Exam study guide U.S. History 2026

1980s -> current day

What new policy did Mikhail Gorbachev pursue when he became leader of the Soviet Union in 1985?

Greater openness and political restructuring within the Soviet Union.

During the Iran–Contra affair, what did officials in the Reagan administration do that caused a major political scandal?

Secretly violated congressional limits on arms sales and funded rebels in Central America.

What did the federal government’s response to the AIDS crisis in the late 1980s suggest about policymaking in the United States?

public protest and organizing can pressure national leaders to change policy.

How did President Reagan respond to the AIDS crisis in his second term?

He created a national commission on the epidemic and approved federal funding for research.

According to supporters of supply-side economics in the 1980s, why would their policies promote economic growth?

Cutting taxes and reducing government regulation would encourage businesses to invest and hire more workers.

What nickname did many Americans use for Ronald Reagan during the 1980s?

The Great Communicator

Which event most clearly signaled that the Cold War was coming to an end?

The fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989

How did the Reagan administration expect that deregulation of American industries would affect the economy?

They believed it would reduce business costs so companies would be able to lower prices and expand production.

How did Morning in America, Reagan’s 1984 reelection ad, reflect his view of the nation’s future?

It suggested that the United States was entering a period of renewed prosperity and strength.

How did Ronald Reagan's previous work experience impact his communication style as president?

He drew on his acting experience during his speeches to connect with listeners.

What was Congress’s response to rising federal deficits in the early 1980s?

Congress partially rolled back tax cuts.

How did televised coverage of Operation Desert Storm differ from television coverage of the Vietnam War?

Networks broadcast live footage from the battlefield during Operation Desert Storm.

What goal did President Clinton pursue through the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993?

Reduce the federal deficit by raising taxes on high

What was one major criticism of NAFTA in the years after it took effect?

It encouraged some companies to move manufacturing jobs from the United States.

What long-term issue did the contested 2000 election highlight in American presidential politics?

The problems created by the Electoral College system

Which policy action during Bill Clinton’s presidency best reflected the goals of the New Democrats?

Signing a welfare reform law that placed time limits on federal assistance program

How did televised coverage of Operation Desert Storm differ from television coverage of the Vietnam War?

Networks broadcast live footage from the battlefield during Operation Desert Storm.

How did the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) change the economic relationships of the United States, Canada, and Mexico?

It reduced or removed many tariffs and trade barriers among the three countries.

What action led the House of Representatives to impeach President Bill Clinton in 1998?

He lied under oath and tried to obstruct a federal investigation.

Why did the United States join a coalition to fight in the Gulf War in 1991?

Iraq had invaded Kuwait.

Which development most directly contributed to cultural globalization?

The spread of the Internet

What political goals defined the New Democrats in the 1980s and 1990s?

They promoted centrist policies like reducing federal spending, while also supporting market

How did the end of the Cold War most directly contribute to increasing globalization in the 1990s?

It opened former Soviet bloc countries to global trade and investment.

Why did the Bush administration’s claims about Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction become controversial after the 2003 invasion?

Inspectors found no evidence Iraq had the weapons that U.S. officials had described.

How did the Affordable Care Act change access to health care?

It expanded Medicaid and created online insurance marketplaces with federal subsidies.

What authority did the USA PATRIOT Act give the federal government after the September 11 attacks?

Expanded authority to monitor communications and track financial transactions

How did the Bush administration publicly justify the 2003 invasion of Iraq?

It argued that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction and posed an immediate threat.

What is the main goal of the Paris Climate Agreement, first adopted in 2015?

To limit global temperature rise by reducing greenhouse gas emissions

Why did the federal government create the Department of Homeland Security in 2002?

To coordinate national efforts to prevent and respond to terrorist attacks

Which organization carried out the terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001?

Al-Qaeda

Why did the U.S. government choose to detain people in Guantánamo Bay after 2001?

Officials wanted to limit suspects' access to U.S. courts and constitutional protections.

Which development was a major cause of the Great Recession of 2008?

The collapse of the housing market

How did President Barack Obama respond to the economic crisis that began in 2008?

He signed a large economic stimulus package.

How did the United States respond to the September 11, 2001 attacks?

The United States launched the War on Terror.