APUSH Unit 9 Vocabulary Review

Conservative Resurgence in Politics (Post-1980)

• Shift from liberal dominance (since 1932) to conservative resurgence, marking a significant ideological transformation in American politics.

• Factors contributing to this shift:

  • Policies of Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford: Both pursued conservative policies, laying the groundwork for a broader shift.

  • Writings/broadcasts of William F. Buckley: Buckley's intellectual contributions effectively fused traditional conservatism and classical liberalism, providing a coherent ideological framework.

  • Writings of economist Milton Friedman: Friedman's staunch rejection of Keynesian economics advocated for free-market principles, influencing economic policy debates.

Conservative Ideals

• Rebelling against perceived decline of American morals and government overreach, reflecting deep concerns about societal values and governmental power.

• Key Objectives:

  • Restricting government scope: Emphasis on deregulation and decentralization to limit federal power.

  • Stemming feminism, gay rights, and affirmative action: Opposition to progressive social movements rooted in traditional values.

  • Opposing abortion and sexual permissiveness: Advocating for stricter moral codes and family values.

Fusion of Evangelicals with the Republican Party

• Televangelists (Oral Roberts, Pat Robertson) popularizing conservative values with Christianity, galvanizing a large religious following.

• Jerry Falwell founded the Moral Majority (1979) aimed at unseating liberal representatives, marking a pivotal moment in conservative political mobilization.

• Right to Life movement opposing abortion, uniting Catholics and Protestants in a common cause.

Opposition to Affirmative Action

• Affirmative action: program for equality of opportunity for minority groups, designed to address historical discrimination.

• Stagflation in the 1970s led to white Americans viewing affirmative action negatively, seeing it as reverse discrimination, especially race quotas in college admissions, exacerbating racial tensions.

Election of Ronald Reagan (1980)

• Reagan capitalized on conservative sentiment by criticizing Democrats, promising a return to traditional values and smaller government.

• Senate shifted to Republican majority, solidifying conservative power in Congress.

• Reagan's promises:

  • Reduced taxes: Supply-side economics aimed at stimulating economic growth.

  • Cut government spending: Efforts to shrink the size and scope of federal programs.

  • Increased military forces: Strengthening national defense amid Cold War tensions.

  • Appointed conservative judges: Shaping the judiciary for decades to come.

Reaganomics (Supply-Side Economics)

• Economic growth via decreased taxes and reduced business regulations, intended to spur investment and job creation.

• Theory: consumers benefit from more goods at lower prices, leading to overall prosperity.

• Contrast to Keynesian economics: government spending heals downturns, highlighting differing approaches to economic management.

• Critics: "trickle-down" scheme, ineffective like in the 1920s, raising concerns about wealth inequality.

• Economic Recovery Act (1981): Cut income and capital gains taxes, mainly benefiting upper-income earners, fueling debates about fairness.

• Cuts to welfare programs (food stamps, public transportation) by 40,000,000,000, impacting vulnerable populations.

• Increased military spending by 150,000,000,000 over two terms, escalating the Cold War arms race.

• Deregulation of industries (auto industry emissions/safety), raising environmental and safety concerns.

• Opening federal lands for coal and timber extraction, prioritizing economic gains over conservation.

Supreme Court Appointments

• Appointed Sandra Day O'Connor (first female judge), Antonin Scalia, Anthony Kennedy, shaping the court’s ideological balance.

• Court decisions restricting affirmative action and making abortion more difficult, reflecting conservative legal priorities.

End of the Cold War

• Reagan's strategy: military intervention, buildup of weaponry, speeches, and diplomacy, exerting pressure on the Soviet Union.

Military Interventions

US Intervention in Nicaragua

• Support for right-wing dictators pre-1979, aligning with anti-communist regimes.

• Aid to Contras after communist government formed in 1979, aiming to destabilize the Sandinista regime.

Iran-Contra Affair

• Secret weapon sales to Iran, profits used to aid Contras in Nicaragua, leading to a major political scandal.

