The creation of the 21st-century America

What was the Watergate scandal?

Political scandal where Nixon‘s team broke into the Democratic office to steal information, Nixon tried to cover it up.

How does Nixon change history?

He changes history by going into china and opening up diplomatic relations with them.

Who directed the watergate scandal?

Richard Nixon

Why did the burglars agree to do the scandal?

Nixon was paying them a lot of money to do it, after they were released from jail.

What role did the Washington post play in the watergate scandal?

It investigated and exposed the scandal, helping reveal the truth to the public.

Who were two investigative journalists for the watergate scandal?

Bob Woodland & Carl Bernstein

Who was stay FBI informant during the watergate scandal?

• Mark Felt

• Quoted “Follow the money”

• In 2005 before he dies he exposes who he was during the watergate scandal (the secret source)

When did Nixon resign?

August 9, 1974

Why did Nixon have panic attack during the watergate?

He was overwhelmed by the pressure of the scandal, fear of losing power, and the threat of impeachment.

Who became president after Nixon resigned?

Gerald Ford

What controversial decision did President Ford make after taking office?

He pardoned Nixon for any crimes he committed during the water gate.

What was the 1976 election?

• Gerald Ford

• Ronald Reagan

• Jimmy Carter

• (Jimmy Carter wins)

Who wins the 1976 election?

Jimmy Carter

Who was Jimmy Carter?

• President after the 1976 election

• Used to be a peanut farmer

• Nobody knew him

What caused the oil and energy crisis during the 1970s?

After Irans revolution, it caused major oil shortages and spiked prices, leading to economic and energy crisis en worldwide.

What are some things that happen to the US during the shortages?

• No gas

• Speed limits get shortened

• House temperatures get turned down

• Only 1 day of school a week to save energy

What was the Iran Hostage Crisis, and when did it occur?

It was a diplomatic standoff in which 52 American diplomats and citizens were held hostage at the US embassy in Tehran by Iranian militants. It lasted from November 4, 1979 to January 20, 1981.

Why were the American diplomates held hostage during the Iran hostage crisis?

Because they wanted Jimmy Carter to support and acknowledge their new government after their revolution.

How did the Iran Hostage Crisis negatively impact affect president Jimmy Carters reputation?

It made Carter appear, weak and ineffective, especially after a failed rescue mission, which damaged public confidence and contributed to his loss in the 1980 presidential election.

Why did President Jimmy Carter choose not to send the US team to the 1980 Summer Olympics?

To protest the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979, hoping to pressure the Soviets to withdraw.

What was the Soviet Afghan war and why did it occur?

Conflict in which the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan to support its communist Government. It was very mountainous, the Soviet soldiers arrived in helicopters. The people in Afghanistan are very religious because of the Soviet don’t believe in religion.

What was Jimmy Carter’s “crisis in confidence” speech In July 1979?

Unprecedented speech where Carter explains how we have become two materialist instead of fighting for what’s right. People begin to respect him more after this.

What happened when President Carter fired members of his cabinet in 1979?

I made him look weak and hurt his popularity, causing him to lose the 1980 election.

What was so special about the 1980 Winter Olympics?

They were held in New York and are famous for the “miracle on ice”, when the US hockey team beat the Soviet Union.

What was the “miracle on ice”?

In the 1980 Winter Olympics, the US men’s hockey team beat the powerful Soviet team, shocking in the world.

Who were the Soviet hockey team in 1980?

They were the top athletes who trained all the time like pros, they were the best team in the world. Soviets took them out of college to train them and put them into the Red Army.

When did Jimmy Carter die?

December 29, 2024

Who was Ronald Reagan?

Ronald Reagan was a Hollywood governor of California and later the 40th US president (1981-1989). He was known for strong, anti-Communism, cutting taxes, and helping end the Cold War

What was Ronald Reagan’s personality like?

He was very funny and everyone liked him. But everyone who really knew him found it hard to connect with him since he was very distant.

What was Ronald Reagan‘s father like?

He was an actor and alcoholic.

What happened to Ronald Reagan’s daytime TV show?

