US History Review

Flashcards for reviewing major events and concepts in recent US history.

Election of Ronald Reagan

Marked a significant shift in American politics from liberalism to a new kind of conservatism.

Ronald Reagan's campaign promises

Reduce taxes, cut government spending, increase military resources, and appoint conservative judges to the Supreme Court.

Supply-side economics (Reaganomics)

Economic growth will occur when taxes are decreased and business regulations are removed.

Conservative Supreme Court appointments by Reagan

Sandra Day O'Connor, Antonin Scalia, and Anthony Kennedy

Conservative wins in court during Reagan's presidency

Restricted the scope of affirmative action and made abortion more difficult.

How Ronald Reagan helped bring an end to the Cold War

Through speeches, diplomatic efforts, and military build up.

Iran Contra affair

Weapons were secretly sold to Iran in order to support them. The US then used profits from those sales to aid Nicaraguan countries who were fighting against the socialist government

Strategic Defense Initiative

Space lasers to destroy missiles coming in from the Soviet Union

START one

Agreement between the US and Russia where both reduced their nuclear warheads

US economic changes in the 1990s

Due to the advent of new technological innovations like the computer and the transition to a service based economy

Bill Clinton's presidency and the economy

America experienced its longest peacetime economic boom.

Technological Advancements

Digital communications like the Internet and technological advancements increased productivity.

Technological Innovations

Digital mobile technology like cell phones, and with it, the creation of social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter.

Transition of the American economy into a majority service-based economy.

Manufacturing work continued to be outsourced to other nations who would be able to do it cheaper

Post-1980 migration and immigration in the US

Migration and immigration affected US culture and economics significantly.

Immigration Reform Control Act of 1986

Created a fair process for immigrant entry into America.

September 11 and climate change

The events marked the beginning of the war on terror, and some Americans registered a growing concern over climate change.

9/11 attacks

New York and Washington DC by Al Qaeda

Afghanistan

Government in Afghanistan led by the Taliban

Patriot Acts of 2001 and 2003

Increased government permission to enact surveillance upon its citizens in phone calls, in emails.

Highlight of America's dependence on fossil fuels

Iraq's invasion of Kuwait in 1990

Climate change movement

Bill Clinton's vice president, Al Gore