APUSH Period 9 Vocab

9/11

The terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, when al-Qaeda hijackers flew planes into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, resulting in nearly 3,000 deaths.

al-Qaeda

A militant Islamist organization responsible for the 9/11 attacks.

the Taliban

An Islamist militant group that ruled Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001 and provided sanctuary to al-Qaeda.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

A landmark civil rights law passed in 1990 that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in public life.

Clean Air Act

A federal law enacted in 1963 and amended in 1970 and 1990, aimed at controlling air pollution.

Demographic shifts in US populations

Changes in the composition of the U.S. population over time, including trends like increased immigration and aging population.

Department of Homeland Security

A federal department created in 2002 in response to the 9/11 attacks to protect the U.S. from terrorism.

Election of 1992

The presidential election in which Democrat Bill Clinton defeated incumbent Republican President George H.W. Bush.

End of the Cold War

The period marked by the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, ending decades-long geopolitical tension.

Fall of the Berlin Wall

The event in 1989 when the Berlin Wall was opened, symbolizing the collapse of communist control in Eastern Europe.

Gaza Strip

A small, densely populated territory along the Mediterranean coast and a focal point of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Hanging chads - FL - election of 2000

Refers to the controversial disputed ballots in Florida during the 2000 Presidential election.

Iran Hostage Crisis

A diplomatic standoff where 52 American diplomats were held hostage for 444 days after the Iranian seizure of the U.S. Embassy.

Iran-Contra Affair

A political scandal involving the secret sale of arms to Iran and diversion of proceeds to support Contra rebels in Nicaragua.

Mikhail Gorbachev

The last leader of the Soviet Union known for his policies of glasnost and perestroika.

Muammar Gaddafi

The leader of Libya from 1969 to 2011, known for authoritarian rule and sponsorship of terrorism.

NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement)

A trade agreement between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico aimed at eliminating trade barriers.

Neo-conservatism

A political movement advocating for free-market capitalism and interventionist foreign policy.

Oklahoma City bombing

A domestic terrorist attack in 1995, resulting in the deaths of 168 people.

Oslo Accords

A series of agreements between Israel and the PLO aimed at achieving peace and Palestinian self-rule.

Pan Am Flight 103

The bombing of a flight over Lockerbie, Scotland in 1988, attributed to Libyan terrorists.

Patriot Act

Legislation passed in response to 9/11 to enhance national security through expanded surveillance powers.

Reaganomics

The economic policies of President Ronald Reagan focusing on tax cuts and deregulation.

Rodney King riots

Violent protests in 1992 following the acquittal of LAPD officers in the beating of Rodney King.

Rodney King verdict

The 1992 court decision acquitting four LAPD officers of excessive force against Rodney King.

Ronald Reagan Administration

The presidency from 1981 to 1989, characterized by conservative policies and a strong anti-Soviet stance.

Ross Perot

A billionaire businessman who ran as an independent candidate in the 1992 and 1996 elections.

Star Wars (Strategic Defense Initiative)

A proposed missile defense system announced by President Ronald Reagan in 1983.

Tiananmen Square Massacre

The violent suppression of pro-democracy protests in Beijing in 1989.

USS Cole attack

A 2000 terrorist attack where al-Qaeda bombed the USS Cole in Yemen.

War in Afghanistan

The U.S.-led military intervention in Afghanistan initiated in 2001 in response to the 9/11 attacks.

War on Iraq

The U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, aimed at toppling Saddam Hussein's regime.