Term | Definition |
Richard Nixon | President 1968-1974, resigned to avoid charges of obstruction of justice and abuse of power over Watergate Scandal |
Watergate Scandal | Committee to Reelect Nixon caught wiretapping Democratic Party Headquarters, House of Reps planned to impeach Nixon |
Space Program | Government program responsible for putting astronaut Neil Armstrong on the moon |
OSHA | Occupational Safety and Health Administration ensures safe, healthy working conditions |
EPA | Environmental Protection Agency combats pollution and protects environment |
SALT | Strategic Arms Limitation Talks between US and Soviet Union, each agreeing to limit number of nuclear weapons in arsenal |
Impeachment | Process of bringing charges against an official for unlawful activity. House of Reps impeaches, Senate holds trial |
War Powers Act | 1973 President has 48 hours to tell Congress if troops are sent into combat. If not approved, troops must return in less than 60 days |
Gerald Ford | 1974-1976 Only president not elected. Chosen by Nixon to be VP after Agnew resigns, became President after Nixon resigns |
Oil embargo | Refusal by OPEC to sell oil to the US, resulting in higher fuel prices and inflation |
Jimmy Carter | President 1977-1984, held Camp David Accords between leaders of Israel and Egypt, promoting peace in Middle East |
Camp David Accords | 1978 meeting hosted by Jimmy Carter between Israeli Prime Minister Menachim Begin and Egyptian President Anwar Sadat |
Iran Hostage Crisis | 1979 American embassy in Iran seized by Islamic terrorists, US citizens held hostage for 444 days |
Ronald Reagan | President 1980-1987, known for Reagonomics; cutting taxes while increasing spending resulting in inflation. |
Iran-Contra Affair | 1986 secret deal between CIA and Contra rebels in Nicaragua, Reagan cleared by Congress for having no knowledge of deal |
George Bush | 1988-1992 Cold War ends, Persian Gulf War begins |
Persian Gulf War | 1991 US and UN forces battle Saddam Hussein in Iraq to protect Middle Eastern allies |
Operation Desert Shield | 1990 military operation to protect Saudi Arabia from Saddam Hussein |
Operation Desert Storm | 1991 military air assault by US and its allies against Saddam Hussein |
Bill Clinton | 1992-2000 Improved US economy, impeached for charges related to affair with Monica Lewinsky but acquitted by Senate |
George W Bush | 2000-2008 Lost popular vote to Al Gore but won electoral college vote |
9/11 | Terrorist attacks ordered by Osama bin Laden against US targets, Bush declares war on terrorism |
Weapons of Mass Destruction | Nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons capable of killing massive numbers of people |
Patriot Act | Anti-terrorism law passed after 9/11 giving government broad permission to intercept and obstruct terrorism |
Department of Homeland Security | Cabinet department created after 9/11 to strengthen US security and keep nation safe from attacks |
Barack Obama | 2009-2016 first black president, Osama bin Laden, responsible for 9/11 attacks found and killed, universal health care passed |
Obamacare | Nickname given to president Obama's program for universal health care for all citizens |
Tea Party | Conservative political movement began in 2009 to support reduced federal spending, strong role in Republican party |