USA In The 1970s-2000s

Feminism

A movement advocating for women's rights on the grounds of political, social, and economic equality to men.

Betty Friedan

Author of The Feminine Mystique (1963); helped spark the second wave of feminism and co-founded the National Organization for Women (NOW).

NOW (National Organization for Women)

Founded in 1966, NOW is a feminist organization that advocates for women's rights, including workplace equality, reproductive rights, and ending gender discrimination.

Roe v. Wade (1973)

A landmark Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion nationwide, ruling that women have a constitutional right to privacy which includes the right to choose an abortion.

Title IX (1972)

A federal law that prohibits sex-based discrimination in any education program or activity receiving federal financial aid.

Gloria Steinem

A leading feminist, journalist, and activist in the women's liberation movement; co-founder of Ms. Magazine and a major public figure in advocating gender equality.

Gerald Ford

38th President of the U.S. (1974–1977) known for pardoning Nixon and trying to stabilize the country post-Watergate.

SALT I & II

Two rounds of talks between the U.S. and the Soviet Union aimed at controlling and reducing nuclear arms during the Cold War.

Jimmy Carter

39th President of the U.S. (1977–1981), known for his focus on human rights, the Camp David Accords, and the Iran Hostage Crisis.

Camp David Accords

The Camp David Accords were a 1978 peace agreement between Egypt and Israel, led by U.S. President Jimmy Carter, where Egypt agreed to recognize Israel, and Israel agreed to give back the Sinai Peninsula to Egypt. It was the first peace deal between Israel and an Arab country.

Gas Crisis (1973 & 1979)

Two major oil shortages due to OPEC embargoes, leading to long gas lines and increased interest in energy conservation.

Three Mile Island (1979)

The site of the most serious nuclear accident in U.S. history, leading to widespread fear and a decline in new nuclear plant construction.

Iran Hostage Crisis (1979–1981)

Fifty-two American diplomats and citizens were held hostage by Iranian revolutionaries for 444 days after the U.S. embassy in Tehran was seized.

Ayatollah Khomeini

Leader of the 1979 Iranian Revolution; opposed Western influence in Iran.

Operation Eagle Claw (1980)

A failed U.S. military mission ordered by President Carter to rescue the hostages in Iran.

Operation Argo

A successful CIA operation to rescue six American diplomats hiding in Tehran during the Iran Hostage Crisis.

Ronald Reagan

40th President of the U.S. (1981–1989), known for tax cuts, deregulation, and a massive military buildup.

Central Park Five

Five Black and Latino teens wrongfully convicted in 1989 of assaulting a jogger in NYC’s Central Park, later exonerated by DNA evidence.

Bernie Goetz

NYC man who shot four Black teens on a subway in 1984, claiming self-defense.

Economic Recovery Act (1981)

A major Reagan-era law that reduced income tax rates to stimulate economic growth.

Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI)

Reagan’s proposed missile defense system using satellites to intercept Soviet missiles.

Geneva Summit (1985)

A Cold War meeting between Reagan and Soviet leader Gorbachev to discuss arms control.

INF Treaty (1987)

Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty; signed by Reagan and Gorbachev, it eliminated an entire class of nuclear missiles.

Sandra Day O’Connor

First woman to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court, appointed by Reagan in 1981.

Iran-Contra Affair

Scandal in which Reagan administration officials secretly sold arms to Iran and used the profits to fund Contra rebels in Nicaragua.

Iran–Iraq War (1980–1988)

Brutal conflict where the U.S. supported Iraq under Saddam Hussein.

Soviet-Afghan War (1979–1989)

The Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan; the U.S. supported Afghan rebels.

Grenada (1983)

A U.S. invasion ordered by Reagan to topple a Marxist government in Grenada.

War on Drugs

Government campaign launched in the 1980s to combat illegal drug use and trafficking.

Pablo Escobar

Colombian drug lord and leader of the Medellín Cartel, a powerful drug trafficker.

Manuel Noriega

Military dictator of Panama, removed during Operation Just Cause (1989).

George H.W. Bush

41st President of the U.S. (1989–1993), led the Gulf War and saw the end of the Cold War.

Michael Dukakis

Democratic governor of Massachusetts and 1988 presidential candidate who lost to George H.W. Bush.

Operation Just Cause (1989)

U.S. invasion of Panama ordered to remove Manuel Noriega.

Operation Desert Shield/Storm (1990–1991)

U.S.-led operations to defend Saudi Arabia and liberate Kuwait during the Gulf War.

