AP US History Unit 1: Rise of the Silent Majority Flashcards

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering key terms, historical figures, legislation, and political movements from the AP US History Unit 1: Rise of the Silent Majority.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

A civil rights law passed in 1990 that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including jobs, schools, and transportation.

Barry Goldwater

The unsuccessful 1964 Republican presidential candidate who called for dismantling the New Deal and escalating the war in Vietnam; often cited as the grandfather of the 1980s conservative movement.

Bill Clinton

U.S. President (1993-2001) who adopted a centrist approach; his tenure included NAFTA, welfare reform, a balanced budget, and becoming the second president to be impeached.

Camp David Accords (1979)

A peace agreement between Israel and Egypt brokered by President Carter, where Israel returned seized land and Egypt recognized Israel as a nation.

Civil Rights Act of 1964

Legislation proposed by JFK and signed by LBJ that desegregated public accommodations and increased federal power to prevent job discrimination.

Contract with America

A document drafted by Newt Gingrich promising ten items, such as term limits and tax cuts, if Republicans won control of Congress.

Crisis of Confidence (Malaise) Speech

A 1979 televised address by President Carter complaining of a weak national spirit, which made many Americans feel their president had given up.

Deregulation

The process of cutting back federal regulation of industry, notably practiced by Reagan in the 1980s regarding oil prices, airlines, and nursing homes.

Earl Warren

The controversial Chief Justice (1953–1969) who led the Supreme Court in far-reaching rulings on racial desegregation and the rights of the accused.

George H.W. Bush

U.S. President (1989-1993) known for the phrase "Read my lips: no new taxes," the Persian Gulf War, and losing re-election during an economic recession.

George McGovern

The 1972 Democratic presidential candidate who advocated for immediate withdrawal from Vietnam and a guaranteed income for the poor.

George W. Bush

U.S. President (2001-2009) whose leadership was defined by "compassionate conservatism" and the "War on Terror" following the September 11 attacks.

George Wallace

Alabama governor and third-party presidential candidate (1968, 1972) who ran on a platform of segregation and law-and-order.

Gerald Ford

President (1974–1977) who was appointed vice president under the 25th Amendment and assumed the presidency after Richard Nixon's resignation.

Geraldine Ferraro

A House Representative from New York who, in 1984, became the first woman on a major political party’s presidential ticket as Walter Mondale's running mate.

Great Society

Lyndon Johnson's program to combat poverty and racial injustice, which included Medicare, Medicaid, and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Henry Kissinger

The advisor to Nixon and Ford who served as the architect for the diplomatic opening to China and détente with the Soviet Union.

Immigration and Naturalization Act of 1965

A law that ended nationality-based quotas, opening the door for many non-European immigrants to settle in the United States.

Iran Hostage Crisis (1979–1981)

An incident where Iranian radicals seized 52 Americans from the U.S. embassy and held them for 444 days.

Iran–Contra Affair (1986–1987)

A scandal involving the illegal sale of weapons to Iran by the Reagan administration to fund anti-Communist "Contras" in Nicaragua.

Jimmy Carter

President (1977–1981) whose term was marked by the Camp David Accords and the Iran Hostage Crisis.

Lyndon Johnson

President (1963–1969) who escalated troop levels in Vietnam to $540,000$ by 1968 and declined to seek re-election after the Tet Offensive.

New Left

Political radicals of the 1960s who supported civil rights and opposed American foreign policy, specifically the Vietnam War.

No Child Left Behind

An education reform plan requiring state accountability for student success, mandatory achievement testing, and more school options.

Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA)

A 1990 law providing for the protection and return of Native American human remains, funerary objects, and sacred items.

North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)

A trade treaty between Mexico, the United States, and Canada championed by President Clinton and ratified by the Senate.

Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)

A cartel of oil-exporting nations that used oil boycotts as a weapon against U.S. Middle East policy during the 1970s.

Persian Gulf War (Operation Desert Storm)

A successful U.S.-led international coalition campaign to liberate Kuwait from Iraqi control.

Richard Nixon

President (1969–1974) who opened relations with China and improved ties with the USSR, but resigned due to the Watergate scandal.

Roe v. Wade (1973)

A landmark Supreme Court ruling that protected a woman's right to first-trimester abortions under the right to privacy.

Ronald Reagan

President (1981–1989) who led a conservative movement focusing on supply-side economics and a firm stance against the Soviet Union.

Sandra Day O’Connor

The first woman to serve on the United States Supreme Court, appointed by President Ronald Reagan.

September 11, 2001

A coordinated terrorist attack by al Qaeda using hijacked planes to strike the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.

Silent Majority

Nixon's term for middle-class Americans who supported his policies and "peace with honor" in Vietnam over radical protesters.

Stagflation

The 1970s economic condition of rising prices (inflation) combined with stagnant economic growth and rising unemployment.

Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI)

A proposed defense system, popularly called "Star Wars," designed to protect the U.S. against missile attacks.

Sunbelt

The South and Southwest regions of the U.S. that have seen significant population growth since the late 1970s due to their warm climate.

Supply-side economics (Reaganomics)

Economic policies centered on budget cuts and tax cuts intended to increase private investment, jobs, and government revenue.

Thurgood Marshall

The NAACP attorney who led the Brown v. Board of Education case and later became the first Black justice on the Supreme Court.

Voting Rights Act of 1965

A law that outlawed literacy tests and expanded federal authority to investigate voter irregularities and protect voter registration.

War on Terror

A label for post-9/11 antiterrorism efforts, including the Patriot Act, the creation of the DHS, and the military campaign in Afghanistan.

Warren Burger

The Chief Justice (1969–1986) whose court upheld school busing and abortion rights and ordered Nixon to release the Watergate tapes.

Watergate scandal

A series of events involving illegal phone taps and an investigation obstruction that ultimately led to Richard Nixon's resignation.

agenda

An underlying (often ideological) plan or program.

bureaucracy

A body of non-elected government officials involved in the administration of policy.

coalition

Groups allied for a common purpose.

constituency

The group of people being represented by an official.

deficit

A shortage; specifically, the excess of government spending over revenue.

demographic

Characteristics relating to a specific population.

discrimination

To show partiality in treatment.

entitlement

The belief that one is deserving of certain privileges.

fiscal

Relating to public revenue or public debt.

ideology

A set of beliefs.

inflation

A general increase in prices.

marginalized

Lacking power within a society.

polarization

A division into two extremes of groups or interests.

proliferation

An increase in the number of something.

radical

One who wants immediate and extreme change.

reactionary

One who wants to return to an idealized past.

socioeconomic

Relating to class, wealth, and status.

surplus

The amount that remains when use or need is satisfied.