APUSH Period 9

Flashcards for APUSH Period 9 Heimler review guide

Describe the emergence of the New Right. What role did religion play in this development?

Conservatives, especially suburban whites, reacted against Great Society programs and government expansion, pushing for reduced spending. Religion played a key role as Christian values became closely tied to the Republican Party, especially around issues like abortion.

Describe the presidential and congressional elections of 1980.

Ronald Reagan, former California governor and actor, won the presidency promoting New Right conservatism. With support from groups like the Moral Majority, Republicans also gained a Senate majority for the first time in nearly 30 years.

What was Reagan's economic platform?

Reagan promoted supply-side economics ("Reaganomics"), including tax cuts for businesses and the wealthy to encourage investment, based on the idea that benefits would "trickle down" to all.

What impact did Reagan have on the Supreme Court?

Reagan appointed three conservative justices: Sandra Day O'Connor (first female justice), Antonin Scalia, and Anthony Kennedy, shaping the Court for decades.

What programs did Reagan decrease and increase funding to?

He decreased funding for social programs like Social Security, food stamps, Medicaid, and education, while significantly increasing military spending during the Cold War.

What was the Iran-Contra Affair?

The U.S. secretly sold arms to Iran and used the profits to fund anti-communist Contras in Nicaragua, bypassing Congress and causing major controversy.

What was the Strategic Defense Initiative?

A Cold War program ("Star Wars") aiming to develop space-based missile defense systems to shoot down enemy nuclear weapons.

How did the diplomatic relationship with the USSR change during the 1980s?

Relations improved under Gorbachev's reforms (glasnost and perestroika), leading to arms reduction treaties. These changes helped weaken Soviet control and contributed to the USSR's collapse.

What factors led to increased economic activity?

Advancements in technology (internet, email) expanded economic reach, while mechanization increased production, though unemployment and stagnant wages persisted in some periods.

What impact did technology have on society?

Mobile internet and social media enabled constant global connection and changed communication, relationships, and information sharing.

Which regions attracted the most immigration during the 1990s and 2000s? From where?

The South and West attracted immigrants due to economic opportunities and proximity to Latin America, especially Mexico.

What kind of immigration reforms were passed?

The Immigration Reform and Control Act (1986) created a fairer entry process and granted amnesty to some undocumented immigrants.

What was the response to increased immigration during this period?

There was nativist resentment, especially toward Latino immigrants, due to job competition, but immigration also contributed to economic growth.

Describe environmental concerns in this period.

Growing concern over global warming and fossil fuel use led to calls for alternative energy and the "go green" movement.

Describe the effects of the 9/11 attacks.

The U.S. launched the Global War on Terror, increasing military involvement in the Middle East (especially Afghanistan). Domestically, security increased through measures like the Patriot Act, along with rising surveillance and Islamophobia.