1980's Flashcards
(16 cards)
Who was elected U.S. President in 1980 and again in 1984?
Ronald Reagan.
Who was president before Reagan, known for struggling with the Iran Hostage Crisis and inflation?
Jimmy Carter.
What was the War on Drugs?
A U.S. government campaign started in the 1980s to reduce illegal drug use, production, and trafficking.
What was the crack epidemic?
A surge in crack cocaine use and addiction in American cities during the 1980s, contributing to increased crime and incarceration.
What happened in the Reagan assassination attempt?
In 1981, Reagan was shot by John Hinckley Jr. but survived.
What is breakdancing and why was it important in the 1980s?
A street dance style that became a key part of hip-hop culture during the decade.
What was the Iran-Contra Affair?
A political scandal where the Reagan administration secretly sold weapons to Iran and used the money to fund Contras in Nicaragua.
What is Reaganomics?
Reagan’s economic policy focused on tax cuts, deregulation, and reducing government spending to stimulate growth.
Who is Bill Gates and what did he do in the 1980s?
Co-founder of Microsoft; sold computer software
Who was Sandra Day O’Connor and why is she significant?
The first woman appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court, nominated by Reagan in 1981.
What happened in Lebanon during the 1980s involving U.S. troops?
U.S. Marines were sent as peacekeepers; in 1983, a suicide bombing killed 241 American service members.
What was Nancy Reagan’s “Just Say No” campaign?
A nationwide anti-drug initiative targeting youth during the 1980s.
Who became president after Reagan and led the U.S. during the Persian Gulf War?
George H. W. Bush (Bush Sr.).
What was the Persian Gulf War?
A 1990–91 conflict where the U.S. and allies expelled Iraqi forces from Kuwait.
What did the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 symbolize?
The collapse of communism in Eastern Europe and the end of the Cold War.
What was Operation Desert Storm?
The combat phase of the Persian Gulf War in early 1991, led by U.S. and coalition forces against Iraq.
