APUSH Unit 9

  1. Religious Fundamentalism: A movement within various religions that seeks to uphold strict adherence to foundational principles and texts, often in response to modern secularism or perceived moral decline.

  2. Ronald Reagan: The 40th President of the United States (1981-1989), a conservative figure known for his economic policies termed "Reaganomics," as well as significant foreign policy actions during the Cold War.

  3. Election of 1980: The presidential election where Ronald Reagan defeated incumbent Jimmy Carter, reflecting a shift towards conservative policies in the U.S.

  4. Mikhail Gorbachev/End of the Cold War: The last leader of the Soviet Union, Gorbachev introduced reforms like Glasnost and Perestroika, which contributed to the end of the Cold War in the late 1980s.

  5. September 11, 2001: A series of coordinated terrorist attacks by al-Qaeda on the United States, leading to significant changes in U.S. domestic and foreign policies, including the War on Terror.

  6. War on Terrorism: A global campaign launched by the United States and its allies to combat terrorist groups, primarily after the September 11 attacks, focusing on Afghanistan and Iraq.

  7. NAFTA: The North American Free Trade Agreement, implemented in 1994, established a trilateral trade bloc between Canada, the United States, and Mexico, aimed at reducing trade barriers.

  8. Internet: A global network of interconnected computers that revolutionized communication, commerce, and information access, especially prominent from the 1990s onwards.

  9. Climate Change vs. Fossil Fuels: The ongoing debate over the environmental impacts of fossil fuel use and the urgency of addressing climate change, leading to discussions about renewable energy solutions.

  10. Iran Hostage Crisis: A diplomatic standoff from 1979 to 1981, where 52 American diplomats were held hostage in Iran, significantly affecting U.S.-Iran relations and impacting Reagan's presidency.

  11. “Reaganonomics”: The economic policies promoted by President Reagan, emphasizing tax cuts, deregulation, and reduced government spending to foster economic growth.

  12. Record Deficits: The substantial budget deficits incurred during the Reagan presidency, resulting from tax cuts combined with increased military spending.

  13. Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI): A proposed missile defense system announced by President Reagan in 1983, aimed at protecting the U.S. from nuclear missile attacks through advanced technology.

  14. START treaties: Strategic Arms Reduction Treaties negotiated between the U.S. and the Soviet Union, aimed at reducing the number of strategic nuclear weapons.

  15. Patriot Act: A law enacted in 2001 in response to the September 11 attacks, expanding law enforcement's surveillance and investigative powers to combat terrorism.

  16. Air Traffic Controllers Strike/Decline in Union Membership: The 1981 strike where President Reagan fired thousands of air traffic controllers who went on strike, leading to a long-term decline in union membership in the U.S.

  17. Illegal Immigration: The ongoing issue of individuals entering or residing in a country without legal permission, a significant political and social topic in the U.S. since the 1980s.

  18. Latino/Asian Immigration: The significant increase in Latino and Asian migrants to the U.S. since the 1980s, affecting demographics, culture, and U.S. immigration policy.

  19. Gay Marriage: The legal recognition of same-sex marriage, culminating in the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in 2015 to legalize it nationwide, reflecting changing societal attitudes towards LGBTQ+ rights.

  20. War in Afghanistan: The U.S.-led conflict initiated in 2001 to dismantle al-Qaeda and remove the Taliban from power, marking America's longest war.

  21. War in Iraq: The 2003 invasion of Iraq by a U.S.-led coalition, justified by claims of weapons of mass destruction, which led to long-lasting conflict and instability in the region.