us history II final

nixon in vietrnam

"Vietnamization," aimed at increasing South Vietnamese forces' roles while reducing American troop presence. expansion of the war into Cambodia and increased bombing campaigns.

henry kissinger vietnam war

National Security Advisor and Secretary of State who played a key role in U.S. foreign policy during the Vietnam War, including the implementation of Vietnamization and peace talks.

my lai massacre

A mass killing of between 347 and 504 unarmed South Vietnamese civilians by U.S. Army soldiers during the Vietnam War, occurring on March 16, 1968. This event highlighted the brutality of the war and led to widespread outrage. It raised significant ethical questions about U.S. military conduct and contributed to the anti-war movement.

invasion of cambodia

A military campaign initiated by the U.S. and South Vietnam in April 1970, aimed at disrupting North Vietnamese supply lines and sanctuaries. It led to increased anti-war protests and criticism of U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War.

pentagon papers

A top-secret Department of Defense study detailing the United States' political and military involvement in Vietnam from 1945 to 1967, which was leaked to the press in 1971, revealing that government officials had misled the public about the war's progress and motives.

war powers act

1973, It requires the President to notify Congress within 48 hours of military action and restricts military engagement for more than 60 days without Congressional approval.

domino theory

The belief that the spread of communism in one nation would lead to the fall of neighboring nations, similar to a row of dominoes. This theory was a significant justification for U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War.

realpolitik and detente

Realpolitik refers to a pragmatic approach to foreign policy based on practical considerations rather than ideological beliefs. Detente was a period of easing tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War, characterized by negotiations and the reduction of arms race.

jimmy carter

The 39th President of the United States, serving from 1977 to 1981. He focused on human rights in foreign policy and was known for his efforts in the Camp David Accords.

ayatollah khomeini

The Iranian religious leader and politician who became the Supreme Leader of Iran after the 1979 Islamic Revolution, overthrowing the Shah. Khomeini established an Islamic Republic and opposed U.S. influence in Iran.

john dean

Former White House Counsel during the Watergate scandal, known for his testimony that implicated President Nixon in the cover-up. Dean played a key role in revealing the extent of the scandal.

opec

An organization of oil-exporting countries founded in 1960 to coordinate and unify petroleum policies, stabilize oil markets, and ensure a fair and regular supply of oil to consumers. middle eastern countries

watergate break in

republicans break into the democratic national committee, and one of the burgulars is part of the committee to reelect president (CREEP). nixon tells cia to block fbi investigation and denies involvement. one burgular tells a judge that nixon knows.

saturday night massacre

archibald cox, the investigator, wants the tapes. nixon fires cox, and 2 new attorney generals quit because they do not want to fire him. nixon claims executive privilege and releases heavily edited tapes.

united states v nixon

8-0 decision, nixon has to release the tapes

nixon resignation

he resigns in order to escape impeachment, gerald ford (his vp) is the new president.

ford’s pardon

ford pardon’s nixon decisions, in order for the country to move on. this decision is crucial and tanks his approval ratings.

camp david accords

The Camp David Accords were a 1978 peace agreement between Egypt and Israel, brokered by U.S. President Jimmy Carter. Egypt recognized Israel, and Israel agreed to return the Sinai Peninsula.

iran hostage crisis

The Iran Hostage Crisis began in 1979 when Iranian militants seized the U.S. embassy in Tehran, holding 52 Americans hostage for 444 days. It worsened U.S.-Iran relations and hurt President Carter’s popularity. The hostages were released on the day Ronald Reagan was inaugurated partly as a final snub to outgoing President Jimmy Carter, who had spent over a year negotiating their release.

pentagon papers

The Pentagon Papers were a secret U.S. government study leaked in 1971 that revealed the government had misled the public about the Vietnam War. Published by The New York Times, the documents exposed hidden facts about U.S. involvement, increasing public distrust in the government.

SALT 1 treaty

agreement between the U.S. and the Soviet Union to limit the number of nuclear weapons and missile systems. It marked a key step in Cold War arms control and easing tensions.

stagflation

high inflation, high unemployment, and slow economic growth occur at the same time.

mideast peace

Camp David Accords (1978) and the Oslo Accords (1993), which aimed to promote peace and mutual recognition.

rust belt

U.S. Northeast and Midwest known for its once-thriving manufacturing industries. It experienced economic decline and job losses from the 1970s onward due to factory closures and industrial shifts.

urban crisis

social, economic, and physical decline of many U.S. cities during the 1960s and 1970s, marked by poverty, unemployment, crime, and deteriorating infrastructure.

silent majority

President Nixon to describe ordinary Americans who supported his policies but didn’t publicly protest or speak out, especially during the Vietnam War era.

rachel carson

wrote ‘silent spring’, which exposed the dangers of pesticides. one of the major people in environmental movement.

cesar chavez

united farm workers push for better working conditions, hunger strike, california grape growers give in

betty friedan

wrote feminine mystique, revealed women were not happy

gloria steinem

went undercover in playboy mansion, wrote exposee

dolores huerta

co-founding of the United Farm Workers of America (UFW) (originally the National Farm Workers Association) with César Chávez. helped with grape strike and boycott

three mile island

partial meltdown occurred in one of its reactors due to mechanical failures and operator errors, leading to the release of a small amount of radioactive gases. Although there were no immediate deaths or injuries, the incident raised widespread public fear about nuclear safety

love canal

hemical company had buried thousands of tons of toxic industrial waste underground there. Later, houses and a school were built on top of the site. Residents began experiencing serious health problems, like cancer and birth defects, due to chemical leaks contaminating the soil and groundwater. The crisis led to a massive cleanup effort

roe v wade

legalized abortion nationwide. The Court ruled that a woman’s right to choose an abortion is protected under the constitutional right to privacy.

