9/11

Terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon; led to a focus on eliminating terrorism - War on Terror - debate over national security and how to protect the US

Collapse of USSR

1989-Berlin Wall fell & E German gov't collapsed 1991-Soviet economy fell apart & USSR dissolved New nations were created that brought about new military and political challenges

Conservatism

a political philosophy based on tradition and social stability, favoring obedience to political authority and organized religion - rose as a response to the increased social programs and scandals of the 1960s and 1970s

Dealings with USSR and China

Nixon opened talks with both countries - tried to keep against each other and avoid a communist unified alliance

Detente

relaxation of tensions between the United States and its two major Communist rivals, the Soviet Union and China during the 1970s

Disarmament Treaties

Reduction of nuclear missiles and testing during the 1970s - negotiated by Nixon by putting the USSR and China against each other

Economic issues of the 1970s

slowdown of the economy - high inflation - 1970s

Energy Issues

led to economic slowdown of the 1970s - reliant on foreign oil - Carter unsuccessfully tries to get the US less dependant - issues with OPEC embargo

Environment vs. Energy

reduced regulation on the economy during the 1980s led to less regulations on oil production vs. the environment

George W. Bush

43rd president of the US during 9/11 and the Iraq War

Gorbachev

called for economic reform (glasnost and perestroika) and a greater emphasis on human rights throughout Eastern Europe. leader during the collapse of the USSR

Iraq War

A war fought to end Saddam Hussein's influence in Iraq and disarm them of WMD's - example of a preemptive war

Jimmy Carter

39th U.S. President. 1977-1981. Democratic - seen as honest - tries to restore confidence after the scandals of the early 1970s, Iran Hostage Crisis, Camp David Accords

Moral Majority

A movement begun in the early 1980's among religious conservatives that supported primarily conservative Republicans opposed to abortion, communism and liberalism - response to opposition to the increased social programs of the 1960s

OPEC (Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries)

Alliance of oil companies mostly from the Middle East - put an embargo on the US during the 1970s over our support for Israel - embargo led to increased inflation, increased unemployment and a slowdown of the economy.

Richard Nixon

1968 and 1972; Republican; Vietnam: advocated "Vietnamization" (replace US troops with Vietnamese), but also bombed Cambodia/Laos, created a "credibility gap," Watergate scandal: became first and only president to resign - Eisenhower VP - strong anti-communist

Roe vs. Wade

the U.S. supreme Court ruled in favor of a woman's decision to have an abortion - big debate among conservatives and liberals

Ronald Reagan

1981-1989,"Great Communicator" Republican, conservative economic policies - increased military spending and cut taxes - tried to cut spending on social programs but was unsuccessful due to the popularity of social programs - challenged the USSR

SALT treaties

name for series of treaties between US and USSR regarding the reduction of nuclear weapons

Social Issues - Social entitlement programs/religion/music

Conservativism led to increased debate about social issues - religion influenced social opinion - music was censored due to conservative values

Vietnam War

A prolonged war (1954-1975) between the communist armies of North Vietnam who were supported by the Chinese and the non-communist armies of South Vietnam who were supported by the United States - led to people questioning the government after South Vietnam collapsed

Watergate

The events and scandal surrounding a break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters in 1972 and the subsequent cover-up of White House involvement, leading to the eventual resignation of President Nixon under the threat of impeachment - led to a decrease in public confidence in the office of the President

Women's Rights movement

Conservative/liberal clash of ideas - push for the ratification of the ERA (does not get passed by the states) - time of the modern feminist era

Bosnian Genocide

Genocide against Muslims in Southeastern Europe by Christians - over the course of HW Bush and Clinton - limited NATO strikes during Clinton

Credibility Gap

American public's growing distrust of statements made by the government during the Vietnam War and the Watergate Scandal

Economics 80s

Supply side economics - cut taxes without cutting military spending or social programs funding - deregulation of business

Goerge H.W. Bush

Persian Gulf War, Americans with Disabilities Act, had to raise taxes to stabilize the economy, criticized for Bosnia reaction

Clinton

Attempt at healthcare reform, balanced the budget, limited NATO strikes in Bosnia, impeached for perjury and obstruction, captured the youth vote, NAFTA, reduction of banking regulations

Gerald Ford

1974-1977, Republican, first non elected president and VP, he pardoned Nixon, Helsinki Accords, struggled with inflation and economic issues