Who was Ronald Reagan?
A conservative president whose policies led to the 'Reagan Revolution' and a shift in American politics. He is also credited with helping to end the Cold War.
Who was Mikhail Gorbachev?
The last leader of the Soviet Union, whose reforms and negotiations with Reagan led to the end of the Cold War.
Who was Bill Clinton?
A Democratic president who declared 'the era of Big Government is over' and presided over a period of economic prosperity.
Who was George H.W. Bush?
President who led the US during the Persian Gulf War and promoted a 'New World Order'.
Who was Barack Obama?
The first African American president of the United States, who passed the Affordable Care Act and led the country during the Great Recession recovery.
Who was Newt Gingrich?
A Republican politician who served as the 50th Speaker of the House of Representatives from 1995 to 1999. He was a key figure in the Republican Revolution of 1994, which brought the Republican Party to power in Congress for the first time in 40 years.
Who was George W. Bush?
President during the 9/11 attacks, who initiated the Global War on Terror and the invasion of Iraq.
What is the Reagan Revolution?
A conservative shift in American politics and policy, emphasizing reduced government spending, lower taxes, and a strong national defense, starting in the 1980s.
Define Globalization.
The increasing interconnectedness of nations through economic, political, and cultural exchanges, particularly prominent in the 1990s.
What was the 'Evil Empire'?
A term used by President Reagan to describe the Soviet Union during the Cold War, reflecting a period of heightened tension.
What is ethnic cleansing?
The systematic forced removal or extermination of ethnic or religious groups from a given territory.
Define the Global War on Terror.
A series of military campaigns initiated by the United States after the 9/11 attacks, targeting terrorist organizations and their state sponsors.
What is the Sunbelt?
A region of the United States generally considered to stretch across the Southeast and Southwest. During this period, it experienced substantial population growth.
What is the Department of Homeland Security?
A U.S. federal agency created in 2002 in response to the September 11 attacks, responsible for protecting the country from terrorism and other threats.
What is the USA PATRIOT Act?
A U.S. law passed in 2001 in response to the September 11 attacks, granting law enforcement agencies broader powers to investigate and prevent terrorism.
What is the Strategic Defense Initiative?
A proposed missile defense system intended to protect the United States from attack by ballistic strategic nuclear weapons (intercontinental ballistic missiles and submarine-launched ballistic missiles).
What is the New World Order?
A term used by President George H.W. Bush to describe the post-Cold War era, characterized by international cooperation and American leadership.
What was the significance of the end of the Cold War in 1989?
Marked the collapse of the Soviet Union and the end of decades-long geopolitical tension between the US and the Soviet bloc, leading to a new era of American dominance.
What was Operation Desert Storm?
A US-led military operation in 1991 to liberate Kuwait from Iraqi invasion, showcasing American military power and leadership in the post-Cold War era.
What was the impact of the 9/11 attacks in 2001?
Triggered the Global War on Terror, leading to military interventions in Afghanistan and Iraq, and significantly reshaping US foreign and domestic policy.
What was the significance of *Obergefell v. Hodges* (2015)?
The Supreme Court decision that legalized same-sex marriage nationwide, marking a major victory for the LGBTQ rights movement.
What was the Great Recession?
A severe economic downturn in the late 2000s triggered by a housing market crash, leading to bank failures, job losses, and government intervention.
What was the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (2009)?
A stimulus package enacted in response to the Great Recession, aimed at boosting the economy through government spending on infrastructure, education, and healthcare.
What was the Intermediate Nuclear Forces Treaty?
A 1987 agreement between the United States and the Soviet Union that eliminated intermediate-range nuclear and ground launched missiles.
What was the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act?
A comprehensive healthcare reform law enacted in 2010 that expanded health insurance coverage and made changes to the healthcare system.
What was the 2003 invasion of Iraq?
A U.S.-led military invasion of Iraq based on claims of weapons of mass destruction, leading to a prolonged conflict and political instability.
What was the Contract with America?
A document released by the Republican Party during the 1994 Congressional election campaign. Written by Newt Gingrich and Richard Armey, it detailed the actions the Republicans promised to take if they became the majority party in the United States House of Representatives.