USA In The 1970s-2000s

1970s

• Feminism –
  A movement advocating for women's rights on the grounds of political, social, and economic equality to men.

• Betty Friedan –
  Author of The Feminine Mystique (1963); helped spark the second wave of feminism. She co-founded the National Organization for Women (NOW).

• NOW (National Organization for Women) –
  Founded in 1966, NOW is a feminist organization that advocates for women's rights, including workplace equality, reproductive rights, and ending gender discrimination.

• Roe v. Wade (1973) –
  A landmark Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion nationwide, ruling that women have a constitutional right to privacy which includes the right to choose an abortion.

• Title IX (1972) –
  A federal law that prohibits sex-based discrimination in any education program or activity receiving federal financial aid, greatly impacting women’s sports and education.

• Gloria Steinem –
  A leading feminist, journalist, and activist in the women's liberation movement; co-founder of Ms. Magazine and a major public figure in advocating gender equality.

• Gerald Ford –
  38th President of the U.S. (1974–1977), took office after Nixon's resignation. He is known for pardoning Nixon and trying to stabilize the country post-Watergate.

• SALT I & II (Strategic Arms Limitation Talks) –
  Two rounds of talks between the U.S. and the Soviet Union aimed at controlling and reducing nuclear arms during the Cold War.

• Jimmy Carter –
  39th President of the U.S. (1977–1981), known for his focus on human rights, the Camp David Accords, handling of the energy crisis, and the Iran Hostage Crisis.

• Camp David Accords-

  The Camp David Accords were a 1978 peace agreement between Egypt and Israel, led by U.S. President Jimmy Carter, where Egypt agreed to recognize Israel, and Israel agreed to give back the Sinai Peninsula to Egypt. It was the first peace deal between Israel and an Arab country.

• Gas Crisis (1973 & 1979) –
  Two major oil shortages due to OPEC embargoes, leading to long gas lines, high prices, and increased interest in energy conservation and alternative sources.

• Three Mile Island (1979) –
  The site of the most serious nuclear accident in U.S. history, located in Pennsylvania. It led to widespread fear and a decline in the construction of new nuclear plants.

• Iran Hostage Crisis (1979–1981) –
  Fifty-two American diplomats and citizens were held hostage by Iranian revolutionaries for 444 days after the U.S. embassy in Tehran was seized.

• Ayatollah Khomeini –
  Leader of the 1979 Iranian Revolution; became Supreme Leader of Iran and a key figure in the rise of the Islamic Republic. He opposed Western influence in Iran.

• Operation Eagle Claw (1980) –
  A failed U.S. military mission ordered by President Carter to rescue the hostages in Iran. It ended in disaster and contributed to Carter’s political downfall.

• Operation Argo –
  A successful covert CIA operation to rescue six American diplomats hiding in Tehran during the Iran Hostage Crisis by pretending they were a Canadian film crew.

1980s

• Ronald Reagan –
  40th President of the U.S. (1981–1989); a conservative Republican who promoted tax cuts, deregulation, strong anti-communism, and a massive military buildup.

• Central Park Five –
  Five Black and Latino teens wrongfully convicted in 1989 of assaulting a jogger in NYC’s Central Park. They were later exonerated by DNA evidence in 2002.

• Bernie Goetz –
  NYC man who shot four Black teens on a subway in 1984, claiming self-defense. His case stirred debate over crime, race, and vigilantism.

• Economic Recovery Act (1981) –
  Also known as the Kemp-Roth Tax Cut, it was a major Reagan-era law that reduced income tax rates to stimulate economic growth ("Reaganomics").

• Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) –
  Nicknamed “Star Wars,” it was Reagan’s proposed missile defense system using satellites and lasers to intercept Soviet missiles.

• Geneva Summit (1985) –
  A Cold War meeting between Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev to discuss arms control and improve U.S.-Soviet relations.

• INF Treaty (1987) –
  Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty; signed by Reagan and Gorbachev, it eliminated an entire class of nuclear missiles.

