1980-2008 (Reagan, Clinton, & 9/11)

CONSERVATIVE COALITION

(a.k.a. The New Right) In 1980 the Republican Party was able to convince conservative, mostly Southern, Democrats to vote for their candidate, Ronald Reagan, ushering in a new era of social, economic, and political conservatism in America.

THE MORAL MAJORITY

A prominent American political organization associated with the Christian right and Republican Party. It was founded in 1979 by Baptist minister Jerry Falwell.

RONALD REAGAN

A former actor and California governor who was president of the US from 1981-1989. Known as the Great Communicator he cut taxes, increased defense spending, and negotiated a nuclear arms reduction agreement with the Soviets.

REAGANOMICS

Economic policy of America's 40th president involving tax cuts, budget cuts, and increased military spending. His philosophy was based on supply side economics which believes that lowering corporate taxes will bring about more jobs and lead to a stronger overall economy.

STRATEGIC DEFENSE INITIATIVE (SDI)

A defense plan against Soviet nuclear weapons unveiled by President Reagan in 1983. His opponents nick-named the plan "Star Wars" because it involved launching nuclear missiles from space.

MIKHAIL GORBACHEV

Leader of the Soviet Union from 1985 to 1991 who was eager to bring about reforms and whose summit meetings with President Reagan achieved an arms-control breakthrough.

SANDRA DAY O'CONNOR

First female Supreme Court Justice; appointed by Ronald Reagan in 1981.

AIDS

Disease caused by a virus that attacks the immune system. The public first became aware of its existence in the early 1980's. The world-wide death toll since then is 35 million.

THE WAR ON DRUGS

Phrase used to refer to a government-led initiative, beginning in the 1970's, that aims to stop illegal use and distribution of drugs by increasing and enforcing penalties for offenders.

INF (INTERMEDIATE NUCLEAR FORCES) TREATY

1987 pact in which Gorbachev and Reagan agreed to remove and destroy all intermediate-range missiles from Europe.

TIANAMEN SQUARE

Historic plaza in Beijing where Chinese Communists crushed the 1989 pro-reform demonstration by sending in tanks and machine guns.

SANDINISTAS

Group of communist revolutionaries that overthrew the Nicaraguan government in 1979.

CONTRAS

Nicaraguan exiles and guerrilla fighters armed and organized by the CIA to fight the Sandinista government of Nicaragua.

IRAN-CONTRA AFFAIR

1986 scandal during the Reagan administration in which the US illegally sold weapons to Iran and gave the money to Contra rebels in Nicaragua.

GEORGE H. W. BUSH

US President from 1989-1993 who launched successful military operation against Iraq known as the Persian Gulf War; however, his popularity at home was marred by an economic recession, and in 1992 he lost his bid for re-election to Bill Clinton.

OPERATION DESERT SHIELD

After Iraq, led by dictator Saddam Hussein, invaded Kuwait in 1990, President George H. W. Bush sent 230,000 troops to protect Saudi Arabia.

OPERATION DESERT STORM

In 1991 the United States and its allies defeated Iraq in a ground war that lasted 100 hours.

BILL CLINTON

President of the US from 1993-2001 when America enjoyed an era of prosperity, low unemployment, and a budget surplus. In 1998, the House of Representatives impeached him on charges related to a sexual relationship he had with a White House intern. He was acquitted by the Senate.

NORTH AMERICAN FREE TRADE AGREEMENT (NAFTA)

Signed in 1994 the agreement allows open trade between the US, Mexico, and Canada.

GLOBALIZATION

The process in which countries are increasingly linked to each other becoming more open to international trade and investment.

NEWT GINGRICH

Georgia congressman who led the opposition to Bill Clinton and created the "Contract With America" plan. In 1994 he became the first Republican speaker in 40 years.

THE CONTRACT WITH AMERICA

Campaign strategy used by the Republican Party during the 1994 mid-term elections. Co-authored by Newt Gingrich it included promises to shrink the size of government, promote lower taxes and tort reform, and overhaul America's welfare system.

MONICA LEWINSKY

22 year-old White House intern whose sexual affair with President Clinton led to his impeachment.

CLINTON IMPEACHMENT

In 1998 the President of the US was charged with perjury and obstruction of justice regarding the Monica Lewinsky Affair. He was acquitted of both charges by the Senate.

SEPTEMBER 11, 2001

19 militants associated with the Islamic extremist group al-Qaeda hijacked four airplanes and carried out suicide attacks against targets in the United States. Two of the planes were flown into the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, a third plane hit the Pentagon just outside Washington, D.C., and the fourth plane crashed in a field in Pennsylvania. Almost 3,000 people were killed during the attacks, which triggered major U.S. initiatives to combat terrorism and defined the presidency of George W. Bush.

THE WAR ON TERRORISM

U.S. campaign launched by George W. Bush against terrorist groups around the world that began after 9/11. It included wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and passage of the Patriot Act.

2008 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

Election in which Barack Obama becomes America's first African American President. He served from 2009-2017.