Key Figures & Innovations
Government & Policy
Elections, Courts & Political Events
Globalization & Economics
War & Terrorism
100
This Supreme Court Justice, appointed in 2009, was the first Latina to serve on the Court.
Who is Sonia Sotomayor?
100
A U.S. president was impeached by the House of Representatives in 1998 but later acquitted by the Senate.
Who is Bill Clinton?
100
The Supreme Court halted a vote recount in Florida, effectively deciding the outcome of a presidential election.
What is Bush v. Gore?
100
This 1994 agreement created a free trade zone between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
What is NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement)?
100
This 1991 war was fought to remove Iraqi forces from Kuwait.
What is the Persian Gulf War?
200
This U.S. president oversaw the end of the Cold War and the Persian Gulf War.
Who is George H. W. Bush?
200
A 1994 political agenda led by Newt Gingrich aimed to reduce the size and power of the federal government.
What is the Contract with America?
200
Public trust in government was affected by scandals and conflicting statements during the 1990s.
What is the credibility gap?
200
The increasing connection of global economies through trade, communication, and business expansion defines this process
What is globalization?
200
This terrorist attack occurred on September 11, 2001.
What is 9/11 (attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon)?
300
This technological shift dramatically changed communication, business, and access to information in the 1990s.
What is the Information Technology Revolution?
300
A 2001 law expanded government surveillance powers in response to terrorist threats.
What is the USA PATRIOT Act?
300
In 2008, a major milestone occurred when this candidate was elected president, reflecting changes in American society.
What is the election of the first African American president (Barack Obama)?
300
An international organization formed in 1995 helps resolve trade disputes and promotes cooperation between nations.
What is the World Trade Organization (WTO)?
300
The U.S. launched military operations in Afghanistan following 2001
What is the War on Terror (or response to 9/11 attacks)?
400
As First Lady, she played an active role in policy discussions, especially healthcare reform.
Who is Hillary Clinton?
400
A new federal department was created after 9/11 to coordinate national security and emergency response.
What is the Department of Homeland Security?
400
This 2005 natural disaster exposed weaknesses in federal disaster response due to delayed aid and poor coordination.
What is Hurricane Katrina?
400
The 2008 financial crisis was caused in part by risky lending practices and failures in the housing market.
What is the Great Recession?
400
The U.S. government expanded its military presence overseas after 2001 to combat terrorism.
What is increased military intervention (or global anti-terror operations)?
500
This development in the 1990s allowed people to communicate instantly, access information, and participate in online commerce on a global scale.
What is the Internet (or expansion of the Internet)?
500
A 2009 law provided government spending to stimulate the economy during a major recession.
What is the Recovery and Reinvestment Act?
500
This federal department, created after September 11, 2001, was designed to coordinate national efforts to prevent terrorism and respond to emergencies.
What is the Department of Homeland Security?
500
The development of the World Wide Web and personal computers led to major changes in communication and business practices.
What is the growth of global markets (or e-commerce expansion)?
500
The U.S. declared a global effort to eliminate terrorist organizations and prevent future attacks.
What is the War on Terror?