Topic 4 Political Change Flashcards
What was JFKs programme of reform called?
New Frontier
When was JFK elected?
1960
What were 3 things did the New Frontier do for civil rights?
JFK appointed Thursgood Marshall as first black federal judge
Sent troops for James Meredith
Civil Rights Bill
What 3 things did the New Frontier do for the economy?
Cut taxes
$900 million public works programme
Increased defence spending
What 2 things did the New Frontier do for social reform?
Increased minimum wage from $1 to $1.25 per hour
Increased social security benefits -help unemployed and elderly
Why were many of JFKs bills rejected?
Faced opposition in congress to his ideas
Who became President after JFKs assassination?
Johnson
What was Johnson’s programme of reform called?
Great Society
What were 2 acts under Great Society that helped civil rights?
Civil rights act
Voting rights act
Who became president after Johnson?
Nixon
What scandal was Nixon involved in?
Watergate
What did Nixon set up to aid his re-election in 1972?
CREEP- committee to re-elect President
What did Nixon give permission to CREEP to do?
Use any tactics
Why were 5 members of CREEP arrested?
Breaking into Watergate Offices of Democrat Party
What did Nixon do after the 5 members of creep were arrested?
Ordered cover up and denied any knowledge
What did Nixon win during the Watergate scandal?
Landslide re-election victory
What was Nixon forced to hand over that revealed all his conversations?
Tapes
What did the tapes Nixon was forced to hand over show?
He’d repeatedly lied throughout watergate investigation
Why did Nixon resign in August 1974?
Avoid impeachment
What were 3 effects of the Watergate scandal?
Showed strength of US constitution
Damaged americas reputation abroad
Destroyed Nixons reputation, nicknamed ‘Tricky Dicky’
Who defeated Jimmy Carter in 1980 to become president?
Reagan
What 3 severe economic problems did Reagan inherit?
Rising unemployment
Huge debt
High inflation
What were Reagans economic reforms called?
Reaganomics
What were 2 policies under reaganomics?
Slashed taxes by $33 billion (largest tax cut in us history)
Cut welfare programmes by $20 billion a year for 3 years
What were 2 effects of reaganomics?
National debt increased
Severe stock market crash in 1987
Why did national debt rise under Reagan?
Gov spending increased drastically
What did government spending increase on under Reagan?
Space programme- ‘star wars’ programme
What is federal budget deficit?
Gov spends more money than receives through taxes, has to borrow
What were 2 successes under Bush Snr?
Clean air act
Disabilities act- forbade discrimination based on disability
What were 3 failures under George Bush Snr?
Budget deficit continued to rise to $300 billion
14% Americans in poverty
Race riots in 1992
Who did Bill Clinton have an affair with?
Monica Lewinsky, member of White House staff
What was Clinton threatened with for having an affair?
Impeachment
What scandal was Clinton linked to in 1996?
Whitewater
What were 3 successes under Clinton?
Balanced budget for first time since 1969
Stock market value tripled
Increased minimum wage to $5.15
