Unit 12: The Creation of 21st Century America
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117 Terms
What was Watergate?
The most famous presidential scandal in American History, involving the Richard Nixon Administration.
What was the Watergate Building?
It was an office complex that held the Democratic National Committee Headquarters.
What were the events of the Watergate crime?
1972 was an election year, and the Democratic National Committee HQ got broken into and tapped. The burglars were caught wearing suits and people knew it was a politically motivated crime.
Where was Nixon during the events of Watergate?
China
Why was Nixon in China in 1972?
He was opening up diplomatic relations with China in hopes of becoming friends with a communist country.
When was the Watergate Scandal?
1972-1974
What did Nixon say when he was asked about Watergate in 1972?
He knew nothing, it was just a “third rate burglary.”
What happens to the media around Watergate in 1972?
It blows over, and Nixon ends up winning the 1972 election.
Who won the 1972 election?
Richard Nixon
Which newspaper played a significant role in exposing Nixon and Watergate?
The Washington Post
Who were the 2 journalists from The Washington Post that kept investigating Watergate?
Bob Woodward
Carl Bernstein
How did Nixon keep the Watergate Scandal quiet in 1972?
The burglars went to jail and he payed them to keep quiet.
How did Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein expose Watergate?
They kept reporting about it, and had a secret FBI informant who gave them a lead. They ran stories and it became clear the Nixon administration was behind Watergate.
Who was The Washington Post’s FBI informant during Watergate? What was his rank?
Mark Felt, he was the 2nd highest ranking member in the FBI.
Who was Mark Felt?
The FBI informant during Watergate who confessed on his deathbed in 2005.
What did Congress do after The Washington Post began running stories on Watergate?
They investigated almost everyone in the Nixon administration.
How did Nixon respond to getting investigated for Watergate?
He had multiple breakdowns and resigned.
What did Nixon do on August 9th, 1974?
He became the first president to resign.
Why did Nixon resign?
He was likely to be the first president to be impeached.
Who becomes president after Nixon?
Gerald Ford
When was Gerald Ford’s term?
1974-1977
What political party is Gerald Ford?
Republican
What was Ford’s first action as president?
He pardoned Nixon for “crimes he has not been accused of.”
What is the significance of Ford’s pardon?
It ends all Watergate investigations and was very controversial because it seemed like Nixon was above the law.
What happened to the Republican Party in the 1976 election?
Ronald Reagan ran against Gerald Ford and it split the Republican Party, making it weaker. This opened the door for the Democrats.
Who won the 1976 election?
Jimmy Carter
What political party is Jimmy Carter?
Democrat
When was Jimmy Carter’s term?
1977-1981
What career did Jimmy Carter have before politics?
Peanut Farmer
Why was Jimmy Carter appealing in the 1976 election?
He was unknown, and it was like a fresh start.
What did Jimmy Carter do during his inauguration?
He walked the parade instead of riding in a bulletproof car, symbolizing his presidency for the people.
Why did people like Jimmy Carter?
He was down to earth and fair.
Why did people dislike Jimmy Carter?
He was an ineffective president?
What 2 crises happened during the Jimmy Carter administration?
The Oil & Energy Crisis
The Iran Hostage Crisis
How did the Oil & Energy Crisis start?
All oil companies came together and jacked up the prices.
What was the effect of oil companies raising prices for the U.S.?
U.S. gas costed more and they eventually ran out.
What solutions did Jimmy Carter have for the Oil & Energy crisis?
Lowered the national speed limit to conserve energy
Lowered thermostats and encouraged wearing sweaters.
Why were the Americans angry at Jimmy Carter’s conservationist moves?
They didn’t want to drive slow as it inconvenienced them, same with being cold in their own home.
How did the Iran Hostage Crisis start?
Iran had a revolution and it started terrorism abroad.
Why was Gerald Ford’s presidency unique?
He was the only president to never be elected.
How did people defend Gerald Ford’s pardon?
Every politician lies and cheats, and the US needs to move on from this nightmare.
What was the US’s relationship with Iran before 1979?
They had a friendly relationship.
What happened to the Iranian government in 1979?
A group of revolutionaries overthrew the government.
What did the Iranian revolutionaries in 1979 think of the USA?
They hated the US, calling it the Great Satan
What happened to the US embassy in Iran in 1979?
It was stormed by Iranian revolutionaries, and they captured all US government personnel.
Why did Iranian revolutionaries capture US government personnel?
To get Jimmy Carter to acknowledge the new Iranian government.
How does Jimmy Carter respond to the Iran Hostage Crisis?
He creates a secret mission to get the hostages at night.
What happened during the secret mission to receive the hostages in Iran?
An accident occurred and the helicopters crashed into each other.
How did the failed secret mission during the Iran Hostage Crisis look?
