The half-century since the end of World War II has been crucial in defining America's image of itself and role in the world. A thorough survey of an era dominated by the cold war on the international front and conflicting social forces at home, this authoritative reference volume details every aspect of a turbulent age. It features: --Brief biographical vignettes of notable political and civil leaders, from Eleanor Roosevelt to Newt Gingrich --Insightful portraits of prominent cultural icons, from Allen Ginsburg and Elvis to Billy Graham and Jackie Robinson --Informative analyses of major political events, from the Yalta Conference and the Cuban Missile Crisis to Watergate --Brief histories of pivotal armed conflicts, from the Korean War and the invasion of Lebanon to the Persian Gulf War --Articles on social and cultural milestones, from Woodstock to suburban migration to the World Wide Web --Summaries of such crucial documents as the Civil Rights Act, the Voting Rights Act, and the Equal Rights Amendment --Descriptions of groundbreaking legal cases, such as Roe v. Wade, Miranda v. Arizona, and Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas --Profiles of major civil rights movements, such as black nationalism and feminism --Explanations of political and social concepts, such as affirmative action, consumer culture, and McCarthyism --Authoritative accounts of momentous episodes spurred by social protest, such as the Montgomery bus boycott and the Kent State University shootings --Further reading lists and cross-references following each entry --A detailed chronology The issues that united and divided Americans during the second half of the century--the civil rights movement, the Vietnam war, the cold war--are discussed in lively, objective articles which breathe life into the events and people that have shaped our nation. More than 200 illustrations, including photographs, posters, and ephemera such as political campaign buttons, make Postwar America: A Student Companion an excellent introductory resource for students and all readers interested in modern history. Oxford's Student Companions to American History are state-of-the-art references for school and home, specifically designed and written for ages 12 and up. Each book is a concise but comprehensive A-to-Z guide to a major historical period or theme in U.S. history, with articles on key issues and prominent individuals. The authors--distinguished scholars well-known in their areas of expertise--ensure that the entries are accurate, up-to-date, and accessible. Special features include an introductory section on how to use the book, further reading lists, cross-references, chronology, and full index.