USA Topic 4 - Political change Flashcards
What were Kennedy’s policies called
The new frontier
What policies did Kennedy introduce for civil rights
Introduced a civil rights bill to Congress in 1963
Sent 23,000 troops to support James Meredith
What policies did Kennedy put towards the economy
Introduced a general tax cut
Increase defence and space technology spending
What policies did Kennedy put towards social reform
Planned to start Medicare
Plan to increase minimum wage to US$1.25 an hour
What was the opposition to the new frontier
- Many older members of Congress felt Kennedy was too young and inexperienced
- Southerners disliked his commitment to civil rights
- Kennedy won by a narrow margin in the election
What did Johnson decide to do when he took over from Kennedy in 1963
Continue Kennedy’s plans in the new frontier
What were Johnson’s policies known as
‘The great society’
What were Johnson’s policies towards civil rights
1964 Civil Rights act which banned discrimination
1965 voting rights act
What were Johnson’s policies towards economy
Johnson cut taxes to give more money to consumers
What are Johnson’s policies towards social reform
Medical care act provided Medicare for old and Medicaid for the elderly
Minimum wage increase to US$1.4 per hour
What was the opposition to the great society
Republicans accused him of wasting money on welfare programmes
The involvement in Vietnam was costly and heavily criticised

Which elections did Nixon win
1968 and 1972
When did Nixon resign
Eighth of August 1974
Describe the events of the Watergate scandal
Nixon set up creep in 1972
Five members of creep were arrested for planting bugging devices In Republican offices
The burglars were convicted and McCord claimed a White House cover-up
Nixon’s tapes were revealed
Nixon resigned to avoid impeachment
What are the effects of the Watergate scandal
- Reduced confidence in politicians
- Nixon’s reputation have been destroyed
- USA was made a laughing stock
- The Congressional budget act 1974 meant presidents could not use government money for their purposes
What were the inherited economic problems Reagan faced
7.5% unemployment
15% inflation
What system did Reagan use to improve the economy
‘Trickle down’ economics 
How did Reagan carry out trickle down economics
Cut welfare programme spending for a US$20 billion each year
Medicare was cut
Slash taxes by US$33 billion
What were the effects of Reaganomics
National debt rose to US$1 trillion
Severe stock market crash in 1987
Recession
Congress rejected Reagans budget for increased defence spending
By 1989 how much was spent on AIDS research and prevention
US$2.3 billion
What was the effects of the Star Wars program
Drained the economy by proving to be very expensive
What was George Bush seniors effect on the economy
Budget deficit rose to US$300 billion
Recession
What did Bush increase unemployment to
7.8%
By 1992 what percent of Americans were living in poverty
14.2%
