.
Cross Reference-Japan Inc.
390. End of the Cold War
Definition-The end of the conflict between the U.S. and Russia.
Description-On December 8, 1987, the Intermediate Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty
was signed in Washington, eliminating an entire class of nuclear weapons. The INF
Treaty was the first arms control pact to require an actual reduction in nuclear
arsenals rather than merely restricting their proliferation.
Significance-The symbol of the end of the Cold War was the fall of the Berlin Wall.
Cross Reference-The Berlin Wall Comes Down
391. Boris Yeltsin
Definition-He was a Russian politician and the first President of the Russian
Federation, serving from 1991 to 1999.
Description-He vowed to transform Russia's socialist command economy into a free
market economy and implemented economic shock therapy, price liberalization and
privatization programs.
Significance-Yeltsin made a surprise announcement of his resignation, leaving the
presidency in the hands of his chosen successor, then-Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.
He also left office widely unpopular with the Russian population.
Cross Reference- Free Market Economy, Laissez-Faire Capitalism
392. The Internet
Definition-The creation of the World Wide Web.
Description-The Internet began with the development of electronic computers in the
1950s. The public was first introduced to the concepts that would lead to the Internet
when a message was sent over the ARPANet which was the precursor to the Internet
from a computer.
Significance-Since the mid-1990s, the Internet has had a revolutionary impact on
culture, commerce and soon after communication.
Cross Reference-Technological Revolution
393. OSHA
Definition-Occupational Safety and Health Administration, was a federal agency of
the United States that regulates workplace safety and health.
Description-Occupational Safety and Health Act became a federal law in the
United States in 1970, this was act that created the Occupational Safety and
Health Administration.
Significance-It influenced other nations to adopt similar agency such as European
Agency for Safety and Health at Work.
Cross Reference-Ban on Stem Cell Research
394. Ban on Stem Cell Research
Definition-Officially or legally prohibit the research of stem cells. (George Bush 43)
Description-Some government policies determine what is allowed versus
prohibited, whereas others outline what research can be publicly financed. Of course,
all practices not prohibited are implicitly permitted. Some organizations have issued
recommended guidelines for how stem cell research is to be conducted.
Significance-Shows how stem cell research is not accepted internationally at this
current moment.
Cross Reference-OHSA
395. Assassination of Yitzrack Rabin
Definition-The action of assassinating Yitzrack Rabin.
Description-It took place on November 4, 1995 at the end of a rally in support of
the Oslo Accords at the Kings of Israel Square in Tel Aviv. The assassin, a religious
Zionist named Yigal Amir, strenuously opposed Rabin's peace initiative and
particularly the signing of the Oslo Accords Rabin.
Significance-Only prime minster to be assassinated.
Cross ReferenceThe 21st Century
396. “The Graying of America”
Definition-Americans are living longer and care is needed for the growing elder
population.
Description-Americans were living longer and healthier lives, but an increasingly
older population meant an increasing pull on government entitlement programs such
as Social Security, Medicare, long-term care, public pensions and other financialsupport programs that are heavily burdened systems that can bring down the
economy.
Significance-Shows that life expectancy, standard of living, and healthcare have all
increased.
Cross Reference-Social Security Crisis
397. Social Security Crisis
Definition-A financial support program for the elderly.
Description-For more than half a century, it has served as America's family
protection plan, providing millions of the elderly and disabled with secure incomes,
guarding them against impoverishment, and relieving their children and
grandchildren of what could otherwise be the unmanageable burden of supporting
them throughout their old age.
Significance-Allowed for the elderly to gain a steady income and didn’t burden a
family to support themselves and their older loved ones.
Cross Reference-“The Graying America”
398. Generation X
Definition-Is the generation born after the Western post-World War II baby boom.
Description-Generation X have cultural perspectives and political experiences that
were shaped by a series of events. These include post-assassination of John F.
Kennedy government and culture, the Vietnam War, Watergate, the presidency of
Jimmy Carter, Pope John Paul II, and the presidency of Ronald Reagan.
Significance-Individual who group of during the age of computers.
Cross Reference-Generation Y
399. Generation Y
Definition-Known as the Millennial Generation.
Description-Those consider in the Millennial Generation have transcended the
ideological battles spawned by the counterculture of the 1960s, which persist today
in the form of culture wars.
Significance-Children who have parents from the “baby boom” era and have had a
constant access to technology in their youth.
Cross Reference-Generation X
400. Election of 2000
Definition- A formal and organized process of electing or being elected.
Description-The election was between Republican candidate George W. Bush, and
Democratic candidate Al Gore. The election was noteworthy for a controversy over
the awarding of Florida's 25 electoral votes, the subsequent recount process in that
state. Another controversy was the unusual event of the winning candidate had
received fewer popular votes than the runner-up president.
Significance-It was the closest presidential race in history.
Cross Reference-9/11/01, Election of 2008
401. 9/11/01
Definition-A tragic date in U.S. History.
Description-On this day a series of four coordinated terrorist attacks were launched
by the Islamic terrorist group al-Qaeda upon the United
States in New York City and the Washington, D.C. Four passenger airliners were
hijacked by a group of al-Qaeda terrorists so they could be flown into buildings in
suicide attacks. Two of those planes, American Airlines Flight 11 and United
Airlines Flight 175, were forcibly crashed into the North and South towers,
respectively, of the World Trade Center complex in New York City.
Significance- Created the Homeland Security division.
Cross Reference-Afghanistan, Al Qaida
402. Homeland Security Act
Definition- The act that created the Homeland Security department of the U.S.
Description-It is the national effort to prevent terrorist attacks within the United
States, reduce the vulnerability of the U.S. to terrorism, and minimize the damage
from attacks that do occur. The term arose following a reorganization of many U.S.
government agencies in 2003 to form the United States Department of Homeland
Security after the 9/11 attacks.
Significance-Was created because of 9/11/01
Cross Reference-9/11/01
403. War on Terror
Definition-The conflict between the U.S. and the Middle East about terrorism.
Description-It is a term commonly applied to an international military campaign
which was started as a result of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the United States. This
resulted in an international military campaign to eliminate al-Qaeda and other
militant organizations.
Significance-Led to increase U.S. military presence in the Middle East.
Cross Reference-Homeland Security, 9/11/01, Afghanistan
404. Iraq
Definition-Also known as the Republic of Iraq
Description-It is a country in Western Asia where the Iraq War which was an armed
conflict took place. The invasion of Ba'athist Iraq starting March 20 2003 was led
by the United States. The United States organized coalition invaded Iraq, with the
stated reason that Iraq had failed to abandon its nuclear and chemical weapons
development program.
Significance-Showed the U.S.’s presence in this Middle Eastern country.
Cross Reference-War on Terror
405. Afghanistan
Definition-Also known as the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.
Description-It is a landlocked sovereign state forming part of South Asia, Central
Asia, and to some extent Western Asia. Americas involvement in Afghanistan
started with the Afghan Civil War in which the United States and its allies, following
the terrorist attacks of 9/11 tried to dismantle the Islamic terrorist organization, AlQaeda, led by Osama bin Laden and to remove from power the Taliban.
Significance-The leader of Al-Qaeda has been killed recently.
Cross Reference-9/11/01, War on Terror, Al Qaida
406. Al Qaida
Definition-The Islamic terrorist organization led by Osama bin Laden.
Description-It is a global militant Islamist organization founded by Osama bin
Laden around 1988-1989. They are the group responsible for the 9/11 attacks and
many other radical attacks.
Significance-Made 9/11/01 a memorable date in U.S. history.
Cross Reference-9/11/01, Afghanistan, War on Terror, Homeland Security