Presidential History: Nixon to Obama

Silent Majority

Nixon called supporters '_________' to refer to the majority of Americans who did not publicly express their opinions.

Vietnamization

Nixon's strategy to reduce American involvement in the Vietnam War by transferring combat responsibilities to South Vietnamese forces.

New Federalism

Nixon's policy aimed at limiting federal government power and increasing state control through block grants.

Family Assistance Plan (FAP)

A program supported by Nixon to provide financial assistance to families in need.

OSHA

Occupational Safety and Health Administration, established by Nixon to ensure safe working conditions.

Voting Rights Act of 1965

A landmark piece of federal legislation signed by Nixon to protect voting rights for all citizens.

Affirmative Action

An executive order signed by Nixon to promote equal opportunity in employment and education.

Realpolitik

A foreign policy approach emphasizing practical American interests over moral or political ideals.

détente

A period of relaxed tensions between the U.S. and the Soviet Union during Nixon's presidency.

Stagflation

An economic condition in the 1970s characterized by rising prices and stagnant economic growth.

OPEC

Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, which imposed an oil embargo on the U.S. during the Yom Kippur War.

Watergate Scandal

A political scandal involving a break-in at the Democratic National Committee's offices and subsequent cover-up by Nixon.

Saturday Night Massacre

The firing of special investigator Archibald Cox by Nixon, leading to public outcry and further investigations.

United States v. Nixon

A Supreme Court case that resulted in Nixon being ordered to release tapes related to the Watergate scandal.

Gerald Ford

Vice President who became president after Nixon's resignation and granted Nixon a pardon.

Whip Inflation Now (WIN)

A Ford initiative aimed at combating inflation, which ultimately proved unpopular.

Misery Index

An economic measure that combines the unemployment rate and inflation rate.

Jimmy Carter

Democratic nominee who defeated Gerald Ford in the close 1976 presidential election.

Department of Education

A cabinet department created by Congress under Carter to oversee education policy.

Department of Energy

A cabinet department created by Carter to address the energy crisis and promote nuclear energy.

Three Mile Island

Site of a nuclear accident that halted the construction of new reactors until the mid-1980s.

Human Rights

Carter's focus on reducing U.S. aid to countries with human rights violations.

Panama Canal Treaties

Treaties signed by Carter in 1977 to transfer control of the Panama Canal to Panama by the year 2000.

SALT II

Strategic Arms Limitation Talks agreement that Carter withdrew from after the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.

1980 Summer Olympics Boycott

A U.S. boycott of the Olympics in Moscow in response to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.

Camp David Accords

In 1978, Egypt and Israel reach a peace agreement.

Iran Hostage Crisis

On November 4, 1979, a group of Iranian students attacked the U.S. embassy in Tehran, taking 66 Americans hostage, demanding the return of the shah.

Silent Spring

A biologist Rachel Carson's book that raised awareness about environmental issues.

Earth Day

First celebrated on April 22, 1970.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Established in 1970 to enforce environmental legislation.

Clean Air Act

Legislation aimed at controlling air pollution.

Clean Water Act

Legislation aimed at regulating water pollution.

Endangered Species Act

Legislation aimed at protecting threatened and endangered species.

Love Canal

A site in New York associated with chemical exposure and environmental disaster.

Three Mile Island

A nuclear reactor that overheated, leading to a significant incident in nuclear safety.

Sagebrush Rebellion

A movement supported by business and landowners advocating for western lands and property rights.

Reagan's Foreign Policy

Included actions such as the Grenada intervention and support for Contras in Nicaragua.

Iran-Contra Affair

A political scandal involving weapon sales to Iran to finance Contra forces in Nicaragua.

Mikhail Gorbachev

Became the leader of the Soviet Union in 1985, known for policies of Glasnost and Perestroika.

Tiananmen Square

Site of protests in China advocating for democratic reforms.

Supply-Side Economics

Economic theory that advocates for tax cuts and reduced spending on social programs.

Strategic Defense Initiative

A proposed missile defense system, referred to as 'Star Wars'.

HIV/AIDS Public Health Policies

Policies addressing the public health crisis of HIV/AIDS.

A Nation at Risk

A 1983 report highlighting the crisis in public education.