• Illegal diversion of funds (Congress controls budget), undermining constitutional principles.

• Scandal damaging Reagan's reputation, raising questions about executive power.

Buildup of Advanced Weaponry

Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI/"Star Wars")

• Laser-based weapon systems to shoot down missiles, escalating the arms race.

• Increased US weapon spending matched by Soviet missile deployment, heightening global tensions.

Mikhail Gorbachev's Reforms (1985)

• Glasnost (openness): end to political repression, promoting freedom of speech and expression.

• Perestroika (restructuring): limited free-market principles, introducing economic reforms.

• Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (1987): destruction of intermediate-range nuclear missiles, reducing nuclear threat.

• Reagan's demand: "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall,", symbolizing the call for freedom and democracy.

Fall of the Soviet Union

• George H.W. Bush oversaw the end of the Cold War, navigating a complex geopolitical landscape.

• Gorbachev decreased Soviet influence in Eastern Europe, leading to the collapse of communist regimes.

• 1989: Poland elected non-communist government, followed by the rest of the Soviet bloc, signaling the end of Soviet domination.

• Berlin Wall dismantled, leading to the official fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, marking a historic turning point.

Diplomatic Agreements

• Reduction of nuclear stockpiles, advancing global security.

• START I Treaty: US and Russia agreed to reduce nuclear warheads, first to 10,000, then to 3,000, reducing nuclear arsenals.

• US economic aid to support the Russian economy, fostering stability and cooperation.

Clinton's Presidency and Economic Boom (1992-2000)

• Longest peacetime economic boom, characterized by prosperity and innovation.

• Technological advancements (internet, email) facilitated worldwide economic opportunities, transforming business and communication.

• E-commerce (Amazon.com) and increased productivity through mechanization, revolutionizing commerce and industry.

• Decline in employment in industrial and agricultural sectors, declining labor union memberships, reflecting shifts in the labor market.

• Stagnant wages for working/middle classes increased the gap between rich and everyone else, exacerbating income inequality.

• Mobile technology (cell phones) and social media (Facebook, Twitter) transformed daily life, reshaping social interactions and information access.

Immigration

• Fastest growing regions: South and West, attracting diverse populations.

• Immigration accounted for 28% of American population growth in the 1990s, contributing to demographic shifts.

• Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986: created fair process, criticized for amnesty to some Mexican immigrants, sparking debates about immigration policy.

• Hispanic immigrants became the largest minority, reshaping the cultural landscape.

• Nativist backlash: concerns about jobs, especially in agriculture, fueling anti-immigrant sentiments.

• Migrant labor crucial for economic prosperity, highlighting the economic importance of immigration.

• Asian Americans: significant immigrant population (about 10,000,000 by 2000), enriching American society.

21st Century and George W. Bush

• George W. Bush elected in 2000 amidst a disputed election, highlighting political divisions.

• 9/11/2001: Al-Qaeda attacks using coordinated plane hijackings. Attacks on World Trade Center and Pentagon, traumatizing the nation.

• Bush's "War on Terror", launching military interventions abroad.

• Invasion of Afghanistan after Taliban refused to turn over Osama bin Laden. The Taliban was quickly overthrown, but insurgency persisted.

• Capture and Killing of Bin Laden during the Barack Obama administration, marking a significant milestone in counterterrorism efforts.

Domestic Policy post 9/11

• Patriot Acts: governmental surveillance powers increased (2001 and 2003), raising civil liberties concerns.

• Department of Homeland Security created: largest governmental reorganization since WWII, aimed at enhancing national security.

Environmental Concerns

• Increased concern about environmental degradation due to fossil fuel dependence, driving the search for alternative energy sources.

• Iraq's invasion of Kuwait (1990): Highlighted US dependence on oil, underscoring the need for energy independence.

• Al Gore's campaign: "inconvenient truth" about fossil fuels, greenhouse gases, and climate change, bringing environmental issues to the forefront.

• Despite environmental concerns, the US remained a leading superpower, balancing economic and environmental priorities.