American History 1950 - 2012

1. American History1950 - 2012

2. 1950’s Facts • Population – 151.7 million • Average Salary - $2,992 • Loaf of Bread - $.14 • Gallon of Gas - $.18 • New House - $8,450 • New Car - $1,510

3. 1950’s Facts • The Presidents – Harry Truman and Dwight Eisenhower. • The Names – The Rosenberg's, Joseph McCarthy, Rosa Parks. • The Events – Korean War, The Start of the Civil Rights Movement, Creation of the Interstate Highway, Alaska and Hawaii become states.

4. Post WW II • Following WW II world is split between Communist nations and Democratic nations. • Truman Doctrine – Passed by President Truman • Proclaimed that the US would help anywhere communism would attempt to spread. • Starts the Cold War • Would virtually decide American policy until the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991.

5. Korean War • Starts when Communist forces invade Democratic South Korea on June 25, 1950. • US and 16 other nations pledge full support to South Korea. • China pledges support to North Korea.

6. Korean War • Battle of Pusan – North Korean forces have nearly captured the entire peninsula by the late summer of 1950. • American forces arrive and stop the advance. • With overwhelming fire power from land, air and sea, the American forces drive back the North Koreans. • Battle of Inchon – to put pressure on the NK’s US command launches attacks 100 miles behind enemy lines. • US forces push the NK army out of South Korea. • Battle will bring in Chinese forces and halt the American advance into the northern edge of the peninsula.

7. Korean War • Fighting continued heavily along the 38th Parallel. • Fighting was intense enough for the US commander Douglas MacArthur to consider using the atomic bomb (White House said no). • From 1951 – 1953 neither side gained ground. • July 27, 1953 a cease fire was declared and the war ended. • Nearly 2.4 million casualties from both sides • 36,940 dead, 92,134 wounded, 3,737 mia, 4,439 pow. • Cease fire remains in place today. • In the last 10 years North Korea has pushed the limits of cease fire (sinking South Korean ships and firing at South Korea) • North Korea also is developing a nuclear bomb. • Most of the world has condemned the idea---US has issued strong warnings of what would happen if a bomb were created.

9. The Rosenberg's • Julius and Ethel Rosenberg. • Communist spies worked to pass along nuclear secrets to Soviet Union. • Were arrested, tried and executed. • Since execution much debate has been made about how much Ethel knew. • Heightened the tension between the US and the Soviet Union.

10. Joseph McCarthy • US Senator from Wisconsin (1947 – 1957) • Claimed there were large numbers of communists working in the American government. • McCarthy launched investigation into US Army in 1953. • Investigation was complete failure and resulted in no solid evidence. • McCarthy was censured (gave up all roles in senate without having to leave senate) following investigation. • The term McCarthyism is coined – making wild accusations without proof.

11. Rosa Parks • Throughout America Jim Crow Laws had segregated African Americans and Whites. • Segregated seating on public transportation, dinning, rest rooms, and movie theaters. • December 1, 1955 in Birmingham, AL. Tailors assistant Rosa Parks tired after work refuses to give her seat to a white man. • She was taken from the bus and arrested for public disobedience. • Her refusal ignited the Civil Rights Movement and started the Bus Boycotts led by a charismatic newcomer named Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

13. 1960’s Facts • Population – 177.8 million • Average Salary - $4,743 • Loaf of Bread - $.21 • Gallon of Gas - $.25 • New House - $12,700 • New Car - $2,600

14. 1960’s Facts • The Presidents – John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson and Richard Nixon. • The Names – The Kennedys, Dr. King, The Beatles • The Events – Vietnam War, Civil Rights Movement, Cuban Missile Crisis, Moon Landing, King Assassination, Kennedy Assassination(2x).

15. Civil Rights Movement • Began in 1954 with Brown v. Board of Education • Ruling decided separate but equal was not legal. • Ruling aided by Rosa Park’s decision to refuse giving up her bus seat. • Sparks Bus Boycotts • Lead by a charismatic young preacher named Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

16. Civil Rights con’t • Freedom Riders – people who sat where they weren’t supposed to in public facilities and sat where they weren’t supposed to on buses. • Most hated of all civil rights activists. • Civil Rights Act of 1967 – passed by President Johnson. • Provided even more defined rights for African – Americans. • Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. – assassinated on April 4, 1968 by James Earl Ray.

