Presidents Test Flashcards
Watergate Scandal
Result of break-in committed by Nixon’s administration; goal was to cover attempted burglary
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
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.
OPEC embargo of 1973
The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries that placed an embargo on oil sold to Israel’s supporters. Caused worldwide oil shortage and long lines at gas stations in the US.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
an independent federal agency established to coordinate programs aimed at reducing pollution and protecting the environment
Camp David Accords (1978)
Peace treaty between Egypt and Israel; hosted by US President Jimmy Carter
Anwar Sadat
Egyptian leader who signed a peace agreement with Israel
Menachem Begin
Israeli Prime Minister who signed the Camp David Accords in 1979
Moral Majority (1979)
organization that pushed for conservative moral values
NRA
National Rifle Association; a powerful lobby that advocates the right to own and bear arms and rejects any gun regulation by the government. Aligned to the republican party in the 70’s
Hurricane Katrina
August 29, 2005
*A large hurricane that caused major destruction and loss of life along the Gulf Coast of the US
*The levee system in New Orleans, Louisiana, flooded due to catastrophic failure; water covered the city and nearby areas for weeks, and more than 1500 people died
Sonia Sotomayor
Appointed by President Obama in 2009, first Hispanic Supreme Court Justice
Sandra Day O’Connor
first woman supreme court justice. appointed by Reagan
Susan B. Anthony
Key leader of woman suffrage movement
Hillary Clinton
First female major party candidate for president of the United States, a Democrat, who ran against President Donald J. Trump in 2016. Secretary of State from 2009 to 2013; New York senator from 2001 to 2009; former first lady.
Peace Corps, 1961
JFK called for volunteers who help third world nations and prevent the spread of communism by fighting poverty in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement)
Allows open trade between the US, Mexico, and Canada.
Patriot Act (2001)
Law responding to 9/11. Expands anti-terrorist powers (wiretapping, surveillance); 4th Amendment concern for civil liberties.
Persian Gulf War (1991)
Saddam Hussein’s Iraq invaded Kuwait over oil dispute on the border against US wishes (Saddam had formerly been US ally). US invaded Iraq to liberate Kuwait; Iraq set Kuwait’s oil fields on fire so the Americans couldn’t gain the oil; this conflict caused the US to set military bases in Saudi Arabia; also called Operation: Desert Storm.
World Trade Organization (WTO)
a permanent global institution to promote international trade and to settle international trade disputes
Trickle Down Economics
economic theory that holds that money lent to banks and businesses will trickle down to consumers
Lyndon B. Johnson
signed the civil rights act of 1964 into law and the voting rights act of 1965. he had a war on poverty in his agenda.
Teapot Dome Scandal
corruption by a Harding cabinet member, who took bribes to allow oil drilling on public lands
