A Changing nation part 2

Chernobyl Meltdown

On April 26 1986 a nuclear power plant in the Soviet Union exploded land exposed most of Europe to toxic radioactive waste this disaster increased Americans fears of nuclear energy

Fall of the Berlin wall

Occurred on the evening of November 9 1989 marking the symbolic end of the cold war and the beginning of German reunification Germany was reunified on October 3 1990

Reagan Doctrine

A U.S. foreign policy strategy 1981-1989 aimed at rolling back Soviet influence and ending the cold war by providing public and secret aid to anicommmunist insurgents (freedom fighters) in Africa Asia and Latin america

Reaganomics

Also known as supply side economics this policy focused on the tax cuts for the wealthy and business to simulate overall economic growth

Ronald Reagan

Conservative Republican President 1981-1989 who revitalizes the Republican party, lower taxes, reduced social welfare, increased armed forces, and named conservative judges to the courts. Also improves economy and public morale, but military spending and tax cuts increase the federal deficit.

Rust Belt

A term for the Northeastern and Midwestern U.S. regions that experienced industrial decline and factory closures during the 1980s.

Sandra Day O’Connor

first woman appointed to the Supreme Court. Appointed by Ronald Raegan in 1981 and was considered a conservative judge at the start but became more moderate later in her career.

Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI)

Nicknamed “Star Wars,” was a 1983 U.S. research program proposed by President Ragan to creat a space-based shield against nuclear missiles. It aimed to make nuclear weapons obsolete by using lasers and sensors and moving away from mutually assured destruction (MAD).

Sun Belt

The Southern and Western regions of the U.S. that saw significant population and economic growth between 1970 and 1990.

Three Mile Island

On March 28th, 1979, a nuclear power plant in Pennsylvania leaks radioactive waste into the environment which increases awarenesss of the dangers of nuclear power