APUSH: Unit 9 (1980–Present)

Ronald Reagan – Conservative president (1981–1989); promoted tax cuts, deregulation, and military buildup.
Reaganomics – Economic policy focusing on supply-side theory: tax cuts for businesses and the wealthy to stimulate growth.
Moral Majority – Conservative Christian political group supporting traditional values; influential in Reagan’s election.
End of the Cold War – Marked by the fall of the Berlin Wall (1989) and dissolution of the Soviet Union (1991).
Mikhail Gorbachev – Soviet leader whose reforms (glasnost and perestroika) helped end the Cold War.
Iran-Contra Affair – Scandal in which Reagan officials secretly sold arms to Iran and funded Nicaraguan Contras, violating U.S. law.
George H. W. Bush – President during the Gulf War; oversaw the fall of the Soviet Union and a mild recession.
Persian Gulf War (1991) – U.S.-led coalition drove Iraqi forces out of Kuwait after Iraq’s invasion under Saddam Hussein.
Bill Clinton – Centrist Democrat; balanced the budget, passed welfare reform, and faced impeachment over the Lewinsky scandal.
North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) – Agreement between U.S., Mexico, and Canada to reduce trade barriers.
Impeachment of Bill Clinton – Resulted from perjury and obstruction of justice charges; he was acquitted by the Senate.
Election of 2000 – Contested election between George W. Bush and Al Gore; decided by Supreme Court in Bush v. Gore.
George W. Bush – President during 9/11; launched War on Terror, led invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq.
9/11 Attacks (2001) – Terrorist attacks by al-Qaeda on U.S. soil; led to major changes in domestic and foreign policy.
War on Terror – U.S. military campaign against terrorism post-9/11, especially in the Middle East.
Patriot Act (2001) – Law expanding government surveillance and security powers to fight terrorism.
Iraq War (2003–2011) – U.S.-led invasion to remove Saddam Hussein; justified by claims of weapons of mass destruction.
Barack Obama – First African American president; known for Affordable Care Act, economic recovery measures, and progressive social policies.
Affordable Care Act (2010) – Health care reform expanding insurance coverage and banning discrimination for preexisting conditions.
Great Recession (2007–2009) – Severe global economic downturn caused by housing bubble burst and financial crisis.
Obergefell v. Hodges (2015) – Supreme Court decision legalizing same-sex marriage nationwide.
Tea Party Movement – Conservative political movement opposing high taxes and large government; emerged during Obama’s presidency.
Donald Trump – Republican president known for populist rhetoric, immigration restrictions, and “America First” policies.
COVID-19 Pandemic – Global health crisis beginning in 2020; led to economic shutdowns, remote work, and vaccine development.
Black Lives Matter – Movement against police brutality and systemic racism; gained momentum after 2014 and again in 2020.
Capitol Riot (January 6, 2021) – Violent attack on the U.S. Capitol by supporters of President Trump attempting to overturn the 2020 election results.
Joe Biden – Elected in 2020; focused on pandemic response, climate change, and restoring political norms.