• Sandra Day O’Connor –
  Appointed in 1981 by Reagan, she was the first woman to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court.

• Iran-Contra Affair –
  Scandal in which Reagan administration officials secretly sold arms to Iran (against policy) and used the profits to fund Contra rebels in Nicaragua, violating U.S. law.

• Iran–Iraq War (1980–1988) –
  Brutal conflict between Iran and Iraq; the U.S. supported Iraq under Saddam Hussein, while Iran was led by Ayatollah Khomeini.

• Soviet-Afghan War (1979–1989) –
  The Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan; the U.S. supported Afghan rebels (Mujahideen), including early connections with groups like those led by Osama bin Laden.

• Grenada (1983) –
  A U.S. invasion ordered by Reagan to topple a Marxist government in Grenada and protect American medical students. It was a quick U.S. victory.

• War on Drugs –
  Government campaign launched in the 1980s (under Reagan) to combat illegal drug use and trafficking, leading to mass incarceration, especially in minority communities.

• Pablo Escobar –
  Colombian drug lord and leader of the Medellín Cartel; one of the most powerful and violent drug traffickers in history.

• Manuel Noriega –
  Military dictator of Panama and former U.S. ally, later indicted for drug trafficking. He was removed by the U.S. during Operation Just Cause (1989).

• George H.W. Bush –
  41st President of the U.S. (1989–1993); led the Gulf War, saw the end of the Cold War, and signed major domestic policies like the Americans with Disabilities Act.

• Michael Dukakis –
  Democratic governor of Massachusetts and 1988 presidential candidate. He lost to George H.W. Bush in a landslide.

• Operation Just Cause (1989) –
  U.S. invasion of Panama ordered by George H.W. Bush to remove Manuel Noriega and restore democratic governance.

• Operation Desert Shield/Storm (1990–1991) –
  U.S.-led operations to defend Saudi Arabia (Desert Shield) and then liberate Kuwait from Iraqi occupation (Desert Storm) during the Gulf War.

• Saddam Hussein –
  Iraqi dictator (1979–2003) who led Iraq during the Iran-Iraq War, invaded Kuwait in 1990, and was later ousted by the U.S. in 2003.

1990s

• LA Riots (1992) –
  Major riots in Los Angeles triggered by the acquittal of four police officers who were videotaped beating Rodney King, an unarmed Black man. The riots lasted six days, resulting in 63 deaths and extensive property damage.

• Bill Clinton –
  42nd President of the U.S. (1993–2001); a Democrat known for economic growth, welfare reform, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), and being impeached due to the Monica Lewinsky scandal (though acquitted by the Senate).

• Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell (1993) –
  Clinton-era military policy that allowed LGBTQ+ individuals to serve in the military as long as they did not openly disclose their sexual orientation. Repealed in 2011.

• Health Care Reform of the 1990s –
  An effort led by First Lady Hillary Clinton to create a universal health care system. It faced strong opposition and ultimately failed in Congress in 1994.

• Janet Reno –
  The first woman to serve as U.S. Attorney General (1993–2001), appointed by President Clinton. She handled major events like the Waco siege, the Oklahoma City bombing, and the Elian Gonzalez case.

• Madeleine Albright –
  The first woman to serve as U.S. Secretary of State (1997–2001), under President Clinton. She was a key figure in U.S. foreign policy during the post-Cold War era.

• Monica Lewinsky Scandal –
  A political scandal involving President Bill Clinton and White House intern Monica Lewinsky. Clinton initially denied but later admitted to an inappropriate relationship. It led to his impeachment in 1998 for perjury and obstruction of justice; he was acquitted by the Senate.

• Battle of Mogadishu (1993) –
  A failed U.S. military raid in Somalia to capture warlord Mohamed Farrah Aidid. It resulted in the deaths of 18 U.S. soldiers and was later depicted in the book and movie Black Hawk Down.