Saddam Hussein

Iraqi dictator who led Iraq during the Iran-Iraq War and was later ousted by the U.S.

LA Riots (1992)

Major riots triggered by the acquittal of four police officers who were videotaped beating Rodney King.

Bill Clinton

42nd President of the U.S. (1993–2001); known for economic growth and welfare reform.

Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell (1993)

Clinton-era policy that allowed LGBTQ+ individuals to serve in the military without disclosing their sexual orientation.

Health Care Reform of the 1990s

An effort led by First Lady Hillary Clinton to create a universal health care system.

Janet Reno

First woman to serve as U.S. Attorney General (1993–2001), appointed by President Clinton.

Madeleine Albright

First woman to serve as U.S. Secretary of State (1997–2001) under President Clinton.

Monica Lewinsky Scandal

Political scandal involving Bill Clinton which led to his impeachment.

Battle of Mogadishu (1993)

A failed U.S. military raid in Somalia to capture warlord Mohamed Farrah Aidid.

George W. Bush

43rd President of the U.S. (2001–2009) known for leadership after the 9/11 attacks.

9/11 Attacks (September 11, 2001)

Coordinated terrorist attacks by al-Qaeda resulting in nearly 3,000 deaths.

U.S.–Afghan War (2001–2021)

America's response to 9/11, leading to the invasion of Afghanistan.

Iraq War (2003–2011)

U.S. invasion of Iraq based on claims of WMDs and links to terrorism.

How did Ronald Reagan’s revolution change the landscape of how the U.S. saw itself, its military, and its global role?

Ronald Reagan’s revolution reshaped how the United States saw itself by promoting patriotism, conservative values, and free-market capitalism. He reduced the role of government in domestic affairs, cutting taxes and regulations while emphasizing individual responsibility. Reagan restored public confidence in the military through increased defense spending and a renewed sense of national pride after the Vietnam War. His Strategic Defense Initiative and other military programs symbolized a bold new vision of American strength. On the global stage, Reagan adopted a tough stance against the Soviet Union, supporting anti-communist movements and labeling the USSR an “evil empire.” This assertive foreign policy helped position the U.S. as the world’s leading superpower and played a key role in ending the Cold War.

How did the Gulf War aid in the viewpoint of the U.S. as a world leader?

The Gulf War (1990–1991) showed that the U.S. could lead a broad international coalition and win a swift, high-tech military victory. It restored American military pride post-Vietnam and solidified the U.S. role as the world’s leading superpower, willing and able to defend global order and international law. The war demonstrated the effectiveness of precision-guided weapons, satellite coordination, and real-time media coverage, showcasing a new era of warfare. President George H. W. Bush’s careful diplomacy helped unite allies across Europe, the Middle East, and even the former Soviet bloc, reinforcing the U.S. as a unifying global force. The overwhelming success of Operation Desert Storm boosted national confidence and reasserted American dominance in international affairs. It also set a precedent for future U.S. military interventions under the banner of multilateralism and humanitarian or strategic defense.

How did the scandals of the Clinton administration hurt the legacy of the president?

The Monica Lewinsky scandal led to President Clinton’s impeachment for perjury and obstruction of justice. Though he was acquitted by the Senate and remained in office, the scandal damaged his personal reputation, overshadowed some of his policy achievements, and contributed to public cynicism about politics. His presidency became defined in part by personal misconduct rather than just his political record. The scandal dominated media coverage and deepened partisan divisions, fueling a culture of political scandal that persists today. It also strained Clinton’s relationships with both Congress and the public, limiting his ability to push through major initiatives in his final years. Despite a strong economy and notable legislative successes, the legacy of his administration remains closely tied to the controversy and impeachment proceedings.

How did 9/11 change the American point of view of the world?

The 9/11 attacks shattered the sense of U.S. invulnerability and shifted the public view toward heightened fear of terrorism and global threats. It led to increased nationalism, stricter security measures, and a foreign policy focused on preemptive action (e.g., wars in Afghanistan and Iraq). Americans became more alert to global instability and suspicious of international actors. The attacks also triggered the creation of the Department of Homeland Security and the implementation of the USA PATRIOT Act, expanding government surveillance powers. Public trust in safety was replaced by a constant sense of vulnerability, influencing everything from airport security to immigration policy. Overall, 9/11 redefined American identity around the themes of resilience, security, and a renewed commitment to combating terrorism at home and abroad.