Society in Transition, Reagan & Conservatism, and the End of the Cold War – Vocabulary

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering political, economic, social, and foreign-policy terms from the late 20th-century United States, including the Reagan era, the rise of modern conservatism, and the end of the Cold War.

liberal

Political ideology favoring active government to promote social welfare, economic equality, and expanded civil rights.

conservative

Ideology advocating limited government, free markets, traditional social values, and a strong national defense.

The Cato Institute

Libertarian think tank founded in 1977 that promotes limited government, free enterprise, and individual liberty.

televangelists

Christian ministers who use television to preach and raise funds, influential in U.S. politics during the 1970s-80s.

Jerry Falwell

Baptist televangelist who founded the Moral Majority and became a leading voice of the Religious Right.

Moral Majority

Conservative Christian political organization (1979-89) mobilizing voters on issues such as abortion and school prayer.

Religious Right

Coalition of conservative Christian groups seeking to influence public policy on social and moral issues.

Roe v. Wade (1973)

Supreme Court decision recognizing a woman’s constitutional right to an abortion in early pregnancy.

Reagan Democrats

Traditionally Democratic, white, working-class voters who supported Ronald Reagan in the 1980s.

stagflation

1970s economic condition combining stagnant growth, high unemployment, and inflation.

Election of 1980

Race in which Republican Ronald Reagan defeated Democratic President Jimmy Carter.

“Are you better off today than you were four years ago?”

Reagan’s 1980 campaign question highlighting economic dissatisfaction under Carter.

“Government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem.”

Reagan’s inaugural assertion of limited-government philosophy.

supply-side economics (trickle-down / Reaganomics)

Theory that cutting taxes and regulation for businesses and the wealthy spurs investment, job creation, and overall growth.

Economic Recovery Tax Act (ERTA) 1981

Law that slashed federal income-tax rates, centerpiece of Reaganomics.

deregulation

Reduction or elimination of federal rules governing industries (airlines, banking, energy) to encourage competition.

PATCO strike (1981)

Illegal air-traffic controllers’ strike broken by Reagan, who fired over 11,000 workers—signal of tough stance on unions.

yuppies

“Young urban professionals” of the 1980s known for affluence, career focus, and conspicuous consumption.

Sandra Day O’Connor

Appointed in 1981, the first woman to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court.

“It’s Morning Again in America”

Optimistic 1984 Reagan campaign ad celebrating economic recovery and national pride.

national debt

Total amount owed by the federal government; ballooned during Reagan years due to tax cuts and defense spending.

trade deficit

When a nation imports more than it exports; a persistent U.S. problem in the 1980s.

Election of 1988

Vice President George H. W. Bush defeated Democrat Michael Dukakis.

“Read my lips: no new taxes.”

Bush’s 1988 pledge against tax increases, later broken in 1990 budget deal.

Republican vs. Democratic regions

1980s electoral map showing GOP strength in the South/Great Plains and Democratic strength in the Northeast/West Coast.

swing states

Competitive states that can vote either party and often determine presidential elections.

Webster v. Reproductive Health Services (1989)

Court ruling that allowed states to restrict public funds and facilities for abortions, narrowing Roe.

Planned Parenthood v. Casey (1992)

Upheld Roe but permitted states to impose abortion limits that do not place an “undue burden” on women.

Brady Bill (1993)

Law mandating federal background checks and a waiting period for handgun purchases.

NRA (National Rifle Association)

Powerful lobbying organization promoting gun rights and opposing firearm regulation.

District of Columbia v. Heller (2008)

Supreme Court decision recognizing an individual right to possess firearms for self-defense in federal enclaves.

MeToo

2017 social media movement exposing sexual harassment and assault, emphasizing accountability for offenders.

Black Lives Matter

Movement founded in 2013 protesting police brutality and systemic racism against Black Americans.

Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell

1993-2011 policy allowing gay service members to serve if they concealed their sexual orientation.

Obergefell v. Hodges (2015)

Supreme Court ruling that legalized same-sex marriage nationwide.

“Evil Empire”

Reagan’s 1983 label for the Soviet Union, framing the Cold War in moral terms.

Soviet satellites

Eastern European nations dominated politically and militarily by the USSR during the Cold War.

SDI (Strategic Defense Initiative) / “Star Wars”

Proposed space-based missile-defense system announced by Reagan in 1983.

Grenada (1983)

U.S. invasion of the Caribbean island to overthrow a Marxist regime and protect American medical students.

Iran-Contra Affair

1986 scandal: secret U.S. arms sales to Iran used to fund Contra rebels in Nicaragua, violating congressional ban.

Mikhail Gorbachev

Last Soviet leader (1985-91) who introduced reforms and negotiated with the U.S. to end the Cold War.

glasnost

Gorbachev’s policy of openness, encouraging freedom of expression and information in the USSR.

perestroika

Gorbachev’s restructuring program to reform the Soviet economy and political system.

“Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall.”

Reagan’s 1987 Berlin speech urging removal of the Berlin Wall and advancing German reunification.

Berlin Wall (1989)

Its fall symbolized the collapse of Communist control in Eastern Europe and the approaching end of the Cold War.

Saddam Hussein

Iraqi dictator who invaded Kuwait in 1990, triggering the Persian Gulf War.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) 1990

Landmark civil-rights law prohibiting discrimination against people with disabilities and requiring accessibility.

Persian Gulf War (1991)

U.S.-led coalition (Operation Desert Storm) that expelled Iraqi forces from Kuwait.

U.N. Resolution 687

1991 cease-fire requiring Iraq to recognize Kuwait and dismantle weapons of mass destruction programs.

START I (1991) and START II (1993)

U.S.–Soviet/Russian treaties that dramatically reduced strategic nuclear arsenals.

Boris Yeltsin and the dissolution of the USSR

Russian president who led resistance to the August 1991 coup and oversaw the formal breakup of the Soviet Union in December 1991.