The show ended in 1962 after Reagan became more involved with politics. His growing interest in politics, especially support or conservative causes, let him to leave acting and the show behind.

When was Ronald Reagan sworn into office?

January 1981

Who shot Ronald Reagan on March 1981?

John Hinckley

Where was Reagan shot?

The chest

What did Reagan say to his wife after being shot?

“Sorry honey, I forgot to duck.”

What did the doctors tell Reagan’s wife after he was shot?

Chances are not good.

How did Reagan respond after surviving the shooting?

He said, “God saved my life”, so he must do something amazing with his life.

What made golden Reagan pursue after surviving the assassination attempt?

He wanted to end the Cold War and promote democracy in the Soviet Union.

What unusual interest Reagan‘s wife take on after the assassination attempt?

Nancy Reagan began consulting astrologers after 1981 assassination attempt because she became extremely concerned about Her husband’s safety. She believed astrology could help plan his schedule to avoid future danger, especially around travel and public appearances.

Why did Reagan’s wife start using astrology?

To protect him.

What was Reagan’s economic theory called?

• Trickle down economics

• Supply side economics

• Reaganomics

What was the key ideas of Reaganomics?

Cut taxes and reduce government regulations to promote economic growth.

How was Reagan economic plan supposed to work?

The rich would get richer and spend money on things they wanted, which would help everyone get more money in the long run and lead to economic growth.

What happened when taxes were cut for the wealthiest Americans, according to Reaganomics?

They spent more, more jobs were created, the economy grew so everyone benefited.

What kind of culture did Reaganomics help create in the 1980s?

A culture that celebrated wealth.

What does the term “yuppie” stand for?

As stuck up rich person.

What popstar saying very controversial songs in the 1980s and had to hit called a “material girl”?

Madonna

What movie featured the famous quote “greed is good”?

Wall Street

What effect did the movie Wall Street have on public speeches?

It inspired a speech after it was published.

What was the premise of the TV show family ties?

A liberal hippie parent from the 60s raising a conservative yuppie son in the 80s

What was the movie Wall Street about?

Wall Street is about a young stockbroker who gets caught up in greeting corruption when he tries to succeed by working with the ruthless corporate raider.

Why did Wall Street influence speeches?

The movie Wall Street made the line “greed is good” famous. People repeated it in real life speeches to talk about money, business, and power in the 1980s.

What was the only TV show that took place in Columbus, Ohio?

Family ties

How does Reagan describe the Soviet Union?

He describes the Soviet Union as evil and dangerous and he talks trash about them.

Why did Reagan begin mass producing nuclear weapons in the US?

He believed that if the US became much stronger, the Soviets would be forced to keep up, which would hurt their economy and push them towards peace or collapse.

What were the B-1B bombers?

• can go twice the speed of sound

• Can go 1500 mph

• Costs $283 million Per plane

What was the reaction to Reagan’s military policies?

Reagan military buildup led to mass protests against the Cold War, including opposition from his own daughter, Patty Davis.

How did the movie “the day after” impact US history?

Detective life after a nuclear attack on America. It influenced public opinion and even Reagan’s own thinking after he watched it.

What did Reagan do after watching “the day after”?

Reagan wrote his journal about being depressed and showed emotion to the American people. From now on, he became more committed to ensuring a nuclear war would never happen.

What was the strategic defense initiative (SDI)?

SDI was a propose system involving satellites and laser beam that could intercept and destroy incoming nuclear missiles. It was nicknamed Star Wars.

How did the Soviets view Reagan and SDI?

The Soviets thought Reagan was crazy and did not trust the US, especially in light of SDI, which they saw as a potential first strike enabler.

What was the Soviet Afghan war and the US role in it?

The Soviet Afghan war was a conflict where Islamic fighters resisted the Soviet occupation, using gorilla warfare. The US supported these fighters secretly as part of a Cold War strategy.

Who was the Mujahideen?

The mujahideen were African resistance fighters, many whom were fundamentalist Muslims who saw their struggle as a holy war against the USSR.

What was the Osama bin Laden‘s role in the Soviet Afghan war?

