Nixon through 9.11 Flashcards
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
an independent federal agency established to coordinate programs aimed at reducing pollution and protecting the environment
Clean Water Act
Federal Law setting a national goal of making all natural surface water fit for fishing and swimming by 1983, banned polluted discharge into surface water and required the metals be removed from waste
Realpolitik
Political realism or practical politics, especially policy based on power rather than on ideals.
Henry Kissinger
United States diplomat who served under President Nixon and President Ford (born in 1923); Helped end the Vietnam War
SALT I
Treaty signed in 1972 between the U.S. and the USSR. This agreement limited the number of missiles in each nation
SALT II
Additional arms limitations signings in 1979 which places limits on long-range missiles, bombers and nuclear warheads.
Dentente
policy of US government to relax tensions with communist countries
Richard Nixon
1968 and 1972; Republican; Vietnam: advocated “Vietnamization”, created a “credibility gap,” Watergate scandal: became first and only president to resign
Silent Majority
A phrase used to describe people, whatever their economic status, who uphold traditional values, especially against the counterculture of the 1960s
OPEC
An organization of countries formed in 1961 to agree on a common policy for the production and sale of petroleum.
Southern Strategy
Nixon’s plan to persuade conservative southern white voters away from the Democratic party
Affirmative Action
A policy designed to redress past discrimination against women and minority groups through measures to improve their economic and educational opportunities
Watergate Scandal
A break-in at the Democratic National Committee offices in Washington was carried out under the direction of White House employees. Disclosure of the White House involvement in the break-in and subsequent cover-up forced President Nixon to resign in 1974 to avoid impeachment.
25th Amendment
Presidential succession
executive privilege
The power to keep executive communications confidential, especially if they relate to national security.
Presidential Pardon
Power of the executive branch to forgive a person of a crime and prevent the person from being re-tried.
Jimmy Carter
39th U.S. President. 1977-1981. Democratic; Called a Washington Outsider; Pardons the Vietnam “draft dodgers,” Failed to end the Iran Hostage Crisis
Sanctions
restrictions intended to enforce international law
Camp David Accords
A peace treaty between Israel and Egypt where Egypt agreed to recognize the nation state of Israel
Wisconsin v. Yoder
Amish children do not have to go to school until they are 16—they may stop after the 8th grade
Liberalism
A belief that government can and should achieve justice and equality of opportunity; often associated with change
Conservatism
A political or theological orientation advocating the preservation of the best in society and opposing radical changes.
Ronald Reagan
1981-1989,”Great Communicator” Republican, conservative economic policies
Reaganomics
These policies combined a monetarist fiscal policy, supply-side tax cuts, and domestic budget cutting. Their goal was to reduce the size of the federal government and stimulate economic growth.
supply-side economics
An economic philosophy that holds the sharply cutting taxes will increase the incentive people have to work, save, and invest. Greater investments will lead to more jobs, a more productive economy, and more tax revenues for the government.
New Right
Was a combination of Christian religious leaders, conservative business bigwigs who claimed that environmental and labor regulations were undermining the competitiveness of American firms in the global market, and fringe political groups.
Moral Majority
The Moral Majority was established to preserve “traditional” American values and to combat increasing acceptance of social movements and culture changes. The organization became a major political influence in its opposition to abortion, feminism, and other liberal movements during the 1980s.
Glasnost
A policy of Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev which called for more openness with the nations of West, and a relaxing of restraints on Soviet citizenry.
Perestroika
A policy initiated by Mikhail Gorbachev that involved restructuring of the social and economic status quo in communist Russia towards a market based economy and society
Iran-Contra Affair
scandal including arms sales to the Middle East in order to send money to help the Contras in Nicaragua even though Congress had objected
AIDS crisis
in the Reagan years, first appeared in the US in 1981. the source of the virus was from Africa. acquired immune deficiency syndrome. no known cure. most vulnerable groups: drug addicts & homosexuals. by 1993: 102, 780 deaths in US. new social and cultural developments from early 80s.
SDI (Strategic Defense Initiative)
Reagan’s proposed missile-defense system; featured orbiting battle stations in space that could fire laser beams to vaporize intercontinental missiles on liftoff; popularly known as “Star Wars”, Reagan described it as an “astrodome” shield over America; scientifically impossible and astronomically expensive, the initiative was part of Reagan’s plan to force the Soviets’ hand.
Stagflation
a period of slow economic growth and high unemployment while prices rise
Helsinki Accords
A conference in Finland in 1975 that was an attempt to improve relations between the East and West; focused on supporting human rights
Cambodian Genocide
Pol Pot eliminated educated, artists, religious, and minorities
1979 Oil Crisis
Large increase in oil prices by OPEC causes inflation to increase during Carter’s tern due to conflict with Iran
Soviet-Afghan War
The Soviets invade Afghanistan, many people support Afghanistan through the context of the Cold War and to prevent the spread of Communism.
Proxy War
a war in which the powers in conflict use third parties as substitutes instead of fighting each other directly
Iran Hostage Crisis
In November 1979, revolutionaries stormed the American embassy in Tehran and held 52 Americans hostage. The Carter administration tried unsuccessfully to negotiate for the hostages release. On January 20, 1981, the day Carter left office, Iran released the Americans, ending their 444 days in captivity.
deficit spending
Government practice of spending more than it takes in from taxes
Nixon in China
=Nixon visited for a week to meet with Chairman Mao Tse-Tung for improved relations with China, Called “ping-pong diplomacy” because Nixon played ping pong with Mao during his visit. Nixon agreed to support China’s admission to the United Nations.
Yuppies
Term for “young urban professionals” of the 1980s who flaunted their wealth through conspicuous consumer spending
War on Drugs
In the late 70s and 80s, this campaign fought the new levels of poverty, crime, & drug addiction in the inner cities.
Challenger Explosion
1986- Explosion due to malfunctioning O-Rings- Disaster for NASA and the Nation looked on in Shock
Margaret Thatcher
leader of conservatives in Great Britain who came to power. Prime Minister who had a special friendship with Ronald Reagan
Fall of the Berlin Wall
The removal of the wall that separated East and West Germany in 1989. Symbolized the end of the Cold War.
