us history

Stagflation

A combination of stagnant economic growth, high unemployment, and high inflation that plagued the U.S. economy during the 1970s, especially under Presidents Nixon, Ford, and Carter. It challenged traditional economic policies.

Watergate

A major political scandal where members of President Richard Nixon’s re-election campaign were caught breaking into the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate complex. The subsequent cover-up led to Nixon’s resignation in 1974.

“Smoking Gun” Tape

A recording from June 23, 1972, that revealed Nixon ordering the CIA to obstruct the FBI’s Watergate investigation. It provided undeniable proof of his involvement in the cover-up and forced his resignation.

Equal Rights Amendment

A proposed constitutional amendment passed by Congress in 1972 that sought to guarantee equal legal rights for all Americans regardless of sex. It failed to gain enough state ratifications, largely due to conservative opposition led by Phyllis Schlafly.

Roe v. Wade

A landmark Supreme Court case that legalized abortion nationwide, ruling that a woman’s right to privacy under the 14th Amendment extended to her decision to have an abortion.

New Right

A conservative political movement that rose in the 1970s and 1980s, emphasizing traditional family values, opposition to abortion, and free-market economics. It played a key role in electing Ronald Reagan in 1980.

Malaise Speech

A 1979 televised address by President Jimmy Carter in which he criticized the American public for a “crisis of confidence.” It was meant to inspire unity but was widely seen as blaming Americans for national problems.

SALT II

A 1979 agreement between the U.S. and the Soviet Union (Carter and Brezhnev) to limit nuclear weapons. Although signed, it was never ratified by the U.S. Senate after the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.

Iranian Hostage Crisis

When Iranian revolutionaries seized the U.S. embassy in Tehran, taking 52 American hostages for 444 days. It severely weakened Carter’s presidency and ended just as Ronald Reagan took office.

Gerald “Jerry” Ford

The 38th President of the U.S., who became president after Nixon’s resignation. He is best known for pardoning Nixon and attempting to restore trust in government during economic troubles.

Phyllis Schlafly

A conservative activist who led the campaign against the Equal Rights Amendment, arguing it would harm traditional family roles. She became a prominent voice of the New Right movement.

James Earl “Jimmy” Carter Jr.

The 39th President of the U.S., a Democrat known for emphasizing human rights in foreign policy. His presidency faced economic issues (stagflation) and the Iranian Hostage Crisis.

Milton Friedman

A conservative economist who promoted free-market capitalism and opposed government intervention. His ideas strongly influenced the New Right and Reaganomics in the 1980s.

Leonid Brezhnev

The leader of the Soviet Union (1964–1982) during the détente period with the U.S. He signed SALT I and SALT II agreements with American presidents but oversaw the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, worsening U.S.–Soviet relations.

Robin Morgan

A radical feminist activist, who played a major role in the Women’s Liberation Movement. She helped organize the 1968 protest of the Miss America pageant, edited influential feminist works like Sisterhood Is Powerful, and fought for women’s equality and reproductive rights.