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McCarthyism (Key Concept 8.1 II A)
Senator Joseph McCarthy started the first big Red Scare. It was a campaign against alleged communists in the US government. Many of the accused were blacklisted or lost their jobs, although most did not in fact belong to the Communist Party.
This connects to Key Concept 8.1 II A which is about how Cold War policies led to public debates over the power of government and balancing safety and personal rights. Cartoon on McCarthyism:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4U81DTotjTc -
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Korean War (Key Concept 8.1 I B)
The Korean War was a proxy war in which the US supported South Korea, while the USSR supported North Korea. The war began on 25 June 1950 when North Korea invaded South Korea following a series of clashes along the border. It ended with the split of Korea into North and South Korea.
This relates to Key Concept 8.1 I B which is about how America pursued "containment" and attempted to stop the spread of communism.
Overview of Korean War:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEGyRgYJKEY -
Brown v. Board of Education Decision (Key Concept 8.2 I B)
It was a landmark decision in which the Supreme Court ruled that American state laws that uphold racial segregation in public schools are unconstitutional, even if the schools are "separate, but equal."
This event relates to Key Concept 8.2 I B which talks about how the 3 branches of the federal government helped promote racial justice. In this instance, it was the Supreme Court / Judicial Branch which brought justice. Overview of the case:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEQ1uG4PZcA -
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Vietnam War Key Concept 8.1 I B
The Vietnam War was a proxy war between North Vietnam and South Vietnam. The US supported South Vietnam, while the USSR supported North Vietnam.
This relates to Key Concept 8.1 I B which is about how America pursued "containment" and attempted to stop the spread of communism. They did so in violent, bloody, and ultimately unsuccessful conflicts, as well.
Overview of Vietnam War:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exVKd-x5QVc -
Elvis's Breakout Song "Heartbreak Hotel" Released Key Concept 8.3 I B
On January 27, 1956, the first RCA single, "Heartbreak Hotel" b/w "I Was the One" was released, giving Elvis a national breakthrough.
This event relates to Key Concept 8.3 I B which is about the rise of a mass American culture. Elvis Presley made many contributions to America's first "pop" culture. -
The March On Washington (Key Concept 8.2 I A)
The March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom was held in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, August 28, 1963. The purpose of the march was to advocate for the civil and economic rights of African Americans. It made civil rights activist Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. famous.
This event relates to Key Concept 8.2 I A which i about the various strategies to combat racial segregation, including nonviolent protest. MLK's "I Have A Dream Speech":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smEqnnklfYs -
Election of Richard Nixon (Key Concept 8.2 III C)
Republican nominee, former Vice President Richard Nixon defeated the Democratic nominee, incumbent Vice President Hubert Humphrey. Richard Nixon was a much more conservative president than the presidents that preceded him.
This event goes hand in hand with the rise in conservatism as described in Key Concept 8.2 III C. Video about Nixon:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0JqyGwpOvQ -
Tet Offensive (Key Concept 8.1 I B)
The Tet Offensive was a series of surprise attacks by the Vietcong cities, towns, and hamlets throughout South Vietnam. It was considered to be a turning point in the Vietnam War. It especially harmed American morale regarding the war.
Image: Vietcong
This event relates to Key Concept 8.1 I B which is about how public support for the war waned after disasters like the Tet Offensive. Overview of Vietnam War:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9e9GWdT2pEQ -
My Lai Massacre and the Pentagon Papers (Key Concept 8.1 II B)
The Mỹ Lai Massacre was the mass murder of unarmed Vietnamese civilians by U.S. troops. The Pentagon Papers were top-secret documents about U.S. involvement in Vietnam that revealed many dark secrets such as Kennedy's involvement in the assassination of Ngo Dinh Diem and revealed Nixon's policies of escalation.
This relates to Key Concept 8.1 II B and how these events resulted in a loss of support for the war. Overview of Vietnam War:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9e9GWdT2pEQ -
Watergate Scandal Is Uncovered (Key Concept 8.2 III E)
It was a break-in by five men at the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate hotel in Washington, D.C. and President Nixon's attempt to cover up his involvement. Meanwhile, Nixon's administration resisted its probes, which led to a constitutional crisis. It led to his resignation.
Image: Watergate Hotel
This relates to Key Concept 8.2 III E: the decrease of trust in government due to scandals like Watergate. Overview of Watergate:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZSGMMUC7FQ -
Apple Is Founded (Key Concept 9.2 I A)
Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak founded Apple, a company that made computers more user friendly and would soon take the world by storm.
This event relates to Key Concept 9.2 I A which is about globalization and how a rise in technology contributed as a catalyst in globalization. Video of first Apple computer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4l8i_xOBTPg -
Election of Ronald Reagan (Key Concept 9.1 I A)
Republican nominee Ronald Reagan defeated incumbent Democrat Jimmy Carter. It was a major event in the rise of conservatism.
This event relates to Key Concept 9.1 I A, as Americans were tired of "socialist" government policies and how this rise in conservatism led to the election of leaders like Ronald Reagan. Reagan's Acceptance Speech:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OeBXzyz4r_4 -
HIV/AIDS Epidemic Key Concept 9.1 I A
The HIV/AIDS (STDs) epidemic captivated and continues to captivate the world. The first cases were reported in 1981. The lack of action regarding the disease during Reagan's administration led to a lot of controversy as described in Key Concept 9.1 I A.
Animation about HIV/AIDS:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ng22Ucr33aw
