apush unit 9

Ronald Reagan

The 40th president of the United States (1981–1989), known for his conservative policies, economic reforms (Reaganomics), and efforts to end the Cold War. Reagan emphasized tax cuts, a strong military, and deregulation.

Supply-side Economics (“Reaganomics”)

An economic theory and set of policies championed by Ronald Reagan, which argued that lower taxes, particularly for businesses and wealthy individuals, would stimulate investment and economic growth, ultimately benefiting all income levels (trickle-down economics).

“Trickle Down” Economics

A phrase used to describe supply-side economic policies, suggesting that benefits to the wealthy and businesses, such as tax cuts and deregulation, would eventually “trickle down” to the broader population in the form of jobs and higher wages.

Economic Recovery Tax Act

A 1981 law that implemented significant tax cuts, especially for businesses and wealthy individuals, in an effort to stimulate economic growth. It was a key part of Reagan's supply-side economic agenda.

Deregulation

The reduction or elimination of government regulations on businesses. Under Reagan, there was a concerted effort to reduce government oversight in industries such as banking, transportation, and telecommunications.

PATCO

The Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization, whose members went on strike in 1981. President Reagan fired over 11,000 striking air traffic controllers, a move that demonstrated his commitment to reducing union power and enforcing strict labor laws.

Sandra Day O’Connor

The first woman appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court, nominated by Ronald Reagan in 1981. O'Connor was a key swing vote in many important decisions during her tenure.

William Rehnquist

The 16th Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, appointed by President Richard Nixon in 1972 and later elevated to Chief Justice by Reagan in 1986. Rehnquist was known for his conservative rulings and his role in shaping the Court’s direction.

George H. W. Bush

The 41st president of the United States (1989–1993), who served as Reagan's vice president. Bush focused on foreign policy, including the end of the Cold War and the Gulf War, and also presided over a period of economic downturn.

“No New Taxes”

A campaign promise made by George H. W. Bush during the 1988 election, which he later broke during his presidency when he signed a budget agreement that included tax increases in an effort to reduce the federal deficit.

Clarence Thomas

Appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court by George H. W. Bush in 1991, Thomas is known for his conservative views and has been a strong advocate for originalism in interpreting the Constitution.

Americans with Disabilities Act

A landmark 1990 law signed by George H. W. Bush that prohibits discrimination based on disability, mandating accessibility improvements in public facilities and requiring employers to accommodate workers with disabilities.

Political Polarization

The increasing ideological division between the political parties, especially in recent decades. Under Reagan, and later under the influence of both conservative and liberal movements, political polarization became a defining feature of American politics.

Brady Bill

A law passed in 1993 that imposed background checks on gun purchasers and created a waiting period for handgun purchases, named after James Brady, who was shot during the assassination attempt on President Ronald Reagan.

National Rifle Association (NRA)

A powerful interest group that advocates for gun rights and against gun control measures. The NRA became more politically active in the 1980s and 1990s, playing a significant role in shaping conservative policies on gun ownership.

District of Columbia v. Heller

A 2008 Supreme Court case that ruled the Second Amendment protects an individual's right to possess firearms, specifically striking down a Washington, D.C. handgun ban. The case was a significant victory for gun rights advocates.

LGBT Rights

The movement for the civil rights and equality of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals, seeking equal treatment under the law, including in areas such as marriage, employment, and military service.

“Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”

A policy enacted in 1993 during the Clinton administration that prohibited openly gay and lesbian individuals from serving in the U.S. military, while also barring military personnel from asking about or disclosing sexual orientation.

Black Lives Matter

A social movement that emerged in 2013 in response to incidents of police brutality and systemic racism. It advocates for the rights and safety of Black individuals and seeks to address inequalities in law enforcement and society.

MeToo

A movement that gained momentum in 2017, highlighting the prevalence of sexual harassment and assault, particularly in the workplace. It empowered individuals, especially women, to speak out against harassment and demand accountability.

Obergefell v. Hodges

A 2015 Supreme Court decision that legalized same-sex marriage nationwide, ruling that the Constitution guarantees the right to marry for same-sex couples, a landmark victory for LGBT rights.

Mikhail Gorbachev

The last leader of the Soviet Union (1985–1991), Gorbachev introduced reforms like glasnost (openness) and perestroika (restructuring) that contributed to the end of the Cold War. His leadership was crucial in reducing tensions between the U.S. and the USSR.

“Evil Empire”

A term used by President Ronald Reagan in 1983 to describe the Soviet Union. Reagan used this phrase to emphasize the moral and ideological opposition the U.S. had toward the USSR during the Cold War.

Satellites

Refers to the countries in Eastern Europe that were under Soviet influence or control during the Cold War. These included nations like Poland, Czechoslovakia, and Hungary, which were part of the Warsaw Pact.

Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI)

A proposed missile defense system announced by President Reagan in 1983. The initiative, often referred to as "Star Wars," aimed to protect the U.S. from nuclear missile attacks through a space-based defense system, but was never fully realized.

“Star Wars”

A nickname for the Strategic Defense Initiative, referring to the space-based defense technology that President Reagan envisioned, which would use lasers and other technology to intercept missiles.

Nicaragua

A country in Central America where the U.S. was involved in the 1980s, particularly through support for the Contras, a rebel group fighting the Sandinista government. The Reagan administration sought to prevent the spread of communism in the region.

Sandinistas

A left-wing political group in Nicaragua that came to power in 1979 after overthrowing the Somoza dictatorship. The Sandinistas were allied with the Soviet Union, which led to U.S. opposition.

Contras

A rebel group in Nicaragua that opposed the Sandinista government. The Reagan administration provided covert support to the Contras, which later became the center of the Iran-Contra affair.

Boland Amendment

A series of U.S. congressional amendments in the 1980s that restricted U.S. government assistance to the Contras in Nicaragua, aiming to limit American involvement in the Nicaraguan civil war.

Grenada

An island in the Caribbean where the U.S. invaded in 1983 to overthrow a Marxist government and protect American citizens. The invasion was part of Reagan's broader efforts to combat communism in the Western Hemisphere.

Iran-Contra Affair

A political scandal in the U.S. during the Reagan administration in which senior officials secretly facilitated the sale of arms to Iran, a country under arms embargo, in exchange for funds to support the Contras in Nicaragua, violating U.S. laws.

Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO)

A political and military organization representing the Palestinian people, led by Yasser Arafat. The PLO sought the establishment of an independent Palestinian state and was involved in negotiations with Israel.

Yasser Arafat

The leader of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and later the president of the Palestinian Authority. He was a key figure in the Palestinian national movement and in the Middle East peace process.

Glasnost

A policy introduced by Mikhail Gorbachev in the 1980s that called for greater openness, transparency, and freedom of speech in the Soviet Union, leading to more public discussion and the loosening of state control over the media.

Perestroika

A policy of economic restructuring introduced by Gorbachev in the mid-1980s, aimed at modernizing the Soviet economy by introducing some market reforms and reducing central control.

INF Agreement

The Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, signed in 1987 by President Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev. It eliminated an entire class of nuclear weapons and marked a significant step in de-escalating the arms race.

End of the Cold War

The process of diplomatic and political changes that led to the end of the Cold War, particularly during the late 1980s and early 1990s, as tensions between the U.S. and Soviet Union diminished, culminating in the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991.

Tiananmen Square

A large public square in Beijing, China, known for the pro-democracy protests in 1989. The Chinese government responded with a violent crackdown, leading to the deaths of hundreds or possibly thousands of protesters.

Poland

A country in Eastern Europe that played a key role in the end of the Cold War. The Solidarity movement, led by Lech Walesa, challenged the communist government and helped pave the way for democratic reforms.

Lech Walesa

A leader of the Solidarity movement in Poland and later the president of Poland. Walesa played a crucial role in the collapse of communism in Eastern Europe.

Berlin Wall

A barrier that physically and ideologically divided East and West Berlin from 1961 to 1989. The fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 symbolized the end of communist control in Eastern Europe and the end of the Cold War.

Boris Yeltsin

The first president of the Russian Federation (1991–1999), Yeltsin played a pivotal role in the collapse of the Soviet Union and the transition of Russia to a market economy.

Russian Republic

The largest constituent republic of the Soviet Union, which declared independence in 1991, leading to the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the formation of the Russian Federation.

Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS)

A regional organization formed in 1991 by former Soviet republics after the dissolution of the Soviet Union. It was intended to foster cooperation among the newly independent states.

START I

The Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, signed in 1991 between the U.S. and the Soviet Union. It aimed to reduce the number of nuclear weapons held by both countries and was a major milestone in arms control.

START II

The follow-up to START I, signed in 1993, aimed to further reduce the number of nuclear weapons held by the U.S. and Russia, though it was never fully implemented.

European Union (EU)

A political and economic union of European countries established in the 1990s, aimed at fostering economic cooperation, political integration, and promoting peace in Europe.

Euro

The common currency used by most European Union countries, introduced in 1999 to facilitate economic integration and reduce currency risk within the EU.

Vladimir Putin

The president of Russia (initially 1999–2008, and then since 2012), Putin has been a dominant figure in Russian politics, overseeing significant centralization of power and asserting Russia's influence on the global stage.

Bosnia

A country in the Balkans, where ethnic conflict and violence, particularly the Bosnian War (1992–1995), prompted international intervention, including NATO peacekeeping forces and the Dayton Agreement.