HIST 21203 Unit 07: Comprehensive Modern U.S. History Study Guide

Late 20th Century Presidential Administrations: Ford and Carter

  • President Gerald Ford     * Ascended to the presidency of the United States upon the resignation of former President Richard Nixon.
  • President Jimmy Carter     * Elected as the President of the United States in the year 19761976.
  • The Malaise Speech     * This was a televised address to the nation delivered by President Carter.     * The media and press characterized the speech as one focused on a general feeling of discomfort or uneasiness within the American public.
  • Panama Canal Treaty     * A diplomatic initiative by President Carter with the specific goal to return control of the canal to the nation of Panama.
  • Camp David Accords     * This was a formal peace treaty brokered between the nations of Israel and Egypt.     * The negotiations and subsequent agreement were coordinated by President Carter.     * It is historically categorized as the greatest achievement of the Carter presidency.     * Anwar Sadat: The Egyptian president who was a signatory to the Camp David Accords.     * Menachem Begin: The Israeli Prime Minister who was a signatory to the Camp David Accords.

The Reagan Era and Economic Shifts

  • The Sunbelt Demographic Shift     * A significant movement of the United States population characterized by people moving from the Northern and Eastern regions of the country to the Southern and Southwestern regions.
  • President Ronald Reagan     * Elected to the presidency in the year 19801980.
  • Iran Hostage Crisis     * In Tehran, Iran, 5353 American citizens were taken hostage at the American Embassy.     * The hostages were held for a duration of over 11 year.     * The release of the hostages occurred specifically on the day of Ronald Reagan's inauguration.
  • Supply-side Economics     * The economic policy plan of President Reagan designed to reduce the federal budget.     * The strategy relied on two primary pillars: the reduction of taxes and the reduction of government spending.
  • Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI)     * A military program proposed by President Reagan designed as a defensive shield against incoming missiles.     * The system was intended to utilize high-tech components including lasers and satellites.     * 'Star Wars': The popular name given to the Strategic Defense Initiative by the press.

Global Politics and the End of the Cold War

  • Geraldine Ferraro     * Identified as the first female candidate to appear on a national political ticket in U.S. history.     * She served as the Vice Presidential nominee running alongside the Democrat candidate, Walter Mondale.
  • Mikhail Gorbachev     * The leader of the Soviet Union who advocated for and championed the major initiatives of glasnost and perestroika.
  • Glasnost     * Translated literally as 'openness'.     * This was a policy implemented by Mikhail Gorbachev designed to restructure the rigid and unproductive economy of the Soviet Union.
  • Perestroika     * Translated literally as 'reform'.     * This was a policy implemented by Mikhail Gorbachev aimed at transitioning the Soviet economy toward a model of capitalism.
  • Tiananmen Square     * A mass movement located in China where citizens called for greater democratization of the country.     * The movement was completely crushed by the Chinese government.
  • Nelson Mandela     * Elected as the first black president of South Africa.     * His leadership marked the ending of the system of racial segregation known as 'apartheid'.
  • Saddam Hussein     * The military leader of Iraq who carried out an invasion of the neighboring country, Kuwait.     * This military action set off the events leading to the Persian Gulf War.

The Clinton Presidency and the New Economy

  • President William Jefferson Clinton     * Previously served as the Governor of Arkansas.     * Born in the town of Hope, Arkansas.     * Elected as President of the United States in the year 19921992.
  • Whitewater Scandal     * A scandal involving real estate and banking transactions surrounding President Clinton.
  • Ken Starr     * Served as the Special Counsel during the investigation into allegations that President Clinton lied under oath.     * Starr formally recommended that impeachment proceedings be taken against President Clinton.
  • The Dotcom Economy     * A new element of the United States economy facilitated by the emergence of computers, the Internet, cellular phones, digital music, and associated technologies.     * The 'Dotcom Bubble': This refers to a specific economic cycle involving:         * Rapid investments directed into Internet-based companies.         * A rapid rise in the sales of technology stocks within the United States.         * A subsequent slowdown of investors pouring quick money into start-up companies, leading to a crash.

The Turn of the Century: Politics and Technology

  • The Election of 20002000     * Described as one of the most sensational elections in the history of the United States.     * Neither candidate originally secured a majority of the electoral votes.     * Contentious issues arose in Florida regarding 'hanging chads' on balloting punchouts.     * The situation resulted in a mandatory recount and a significant Constitutional crisis.
  • Globalization     * Defined as the growing interdependence of the populations, cultures, and economies of the world.
  • Terrorism     * Defined as the use of violence utilized as a specific form of intimidation against various governments and people.
  • The Internet     * A vast, interconnected network of computers that enables people who are connected to the network to communicate on a worldwide scale.
  • Tim Berners-Lee     * The British scientist credited with introducing the World Wide Web.