The Cold War, The Space Race, and Civil Rights

The Cold War, The Space Race, and Civil Rights

By the early 1950s, the US was a world super-power militarily and economically. The Great Depression was no more. But, two key rival powers were developing, rivals ideologically and militarily: The Cold War between the US and its allies versus the Soviet Union and its allies/clients would be the dominant international issue for the next four decades. Domestically, in the 1950s and the 1960s, the US would begin grappling head-on with major Civil Rights and economic issues, as well as a divisive conflict in Vietnam—and widespread demonstrations and some high profile assassinations.

Choose and discuss (in a full paragraph or two) one of the following two topics related to the period from the late 1940s and through the 1960s.

Discuss America’s Cold War policy or strategy aimed at dealing with communism and the Soviet threat, and an example of a Cold War conflict or crisis.
Identify one or two Cold War strategies of the US. Describe a specific example of a conflict or crisis that was part of this Cold War strategy, and compare or contrast this to the international situation today.
Identify the source(s) where you read about these Cold War issues.
Discuss the Civil Rights advances and struggles that took place in the 1950s and 1960s along with relevant legal developments.
Identify two key specific events of the Civil Rights struggle and at least one major piece of legislation or court decision.
Explain the historical significance of your examples and ways they have impacted our own time.
Identify the source(s) where you read these Civil Rights issues.