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AP US History Period 9 (1980-Present) Flashcards

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13805061893Moral MajorityPolitical action committee founded by evangelical Reverend Jerry Falwell in 1979 to promote traditional Christian values and oppose feminism, abortion, and gay rights. A major linchpin in the resurgent religious right of the 1980s.0
13805061894Supply-side economics (Reaganomics)Economic theory beneath Ronald Reagan's tax and spending cuts. Said that government policy should aim to increase the supply of goods and services, instead of demand for them. Held that lower taxes and decreased regulation would increase productivity and the tax base by providing more incentive to work.1
13805061895Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI or "Star Wars")Reagan administration plan announced in 1983 to create a missile-defense system over American territory to block a nuclear attack. The plan typified Reagan's commitment to vigorous defense spending even as he sought to limit the size of government in domestic matters.2
13805061896Iran - Contra AffairMajor political scandal of Reagan's 2nd term revealed in 1986. An illicit arrangement of selling "arms for hostages" with Iran and using money to support contras in Nicaragua, it deeply damaged Reagan's credibility.3
13805061897Mikhail GorbachevHead of the Soviet Union from 1985 to 1991. He tried to liberate USSR in order to improve relations with the West. Lost his power after his reforms resulted in Communist governments in eastern Europe collapsing.4
13805061898Berlin Wall falls (1989)Represents an end of communism in eastern Europe.5
13805061899Panama Invasion (1989)Bush ordered this to remove the autocratic General Manuel Noriega; the alleged purpose of this was to stop Noriega from using his country as a drug pipeline to the US. Part of the war on drugs.6
13805061900Saddam HusseinPresident of Iraq from 1979 to 2003. Waged war on Iran in 1980-1988. In 1990 he ordered an invasion of Kuwait but was defeated by United States and its allies in the Gulf War (1991). Defeated by US led invasion in 2003.7
13805061901Persian Gulf War (1991)Conflict between Iraq and a coalition of countries led by the United States to remove Iraqi forces from Kuwait which they had invaded in hopes of controlling their oil supply. US emerged the winners, very patriotic time for Americans.8
13805061902Americans With Disabilities Act (1990)Landmark law signed by President George H.W. Bush that prohibited discrimination against people with physical/mental handicaps. It was a legislative triumph for champions of equal protections to all.9
13805061903"Don't ask, Don't tell"Policy affecting homosexuals in the military. Emerged as a compromise between standing prohibition against homosexuals in armed forces and Clinton's push to allow all citizens to serve regardless of sexual orientation. Military authorities were forbidden to ask about a service member's orientation, and gay service personnel could be discharged if they publicly revealed their homosexuality. Repealed by Congress at urging of Obama in 2010, permitting gays to serve openly in uniform.10
13805061904Brady BillAct enacted in 1993 by President Clinton that mandated federal background checks on firearm purchasers in the United States, and imposed a five-day waiting period on purchases.11
13805061905Newt GringrichRepublican speaker in the House. He pushed for more conservative legislation during Clinton's presidency.12
13805061906Religious FundamentalismMovement where the followers are to return to the foundations of the faith and to influence state policy where every word of the bible is interpreted literally. Huge revival in the 1980s.13
13805061907televangelistpreachers spread the gospel on TVs across America14
13805061908No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB)Holds states, schools, and school districts more accountable for their standardized tests scores. The wanted outcome was better tests scores all around and overall a smarter and better population of young people that would positively contribute to a growing America. Enacted by George Bush, had some negative effect on students due to increased testing and cutting funding to schools that performed poorly.15
13805061909Economy Recovery Tax Act (1981)Passed by Congress, it included a 25 percent decrease in personal income taxes over three years. Part of Reaganomics.16
13805061910globalizationincreasing interactions between countries17
13805061911deregulationThe process of removing or reducing state regulations, typically in the economic sphere. It is the undoing or repeal of governmental regulation of the economy.18
13805061912Social Safety NetA collection of services provided by the state or other institutions such as friendly societies, including welfare, unemployment benefit, universal healthcare, homeless shelters, and sometimes subsidized services such as public transport, which prevent individuals from falling into poverty.19
13805061913War on TerrorismAlso known as the Global War on Terrorism, refers to the international military campaign that started after the September 11 attacks on the United States.20
13805061914Climate ChangeThe recent and ongoing rise in global average temperature near Earth's surface. Usually refers to the fact that man is contributing to a dangerous rise in the climate in a short period of time.21
