Unit 10/11 Study Guide: Modern American History

Vocabulary flashcards based on the Unit 10/11 Modern American History study guide, covering the Vietnam War, Nixon's administration, the Carter presidency, and the Reagan era through the Persian Gulf War.

Vietnam Bombing Failures

The failure to achieve victory through air power due to political constraints such as civilian casualty limits set by LBJ and avoiding harbors to keep Soviets out, alongside the resilience of the Vietcong.

Vietnamization

Nixon's three-part strategy to withdraw U.S. troops, negotiate peace with North Vietnam, and bomb supply lines in Cambodia and Laos.

ARVN

The Army of the Republic of Vietnam (South), which was intended to take over the war effort during Vietnamization but lacked sufficient strength.

Realpolitik

Nixon's approach to politics based on practical power and national interests rather than moral or ideological beliefs, evidenced by his visits to Romania, China, and the USSR.

Abuse of Power

A Watergate charge relating to the use of the office of the President to harass political enemies.

Obstruction of Justice

A Watergate charge involving the blocking of the legal system and the tampering with evidence.

Contempt of Congress

A Watergate charge resulting from the defiance of subpoenas for the White House tapes.

Defying

Openly resisting or refusing to obey, as seen when Nixon refused to turn over the White House tapes to Congress and the Courts.

Camp David Accords

A peace treaty between Egypt and Israel mediated by Carter over $13\,days$ of negotiations; Egypt recognized Israel and Israel returned the Sinai Peninsula.

The Shah

A dictator in Iran supported by the U.S. because he was anti-communist; his entry into the U.S. for cancer treatment triggered the Hostage Crisis.

Iran Hostage Crisis

An event where Iranian students took $52$ Americans hostage for $444\,days$ in retaliation for Carter allowing the Shah into the U.S.

Reaganomics

Reagan's economic policy characterized by cutting taxes and deregulating businesses to promote free-market growth.

PATCO

The air traffic controllers' union whose striking workers were fired by Reagan, signaling a hardline stance against labor unions.

Desert Shield

it was when Iraq invaded Kuwait in 1990, leading to the deployment of U.S. troops to protect Saudi Arabia and bolster defenses in the region.

Desert Storm

The offensive phase of the Persian Gulf War consisting of the air and ground war to liberate Kuwait from Saddam Hussein's troops.

Regan and the judicial system

Reagan's administration emphasized a conservative judiciary, appointing justices who were often aligned with his political ideology and focused on limiting the role of the federal government.