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Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight D. Eisenhower was the 34th President of the United States. Often referred to as 'Likeable Ike,' Eisenhower was very liked among the people. He was the first president since the war and helped to create a feeling of comfort and safety in America. -
Geneva Conference
Most of the world's super powers at the time met in Geneva for a confrence that would determine what to do with the unrest in Vietnam and its surrounding areas. It was decided that Vietnam would be divided into Northern and Southern regions, much like Korea had been, but would hopefully be reunited after two years with no outside intervention.
http://coldwar-hms09q.wikispaces.com/Communism+Spreading+--+The+Korean+Conflict+and+the+Vietnam+War -
Brown v. Board of Education
The Supreme Court overturned the previous Plessy v. Ferguson ruling that segregation in schools was legal. By federal law, schools were now required to integrate and no longer could have 'separate, but equal' facilities for school children.
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/supremecourt/rights/landmark_brown.html -
McCarthy's End
After years of alleged Communist accusations, the United States was tired of Joseph McCarthy. Congress voted in favor of censuring McCarthy and with that, his attacks against many loyal Americans ceased. http://www.loc.gov/rr/print/list/235_pom.html -
Rosa Parks
In Montgomery, Alabama, Rosa Parks refuses to give up her seat on a bus for a white man, explicitly defying the (then) law. Her refusal would spark a slew of protests and serve as an inspiration for many African Americans. http://course.cas.sc.edu/germanyk/post1945/The_Southern_Problem_Confronting.html -
Little Rock Nine
Nine African American children attempted to attend a formerly all white school, following the Supreme Court ruling earlier that year. They were met with fierce protest from local parents all the way to Orval Faubus, the governor of Arkansas. They did eventually make it into the school when President Eisenhower sent National Guard members to esscort and protect the children, showing that desegregation was immenent. http://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/civilrights/ar1.htm -
101st Airborne
After the Little Rock Nine started attending school, it was clear that the integration would not be as painless as previously thought. Eisenhower ordered the 101st Airborne Division to act as an armed escort for the Little Rock Nine. While this did give the children security, it still could not protect them from classmate's hatred and disposition. http://usarmy.vo.llnwd.net/e2/-images/2007/09/20/8168/army.mil-2007-09-20-165504.jpg -
Sputnik
Shocking the world, the Soviets launched Sputnik into space, becoming the first country to do so.Eisenhower's response was to form NASA and push for higher education in math and science. Having been beaten by the Soviets into space, Eisenhower set a precedent and encouraged America to catch up and surpass the Soviets and regaing former glory. http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/ -
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John F. Kennedy
John F. Kennedy was the 35th President of the United States. He ushered in the wild decade of the 1960's, setting ambitious goals for America and what it could achieve. His presidency would never know it's full potential, due to his assassination by Lee Harvey Oswald just some 1,000 days into office. -
Bay of Pigs Invasion
President Kennedy approved the plan to overthrow Fidel Castro's regiem, known as the Bay of Pigs. The invasion failed miserably and was an embarassment for both Kennedy and the United States. However, Kennedy quickly assumed all responsibility and apologized for his part in faliure, giving him an even greater standing with the American people. http://personal.ashland.edu/~jmoser1/eikenberryinvasion.html
http://personal.ashland.edu/~jmoser1/eikenberryinvasion.html -
Cuban Missile Crisis
On October 14, 1962, American planes reported seeing missile sites aimed at the United States in Cuba. President Kennedy then had to deal with the Soviets in hopes of preventing what would have been all out nuclear war. After a gruling 14 days, Kennedy and Khruschev agreed on terms and the tension was at ease, with the misslie sites being taken down. http://www.theatlantic.com/infocus/2012/10/50-years-ago-the-cuban-missile-crisis/100387/ -
Bull Connor
In response to the African American peaceful protesting, Eugene 'Bull' Connor orders firemen to spray down protestors with high-pressured water hoses. News sources and local media covered the events so extensively that reports were seen around the nation, and even the world, bringing the problems of the South's discrimination to virtually everyone. http://www.amistadresource.org/civil_rights_era/birmingham_desegregation_campaign.html -
JFK Civil Rights Speech
President John F. Kennedy gives a speech in which he calls for a civil rights bill. While it did adress key areas that minority groups had asked for, such as voting rights, it still lacked some fundamental equalities, and thus, did not entirely please the minority groups. It was, however, the first time a President had responded so directly. http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/jfkcivilrights.htm -
I Have a Dream
Martin Luther King Jr. gives his famous "I Have a Dream Speech" at the national mall. More than 200,000 supporters joined him in rallying for African American rights. This would mark the pinnacle in convincing Washington to make changes. NARA -
Birmingham Bombing
A bomb explodes at a local African American church, killing four innocent African American girls in an act of violence. The African American community was outraged nad some protests turned violent. Attacks like these tested the African American's ideal of 'turning the other cheek.' http://www.holyangels.com/images/church.bombing.girls.ap.jpg -
