Recent American History - Reagan, Bush, Clinton, Bush and Obama Flashcards Preview

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Flashcards in Recent American History - Reagan, Bush, Clinton, Bush and Obama Deck (31)
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1
Q

What is meant by “Reaganomics”

A

Reganomics refers to the economic policy of Reagan in which he cut income taxes on wealthy individuals and businesses in an effort to stimulate (create) economic growth. This was used in the 1980s and contributed to an increase in the national debt.

2
Q

What are two other names (phrases) for Reaganomics?

A

“Trickle Down Economics” or “Supply Side Economics.”

3
Q

In the 1980s, the U.S. was importing (buying) from other countries more than it was exporting (selling) to other countries. This created a _______ ________.

A

Trade imbalance or trade gap.

4
Q

This was a major scandal during the Reagan Administration. Essentially, it involved trading arms for hostages and money with Iran…and using the money to fund anti-communist forces in Nicaragua.

A

The Iran-Contra Affair (Scandal)

5
Q

Saddam Hussein, the leader of Iraq, sent his forces into this tiny country in the Middle East. This brought the U.S. and a United Nations Coalition into conflict with Hussein’s forces.

A

Kuwait…the tiny nation was invaded by Iraq as Saddam Hussein tried to take control of Kuwait’s oil industry.

6
Q

The name given for the war in which the U.S. and a coalition of U.N. forces liberated Kuwait from the invasion force of Iraq under Saddam Hussein.

A

The Persian Gulf War (1990-1991)…also called Operation Desert Storm.

7
Q

Although President George H.W. Bush handled the Persian Gulf War very well, his Presidency became unpopular with the American people. Why?

A

The economy took a turn for the worse under George H.W. Bush, experiencing a recession in 1991-1992. Bill Clinton, running against Bush in 1992, made the election all about the economy, with the internal campaign slogan “It’s the economy, stupid.”

8
Q

President Bill Clinton tried, UNSUCCESSFULLY, to reform this aspect of American society. Obama later implemented major reforms to this aspect of American society with an unpopular law nicknamed “Obamacare.”

A

Health Care. Bill Clinton tried to implement Health Care Reform, but his efforts failed.

9
Q

This treaty or agreement between the United States, Canada, and Mexico was designed to increase trade and economic links between the three nations.

A

NAFTA = North American Free Trade Agreement

10
Q

President Bill Clinton used American troops to intervene in crises in Somalia, Bosnia, and Kosovo. Why?

A

In all three cases, human rights was the central concern. The governments and/or factions within these three hot spots were committing atrocities against people living there. The U.S. participated in military interventions to stop the killings.

11
Q

Bill Clinton shares a sad distinction with President Andrew Johnson. What is that distinction?

A

They are the only two Presidents in U.S. history to be impeached (accused of crimes). Both were put on trial by the U.S. Senate. Both were found NOT GUILTY by the Senate and remained in office until their terms expired.

12
Q

What crimes was Bill Clinton accused of committing in his impeachment?

A

Perjury (Lying Under Oath) and Obstruction of Justice.

13
Q

Why was Bill Clinton popular during his 1990s Presidency, despite all of the questions and accusations about his character flaws?

A

The economy of the 1990s was excellent. Bill Clinton remained popular in the eyes of the American people because most people had jobs and saw their economic situations remain strong. As long as that was the case, they did not seem to care about his character flaws.

14
Q

What current issue facing the United States in the world did Bill Clinton also have to deal with during his Presidency in the 1990s?

A

Terrorism. During the Clinton Presidency, the World Trade Center in NYC was car bombed. Two American embassies were bombed in Africa. The USS Cole (A Navy Ship) was attacked off the coast of Yemen. A domestic terrorist named Timothy McVeigh bombed a Federal Government building in Oklahoma City, OK. The age of terror came to America in the 1990s.

15
Q

What did NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement) accomplish?

A

NAFTA reduced/eliminated barriers to trade, including tariffs, between the three countries of North America - The U.S., Canada, and Mexico. It allowed any of those countries to sell the goods it produced in the other two countries, WITHOUT any tariff (tax on imports). The goal of NAFTA was to INCREASE TRADE/COMMERCE between the nations.

