United States History Study Guide
1. Medicare
- Overview: Medicare is a federal program established in 1965 that provides health insurance to individuals aged 65 and older, as well as certain younger people with disabilities.
- Key Features: It consists of different parts—Part A (hospital insurance), Part B (medical insurance), and Part D (prescription drug coverage).
2. Medicaid
- Overview: Medicaid is a joint federal and state program that provides health coverage for low-income individuals and families.
- Key Features: Established in 1965 alongside Medicare, it varies by state in terms of eligibility and benefits.
3. White Collar Jobs
- Definition: Typically refer to jobs that are professional, managerial, or administrative in nature, often performed in an office setting.
- Historical Context: As the U.S. economy shifted from manufacturing to services in the mid-20th century, white-collar jobs began to dominate the labor market.
4. Blue Collar Jobs
- Definition: Refers to jobs that typically involve manual labor and skilled trades, often in industrial settings.
- Historical Context: These jobs were prevalent during the industrial revolution and remained significant through the mid-20th century, especially in manufacturing.
5. Interstate Highway Act
- Overview: Enacted in 1956, the Federal-Aid Highway Act authorized the construction of a nationwide system of interstate highways.
- Impact: Facilitated the growth of suburbia, boosted the economy through improved transportation, and altered patterns of urban development.
6. JFK New Frontier
- Overview: A domestic program by President John F. Kennedy aimed at improving education, healthcare, and civil rights.
- Key Areas: Focus included economic growth, space exploration, and tackling social issues such as poverty.
7. Joseph McCarthy "McCarthyism"
- Overview: A campaign led by Senator Joseph McCarthy in the early 1950s that accused many Americans of being communists or communist sympathizers.
- Consequences: Resulted in widespread fear and paranoia about communism, leading to blacklisting and loss of employment for many individuals.
8. Alger Hiss/Pumpkin Papers
- Overview: Alger Hiss was a former State Department official accused of being a Soviet spy. The "Pumpkin Papers" were documents discovered in a pumpkin patch that supposedly linked him to espionage.
- Historical Impact: Hiss's conviction for perjury in 1950 intensified anti-communist sentiment and fueled McCarthyism.
9. The Crucible
- Overview: A play by Arthur Miller, first performed in 1953, that draws parallels between the Salem Witch Trials and McCarthyism.
- Themes: Explores the dangers of hysteria and the loss of individual rights during times of political persecution.
10. Taft-Hartley Act 1947
- Overview: Legislation that restricted the activities and power of labor unions.
- Key Provisions: Included measures that prohibited closed shops, restricted union strikes, and required union leaders to sign affidavits affirming they were not members of the Communist Party.
11. Fair Deal (National Health Insurance)
- Overview: A set of proposals by President Harry S. Truman put forth in 1949 that aimed to expand upon the New Deal.
- Key Items: Included initiatives for national health insurance, civil rights, and education reform; ultimately met with varied success in Congress.
12. Dynamic Conservatism
- Overview: A political philosophy championed by President Dwight D. Eisenhower that sought to balance conservative economic policies with social progressivism.
- Key Approach: Applied to domestic policies that promoted economic growth while maintaining social welfare programs.
13. Atoms for Peace (Eisenhower)
- Overview: A program introduced by President Eisenhower in 1953 aimed at promoting the peaceful use of nuclear energy.
- Significance: Represented a shift in U.S. policy during the Cold War, seeking to reduce nuclear anxiety while advancing nuclear technology for civilian use.
14. Home Ownership (1940s/50s)
- Overview: Post-World War II America saw a significant increase in home ownership rates, largely due to economic prosperity and government policies like the G.I. Bill.
- Impact: Contributed to the growth of suburbs and the American middle class.
15. Urban Renewal Programs
- Overview: Initiatives in the mid-20th century aimed at revitalizing urban areas that were declining due to industrial decline and population shifts.
- Consequences: While they sought to improve city living conditions, urban renewal often led to the displacement of low-income residents and sparked controversy over gentrification.
This study guide covers significant historical concepts and events in U.S. history. Each entry can serve as a foundation for deeper exploration into the subject matter.
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