It showed incompetency in the US
After the failed secret mission, what did Jimmy Carter do for the Iran Hostage crisis?
He spent the rest of his presidency negotiating for their release.
When were the hostages in Iran released?
They were released once Jimmy Carter’s presidency ended out of spite.
How long were the hostages in Iran held for?
444 days
When was the Soviet Afghan War?
1979-1988
How was Afghanistan’s before the Soviet-Afghan war?
It previously wasn’t a war-torn country, and it was very mountainous
What war move do the Soviets make in 1979?
They invade Afghanistan
How do the Soviets invade Afghanistan in 1979?
They fly helicopters into the mountains.
What is Communism’s (and the Soviets’) perspective on religion?
It was an atheist ideology, the Soviets were therefore atheist.
What religion was predominant in Afghanistan?
Suni Islam
What type of people fight for Afghanistan’s in 1979?
Very holy Muslims; believe they are fighting a Holy War
Where was the Summer Olympics in 1980?
Moscow
What does Jimmy Carter do about the Summer Olympics in 1980?
He has America boycott them because they were in Russia.
Why does Jimmy Carter have America boycott the 1980 Olympics in Russia?
Because of their invasion of Afghanistan
Was Carter’s decision to boycott the Moscow Olympics popular?
No
What speech does Jimmy Carter give in July of 1979?
The “Crisis in Confidence” Speech
What does Jimmy Carter say in his Crisis in Confidence speech?
He said that the US lost their fighting spirit from 1776; he was moralizing America giving a spiritual speech.
How did people react to Carter’s Crisis in Confidence speech?
They liked it, he became more popular
After giving his Crisis in Confidence speech, what does Carter do?
He tried to change his government by firing his whole cabinet.
Which president is Carter similar to by trying to fire his whole cabinet?
Andrew Jackson
How does Carter’s cabinet react to him trying to fire them?
They refuse to leave.
How does Carter look after failing to fire his whole cabinet?
He looks like a fool.
Where were the Winter Olympics of 1980 (February)?
Lake Placid, NY
What rule was in the Olympics prior to 1992?
Pro athletes were not allowed to compete in the Olympics.
Why were pro athletes not allowed to compete in the Olympics in 1992?
It was originally supposed to be ordinary people competing.
How did the Soviets find their way around having no pro athletes in the Olympics?
They would make players into soldiers in the Red Army and then train them to be the best. Their teams were basically professional.
What were the events of the Miracle on Ice in 1980?
The US Olympic team full of college kids went against the Soviet professionals in hockey, and won.
What is the significance of the Miracle on Ice?
It was a great start to the 1980s, something to be proud of.
When did Jimmy Carter die? What age?
December 29, 2024 at age 100
Who has been the longest living former president so far?
Jimmy Carter
Which president takes office after Jimmy Carter?
Ronald Reagan
What political party is Ronald Reagan?
Republican
When was Ronald Reagan’s term?
1981-1989
What profession was Ronald Reagan in before politics?
Acting
Who was the most successful Republican president?
Ronald Reagan
What is the simplest democrat view?
The government should work for the people.
What is the simplest republican view?
The government should leave the people alone
Why was Ronald Reagan so popular?
He was black & white on issues
He made you feel patriotic
He was FUNNY
What was an odd trait in Reagan’s personal life?
The people closest to him didn’t know him very well, he was closed off.
Ronald Reagan Backstory
Born into an acting family; dad was a bad alcoholic
Developed a personality where he would tell jokes to avoid talking about himself
Became a Hollywood actor
Acted in propaganda movies during WW2
1st wife divorced him because she couldn’t get to know him.
What sickness did Reagan develop when he was older?
Alzheimer’s
How did Reagan experience Alzheimer’s?
He forgot his own family and his presidency
The ONLY thing he remembered was being a life guard in his teens
Which politician was Reagan inspired by?
FDR
Which Democratic Party was Reagan originally apart of?
Democrat
How did Reagan become Republican?
He felt that Democrats weren’t doing enough to stop communism, and spoke about it as a news anchor. he got fired and the Republican Party reached out to him.
What policial job did Reagan first become? When?
Governor of California, the 1960s
What year was Ronald Reagan sworn in?
1981
What was unique about Reagan’s age at the time of his presidency?
He was the oldest ever president at the time; at 70 years old
What happened to Reagan 2 months into his presidency?
He was shot by John Hinckley
Why did John Hinckley shoot Reagan?
He was inspired by a movie
What were the event’s of Reagans shooting?
John Hinckley shot him and the bullet landed within a mm of his heart; the surgeon was under pressure but he was cracking jokes the whole time.
What was Reagan’s response to surviving being shot?
He believed both the surgeon and God saved his life. He was living on borrowed time and must do something great
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