AP US History Vocab Unit 9

Supply-Side Economics (“Reaganomics”) (9.2)

Definition: Economic policy focused on cutting taxes to stimulate production and investment.
Examples: Tax cuts under Ronald Reagan.
Significance: Increased economic growth but also raised deficits and inequality.

“Trickle-Down” Economics (9.2)

Definition: Idea that benefits for the wealthy will “trickle down” to everyone.
Examples: Tax breaks for corporations and the wealthy.
Significance: Justified Reagan-era tax policies.

Sandra Day O'Connor (9.2)

Definition: First woman appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Examples: Appointed by Reagan in 1981.
Significance: Milestone for women in government.

George H. W. Bush (9.2)

Definition: U.S. president (1989–1993).
Examples: Led U.S. during end of Cold War and Gulf War.
Significance: Oversaw transition to post–Cold War world.

Americans with Disabilities Act (9.2)

Definition: Law prohibiting discrimination against people with disabilities.
Examples: Wheelchair ramps, workplace accommodations.
Significance: Expanded civil rights protections.

“Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (9.2)

Definition: Policy allowing LGBTQ+ individuals to serve if they did not disclose orientation.
Examples: Military service restrictions (1993–2011).
Significance: Reflected compromise on LGBTQ+ rights.

Black Lives Matter (9.2)

Definition: Movement protesting racial injustice and police violence.
Examples: Protests after police shootings.
Significance: Major modern civil rights movement.

#MeToo (9.2)

Definition: Movement against s*xual harassment and assault.
Examples: Public accusations against powerful figures.
Significance: Increased awareness of gender inequality and ab*se.

Mikhail Gorbachev (9.3)

Definition: Last leader of the Soviet Union.
Examples: Policies of glasnost and perestroika.
Significance: Helped end Cold War.

“Evil Empire” (9.3)

Definition: Reagan’s term for the Soviet Union.
Examples: Anti-communist rhetoric.
Significance: Reflected Cold War tensions.

Strategic Defense Initiative / “Star Wars” (9.3)

Definition: U.S. plan to build missile defense system.
Examples: Space-based defense technology.
Significance: Increased pressure on Soviet economy.

Iran-Contra Affair (9.3)

Definition: Secret U.S. arms sales to Iran to fund Contra rebels.
Examples: Bypassed Congress.
Significance: Major political scandal.

Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) (9.3)

Definition: Group advocating for Palestinian statehood.
Examples: Involved in Middle East conflicts.
Significance: Key player in global politics.

INF Agreement (9.3)

Definition: Treaty eliminating intermediate-range nuclear missiles.
Examples: U.S.–USSR agreement.
Significance: Major step toward ending Cold War.

Tiananmen Square (9.3)

Definition: Chinese pro-democracy protests crushed by government.
Examples: Military crackdown in Beijing.
Significance: Showed limits of political reform in China.

Berlin Wall (9.3)

Definition: Barrier dividing East and West Berlin.
Examples: Torn down in 1989.
Significance: Symbolized end of Cold War.

Boris Yeltsin (9.3)

Definition: First president of post-Soviet Russia.
Examples: Oversaw transition to capitalism.
Significance: Led Russia after USSR collapse.

START I / START II (9.3)

Definition: Treaties reducing nuclear weapons.
Examples: U.S.–Russia agreements.
Significance: Continued arms reduction after Cold War.

European Union (EU) (9.3)

Definition: Economic and political union of European nations.
Examples: Shared market and policies.
Significance: Increased globalization and cooperation.

“Ethnic Cleansing” (9.3)

Definition: Forced removal or killing of ethnic groups.
Examples: Balkans conflict in 1990s.
Significance: Highlighted post-Cold War conflicts.

Bill Clinton (9.4)

Definition: U.S. president (1993–2001).
Examples: Economic growth, NAFTA.
Significance: Represented centrist “New Democrat” politics.

Anti-Crime Bill (9.4)

Definition: Law increasing funding for policing and prisons.
Examples: Expanded law enforcement.
Significance: Contributed to mass incarceration debate.

Brady Bill (9.4)

Definition: Law requiring background checks for gun purchases.
Examples: Waiting periods for gun buyers.
Significance: Attempt to reduce gun violence.

National Rifle Association (NRA) (9.4)

Definition: Organization advocating gun rights.
Examples: Lobbying against gun control laws.
Significance: Major influence on U.S. politics.

Newt Gingrich (9.4)

Definition: Republican leader of House of Representatives.
Examples: Led 1994 Republican Revolution.
Significance: Shifted Congress toward conservatism.

Republican Revolution (9.4)

Definition: Republican takeover of Congress.
Examples: First GOP majority in decades.
Significance: Marked political shift right.

Contract with America (9.4)

Definition: Republican policy agenda in 1994.
Examples: Tax cuts, smaller government.
Significance: Helped Republicans gain power.

Globalization (9.4)

Definition: Increased global economic integration.
Examples: International trade, outsourcing.
Significance: Expanded economy but caused job shifts.

NAFTA (9.4)

Definition: Trade agreement between U.S., Canada, Mexico.
Examples: Reduced tariffs.
Significance: Increased trade but controversial for jobs.

World Trade Organization (WTO) (9.4)

Definition: Organization regulating global trade.
Examples: Trade dispute resolution.
Significance: Promoted free trade.

International Monetary Fund (IMF) (9.4)

Definition: Organization providing financial assistance to countries.
Examples: Loans to struggling economies.
Significance: Stabilized global economy.

Group of Eight (9.4)

Definition: Group of major industrialized nations.
Examples: U.S., UK, Japan, Germany, etc.
Significance: Coordinated global economic policy.

Immigration and Nationality Act (9.5)

Definition: Law ending national-origin quotas.
Examples: Increased immigration from Asia and Latin America.
Significance: Diversified U.S. population.

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) (9.5)

Definition: Policy protecting undocumented immigrants brought as children.
Examples: Work permits, protection from deportation.
Significance: Major immigration policy debate.

Asylum Seekers (9.5)

Definition: People seeking protection from persecution in another country.
Examples: Refugees from war or political oppression.
Significance: Central issue in modern immigration policy.