Unit 9 Review Flashcards
neoconservatives
“new conservatives” - new conservative movement in American politics after the more liberal swing during the 1970s; believed in free-market (laissez-faire) capitalism, return to traditional values, smaller gov’t (fewer gov’t restrictions), and strengthening the working class
President Jimmy Carter
President during the Iranian Hostage Crisis and economic downturn of the late 70s; brokered a “Peace in the Middle East” deal between Egypt and Israel; lost the 1980 election to Ronald Reagan; was most noted in his post-presidential years for his humanitarian efforts around the world.
President Ronald Reagan
elected in 1980 (defeated Jimmy Carter), faced with economic struggles as he took office and tried to come up with domestic economic policy that would stimulate new investments, encourage economic growth, increase productivity and balance the budget. Results of this policy included a rise in unemployment and a recession
Iran-Contra Affair
scandal during Reagan’s term in office; his advisors were accused of selling weapons to Iran in exchange for hostages, and the profits were then sent to the Contras in Nicaragua (all done illegally). Reagan was not involved, but it tainted his presidency, since many felt that he should have known
Persian Gulf War
Iraq (under leadership of Saddam Hussein) invaded neighboring Kuwait in order to take over their oil fields. US joined other allies in the region to push Iraqi forces back out of Kuwait. Kuwait was liberated, but Saddam Hussein was not ousted from power in Iraq for several more years.
President Bill Clinton
Elected in 1992 over George Bush I; experienced some scandals during his presidency (Monica Lewinski), but ultimately, the economy experienced a great deal of prosperity, especially after almost 2 decades of economic stagnation
2000 Presidential Election
hotly contested election between George Bush II and Al Gore (Clinton’s VP); INCREDIBLY close electoral and popular vote count, centering around FL; election was finally called when the Supreme Court ended the recount there; questionable voting practices in FL, like butterfly ballots, expanded lists of ineligible voters, and counting military absentee ballots after the election deadline took place.
9/11 Terrorist Attacks
Terrorist attack on Sept 11, 2001; World Trade Center in NYC were targeted, Pentagon in Washington DC and a 4th plane crashed in a filed in Pennsylvania (analysts have theorized that this plane was intended to hit either the White House or US Capital building)
Dept. of Homeland Security
Cabinet-level agency that was created after 9/11, and was responsible for protecting the country from foreign terrorist attacks
2008 Presidential Election
Obama = Democratic candidate
McCain = Republican candidate
significant b/c Obama became the first African-American elected to the Presidency, opening up a new era of race relations in the US; election followed the worst recession since the Great Depression
“Tea Party”
new conservative element within the Republican party; represented a grassroots movement by conservatives to protest expanding gov’t programs/spending