Patco Strike

A strike by the Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization where striking workers were fired.

Nancy Reagan's 'Say No to Drugs'

A campaign promoting drug abstinence.

1989 Savings and Loan Deregulation

Led to the collapse of the Savings and Loan industry.

Operation Desert Storm

Iraq war was a success for U.S.

Hussein

Remained in power after Operation Desert Storm.

Panama

Capture of Manuel Noriega.

New World Order

Rule of law, multinational cooperation, collective security through the United Nations.

Supreme Court nominations

Clarence Thomas and David Souter.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

Landmark legislation enacted in 1990.

Revisions to Clean Air Act

Changes made to improve air quality standards.

Plan for Deficit Reduction

Involves tax increase and budget cuts.

North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)

Trade agreement aimed at reducing trade barriers between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.

World Trade Organization

International organization that regulates trade between nations.

Oklahoma City bombing

A domestic terrorist attack that killed 168 people in 1995.

September 11, 2001

Terrorist attacks that significantly impacted U.S. foreign and domestic policy.

Patriot Act

Legislation aimed at enhancing national security following the September 11 attacks.

Bill Clinton's presidency

Characterized by economic focus and personal scandals.

1992 Election

Clinton won against Bush and Perot, focusing on the economy.

Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act

Legislation passed under Clinton to regulate handgun sales.

1996 election

Clinton won a second term by defeating Senator Bob Dole.

Impeachment of Clinton

House voted to impeach Clinton in 1998, but he was acquitted by the Senate.

1993 World Trade Center bombing

A terrorist attack that marked the rise of terrorism in the U.S.

2000 presidential election

Controversial election where Bush won despite losing the popular vote.

Bush v. Gore

Supreme Court case that decided the 2000 election outcome.

Florida's electoral votes

Decisive in the 2000 presidential election, leading to a recount.

Contract with America

Promised lower taxes and smaller government by Newt Gingrich.

Election

Caused lasting bitterness between political parties.

Colin Powell

Appointed as first African American Secretary of State.

$1.35 trillion tax-cut plan

Signed by the president.

No Child Left Behind

Created national educational standards and increased school funding.

September 11, 2001

Two planes crashed into and destroyed the World Trade Center, and one plane crashed into the Pentagon.

World Trade Center

An important business center in New York City destroyed on September 11, 2001.

Pentagon

Headquarters of the Department of Defense located just outside Washington, D.C.

al Qaeda

The group of hijackers led by Osama bin Laden.

Osama bin Laden

Wealthy Saudi Arabian exile and leader of al Qaeda.

Taliban

Group based in Afghanistan that refused to turn over bin Laden.

Air strikes in Afghanistan

Began in October 2001 as part of the fight against terrorism.

USA PATRIOT Act

Legislation passed to enhance law enforcement's ability to prevent terrorism.

Transportation Security Administration (TSA)

Agency created to oversee security in transportation systems.

Department of Homeland Security

Established to coordinate national efforts to secure the country.

Saddam Hussein

Captured after the collapse of his government in December 2003.

War in Iraq

Caused fierce debate at home regarding U.S. involvement.

2004 Election

Bush won with 286 electoral votes to Kerry's 251.

Great Recession

2007-2008 financial crisis caused by government failure to regulate financial institutions.

Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP)

$475 billion funding to support the banking industry.

2008 Election

Democratic nominee Barack Obama became the nation's first African American President.

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act

Further economic stimulus following the Great Recession.

Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act

Regulated financial institutions shaken by the 2008 economic crisis.

Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Obamacare)

Federal mandate and funding for insurance with protections for pre-existing conditions.

Oklahoma City bombing

An example of domestic terrorism affecting the American people.

Bill Clinton's presidency

Significant political era leading into the 21st century.

New Taxes Pledge

Democratic candidate: Arkansas governor Bill Clinton told voters he would focus on improving the struggling U.S. economy.

Clinton and Congress

Under President Clinton's administration, Congress passed a budget to reduce the deficit by cutting spending and raising taxes.

North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)

Treaty work began under Bush.

Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act

Passed during Clinton's administration.

1994 congressional elections

Republicans won a majority in Congress for the first time since 1952.