Diem Assassinated
Upset with the way the war was progressing, the United States realized that Diem needed to be removed from power. With the help of the CIA, a coup was organized and Diem was assassinated, crippling the government that stood with him. http://www.time.com/time/covers/0,16641,19550404,00.html -
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Lyndon B. Johnson
Lyndon B. Johnson was the 36th President of the United States. After Kennedy's assassination, Johnson promised to uphold the same values as the previous president had. Despite his active work for African Americans, his presidency would be more determined and overshadowed by the Vietnam war. -
24th Ammendment
The 24th ammendment is passed and added to the Constitution. It got rid of existing laws that would make it harder for poor African Americans to vote. Although credited to Johnson, much of its orgins came from Kennedy's era and even before then. It was an important step in ensuring equal rights for African Americans. http://www.usconstitution.net/xconst_Am24.html -
Civil Rights Act
The Civil Rights Act passed through congress, guaranteeing minority groups fundamental rights and outlawing discrimination against these groups. It was the first piece of serious legilation that all of the boycotting and protesting in the years before had sparked and asked for. http://www.archives.gov/education/lessons/civil-rights-act/ -
Gulf of Tonkin
An American vessel was in the Gulf of Tonkin when it encountered North Vietnamese submarines and a resulting sea battle ensued. The American ship came out victorios and it was immeadiatley reported to Washington. This was used as an excuse to become involved in the Vietnam War and Johnson used it to have congress give him a "blank check" for the war. http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/sh-usn/usnsh-m/dd731-k.htm -
Affirmative Action
Despite the Civil Rights Act of 1964 passing, it was apparent that more needed to be done. President Johnson issued Executive Order 11246. This required and encouraged businesses to hire and not discriminate against minority groups. http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/lyndonbjohnson -
Tet Offensive
The North Vietnamese Communists broke the cease fire agreement that both the North and South had supposedly agreed to. With more than 80,000 troops, the North initially suprised the Southern and U.S. forces, but were quickly met with greater force. The Tet offensive shocked Americans at home, who previously believed that the Northern Communists could not be that strong. http://www.ushistory.org/us/55c.asp -
MLKJ Assassinated
While standing on the balcony of his motel room, James Earl Ray shoots and kills Martin Luther King Jr. Being the front of the African American movement, many feared that it too would die with him. However, his legacy proved that "you might be able to kill the dreamer, but you can never kill the dream." http://www.maryferrell.org/wiki/index.php/Martin_Luther_King_Assassination -
Robert F. Kennedy
Robert F. Kennedy was 'next in line' for the presidency. Sharing much of the charisma as his brother, Jack, Robert was quick to receive the Democrat nomination for president in California. After the nomination, he was shot and killed in the kitchen of the Ambassador hotel. http://bobby-kennedy.com/rfkassassination.htm -
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Richard M. Nixon
Richard M. Nixon was the 37th President of the United States. Nixon was arguably the worst person for the job at the time. Nixon would prove to be quite a brilliant president, but, again, would largely be overshadowed by his involvement in the already unpopular Vietnam war. His presidency ended in disgrace after the Watergate scandal. -
Kent State Shootings
In protesting the Vietnam war, four students were 'accidentally' shot by national guard members. They were supposed to keep the crowd under control, but panicked, and unfortunately took the lives of four unarmed college students, while wounding nine others. This added to the already growing contempt for the Vietnam war. http://articles.latimes.com/2012/may/04/nation/la-na-nn-kent-state-survivors-20120504 -
Watergate Scandal Begins
After the break-in at the Watergate hotel, Nixon's presidency would never be the same. The investigation soon found the president's involvement and when accused, he firmly assuered the public that he 'was not a crook.' As the evidence pilled up against him, Nixon soon lost the trust of the American people and with it, tarnishing both his and America's reputation. http://iml.jou.ufl.edu/projects/Fall06/Weiner/pages/Overview/definition.htm -
Paris Peace Accords
With the help of Henry Kisenger, the Paris Peace Accords were signed to formally end the war. The U.S. would leave within six months and like the Geneva Confrence, it called for free elections to take place in the North and South. No source required; public domain. -
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Gerald R. Ford
Gerald R. Ford was the 38th President of the United States. After the weak display of power in the presidency, courtesy of Nixon, Ford spent majority of his term trying to repair the image of the President and America as a whole. At the time, however, Ford did not sit well with the people and thus, served a very short term. -
Helsinki Accords
With the help of Gerald Ford, the Helsinki Accords are finished and signed. The Helsinki Accords were an attempt to make peace or at least better relations between the Western Democracy and the Communist countries. In total, 33 countries signed the accords, although they were not a binding contract, more so a proposal and set of guidlines. http://www.ford.utexas.edu/avproj/helsinki.htm
