Untitled Flashcards Set

1. George W. Bush – Elected in 2000 in a controversial race against Al Gore, Bush promised to unite the country but became a divisive figure. His presidency was defined by 9/11, the War on Terror, the Iraq War, and major tax cuts that turned a surplus into a deficit.

2. Barack Obama – The first Black president, elected in 2008 amid the Great Recession. He pushed for economic recovery, health care reform (Obamacare), and progressive policies, but faced fierce opposition from Republicans.

3. Dick Cheney – Bush’s powerful vice president, he shaped U.S. foreign policy, heavily supported the Iraq War, and was linked to controversial policies like government surveillance and torture.

4. Donald Trump – A former businessman and TV personality who won the 2016 election by appealing to populist anger. His presidency was defined by tax cuts, trade wars, impeachment, and a chaotic political style.

5. John Kerry – A Vietnam War veteran and Democratic senator who ran against Bush in 2004. He criticized the Iraq War but struggled to defeat an incumbent president during wartime.

6. Sarah Palin – The Republican vice-presidential nominee in 2008. A political outsider and cultural conservative, she energized the GOP base but was criticized for her lack of experience.

7. Osama bin Laden – Leader of Al Qaeda and mastermind behind 9/11. He was responsible for global terror attacks and was eventually killed by U.S. Navy SEALs in 2011 under Obama.

8. Mitt Romney – A wealthy businessman and moderate Republican who ran against Obama in 2012. He opposed Obamacare but struggled to connect with working-class voters.

9. John McCain – A war hero and long-time senator who ran against Obama in 2008. He was respected for his bipartisan approach but faced challenges due to his support for the Iraq War.

10. Saddam Hussein – The dictator of Iraq, accused of possessing weapons of mass destruction (WMDs). His regime was overthrown in 2003 after the U.S. invasion, leading to instability and civil war.

11. Edward Snowden – A former NSA contractor who leaked classified information in 2013, revealing mass government surveillance programs. He fled to Russia and remains a controversial figure.

12. Hillary Clinton – Former First Lady, senator, and Secretary of State. She ran against Obama in 2008 and lost to Trump in 2016 after facing criticism over her emails and political record.

13. Al Gore – Clinton’s vice president and the Democratic nominee in 2000. He lost to Bush despite winning the popular vote due to a Supreme Court decision in Bush v. Gore.

14. Colin Powell – Bush’s Secretary of State who initially supported the Iraq War but later regretted it. He gave a key speech at the UN falsely claiming Iraq had WMDs.

15. Bernie Sanders – A progressive senator who ran for president in 2016 and 2020, advocating for policies like Medicare for All and free college tuition.

Key Terms, Events & Organizations

16. September 11, 2001 – Terrorists hijacked four planes and crashed them into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and a Pennsylvania field. This led to the War on Terror and major government changes.

17. War on Terror – Bush’s response to 9/11, leading to the invasion of Afghanistan and Iraq, expanded surveillance, and a global effort to defeat terrorist networks.

18. Al Qaeda – A terrorist group responsible for 9/11, led by Osama bin Laden. They operated from Afghanistan and sought to attack Western countries.

19. Taliban – An extremist Islamic group that ruled Afghanistan and provided shelter to Al Qaeda. They were overthrown in 2001 but later regrouped, making Afghanistan unstable.

20. Patriot Act – A controversial law passed after 9/11 that expanded government surveillance and allowed the detention of suspected terrorists without traditional legal protections.

21. Guantanamo Bay Detention Camp – A U.S. military prison in Cuba used to hold suspected terrorists. It became infamous for human rights concerns and indefinite detentions.

22. Department of Homeland Security – Created in 2002 to coordinate national security efforts and prevent future terrorist attacks.

23. Axis of Evil – A term used by Bush in 2002 to describe Iraq, Iran, and North Korea as major threats to the U.S.

24. Iraq War (2003-2011) – The U.S. invaded Iraq, claiming Saddam Hussein had WMDs and ties to terrorism. No WMDs were found, and the war led to prolonged conflict.

25. Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMDs) – The supposed nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons Iraq was accused of possessing. Their absence weakened Bush’s justification for war.

26. Abu Ghraib Prison Scandal – A 2004 revelation that U.S. troops tortured Iraqi prisoners, damaging America’s reputation and fueling anti-U.S. sentiment.

27. No Child Left Behind Act – Bush’s education policy requiring standardized testing to hold schools accountable. Critics said it focused too much on testing.

28. Election of 2004 – Bush defeated John Kerry by portraying himself as a strong leader during wartime, despite growing opposition to the Iraq War.

29. Hurricane Katrina – A devastating hurricane in 2005 that flooded New Orleans. The government’s slow response damaged Bush’s presidency.

30. Financial Crisis of 2008 – A major economic collapse caused by reckless banking practices, a housing market crash, and weak regulations. It led to the Great Recession.

31. Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac – Government-backed mortgage companies that collapsed in 2008, worsening the financial crisis.

32. Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) – A $700 billion bailout package to rescue banks and businesses from collapse during the financial crisis.

33. Affordable Care Act (“Obamacare”) – Obama’s signature healthcare reform, expanding insurance coverage and banning discrimination against people with pre-existing conditions.

34. Operation Neptune Spear – The 2011 military mission that killed Osama bin Laden in Pakistan.

35. Tea Party Movement – A right-wing, anti-government movement that emerged in 2009, opposing Obama’s policies and demanding lower taxes.

36. Citizens United v. FEC (2010) – A Supreme Court ruling that allowed corporations and unions to spend unlimited money on elections.

37. Occupy Wall Street – A 2011 protest movement against economic inequality and corporate power.

38. Election of 2016 – Trump defeated Hillary Clinton despite losing the popular vote, in part due to Russian interference and voter frustration with the political establishment.

39. Russian Interference in 2016 Election – Russia used social media and hacking to influence the U.S. election in Trump’s favor.

40. Fake News & Alternative Facts – Terms popularized during Trump’s presidency to discredit traditional media and promote misleading narratives.

41. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (2017) – Trump’s major tax reform, cutting corporate taxes but increasing the national debt.

42. Paris Climate Accord Withdrawal – Trump pulled the U.S. out of an international agreement to combat climate change.

43. The Mueller Report – A special investigation into whether Trump’s campaign colluded with Russia. It found Russian interference but no clear evidence of conspiracy.

44. Impeachment of Donald Trump (2019-2020) – Trump was impeached over allegations that he pressured Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden, but he was acquitted by the Senate.