University of Phoenix Material

Modern America Matrix

Week One: 1950s

The Korean War

From the following list, choose five and identify their significance during the Korean War.

Japanese occupation; Soviet position after war; 38th parallel, Truman; Syngman Rhee, NSC-68; Soviet support of North; UN position; Chinese involvement; Inchon; Talks at Panmunjom; Martin Letter; General MacArthur; Stalemate; POWs, Armistice agreement

|Event |Significance in Korean War |
|38th parallel |The 38th parallel was the prewar border between North and South Korea. It became the struggle point of the |
| |Korean war. North Korea crossed the 38th parallel and captured Seoul twice. At one time North Korea controlled |
| |most of South Korea; U.N. forces always pushed them back north of the 38th parallel. |
|Truman |Truman made the decision to aid South Korea. He also fired MacArthur for insubordination. |
|NSC-68 |The National Council Report 68. A study done by the National Security Council that influenced foreign policy. |
|Inchon |The location of a surprise American invasion that pushed North Korea back across the 38th parallel. |
|Martin letter |The letter that MacArthur wrote to Joseph Martin that lead to his dismissal. |

The Fabulous Fifties

From the following list, choose five and identify their significance during the 1950s.

The Hula Hoop, Disneyland, The Mickey Mouse Club, Interstate Highways, Dishwashers, Hi-fis and Stereos, Poodle Skirts, McDonald’s, Drive-in Theaters, Levittown, Dr. Spock, Ozzie and Harriett, Leave it to Beaver, I Love Lucy, Father Knows Best, The Honeymooners, Amos ‘n Andy, My Little Margie, Echo Park, Persistent Poverty, Black Urban Migration, Urban Renewal, Massive Resistance, Beats; American Bandstand; Elvis Presley; James Dean

|Event |Significance |
|The Hula Hoop |The popularity of the hula hoop was its significance during the 1950s. |
|Poodle Skirts |It was a new fashion that lifted spirits from the sad days of the 30s and 40s. |
|Echo Park |Was the first park to spark battles to prevent wilderness areas from being developed. |
|McDonalds |Transformed the way people ate. Especially those who were traveling. They could stop and eat and not have to |
| |leave their cars. |
|Massive Resistance|What local opposition became known as for those that where against the Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka |
| |decision |