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Exam Study Notes 44-46

Reagan Administration and the End of the Cold War

  • Rejection of Détente and MAD: Reagan rejected the policies of Détente and Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD).
  • Undermining Communism: He aimed to undermine communism globally, viewing the U.S. and capitalist democracy as morally superior.
  • Rollback Communism: Reagan sought to actively reverse communist influence.
  • Special Relationship with Saudi Arabia: He collaborated with Saudi Arabia to lower oil prices, which significantly harmed the Soviet economy.
  • Arms Race: Reagan initiated a new arms race that the Soviet Union could not afford.
  • Negotiations with Gorbachev: He was willing to negotiate an end to the Cold War when Gorbachev sought help.

Reagan's Arms Buildup

  • Position of Strength: Reagan aimed to negotiate from a position of strength through a large-scale arms buildup.
  • High-Level Technology Focus: The emphasis was on advanced technology and weapons that the Soviets could not match.
  • Tipping the Balance: This strategy was intended to shift the balance in the Cold War towards the U.S.
  • Economic Strain on Soviets: The buildup forced the Soviets to spend beyond their means to keep pace.
  • New Weapons: Examples include stealth fighters and the Abrams tank.
  • Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI): SDI was a game-changer because the Soviets believed it could work, nullifying MAD and Soviet leverage. This is also known as "Star Wars."

Reagan's Economic Philosophy

  • Government as the Problem: Reagan believed that the government was the problem, not the solution.
  • Reaganomics: Referred to earlier; focused on supply-side economics, tax cuts, and deregulation.

Post-Cold War America

  • Clinton Impeachment:
    • Impeachment in 1998: Clinton was impeached for obstruction of justice and perjury.
    • Reason: He lied under oath in a sexual harassment deposition.
    • Acquittal: He was acquitted because the public viewed his actions as personal rather than political.
  • NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement):
    • Trade Liberalization: NAFTA eliminated most tariffs between the U.S., Mexico, and Canada.
    • Clinton's Challenge: Clinton had to persuade Democrats that NAFTA was economically beneficial.
    • Economic Effects: Free trade increases economic efficiency and lowers consumer prices, but can lead to job displacement as companies seek cheaper labor.
  • Hillary Care:
    • Universal Healthcare Attempt: Hillary Clinton led an effort to implement universal healthcare in the 1990s, following Truman's earlier attempt.
    • Opposition: Republicans opposed the plan, arguing it was government overreach.
    • Failure to Pass: The plan did not pass Congress.
  • Tech Boom:
    • Internet Revolution: The 1990s saw rapid technological advancement driven by the internet.
    • Stock Market Surge: Stock prices rose sharply as new tech companies emerged.
    • Tech Bubble Burst: The tech bubble burst in 1999, but technology remains central to modern life.
  • Contract with America:
    • Republican Victory in 1994: Republicans, led by Newt Gingrich, gained control of the House and Senate for the first time in four decades.
    • Platform: The Contract with America promised small government, low taxes, and individual freedoms, echoing Reagan's ideology.
  • Persian Gulf War:
    • Iraqi Invasion of Kuwait: In 1990, Iraq invaded Kuwait.
    • US Response: The U.S. formed an international coalition in Saudi Arabia to liberate Kuwait.
    • Operation Desert Storm: In spring 1991, the U.S. launched Operation Desert Storm and quickly defeated the Iraqi army in less than 100 hours.
    • Impact: This victory restored U.S. strength after Vietnam and boosted George H.W. Bush's popularity, though he lost the subsequent election.

2000 Election

  • Close Election: The 2000 election was extremely close, particularly in Florida.
  • Supreme Court Intervention: After multiple recounts, Bush held a slight lead, and the Supreme Court halted further recounts, effectively granting Bush the presidency.

Bush Doctrine

  • Post-9/11 Policy: George W. Bush declared a division between those against terrorism and those who support it.
  • Combating Terrorism: The U.S. would target terrorism and its supporters: "You are with us, or against us."

Invasion of Afghanistan & Iraq

  • Invasion of Afghanistan: Launched after 9/11 due to the hijackers training in Afghanistan, despite most being from Saudi Arabia.
  • Invasion of Iraq: Initiated due to claims that Saddam Hussein supported terrorism and possessed weapons of mass destruction.
  • Consequences: Both wars were lengthy and costly, highlighting the difficulties of fighting terrorism and nation-building.
  • Challenges of Fighting Terrorism: Terrorism is decentralized and unpredictable, making it hard to defeat.

9/11 Attacks

  • The Attacks: 19 hijackers crashed planes into the WTC in NYC, the Pentagon, and Pennsylvania.
  • Significance: It was the worst attack on the U.S. since Pearl Harbor and marked the start of the U.S. war on terrorism.

Great Recession

  • Housing Market Crash: The real estate and housing market collapsed at the end of the Bush administration.
  • Banking Crisis: Many U.S. banks were severely affected.
  • Government Intervention: The government bailed out banks and car companies, deeming them "too big to fail."
  • Public Resentment: Many felt it was unfair that corporations received bailouts while individuals did not.

Supreme Court Cases

  • Mapp v. Ohio (1961):
    • Exclusionary Rule: Ruled that the exclusionary rule applies to states, preventing the use of illegally obtained evidence in court, per the Fourth Amendment.
  • Engle v. Vitale (1962):
    • School Prayer: Declared that mandatory official school prayer is unconstitutional.
  • Gideon v. Wainwright (1963):
    • Right to Counsel: States must provide attorneys to defendants who cannot afford them, under the Sixth Amendment.
  • Bakke v. Univ. of California (1978):
    • Affirmative Action: Affirmative action is legal, but quotas are not. Setting aside specific spots for minorities is illegal, but race can be considered.
  • Miranda v. Arizona (1966):
    • Miranda Rights: Testimony cannot be used against defendants unless they were informed of their rights.
  • Boynton v. Virginia (1960):
    • Desegregation of Transportation: Segregation in interstate transportation (trains, buses, stations) was ruled unconstitutional, leading to the Freedom Rides.