It was a mujahideen fighter from Saudi Arabia. He joined the African resistance and eventually became a key figure in global movements. The US indirectly supported him during the war.

What kind of role did the mujahideen play in the Soviet Afghan war?

The US supported them in a secret mission to weaken the USSR.

What kind of war did the mujahideen believe they were fighting for?

A holy war.

Who was Charlie Wilson and what did he do during the Soviet Afghan war?

A Texas congressman who helped secretly supply the mujahideen with weapon, weapons like stinger missiles via the CIA.

What were stinger missiles and why were they important?

Handheld heat-seeking missile launchers that shot down soviet helicopters in Afghanistan.

Why did the Soviets give up in Afghanistan in 1986?

Too many soldiers were dying due to US supplied weapon to the mujahideen.

What was life like in the USSR during the 1980s under the command economy?

People waited in law lines for basic goods, and maybe became angry and turned to alcohol.

Who was Mikhail Gorbachev and what was unique about him?

He was the general secretary of the USSR, smart, had a doctor wife, and began reforms, unlike past leaders. US loved him.

What was glasnost and perestroika?

Reform programs that granted Soviets more economic, freedom, and freedom of expression.

What did Gorbachev’s reform lead to in the eastern Europe?

Other countries gained independence from Soviet control.

How was Gorbachev seen by people in the US versus in Russia?

He was seen as a hero in the US, but not in Russia.

What happened at Geneva Summit in 1986?

Reagan and Gorbachev met and started becoming friends.

What was the “zero option” plan?

A plant to destroy all nuclear weapons in every country, proposed during a meeting between Reagan and Gorbachev.

What condition did Gorbachev give for nuclear disbarment?

The US had to get rid of SDI

Who was George HW Bush and when was he president?

Republican president from 1989 to 1993, former CIA director and vice president.

What major event happened on November 9, 1989, in Berlin?

Ceased German storms the Berlin wall, thinking it was open, people celebrated and took pieces from it, destroying the wall and uniting with the other side.

What did the follow up the Berlin wall symbolize?

The collapse of communism and the spread of freedom.

When did the Soviet Union officially collapse?

December 25, 1991

What term describes America’s status after the Cold War?

Hegemon (the worlds single superpower)

Why did Iraq invade Kuwait in 1990?

To seize oil fields

Who was Saddam Hussein?

The dictator of Iraq.

What was the US response when Iraq invaded Kuwait?

Bush said to get out, but Hussein refused, the US began operation desert storm.

What was operation desert storm and when did it occur?

US military operation during the Gulf war (January to February 1991) Aired on live TV.

Who led US forces in desert storm?

General Norman Schwarzkopf

Who is Colin Powell during this time?

Chairman of joint chief of staff and trusted American figure.

What was historic about women during the desert storm?

It was the first time women served in combat duty

What happened in February 1991 regarding Kuwait?

Iraq withdrew, Kuwait remained independent, and gave trade packages to US.

Did Saddam Hussein lose power after the golf war?

No, he remained in power in Iraq.

What made desert storm different from Vietnam for the US?

America won a clear military victory.

What was the presidential election in 1992?

Bill Clinton vs George Bush

How did Bill Clinton win?

“Savings and loan crisis”, of late 1980s produced a recession in the early 1990s. Clinton‘s campaign manager pushed the phrase, “it’s the economy, stupid”.

What was the saving’s & loan crisis?

The savings and loan crisis was a financial disaster in the 1980s and early 1990s went over 1000 savings and loan banks in the US failed due to risky loans, fraud, and poor regulation, costing pay taxes about $160 million.

How did bill Clinton win the 1992 election?

He advocates that he will be tough on crime.

Did Bill Clinton have many romantic affairs during his presidency?

Yes

What was the good about the 90s?

• USA was the single superpower

• The economy was generally strong

• The internet developed (In 2000, 41.5% of homes had internet access)

Why were the 90s not so good?

• America started to become very politically polarized

• Racial tensions erupted

• Increase in domestic terrorists

Describe the youth culture in the 90s:

• Gen X culture was very “grudge” and “gangsta rap”

• More dark and cynical, oerphaps a reaction to the upbeat and materialistic 80s