stonewall uprising

series of spontaneous protests and riots erupted after a police raid. This event is widely seen as the catalyst for the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement in the United States and around the world.

affirmative action

ncrease opportunities for historically marginalized groups—such as racial minorities and women

energy crisis

major oil-producing countries, especially OPEC members, cut oil supplies and raised prices sharply.

school busing

1960s and 1970s as a way to desegregate public schools. The goal was to end racial segregation by mixing students from different racial and economic backgrounds. Busing was controversial and met with resistance in many communities, but it played an important role in efforts toward racial equality in education.

equal rights amendment

1st proposed in 1920, not to be treated differently based on sex, NOT PASSED

iran contra

The US is not allowed to aid the contras. By aiding Iran, they will pressure the Hezbollah in Lebanon to free their hostages as they are friends and also give money to the contras.

berlin wall speech

reagan Encourage Soviet reform (glasnost and perestroika), Promote freedom and unity in Berlin, Pressure the USSR to reduce Cold War tensions.

1984 election

reagan w, Strong economy ("Morning in America" slogan), Popularity from foreign policy stance and leadership image, Mondale admitted he’d raise taxes, which hurt his support

1988 election

hw bush vs dukakis, Strong economy under Reagan (he was Reagan’s Vice President), Promised continuity of Reagan’s policies: “Read my lips: no new taxes”, Dukakis ran a weak campaign and was hurt by attack ads (e.g., Willie Horton ad, allowing criminals to go free)

1989 revolutons

wave of anti-communist uprisings across Eastern Europe that led to the collapse of communist governments and the end of the Cold War.

persian gulf war

• Iraq accused Kuwait of stealing oil and overproducing

• Saddam wanted control of more oil and regional power

• U.S. and UN demanded Iraq withdraw – Saddam refused

fall of ussr

gorbachev reforms, economic problems, lost control over eastern europe

exxon valdez spill

• The Exxon Valdez oil tanker struck a reef

• Spilled 11 million gallons of crude oil into the ocean

• One of the worst environmental disasters in U.S. history

• Exxon faced public outrage and lawsuits

• Led to the Oil Pollution Act of 1990:

  • Improved oil spill prevention and response

  • Required better tanker safety and liability for cleanup costs

war on drugs

• Nixon (1971):

  • Declared drugs “public enemy number one”

  • Focus on treatment and enforcement

• Reagan (1980s):

  • Massive increase in police funding & prison sentences

  • “Just Say No” campaign

  • Introduced mandatory minimums for drug crimes

• Bush Sr. & Clinton (1990s):

  • Continued strict enforcement

  • Clinton added community policing and more funds for prisons

aids crisis

• Slow government reaction in early years (especially in the U.S.)

• Activism by groups like ACT UP raised awareness and pressured for research

• Development of antiretroviral drugs in the mid-1990s transformed HIV/AIDS into a manageable condition

three leg stool

limited government, strong defense, traditional family values

reaganomic

reaganomics is when the taxes are reduced for large corporations so they can use those savings to invest. This way, when it is properly used, companies can create more jobs and wages so the wealth can "trickle down".

determinism

Determinism is the philosophical idea that all events, choices, and actions are determined by prior causes

moral majority

A political group of religious conservatives, mainly evangelical Christians

new world order

global cooperation and peaceful international relations following the collapse of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War.

C. Everett Coop

• Took bold action to educate the public about AIDS, despite political pressure to stay silent.

• Sent AIDS prevention pamphlets to every U.S. household in 1988.

• Promoted sex education and condom use—controversial at the time.

Newt Gingrich

helped on contract with america (promised to bring government reform, lower taxes, and stronger national defense)

dont ask dont tell

A U.S. military policy that allowed gay, lesbian, and bisexual people to serve in the armed forces only if they did not disclose their sexual orientation. they would be discharged if it was revealed.

defense of marriage acrt (doma)

Allowed states to refuse to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states

1994 midterm

republican big w bc of contract with america

oj simpson trial

connected to rodney king race riots, simpson found not guily due to this

oklahoma city bombing

• A truck bomb exploded outside the Murrah Federal Building, killing 168 people, including 19 children, and injuring over 600.

• It was the deadliest act of domestic terrorism in U.S. history at the time.

• Led to increased focus on domestic terrorism and changes in U.S. security policies.

columbine

first publicized school shooting, school atmosphere begins to change

bush v gore

republicans sue to stop the recount because of the close election, recount stopped, the supreme court votes and gets to pick the winner

rwanda

hutu gov commit genocide against tutsi, 500k dead in 3 months, clinton fails to act

pre 9 11 al qaeda

1993 world trade center bombings, 1996 Khobar Towers Bombing, . 1998 U.S. Embassy Bombings,

trade agreements

european union (eu) - 1993, they work togehter

us answers back with north american free trade agreement (nafta)

checks and balances 90s

1. clinton impeachment - congress(legislative) check executive

2. bush v gore - supreme court (judicial) check states