Modern US History II: Test 1

The Conservative Wave (Late 70's—80's)

Why did Americans believe the US was in decline? (4)

1. We lost the Vietnam War
2. Watergate scandal caused Nixon to resign
3. Energy Crisis
4. Iran Hostage Crisis

1976 Election

Democrat Jimmy Carter defeated Republican Gerald Ford

What is the promise President Carter made to Americans?

to be honest with them

What was the name of Carter’s group of advisors?

The Georgia Mafia

What caused gas prices to skyrocket during the Carter presidency? (3)

1. OPEC price increase (expensive oil imports)
2. Yom Kippur War (oil shortage)
3. Iranian Revolution

Gas Rationing Programs

restrictions were made to preserve fuel

The Malaise Speech

Carter’s “Crisis of Confidence” Speech

What sparked the Iran Hostage Crisis?

Carter allowed the Shah of Iran in the US for cancer treatment — made Ayatollah Khomeini angry

What did Ayatollah Khomeini call the US?

“The Great Satan”

Operation Eagle Claw

Carter’s unsuccessful plan to rescue Iran hostages

Ronald Reagan’s Nickname

“The Great Communicator”

How does Reagan win the support of the Religious Right?

Against abortion, gay rights, and sex-ed in schools __AND__ agreed that the government was a problem (the government forced private segregated schools to pay taxes)

How does Reagan win the support of blue-collar workers?

Against __affirmative action__ (policy that favored black candidates over white)

How does Reagan win the support of southerners?

__Civil Rights laws__ were previously passed by a Democratic president

Reagan’s two main goals…

cut taxes & beat communism

“Government is not the solution to your problems…

…Government is the problem.”

Reaganomics

trickle-down or supply-side economics

Why do critics call Reagan’s plan Voodoo Economics? (3)

IT DIDN’T WORK!


1. Increases the national debt
2. No tax revenues
3. Money did not trickle down to the poor

Economic Recovery Tax Act

Reagan requested a 30% tax cut on the rich

How did Reagan convince Congress to allow a 23% tax cut on the rich?

He was nearly assassinated, so people rallied around him (and the economic recovery tax act idea)

How did cable tv contribute to culture wars?

__the fairness doctrine__ was removed as more channels developed… channels could tailor to specific beliefs (MTV, FOX, CNN)

What are the Brat Pack movies Captain told us to remember? (2)

The Breakfast Club & Sixteen Candles

What are the main Brat Pack movie themes? (2)

Class conscientiousness (rich vs. poor) and alienation

Who is “the pretty girl”

Molly Ringwald

Who is “the nerdy boy”

Anthony Michael Hall

Who is “the weird girl”

Ally Sheedy

Who is “the heartthrob”

Andrew McCarthy

Name __three__ Religious Right groups

1. Moral Majority (MM)
2. Focus on the Family (FOF)
3. American Family Association (AFA)

Founder of the Moral Majority

Jerry Falwell

AIDS Acronym

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

How did AIDS contribute to culture wars?

Save Our Children — group who viewed AIDS as a gay disease (God is punishing the gays)

What did Dan White do?

Killed two local officials for supporting gay rights — later pleaded insane due to his extensive sugar intake (The “Twinkie Defense”)

What did the Religious Right think about Reagan researching AIDS to find a cure?

He was defending the gays and wasting American money

Why does Reagan attempt to mandate school prayer?

He wanted more support from the Religious Right

Engle v. Vitale

Supreme Court case ruled that __people can’t be forced to pray in schools__

Creationism

the biblical belief of how Earth came into existence

Reagan believed that science curriculums should teach…

both science and creationism

Edwards v. Aguillar

Supreme Court case ruled that __teaching creationism is against the Establishment Clause__

What amendment did Reagan promise to gain more support from the Religious Right?

banning abortion — unless the woman was going to die

14th Amendment: Due Process Clause

women have a fundamental right to privacy (abortion)

Nancy Reagan’s Anti-Drug Slogan

“Just Say No”

NCEE Acronym

The National Commission on Excellence in Education

What was the name of the NCEE report in 1983?

“A Nation At Risk”

What did *A Nation At Risk* recommend?

students should go to school more (200-220 days/yr.)

How long did the Cold War last? Who was it between?

40 years; USSR vs. US

Why did they call it *The Cold War*?

there was no direct fighting

What was the goal of The Cold War?

both governments wanted to expand their influence and prevent the other from expanding theirs (capitalism vs. communism)

What are the major conflicts of The Cold War? (3)

1. Korean War
2. Vietnam War
3. Cuban Missile Crisis

Who was the Russian leader Ronald Reagan befriended?

Mikhail Gorbachev

East Germany is losing their youngest, smartest, most productive citizens because they are fleeing from communism. What is this issue known as?

“The Brain Drain”

What is the USSR’s solution to The Brain Drain?

The Berlin Wall

Where was the Berlin Wall located?

It circles West Berlin

Why was the Berlin Wall built?

to keep young people in West Berlin (old people are $$$)

What resulted in the fall of the Berlin Wall? (2)

1. East Germans can have free elections
2. Germany was unified

What led to the end of the USSR? (3)

1. Satellite nations declared independence
2. Non-communist parties could share ideas
3. Soviet troops were reduced to save money

___________ marked the end of The Cold War

the disbanding of the USSR