2000’s

• George W. Bush –
  43rd President of the U.S. (2001–2009); Republican. Known for his leadership after the 9/11 attacks, initiating the War on Terror, creating the Department of Homeland Security, and launching wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

• 9/11 Attacks (September 11, 2001) –
  Coordinated terrorist attacks by al-Qaeda. Hijackers crashed planes into the World Trade Center towers in NYC and the Pentagon, with a fourth crashing in Pennsylvania. Nearly 3,000 people were killed. It led to the War on Terror and major national security changes.

• U.S.–Afghan War (2001–2021) –
  America's response to 9/11. The U.S. invaded Afghanistan to dismantle al-Qaeda and remove the Taliban from power. It became the longest war in U.S. history and ended in 2021 with the Taliban regaining control.

• Iraq War (2003–2011) –
  The U.S., under President George W. Bush, invaded Iraq claiming it had weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) and links to terrorism. No WMDs were found. Saddam Hussein was captured and later executed. The war led to years of conflict and instability in Iraq.

Essay Questions

• How did Ronald Reagan’s revolution change the landscape of how the U.S. saw itself, its military, and its global role?
  Ronald Reagan’s revolution reshaped how the United States saw itself by promoting patriotism, conservative values, and free-market capitalism. He reduced the role of government in domestic affairs, cutting taxes and regulations while emphasizing individual responsibility. Reagan restored public confidence in the military through increased defense spending and a renewed sense of national pride after the Vietnam War. His Strategic Defense Initiative and other military programs symbolized a bold new vision of American strength. On the global stage, Reagan adopted a tough stance against the Soviet Union, supporting anti-communist movements and labeling the USSR an “evil empire.” This assertive foreign policy helped position the U.S. as the world’s leading superpower and played a key role in ending the Cold War.

• How did the Gulf War aid in the viewpoint of the U.S. as a world leader?
  The Gulf War (1990–1991) showed that the U.S. could lead a broad international coalition and win a swift, high-tech military victory. It restored American military pride post-Vietnam and solidified the U.S. role as the world’s leading superpower, willing and able to defend global order and international law. The war demonstrated the effectiveness of precision-guided weapons, satellite coordination, and real-time media coverage, showcasing a new era of warfare. President George H. W. Bush’s careful diplomacy helped unite allies across Europe, the Middle East, and even the former Soviet bloc, reinforcing the U.S. as a unifying global force. The overwhelming success of Operation Desert Storm boosted national confidence and reasserted American dominance in international affairs. It also set a precedent for future U.S. military interventions under the banner of multilateralism and humanitarian or strategic defense.

• How did the scandals of the Clinton administration hurt the legacy of the president?
  The Monica Lewinsky scandal led to President Clinton’s impeachment for perjury and obstruction of justice. Though he was acquitted by the Senate and remained in office, the scandal damaged his personal reputation, overshadowed some of his policy achievements, and contributed to public cynicism about politics. His presidency became defined in part by personal misconduct rather than just his political record. The scandal dominated media coverage and deepened partisan divisions, fueling a culture of political scandal that persists today. It also strained Clinton’s relationships with both Congress and the public, limiting his ability to push through major initiatives in his final years. Despite a strong economy and notable legislative successes, the legacy of his administration remains closely tied to the controversy and impeachment proceedings.

• How did 9/11 change the American point of view of the world?
  The 9/11 attacks shattered the sense of U.S. invulnerability and shifted the public view toward heightened fear of terrorism and global threats. It led to increased nationalism, stricter security measures, and a foreign policy focused on preemptive action (e.g., wars in Afghanistan and Iraq). Americans became more alert to global instability and suspicious of international actors. The attacks also triggered the creation of the Department of Homeland Security and the implementation of the USA PATRIOT Act, expanding government surveillance powers. Public trust in safety was replaced by a constant sense of vulnerability, influencing everything from airport security to immigration policy. Overall, 9/11 redefined American identity around the themes of resilience, security, and a renewed commitment to combating terrorism at home and abroad.