modern history vocab

Watergate: A major political scandal in the 1970s involving a break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters and subsequent cover-up by President Nixon, leading to his resignation.

OPEC: The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, formed in 1960, became influential in the 1970s by controlling oil production and prices, impacting the global economy.

Inflation: The rate at which the general level of prices for goods and services rises, eroding purchasing power. During the 1970s, the U.S. experienced stagflation, a combination of high inflation and unemployment.

Camp David Accords: A peace agreement reached in 1978 between Israel and Egypt brokered by U.S. President Jimmy Carter, which led to the Egypt-Israel Peace Treaty.

Iran Hostage Crisis: A 444-day period in 1979-1981 where 52 American diplomats and citizens were held hostage by Iranian revolutionaries, leading to significant political tensions and the end of Carter's presidency.

Terrorism: A tactic used by individuals or groups to achieve political goals through violence and fear. In the late 20th century, it became a prominent concern in U.S. foreign and domestic policy.

Glasnot: A policy introduced in the 1980s by Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, advocating for openness and transparency in government institutions and activities, influencing the Cold War dynamics.

Apartheid: A system of institutionalized racial segregation and discrimination in South Africa that lasted until the early 1990s, with international condemnation and activism impacting U.S. foreign policy.

NAFTA: The North American Free Trade Agreement, implemented in 1994, created a trilateral trade bloc between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, aimed at reducing trade barriers.

Election of 2000: A contentious presidential election between George W. Bush and Al Gore, highlighted by a Supreme Court decision concerning a Florida recount that ultimately awarded Bush the presidency.

Al-Qaeda: A militant Islamist organization founded by Osama bin Laden in the late 1980s, known for its role in the September 11 attacks and numerous other acts of terrorism.

Jihad: An Islamic term often translated as "struggle" or "striving," it has been interpreted in various ways, including both personal spiritual struggle and as a call for armed struggle.

9-11: The terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, where hijackers from Al-Qaeda crashed planes into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, resulting in extensive casualties and significant policy changes in the U.S.

PLO: The Palestine Liberation Organization, founded in 1964, which has sought to establish a Palestinian state; it gained recognition for its political efforts in the 1990s but remains a contentious entity in Middle Eastern politics.

Globalization: The process through which businesses develop international influence or operate on an international scale, profoundly altering economies, cultures, and political systems worldwide since the late 20th century.

American Indian Movement: An advocacy group founded in 1968 to address issues related to sovereignty, treaty rights, and social justice for Native Americans, leading to increased awareness and activism.

United Farm Workers: A labor union founded in the 1960s to represent the interests of farmworkers, particularly Hispanic migrants, advocating for labor rights and better working conditions.

Gray Panthers: An advocacy group established in 1970 focusing on issues affecting the elderly, promoting social and economic justice for older Americans.

Wounded Knee (1973): A 71-day standoff between members of the American Indian Movement and federal law enforcement at Wounded Knee, South Dakota, highlighting the struggles and rights of Native Americans.

DACA (2012): The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program initiated under President Obama, allowing undocumented immigrants who came to the U.S. as children to receive temporary protection from deportation.