Presidents and Politics
What president was known as the "Great Communicator"?
Reagan
What country did the U.S. invade to remove Manuel Noriega?
The U.S. invaded Panama in 1989 to remove Manuel Noriega, who was involved in drug trafficking.
What does the FMLA provide for American workers?
The Family and Medical Leave Act allows workers to take unpaid leave for family or medical reasons without losing their jobs.
Who was Jerry Falwell and what was the Moral Majority’s goal?
Jerry Falwell was a Christian conservative leader whose group, the Moral Majority, aimed to promote traditional family values and influence politics.
Why was Clinton impeached?
Clinton was impeached for lying under oath (perjury) and obstructing justice during an investigation into his personal conduct.
What was the “Contract With America” and who led it?
Led by Newt Gingrich, the Contract With America was a Republican plan to reduce government spending and promote conservative reforms.
What triggered the Persian Gulf War in 1990?
The Persian Gulf War began when Iraq, led by Saddam Hussein, invaded the neighboring country of Kuwait.
What did the Brady Bill do?
The Brady Bill, passed in 1993, required background checks and a waiting period for handgun purchases.
What group was hit hardest by AIDS in the 1980s?
The LGBTQ+ community, especially gay men, was hit hardest by the AIDS epidemic in the 1980s.300Why was the federal government criticized during the AIDS crisis?
Was Clinton removed from office? Why or why not?
Clinton was not removed from office because the Senate did not reach the two-thirds vote needed to convict him.
Why did George H.W. Bush lose popularity by 1992?
George H.W. Bush lost popularity due to a rising national deficit and a recession that hurt the economy.
What was the U.S. goal in Operation Desert Storm?
Operation Desert Storm aimed to remove Iraqi forces from Kuwait and protect Saudi Arabia’s oil fields.
What did VP Gore say needed to change in response to rising gun violence?
Vice President Gore argued that both cultural values and gun laws needed to change to reduce violence.
Why was the federal government criticized during the AIDS crisis?
The government was criticized for responding slowly, showing little urgency, and failing to provide enough funding or public support.
What was the Iran-Contra Affair?
The Iran-Contra Affair involved the U.S. secretly selling weapons to Iran and using the money to illegally fund anti-communist rebels in Nicaragua.
How did Bill Clinton promote himself in the 1992 election?
Bill Clinton promoted himself as a "New Democrat" focused on economic recovery and appealing to both moderates and liberals.
What happened in Tiananmen Square in 1989, and how did the U.S. respond?
Chinese students protested for democracy in Tiananmen Square; the Chinese government cracked down violently, and President Bush responded cautiously without major action.
Why did many Americans oppose healthcare reform in the 1980s?
Many Americans opposed healthcare reform in the 1980s because they feared it would expand the federal government and increase bureaucracy.
Why did some people oppose affirmative action in the 1990s?
Some people opposed affirmative action because they believed it led to reverse discrimination against white applicants.
Why was Sandra Day O’Connor’s Roe v. Wade ruling unexpected?
Although she was appointed by a conservative president, O’Connor voted to uphold Roe v. Wade and protect abortion rights.
What was Reagan’s economic philosophy known as, and how was it supposed to help the economy?
Reagan’s philosophy was called supply-side economics, which argued that cutting taxes would increase investment, create jobs, and grow the economy.
What led the U.S. to withdraw from Somalia in 1994?
The U.S. withdrew from Somalia after a peacekeeping mission failed and American troops suffered high casualties in a deadly ambush.
What was the cause and impact of the U.S. trade deficit with Japan in the late '80s and early '90s?
The U.S. trade deficit with Japan grew as America imported more than it exported, causing concern over the economy and global competition.
What impact did Al Qaeda’s 1993 World Trade Center bombing and 1998 embassy bombings have on U.S. security concerns?
These attacks showed that terrorism was a growing threat, but many Americans and officials still did not take it seriously until after 9/11.
Why do some historians credit Reagan with ending the Cold War?
Reagan’s military buildup and tough stance pressured the Soviet Union into weakening its military competition and eventually collapsing.