22. Newspaper headlines the day the Supreme Court ruled that segregation was illegal.

23. Actual poster from FBI about 3 missing Civil Rights workers.

24. Martin Luther King Jr. • Baptist Minister from Montgomery, AL (born in Georgia). • Held doctorate in Theology. • Most prominent leader of the Civil Rights Movement. • Created the Southern Christian Leadership Council to advance the rights of African Americans. • August 28, 1963 – King delivers “I have a Dream Speech” • One of the most quoted speeches in history.

25. Martin Luther King Jr. • Was considered a dangerous man by the FBI. • They built a large case file on him. • FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover sent a notice to President Johnson letting him know that he believed King was acting like a revolutionary and was threatening to undermine his presidency. • Assassinated on April 4, 1968 while standing on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis.

26. Room where James Earl Ray shot King from. Looking out the window the balcony King was on was to the right.

27. Stone tablet that sits outside the Lorraine Motel.

28. Behind the wreath is the spot King was standing when killed. Room 306 was his.

29. Hotel where King was staying when killed.

30. The Kennedys • Iconic family from Massachusetts. Joe and Rose Kennedy had 9 children. • Joe Kennedy – Was a prominent businessmen and government official. • Was ambassador to England before World War 2 and helped prevent war from starting. • Driving force behind getting sons into politics. • Kennedys build powerful political family • John was the United States President • Bobby was the United States Attorney General and later leading Democratic candidate for president. • Ted was a longtime (37 years) powerful Senator. • Kennedy Curse – several family members have died tragically – John and Bobby by assassins, Grandson John Jr. in plane crash, Kathleen in plane crash, Joe Jr. KIA in WW2.

31. Jack, Bobby and Teddy in July 1960.

32. John F. Kennedy • Elected president in 1960. • Presidency is marred by scandals • Failed invasion of Cuba ---Bay of Pigs (8-1962) • Many anti-communist Cuban fighters (trained by US) are killed • Kennedy goes on TV and admits mistake, helps popularize him with American people • Known to have cheated on the First Lady numerous times. • Secret Service had plans in place to make sure the First Lady didn’t interrupt the President if he had female guests. • Mrs. Kennedy actually planned to divorce the president, but was talked down by her father in law. • Would have been a huge scandal on JFK’s presidency and could have ruined his re-election bid. • The two reconciled shortly before leaving for Dallas, TX in November 1963.

33. Kennedy con’t • Cuban Missile Crisis--- October 14 – October 28, 1962. • Conflict that nearly resulted in nuclear war between Soviets and US. • We told Soviets to remove all weapons from Cuba. • We blocked ships from sending more supplies. • Ships were in a standoff before Soviets turned around. • Hotline between countries was created to prevent war. • Sent small amounts of troops to determine if greater American involvement needed in Vietnam.

34. Kennedy con’t • Kennedy assassinated on November 22, 1963 while riding through Dallas, Texas. • Murdered by Lee Harvey Oswald (acted as a single shooter according to the government) • Oswald is shot by Dallas businessman Jack Ruby while in police custody. • Warren Commission – investigation into Kennedy’s death, later proved no conspiracy existed. • Later congressional investigation proved likely conspiracy existed, but files are all sealed.

39. Kennedy Motorcade seconds from the shooting.

41. Secret Service Agent jumping on the car after the fatal shot.

42. Texas Book depository where Oswald shot from.

43. Lyndon B. Johnson on Air Force One taking the Oath of Office.

44. Oswald’s mug shot from the day he killed Kennedy.

45. Jack Ruby shooting Oswald.

47. Jack Jr. saluting his father’s casket.

48. Robert F. Kennedy • 7th of 9 children. • Was rumored to be the favorite of his mother. • Helped brother get elected president. • Wanted to leave politics forever and was in the process of creating his own law firm. • Became the United States Attorney General under his brother. • Ran for President in 1968.

49. RFK announcing Dr. King’s death.

50. RFK Assassination • June 5, 1968. • Had just won the California Primary and gone to the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles, CA. • Shortly after midnight he gave a short speech to supporters and exited the ballroom through the kitchen (his bodyguard begged him not to go). • Sirhan Sirhan a Palestinian man opened fire. 3 shots hit RFK and 5 others were wounded. • Sentenced to life in prison. • Has recently asked to be released. His lawyer claims to have evidence that he was innocent. • RFK died 26 hours later. Was buried next to his brother in Arlington National Cemetery.