Unit Seven - The World in uncertain times: 1950 to the Present
One of the first threats to the containment of communism in the Post-War era came with the Korean War, later known as the "Forgotten War" the details of which are included in this document. Then, in the early 1960's, the Cuban Missile Crisis shook the nation and created a fear of mass destruction of the planet. Fortunately, calmer heads prevailed but the purge against communism became stronger and gave rise to the famous events of McCarthyism.
The Vietnam War timeline and a primary source reading of Letters from the Vietnam War give a unique insight into the events of the war.
One of the first threats to the containment of communism in the Post-War era came with the Korean War, later known as the "Forgotten War" the details of which are included in this document. Then, in the early 1960's, the Cuban Missile Crisis shook the nation and created a fear of mass destruction of the planet. Fortunately, calmer heads prevailed but the purge against communism became stronger and gave rise to the famous events of McCarthyism.
The Vietnam War timeline and a primary source reading of Letters from the Vietnam War give a unique insight into the events of the war.
Social and Political issues during this era.
Cars of the 1950's, a special look at a unique American culture and the lessons on Suburbia including the famous town of Levittown on Long Island, show some of the social changes that take place during the decade.
The 1950's and 1960's were also turbulent times in America, especially in the South. The lesson on the Civil Rights Movement and the handout on Non-Violent Protest tell of the plight of the African American and how civil disobedience was used in gaining their rights. The landmark Supreme Court Case: Brown versus Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas overturns Plessey v. Ferguson ending the jurisdiction of "Separate but Equal" and the Civil Rights Legislation from the 1960's handout includes other key laws that were passed to achieve equality. One of the key people behind these laws was Chief Justice Earl Warren and this short bio tells of his legal rulings and achievements for American society.
Who was Rachel Carson? She was a very special person who changed our lives with her book Silent Spring. Thank you for doing your part to save the planet. The following document is an extract from Silent Spring, the first three pages. At the conclusion are a set of key questions relative to the passage.
Two very important Supreme Court cases changed American society during these times. The first took place in New Hyde Park on Long Island, New York and Engel versus Vitale changed the laws about prayers in public schools. A person's rights at their time of arrest was changed with this Supreme Court case, Miranda versus Arizona and the handout discusses the person and the events that led to this change in law enforcement.
A special power granted to the President is shown in the following document, Bills Vetoed from 1961 to 1993, which is a short list of how many recent Presidents used this privilege.
The Nixon presidency is covered with this biographical handout on Richard Nixon and a separate document that covers the Watergate break-in and his subsequent impeachment. The Ford, Carter and Reagan years are covered in this document and I have also created two articles on the New Right and a Reagan and the Supreme Court handout. The George Bush Sr. presidency and the Clinton Presidency are the subjects of these two handouts.
The Immigration Issue: Prohibido (Spanish for prohibited) is covered in this document and it remains a very important political issue today. To supplement this document I have added a political cartoon about illegal immigration. After the cartoon are a series of key questions relative to the subject and the issues that the nation faces today. The other side of the story is how much the Latino population has added to the economy and culture of the United States. The attached handout covers the origins and growth of the Latino population in 1990's in America.
One of the events that questioned the Electoral College system of voting was the Election of 2000 and it is often the focus of questions on the examination.
Finally I have added a special document that covers the events of September 11th, an event that drastically changed American society and the world we live in.