16
Q

What was the economic policy of George H.W. Bush…the President after Reagan?

A

Bush continued, in part, the Reaganomics of the Reagan years…vowing to keep taxes low. However, he broke that promise (“Read My Lips, No New Taxes”) and actually raised taxes once he saw the government needed more revenue (money coming in) to avoid massive deficits.

17
Q

What happened to the federal budget under Presidents Reagan and Bush I?

A

The federal budget saw massive deficits (DEBT) as the tax revenues declined (due to tax cuts on the rich) and spending remained high, especially on defense.

18
Q

What major event in foreign policy history do many give credit to Ronald Reagan for…when in fact all of the Presidents from Truman through Bush I deserve some credit for?

A

The end of the Cold War, symbolized by the fall of the Berlin Wall in late 1989.

19
Q

What happened to the Soviet Union during the presidency of George H.W. Bush?

A

The Soviet Union collapsed as one country. Many of the individual republics (like states in the United States) broke away. The USSR (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics) ceased to exist.

20
Q

This program, dreamed up by Ronald Reagan, terrified the Soviet Union because if enacted, it would have deemed the Soviet Union’s missiles useless (pointless)?

A

SDI = Strategic Defense Initiative (also called ‘Star Wars’). In reality, this was more a dream or Reagan than a reality. The technology for this is still not available and reliable.

21
Q

In response to the September 11 attacks (9/11/2001), George W. Bush signed this controversial law. It was seen later as a violation of freedom and liberty, in the name of security and safety.

A

The Patriot Act

22
Q

This cabinet-level department was created by George W. Bush after the September 11th attacks. Today, it is responsible for protecting the United States from terrorist attacks here in the United States.

A

The Department of Homeland Security.

23
Q

President George W. Bush made what economic decision, which he shares with Ronald Reagan?

A

Bush II cut taxes, mostly on the wealthy and businesses, with the hopes of stimulating economic growth. This was essentially a continuation of Reaganomics (Trickle-Down; Supply Side) from the 1980s.

24
Q

What happened to the national debt and the federal budget under George W. Bush (Bush II)?

A

Both the national debt and the federal budget deficits increased. The Bush Tax Cuts meant less revenue (money) coming in, while the U.S. spent a lot of money on wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

25
Q

In response to the September 11, 2001 attacks, the U.S. began a war in ___________ (country) against _________ (group of people).

A

Afganistan; Taliban
The U.S. went to war in Afghanistan to fight the taliban - a brutal government that allowed Al Qaeda to train terrorists in camps within Afghanistan.

26
Q

This man is considered the mastermind of the 9/11 attacks. He was later found and killed by U.S. special forces operating in Pakistan.

A

Osama bin Laden

27
Q

Osama bin Laden was seen as one of, if not THE, leader of this terrorist group which claimed responsibility for the 9/11 attacks.

A

Al Qaeda.

28
Q

This controversial law changed primary and secondary (grades k-12) education by attempting to hold public schools accountable for student progress by increasing the use of standardized testing in grades 3-8 in schools across America.

A

No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act.

29
Q

What was Bill Clinton able to accomplish as President with regard to the federal budget?

A

Bill Clinton, working with Republicans in Congress, was able to balance the budget and leave office with a projected budget SURPLUS (meaning we had more money than we were spending). This was the first time since Andrew Jackson (in the 1830s) that the U.S. had a balanced budget and started to pay down the national debt.

30
Q

What was unique about the 2000 Presidential Election between Republican George W. Bush and Democrat Al Gore?

A

Al Gore (Democrat) won the popular (people’s) vote by more than 500,000 votes. However, George W. Bush won the Electoral College vote, after a court battle and controversial Supreme Court ruling in the case of Bush v. Gore.

31
Q

This state held the key to the outcome of the controversial election of 2000, in which George W. Bush edged out Al Gore in the Electoral College.

A

Florida (and the infamous ‘hanging chads’ and ‘butterfly ballot’)