The 1990s: A Comprehensive Overview

The 1990s: A Unit Guide

Key Terms

  • Election of 1988: Presidential election.
  • Michael Dukakis: Democratic candidate in the 1988 election.
  • Willie Horton/Revolving Door Ads: Controversial political ads used in the 1988 election.
  • George H.W. Bush: 41st President of the United States.
  • “Read My Lips”: Famous campaign promise made by George H.W. Bush regarding taxes.
  • Dan Quayle: Vice President under George H.W. Bush.
  • Noriega: Manuel Noriega, leader of Panama.
  • Operation Just Cause: US military operation in Panama to depose Noriega.
  • Saddam Hussein: Leader of Iraq.
  • Iran-Iraq War: A conflict between Iran and Iraq.
  • Operation Desert Storm: US-led military operation to remove Iraqi forces from Kuwait.
  • Colin Powell (Powell Doctrine): Military strategy advocating for overwhelming force and clear objectives.
  • Patriot Missiles: Missile defense system used during the Gulf War.
  • Norman Schwarzkopf: Commander of US forces during Operation Desert Storm.
  • Gulf War Syndrome: A cluster of medical symptoms reported by veterans of the Gulf War.
  • Drug War: Efforts to combat illegal drug trafficking and use.
  • Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): Legislation prohibiting discrimination based on disability.
  • Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA): Legislation ensuring services to children with disabilities.
  • Clarence Thomas: Supreme Court Justice.
  • Anita Hill: Accused Clarence Thomas of sexual harassment during his confirmation hearings.
  • 1992 - “Year of the Woman”: Significant increase in the number of women elected to public office.
  • 27th Amendment: Amendment regarding congressional pay raises.
  • 1990-1991 Recession: Economic downturn.
  • Election of 1992: Presidential election.
  • Bill Clinton: 42nd President of the United States.
  • Hillary Rodham Clinton: First Lady during Bill Clinton's presidency.
  • “New Democrats”: Moderate wing of the Democratic Party.
  • Million Man March: A large gathering of African-American men in Washington, D.C.
  • Pat Buchanan: Conservative political commentator and candidate.
  • Ross Perot: Third-party candidate in the 1992 and 1996 presidential elections.
  • “It’s the Economy, Stupid”: Campaign slogan used by Bill Clinton's campaign.
  • “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”: Policy regarding gays in the military.
  • NAFTA: North American Free Trade Agreement.
  • Health Security Act: Proposed healthcare reform by the Clinton administration.
  • Whitewater: Real estate controversy involving Bill and Hillary Clinton.
  • 1994 Crime Bill: Legislation addressing crime.
  • Newt Gingrich/“Contract with America”: Republican congressional agenda.
  • 1995 Gov’t Shutdowns: Government shutdowns due to budget disagreements.
  • Balanced budget: Budget in which revenues equal expenditures.
  • Dot Com Boom: Rapid growth of internet-based companies.
  • Election of 1996: Presidential election.
  • Bob Dole: Republican candidate in the 1996 election.
  • Impeachment: Impeachment of Bill Clinton.
  • Monica Lewinsky: White House intern involved in a scandal with Bill Clinton.
  • Linda Tripp: Friend of Monica Lewinsky who secretly recorded their conversations.
  • Ken Starr/Starr Report: Independent Counsel who investigated Bill Clinton; report on the investigation.
  • Central Park Five: Five teenagers wrongly convicted of assaulting a jogger in Central Park.
  • Latasha Harlins/Soon Ja Du: Incident involving the shooting of Latasha Harlins by Soon Ja Du.
  • Rodney King: Victim of police brutality in Los Angeles.
  • LA Riots: Riots following the acquittal of police officers involved in the Rodney King beating.
  • OJ Simpson Trial: Highly publicized murder trial.
  • Ruby Ridge ‘92: Standoff between the FBI and the Weaver family in Ruby Ridge, Idaho.
  • Waco Siege ‘93: Siege of the Branch Davidian compound in Waco, Texas.
  • Oklahoma City Bombing ‘95: Bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building.
  • Timothy McVeigh: Perpetrator of the Oklahoma City Bombing.
  • Atlanta Olympics ‘96: Summer Olympic Games held in Atlanta.
  • Unabomber/Ted Kaczynski ‘96: Domestic terrorist who mailed bombs.
  • Gun control acts 93-94: Legislation related to gun control.
  • Columbine Shooting: School shooting at Columbine High School.
  • 2000 Election: Presidential election.
  • Al Gore: Democratic candidate in the 2000 election.
  • George W. Bush: 43rd President of the United States.
  • Ralph Nader: Third-party candidate in the 2000 election.
  • Florida Recount: Recount of votes in Florida during the 2000 election.
  • “Hanging Chads”: Partially detached pieces of paper ballots that caused controversy during the recount.
  • Bush v. Gore (2000): Supreme Court case that resolved the 2000 election.
  • Music: Grunge & Hip Hop: Popular music genres.
  • Movies- indie/TV- Reality shows: Trends in entertainment.
  • Technology- internet, DVDs, CDs: Advancements in technology.
  • Sports- Olympics, Cowboys, Bulls: Popular sports and teams.
  • Globalization: Increasing interconnectedness of the world.
  • German reunification/NATO expansion: Significant geopolitical events.
  • European Union/Maastricht Treaty: Development of the European Union.
  • World Trade Organization (WTO): Organization regulating international trade.
  • Battle of Seattle ‘99: Protests against the WTO meeting in Seattle.
  • India-Pakistan Conflict/Kashmir: Ongoing conflict between India and Pakistan.
  • South Africa- Apartheid, Nelson Mandela: End of apartheid in South Africa.
  • Truth and Reconciliation Commission: Commission in South Africa addressing past human rights abuses.
  • Somalian Civil War/Battle of Mogadishu: Conflict in Somalia.
  • Second Sudanese Civil War: Conflict in Sudan.
  • Ethnic Conflicts in the Congo: Conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
  • Rwandan Genocide- Hutus & Tutsis: Mass genocide in Rwanda.
  • Shi’a and Sunni Muslim Conflicts: Conflict between different branches of Islam.
  • Balkan Wars/Dayton Accord: Conflict in the Balkans.
  • “The Troubles”/Good Friday Agreement: Conflict in Northern Ireland.
  • Haiti- Operation Uphold Democracy: US military intervention in Haiti.
  • Guatemalan Civil War: Conflict in Guatemala.

Essential Questions

  1. What were the key political, economic, & social issues in the US during the 1990s?
  2. What were the major domestic & foreign policies of the G.H.W. Bush administration?
  3. What were the major causes & effects of the Gulf War?
  4. What was the legacy of the 1992 & 2000 elections?
  5. What were the major domestic & foreign policy achievements of the Clinton administration?
  6. What were the major social & cultural trends of 1990s America?
  7. What were the causes & effects of globalization?
  8. What were the major issues in Africa, Asia, Europe, & Latin America in the 1990s?