Key Historical Events and Political Movements in Modern America

Diplomacy and International Relations

• Ping Pong Diplomacy: The first US visitors to China since its transition to communism in 1949.
• SALT (Strategic Arms Limitation Talks): The US and USSR agreed to freeze the number of long-range missile launchers and build new missiles only after destroying older ones.
• Détente: A period of more relaxed relations with America's supposed enemies, China and the USSR.

Domestic Policy and Economic Challenges

• Domestic Policy: Richard Nixon attempted to invest in progressive and social justice causes while expanding LBJ's welfare programs.
• Stagflation: An economic cycle characterized by rising prices and job losses.
• Watergate: Five men were arrested for breaking into the Democratic National Committee; Nixon himself ordered the break-in to steal information.
• Reaganomics: A policy of cutting taxes for the wealthy, theorizing they would invest in their businesses and improve the national economy.
• S&L Crisis: Savings and loans were not saved in banks but were instead invested and lost during the George H.W. Bush administration.

Social Movements and Civil Rights

• African Americans: The "Black is Beautiful" campaign.
• University of California v. Bakke: Established that affirmative action programs can assist minorities in accessing education and employment.
• Roe v. Wade: Established that women can seek abortions based on the right to control their own bodies.
• Harvey Milk: The first openly gay person to win a major political campaign.
• Chicanos: Fought for higher wages and better living conditions.
• War Veterans: Soldiers returning from Vietnam often faced homelessness and illness.
• Affirmative Action: A policy where women and minorities receive extra consideration when applying for education and employment.

Global Shifts and Political Ideologies

• Perestroika: Reform under the new USSR leader, signaling a willingness to stop promoting communism.
• Iran-Contra Affair: Members of the Reagan administration took money from the sale of weapons to Iran and donated it to the Contras in Nicaragua.
• Liberal: Often described as "leftist," favoring big government, higher taxes, social welfare, equality, and diplomacy.
• Conservative: Often described as "right-wing," favoring small government, low taxation, free markets, private property rights, family values, and military power.
• George H.W. Bush: Oversaw the collapse of the Soviet Union and the fall of the Berlin Wall.
• First Gulf War: Iraq, led by Saddam Hussein, attempted to invade Kuwait for its oil supplies.
• Third Way: A political philosophy of centrism.
• Bill Clinton: Known for the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy regarding LGBTQ+ rights and the Monica Lewinsky scandal.
• NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement): Removed tariff barriers between the US, Mexico, and Canada.
• Globalization: The process where boundaries between nations become less important due to the exchange of products.
• Multiculturalism: The belief that racial and ethnic diversity is what makes America unique.