APUSH Period 9 Test Review

Reaganomics

Supply‑side economic policy that cut taxes for the wealthy and businesses, deregulated industries, reduced social spending, and massively increased defense spending.

Economic Recovery Tax Act (1981)

Major tax cut reducing income taxes across the board, especially for high‑income Americans.

Deregulation (Reagan)

Removal of federal rules on industries like banking, airlines, and energy to promote free‑market competition.

Moral Majority

Conservative Christian political group supporting Reagan and pushing for traditional values and opposition to abortion.

War on Drugs

Reagan‑era anti‑drug campaign expanding policing and mandatory minimum sentences, contributing to mass incarceration.

AIDS Crisis

Epidemic first reported in 1981; federal government criticized for slow response under Reagan.

Supply‑Side Economics

Theory that tax cuts for businesses and wealthy individuals stimulate investment and economic growth.

Budget Deficits (Reagan)

National debt tripled due to tax cuts and massive defense spending.

New Right Coalition

Conservative movement of evangelicals, suburban voters, and Southern whites supporting Reagan.

Reagan Doctrine

Foreign policy supporting anti‑communist groups worldwide to roll back communism.

Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI)

Proposed “Star Wars” missile defense system using satellites and lasers to intercept Soviet missiles.

Invasion of Grenada (1983)

U.S. invasion to stop a Marxist coup and protect American students; first major intervention since Vietnam.

Iran‑Contra Affair

Scandal involving illegal arms sales to Iran and secret funding of the Contras in Nicaragua.

INF Treaty (1987)

Arms‑control agreement eliminating intermediate‑range nuclear missiles; allowed on‑site inspections.

“Tear Down This Wall” Speech

Reagan’s 1987 demand for Gorbachev to remove the Berlin Wall, symbolizing pressure on the USSR.

Cold War Military Buildup

Reagan’s massive increase in defense spending to pressure the Soviet Union.

Reagan vs. FDR

FDR expanded government through the New Deal; Reagan reduced government through tax cuts, deregulation, and cuts to social programs.

Reagan vs. LBJ

LBJ expanded welfare and civil rights; Reagan cut welfare programs and promoted conservative social values.

Reagan vs. Nixon (Cold War)

Nixon pursued détente; Reagan escalated tensions with SDI and the Reagan Doctrine before negotiating the INF Treaty.

End of the Cold War

Collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 after reforms, economic decline, and failed coup against Gorbachev.

Fall of the Berlin Wall (1989)

Symbolic end of Cold War division between East and West Germany.

Gulf War / Operation Desert Storm

U.S.‑led coalition expelled Iraq from Kuwait after Saddam Hussein’s invasion.

Americans with Disabilities Act (1990)

Civil rights law banning discrimination against people with disabilities in employment, transportation, and public life.

Invasion of Panama (1989)

U.S. removed dictator Manuel Noriega for drug trafficking and restored democratic government.

“No New Taxes” Promise

Bush’s broken pledge that hurt his popularity and contributed to his 1992 defeat.

NAFTA

Trade agreement between U.S., Canada, and Mexico eliminating many tariffs and promoting free trade.

WTO (1995)

Global organization regulating international trade and settling disputes.

Don’t Ask Don’t Tell

Policy allowing closeted gay service members to serve but banning openly gay individuals.

Welfare Reform (1996)

Reduced federal welfare programs and required work for benefits.

Clinton Impeachment

Clinton impeached for perjury and obstruction of justice related to the Lewinsky scandal; acquitted by Senate.

1990s Economic Boom

Period of low unemployment, tech growth, and budget surpluses.

Oklahoma City Bombing (1995)

Domestic terrorist attack by Timothy McVeigh killing 168 people.

9/11 Attacks

Terrorist attacks by Al‑Qaeda using hijacked planes against the World Trade Center and Pentagon.

USA PATRIOT Act

Law expanding government surveillance powers to combat terrorism.

Department of Homeland Security

New cabinet department created to coordinate national security and anti‑terrorism efforts.

Operation Enduring Freedom

U.S. invasion of Afghanistan to destroy Al‑Qaeda and remove the Taliban.

Operation Iraqi Freedom

2003 invasion to remove Saddam Hussein and eliminate suspected WMDs.

Hurricane Katrina

2005 disaster that devastated New Orleans; federal response widely criticized.

Great Recession (2008)

Economic crisis caused by housing bubble collapse, subprime mortgages, and bank failures.

Bush Tax Cuts

Major tax cuts in 2001 and 2003 criticized for increasing the national debt.

Globalization

Increased worldwide economic interdependence driven by trade agreements, technology, and communication.

Rust Belt Decline

Loss of manufacturing jobs in the Midwest due to automation and globalization.

Sun Belt Migration

Population shift to the South and West for jobs, lower taxes, and warmer climate.

Immigration Reform and Control Act (1986)

Reagan law granting legal status to 2.7 million undocumented immigrants and increasing border enforcement.

DACA (2012)

Policy protecting children of undocumented immigrants from deportation.

Border Wall (Trump)

Expansion of physical barriers along the U.S.–Mexico border to reduce illegal immigration.

War on Terror

U.S. global campaign to eliminate terrorism after 9/11.

Axis of Evil

Bush’s label for Iran, Iraq, and North Korea as threats due to pursuit of WMDs.

Guantanamo Bay Detention

Facility used to detain terrorism suspects; criticized for human rights concerns.

Paris Climate Agreement (2015)

International treaty to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and address climate change.

Obergefell v. Hodges (2015)

Supreme Court ruling legalizing same‑sex marriage nationwide.

Affordable Care Act (2010)

Major healthcare reform expanding insurance coverage and banning denial for preexisting conditions.

Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill

2010 Gulf of Mexico disaster causing the largest marine oil spill in U.S. history.

Dodd‑Frank Act

Financial reform law addressing causes of the Great Recession and increasing regulation of banks.

Election of Ronald Reagan (1980)

Reagan defeated Jimmy Carter due to economic problems and conservative realignment.

Election of George H. W. Bush (1988)

Bush won by capitalizing on Reagan’s popularity and a strong economy.

Election of Bill Clinton (1992)

Clinton defeated Bush due to recession and Bush’s broken tax promise.

Election of George W. Bush (2000)

Bush won after Supreme Court halted Florida recount in Bush v. Gore.

Election of Barack Obama (2008)

Obama became first African American president, campaigning on “Change We Can Believe In.”