The Development Of The USA (1929-2000) - Political Change 1960-2000 Flashcards
When was JFK assassinated?
1963
Why did Kennedy threaten legal action against the state of Louisiana?
For refusing to fund schools which were not segregated
Why was JFK not popular with older members of Congress?
They felt he was too young and inexperienced and distrusted his Brains Trust appointments
What was JFK’s policy called?
New Frontier
What was the new frontier and why was it adopted?
Ambitious and needs to increase taxes
JFK
How much did JFK win the 1960 election by? Who did he defeat?
A narrow margin over Nixon
What party did JFK belong to?
Democrat
Why were grants given to high tech companies under JFK?
Invest in high tech equipment with which to train workers
What did JFK plan to do to the minimum wage?
Increase from $1 to $1.25 an hour
What did Johnson do to the minimum wage?
Increased to $1.40 an hour
Who did Johnson want to continue the work of?
JFK
Wheat was Johnson accused of?
Undermining rugged individualism and wasting money on welfare programs (Republicans)
What was Johnson’s policy?
Great Society
What 2 main events was Johnson involved in?
Race riots
Vietnam War
What was the Medical Care Act 1965 under Johnson?
Medicare (old)
Medicaid (poor)
To give Americans equal access to healthcare
Who was Johnson overshadowed by?
JFK/ Nixon
Why did Johnson cut taxes?
To give consumers more money to spend and help businesses grow and create more jobs
Why did Johnson step down in 1968?
Knew he might not win
Why was Johnson successful?
He passed the Civil Rights Act through persuasion
Who implemented the Civil Rights Act in 1964 and what was the impact?
Johnson
Banned discrimination in public places and in employment
What did Nixon have success with?
Foreign Policy with relations with China and Vietnam
Why did Nixon’s Watergate scandal shock the public?
Lots of swearing
Which election was Nixon defeated in, and by who?
1960 by JFK
When was Nixon elected?
1968 and 1972
Who did Nixon rebuild relations with?
USSR
China
What is a slush fund?
Money set aside for welfare activities
What is CREEP?
Committed to Re-Elect the President
What was Reagan’s policy built on?
Trickledown economics
Why was Reagan unpopular in regard to the environment?
Damage to the environment was the price to pay for a strong economy
2/3 opposed in a poll
Why was Reagan unpopular in regard to Civil Rights?
Lack of concern over gender issues
Opposed abortion
Opposed MLK day
What was Reagan’s Star Wars program?
In 1986, the development of this program was very expensive
What social policies did Reagan implement in regards to drugs?
1988 - Office of National Drug Control Policy
What were Reagan’s social policies on AIDs?
By 1989, government spending was $2.3 billion a year on research and prevention
What benefits did Reagan cut?
Medicare
How did Reagan deal with the economy?
Cut taxes
Cut welfare and spending on elderly and single parents by over $20 billion a year
What was Bush Sr described as?
A safe pair of hands
What was the Americans with Disability Act 1990?
Banned discrimination based on disability
How did Bush Sr deal with the economy?
Increased taxes, especially on the rich
Cut military budgets
How did Bush Sr deal with drug addiction?
Lack of change
What key event was Bush Sr involved in 1992?
Race riots
What Act did Bush Sr create to help the environment?
Clean Air Act
What were the unemployment statistics under Bush Sr?
Unemployment highest since 1984
In 1992, 14.2% of the population were unemployed
Who was Monica Lewinsky?
Affair with intern
Clinton was backed by his wife
Clinton forced to make a public apology
Impeached for obstruction of justice, cleared in 1999
What was the Whitewater scandal?
Fraud
Cleared of involvement
Who balanced the budget for the first time since 1969?
Clinton
Who hated Reaganomics?
Clinton
What economic achievements did Clinton make?
Unemployment falls
Economic growth and trade
Value of stock market tripled
What were the unemployment facts under Clinton?
Lowest in women in 40 years
Lowest on record for African-Americans and Hispanics
What percentage of mothers had ante-natal care by 2000?
82
How many jobs were created in Clinton’s 8 years?
22 million
What was the minimum wage increased to in 1997?
$5.15
Who was involved with Watergate scandal?
Nixon, 5 members of CREEP, 2 reporters, one White House official
What happened during the Watergate Scandal?
On 17 June 1972, five CREEP members broke into Watergate Offices of the Democrat Party
Who discovered the CREEP members?
Two reporters discovered they had bugging devices and money
What does Nixon do?
Deny involvement
When did the members of CREEP go on trial?
January 1973, convicted in March
What does Nixon admit after the trial?
2 of his advisors had been involved, they resigned in April
Who told the Senate about the recording devices?
A White House aide
What happened on 21st November 1973?
Nixon handed over 7 edited tapes of the 9
When we’re all unedited tapes handed over?
30th April 1974
When does Nixon resign?
8th August 1974, avoiding impeachment
Who pardons Nixon?
Ford
