AP US History Unit 1: Rise of the Silent Majority

Vocabulary terms covering U.S. history and politics from the 1960s through the early 2000s, including key figures, legislation, and social studies terminology.

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 Vietnam War; he is considered the grandfather of the 1980s conservative movement.

Bill Clinton

The 42nd President (1993-2001) whose centrist approach included NAFTA, welfare reform, and a balanced budget; he was the second president in American history to be impeached.

Camp David Accords (1979)

An agreement brokered by President Carter between Israel and Egypt where Israel surrendered seized land and Egypt recognized Israel as a nation.

Civil Rights Act of 1964

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

Contract with America

A 1994 Republican document led by Newt Gingrich promising ten items including congressional term limits, tax cuts, and welfare reform if they won control of Congress.

Crisis of Confidence (Malaise) Speech

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

Deregulation

The policy of cutting back federal regulation of industry, practiced in the 1980s by Reagan regarding oil, airlines, and nursing home inspections.

Earl Warren

Chief Justice of the Supreme Court (1953–1969) who led far-reaching rulings on racial desegregation and the protection of rights for those accused of crimes.

George H.W. Bush

President from 1989-1993 known for the Persian Gulf War and the promise "Read my lips: no new taxes," which he eventually reversed.

George McGovern

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

George W. Bush

President from 2001-2009 whose "compassionate conservatism" gave way to a presidency defined by the "War on Terror" following the September 11 attacks.

George Wallace

Alabama governor and third-party candidate in 1968 and 1972 who ran on a platform of segregation and law-and-order.

Gerald Ford

President (1974–1977) who assumed office after Nixon's resignation without being elected as either president or vice president.

Geraldine Ferraro

The first woman on a major political party's presidential ticket, chosen as Walter Mondale's running mate in 1984.

Great Society

President Lyndon Johnson's social program including Medicare, Medicaid, and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 aimed at ending poverty and racial injustice.

Henry Kissinger

Advisor to Nixon and Ford who served as the architect of the Vietnam settlement, the 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)

A 444-day incident where Iranian radicals seized 52 Americans from the U.S. embassy to demand the return of the deposed Shah.

Iran–Contra Affair (1986–1987)

A scandal where the Reagan administration sold weapons to Iran to fund anti-Communist Contras in Nicaragua despite a Congressional prohibition.

Jimmy Carter

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

Lyndon Johnson

President from 1963–1969 whose presidency was defined by Great Society reforms and the escalation of the Vietnam War.

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 objects.

New Left

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

No Child Left Behind

An education reform plan requiring mandatory achievement testing and state accountability for student success.

North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)

A trade treaty between Mexico, the United States, and Canada ratified under the Clinton administration.

Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)

A cartel of oil-exporting nations that used oil boycotts as a weapon, roiling the U.S. economy during the 1970s.

Persian Gulf War (Operation Desert Storm)

A successful military campaign by an international coalition to liberate Kuwait from Iraqi control under Saddam Hussein.

Richard Nixon

President from 1969–1974 who improved relations with China and the Soviet Union 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 based on a right to privacy.

Ronald Reagan

President (1981–1989) who led a conservative movement focusing on federal government reduction and victory in the Cold War.

Sandra Day O’Connor

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

September 11, 2001

Coordinated terrorist attacks by al Qaeda where highjacked planes struck the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and crashed in Pennsylvania.

Silent Majority

Nixon's term for middle-class Americans who supported his policies and law-and-order, in contrast to civil rights activists and protesters.

Stagflation

The 1970s economic condition characterized by high inflation, high unemployment, and stagnant economic growth, largely due to rising oil prices.

Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI)

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

Sunbelt

The region of the South and Southwest that has seen a significant population boom since the late 1970s due to its warm climate.

Supply-side economics (Reaganomics)

Economic policies focusing on budget cuts and large tax cuts to increase private investment and eventually increase government revenue.

Thurgood Marshall

The NAACP attorney for Brown v. Board of Education who became the first Black justice on the U.S. Supreme Court.

Voting Rights Act of 1965

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

War on Terror

General label for post-9/11 efforts including the Department of Homeland Security and military campaigns in Afghanistan.

Warren Burger

Chief Justice (1969–1986) who, despite being conservative, upheld school busing, abortion rights, and the surrender of the Watergate tapes.

Watergate scandal

A scandal involving illegal phone taps and an investigation obstruction that led to Richard Nixon's resignation and the imprisonment of top aides.

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

Those being represented by a political official.

deficit

A shortage caused by an excess of spending over revenue.

demographic

Characteristics relating to a 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

The phenomenon of rising 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.