Review of Vietnam War, Clinton, Reagan, and Bush Administrations

Flashcards about the Vietnam War, Clinton Administration, and other related topics.

Who was Ho Chi Minh?

President of North Vietnam, a communist who based the Declaration of Principles on the Declaration of Independence.

Why was Ngo Dinh Diem unsuccessful, and what happened to him?

He didn't help the U.S. agenda or Buddhists; he was shot and killed.

What was the 'domino theory'?

The idea that if South Vietnam fell to communism, other Southeast Asian nations would as well.

Name the president who 'escalated' American involvement in the Vietnam War.

President Lyndon B. Johnson

What was particularly irksome to college students regarding the Vietnam War?

Its perceived injustice, the possibility of being drafted, and the war's impact on their lives.

What was the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution?

A U.S. Congress resolution authorizing President Johnson to use military force in Southeast Asia without a formal declaration of war.

What role did Robert McNamara play in the Vietnam War?

As US Secretary of Defense from 1961 to 1968, he played a key role in the US's increasing involvement in the Vietnam War

Why was the Vietnam War particularly difficult to wage for American soldiers?

The enemy's guerrilla tactics, the challenging terrain, and the psychological impact of the war.

What was Agent Orange? What were its effects?

Defoliant used in Vietnam that killed living beings and caused birth defects.

What was the Kent State Massacre?

The killing of four and wounding of nine unarmed college students by the Ohio National Guard on the Kent State University campus.

Why was the 'Tet Offensive' a turning point?

It was an unpredicted attack that informed the American people that the U.S. was not winning the war.

What problems did the Vietnam War cause in neighboring nations?

Escalation into internal conflicts and widespread bombing, especially in Laos.

Who was the Khmer Rouge?

The name given to members of the Communist Party of Kampuchea, which ruled Cambodia.

Who said 'no new taxes' and what was the result?

George Bush (the first Bush), which ultimately hurt him politically when he failed to uphold the promise.

How did Bill Clinton define himself?

He embraced a 'third way' approach to politics, aiming to combine elements of both liberal and conservative policies.

What big job did Bill Clinton assign to his wife, Hillary? How did that turn out?

Universal healthcare for Americans; it didn't work out and she faced a lot of criticism.

What major achievement did Bill Clinton achieve in 1997 regarding the budget?

He achieved a balanced budget.

What did Clinton’s deficit reduction coincide with?

A period of strong economic growth and a stock market boom.

What was the 'Contract With America'? Who was its author?

A legislative agenda by the Republican Party during the 1994 congressional election campaign; Newt Gingrich and Richard K. Armey wrote it.

What was NAFTA? Why was it controversial?

the North American Free Trade Agreement between Canada, Mexico, and the United States that aimed to create a free-trade zone; it was controversial due to concerns about job losses and wage stagnation.

What roles did crime and terrorism play in the Clinton administration? Name examples.

Led to the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, increased security measures, and military interventions.

What was the White Water Scandal?

An investigation into Bill Clinton's involvement in a land scheme in Arkansas, which later uncovered his affair with Monica Lewinsky.

What ultimately led to Carter not being elected in 1980?

The hostage crisis in Iran, great inflation, and competition against Kennedy.

Said Reagan, what are the most terrifying words in the English language?

'I'm from the government, and I'm here to help.'

What 3 core beliefs characterized Reagan's beliefs?

Tax cuts, small government, and deregulation of business.

Politically speaking, what is a lame duck?

A political figure that loses power because of the next party taking over.

Who was Sandra Day O'Connor?

First female supreme court justices under president reagan

Who was John Hinckley?

The guy that shot Ronald Reagan

What is “Perestroika” ? What was “Glasnost” ?

P : easing international tensions; happened between reagan and gorbachev in the SU, reagan is cold war warrior - G: Openness in soviet society

Describe Reaganomics.

Supply side/ trickle down. Cut taxes and regulations

What was SDI ?

The Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI), nicknamed 'Star Wars,' was a proposed missile defense system

Who was the “Evil Empire?

Name gave by Reagan to the SU - comes from star wars

Who ran against Ronald Reagan in 1984?

Walter Mondale

What was the Iran-Contra Affair?

Reagan quietly selling missiles to Iran and giving that money to the army in central america trying to overthrow their gov.

Who served as President after Reagan? What were his political beliefs?

George H.W. Bush, his beliefs are 'compassionate conservatism'

When did the Cold War end?

December 3, 1982

Who do historians generally credit with ending the Cold War ?

Ronald reagan, but it ends under george bush’s presidency

Who were the mujahideen?

We funded them to fight against the Soviet Union

Who did the U.S. go to war with in 1991? Where?

Iraq. Gulf war (Operation Desert Storm) Mainly in Kuwait, but also Iraq and Saudi Arabia

How did this lead to 9/11?

We made them sign agreements that said they cant do nothing and put rules that montered their behavior and watched them for all terrorist actions very closely with major consequences.

What nations were the hijackers from?

Not all from Saudi Arabia, BUT NONE FROM IRAQ

Who sent the hijackers? (person and organization)

Al Qaeda by Osama Bin Laden

What other acts of terrorism did Al Qaeda commit before 9/11?

The USS COLE (american ship), and bombed a couple of embassies, also previously tried to blow up world trade center in 1993

Why did the U.S. attack Iraq?

They believed Iraq had hidden WMD and raided due to personal vendetta

Who were the Taliban?

leaders in afghanistan that believed they should be ruled under strict muslim law that allowed muslim terrorist groups to stay there.

Under what president was Osama bin Laden assassinated?

Obama

How much did the combined wars in Afghanistan and Iraq cost?

8 trillion