APUSH: Reagan-present – Flashcards

Served as president from 1980-88 and favored tax cuts, increased military spending, and a decreased federal government.

A court, led by Chief Justice William Rehnquist, that favored judicial restraint and conservative tendencies. It did not overturn previous rulings, although it limited rights established by liberal decisions (e.g. abortion).

First woman on the Supreme Court (appointed by Reagan) who became the deciding vote in many cases regarding issues such as affirmative action, the establishment clause, abortion, and gender discrimination. She retired in 2006.

South and Southwestern states that have seen greater population growth relative to the rest of the nation. These states attract retirees and tend to be conservative. These include Texas, California, and Florida

The Contras were a group of Nicaraguan insurgents fighting against a communist regime. Congress cut off aid after reports of torturing and murder, but Reagan devised a plan to continue funding them. The government secretly sold weapons to Iran and used the profit to buy guns for the Contras.

Reagan convinced Congress to increase military spending. The SDI was a proposed space-based missile shield system, dubbed "Star Wars" by both supporters and critics.

Reagan believed that reducing corporate taxes would allow corporations to earn greater profits, which would then be used to buy new equipment and hire employees, thus stimulating the economy. Wealth would then "trickle down" from corporations to employees (George H.W. Bush called this policy "voodoo economics"). Reagan coupled this with large-scale deregulation and tax cuts.

Served as president from 1989-92. His election signified an end of progressive liberalism and a return to traditional American morals. He ran the 1988 election with the slogan: "Read my lips: no new taxes" (although he would later create new taxes).

Reforms of USSR Head Mikhail Gorbachev led to the collapse of Communist governments in Eastern Europe. He and Reagan ultimately negotiated a withdrawal of nuclear weapons from Europe. The fall and end of the Cold War are most symbolized by the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989.

In 1990, Saddam Hussein (leader of Iraq) invaded oil-rich Kuwait. He seized Kuwait's oil fields and threatened the world's access to Middle Eastern oil. Bush built a consensus in Congress and established an international coalition against Iraq in the U.N. The war ended quickly with few American casualties, although Saddam Hussein was allowed to remain in power.

Served as president from 1993-2000. Clinton's term featured welfare reform, the Kyoto treaty, and impeachment over the Monica Lewinsky Scandal

The North American Free Trade Agreement established free trade between Canada, the US, and Mexico. While criticized by labor unions, it resulted in a net gain of jobs due to the opening of Mexican markets.

Signed in 1997, this treaty required countries to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions to the levels of 1990.

George W. Bush vs. Al Gore. The results of this election were unclear although it appeared that Gore had won. A series of mishaps in Florida called the results into question. The Supreme Court prevented a formal recount of votes, allowing Bush to beat Gore.

In 2003, Medicare was greatly expanded through the Medicare Modernization Act. It included features that would roll out over a period of time, the most notable one being prescription drug benefits.