13805061915conservatisma belief that limited government ensures order, competitive governments, and personal opportunity22
13805061916Political Action Committees (PACs)groups formed for the purpose of raising money to elect or defeat political candidates , They usually represent business, unions, or idealogical interests.23
13805061917Sandra Day O'ConnorFirst woman to become a justice of the Supreme Court, under Reagan24
13805061918NAFTANorth American Free Trade Agreement; allows open trade with US, Mexico, and Canada25
138050619199/11 Attacksthe U.S. was attacked by the Al Qaeda which resulted in the War on Terrorism and the Patriot Acts26
13805061920neoconservativisma political ideology characterized by an emphasis on free-market capitalism and an interventionist foreign policy27
13805061921Ronald Reaganfirst elected president in 1980 and elected again in 1984. He ran on a campaign based on the common man and "populist" ideas. He served as governor of California from 1966-1974, and he participated in the McCarthy Communist scare. Iran released hostages on his Inauguration Day in 1980. While president, he developed Reagannomics, the trickle down effect of government incentives. He cut out many welfare and public works programs. He used the Strategic Defense Initiative to avoid conflict. His meetings with Gorbachev were the first steps to ending the Cold War. He was also responsible for the Iran-contra Affair which bought hostages with guns.28
13805061922George H.W. Bush (1989-1993)Domestic Success: 1. Disabilities act (ADA)of 1990: prohibits disabled people from being discriminated against in public life 2. Clean air act amendments of 1990: made to protect environment and reduce pollution 3. education reform Domestic shortcomings: 1. economic recession: unemployment rates increased and economy suffered Foreign Success: 1. Very experienced in foreign policy: Vet of WW2, Ambassador to UN, and Reagan's vice president 2. There was a wave of democracy in Latin America and Bush helped the nations that were not getting to this point (arrested drug dealers and went to Panama to arrest their dictator). 3. When there was a prodemocracy protest in Beijing, many were killed by Chinese tanks. The Bush administration made sure to address the conflict and not drop ties with China 4. Bush met with Nelson Mandela in South Africa when he as released from jail to promote democracy there, and soon after, Nelson was elected in South Africa's first free election 5. During "Operation restore hope" he gave food to East African Nations in a conflict at that time (1992) 6. Ended the Gulf War: conflict between Iraq and Kuwait (other nations joined Kuwait like Egypt and these nations were led by the UN and US), when the leader of Iraq tried to take over oil reserves in Kuwait and US feared also Saudi Arabia. George H.W Bush ended the Persian Gulf War with Operation Desert Storm (large US attack on Iraq forces). 7. Made friendly relations with new Soviet Leader Foreign Shortcomings: None Facts: 1. Served 1 term,29
13805061923George W. Bush43rd president of the US who began a campaign toward energy self-sufficiency and against terrorism in 200130
13805061924Bill Clinton42nd President advocated economic and healthcare reform; second president to be impeached31
13805061925Barack Obama2008; Democrat; first African American president of the US, health care bill; Gulf of Mexico oil spill disaster; economy: huge stimulus package to combat the great recession, is removing troops from Iraq, strengthened numbers in Afghanistan; repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell; New Start treaty with Russia32
13805061926Election of 1980: candidates, issuesRonald Wilson Reagan, Republican defeated Jimmy Carter, Democrat and John B. Anderson, Independent. The issues were government spending and traditional values.33
13805061927Liberals and ConservativesLiberals believe in government action to achieve equal opportunity and equality for all. It is the duty of the government to alleviate social ills and to protect civil liberties and individual and human rights.Conservatives believe in personal responsibility, limited government, free markets, individual liberty, traditional American values and a strong national defense. Believe the role of government should be to provide people the freedom necessary to pursue their own goals34
13805061928War on TerrorInitiated by President George W. Bush after the attacks of September 11, 2001, the broadly defined war on terror aimed to weed out terrorist operatives and their supporters throughout the world.35
13805061929Al QaedaIslamist terrorist organization that launched a series of attacks against U.S.36
13805061930InternetA global network connecting millions of computers, making it possible to exchange information.37
13805061931GlobalizationActions or processes that involve the entire world and result in making something worldwide in scope.38
13805061932climate changea change in global or regional climate patterns, in particular a change apparent from the mid to late 20th century onwards and attributed largely to the increased levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide produced by the use of fossil fuels.39

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