American History Honors Unit 8 Vocab

Moral Majority

A political movement in the 1980s, led by religious conservatives, advocating for socially conservative policies and seeking to influence American politics based on moral and religious principles.

Inflation

The general increase in the prices of goods and services over time, reducing the purchasing power of currency.

Liberal

Individuals or policies advocating for social and economic equality, government intervention in the economy, and progressive social values.

Monetary Policy

Actions by a central bank to control the money supply and interest rates, influencing economic activity by managing inflation, employment, and overall economic stability.

Fiscal Policy

Government actions related to taxation and spending to influence the economy, aiming to achieve economic goals such as full employment and stable prices.

Reaganomics

Refers to the economic policies of President Ronald Reagan in the 1980s, emphasizing tax cuts, reduced government regulation, and a belief that stimulating economic growth among the wealthy would benefit the entire economy.

Deregulation

Reducing or eliminating government restrictions and regulations on industries, with the goal of fostering competition and economic efficiency.

GDP (Gross Domestic Product)

The total value of all goods and services produced within a country's borders in a specific time period, serving as a key indicator of economic performance.

Conservative

Individuals or policies favoring limited government intervention, traditional values, and a free-market approach to economic issues.

Globalization

The process of increased interconnectedness and interdependence among countries, economies, and cultures through international trade, communication, and cultural exchange.

Terrorism

The use of violence or threats to intimidate and create fear for political, religious, or ideological purposes.

Laissez-Faire

An economic philosophy advocating minimal government interference in the marketplace, allowing natural market forces to determine prices, production, and distribution.

Trickle Down Economics

An economic theory asserting that benefits provided to the wealthy and businesses will eventually "trickle down" to the rest of the population through job creation and economic growth.

War on Terror

A global military and political campaign initiated by the United States in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, aimed at combating terrorism and its sponsors around the world.

NAFTA

A trade agreement signed in 1994 between the United States, Canada, and Mexico, aiming to eliminate barriers to trade and investment and promote economic cooperation in North America.

The Patriot Act

A U.S. law passed in response to the 9/11 attacks, granting expanded surveillance and law enforcement powers to the government in the name of national security and counterterrorism efforts.

Iran-Contra Affair

A political scandal in the 1980s involving the covert sale of weapons to Iran by the U.S. government to fund Nicaraguan Contra rebels, leading to Congressional investigations and convictions.

Clinton Impeachment

Centered on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice related to his extramarital affair.

Bush v. Gore

The 2000 U.S. presidential election, marked by a controversial recount in Florida, legal battles culminating in the Supreme Court's decision to stop the recount, and Bush's ultimate victory despite losing the popular vote.

Montreal Protocol

An international treaty aimed at protecting the ozone layer by phasing out the production and consumption of substances responsible for ozone depletion, such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).

Kyoto Protocol

An international agreement establishing targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, with the aim of mitigating climate change; it was adopted in 1997 and came into force in 2005.

9/11

The terrorist attacks when hijacked airplanes were crashed into the World Trade Center towers in New York City and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., leading to widespread loss of life and initiating the War on Terror.

Taliban

An Islamist militant group that gained control of Afghanistan in the 1990s, enforcing a strict interpretation of Islamic law, and became a focal point in the War on Terror following their association with Osama bin Laden and al-Qaeda.

Guantanamo

The U.S. naval base in Cuba that gained international attention for its use as a detention facility for individuals captured in the War on Terror, particularly after the September 11 attacks.