Reagan and Conservatism - AP U.S. History
- What phrase is associated with Reagan's vision of America?
- "Shining city on a hill". Optimistic vision of America as moral leader and beacon of freedom.
- Identify the major scandal during Reagan's presidency.
- Iran-Contra Affair. Secret arms sales to Iran funded Nicaraguan Contras illegally.
- Which Supreme Court Justice was appointed by Reagan in 1981?
- Sandra Day O'Connor. First woman to serve on the Supreme Court in U.S. history.
- What was Reagan's impact on the federal judiciary?
- Appointed conservative judges to federal courts. Selected judges who shared his constitutional interpretation and values.
- Identify a consequence of Reagan's tax policies on income inequality.
- Widened income gap. Tax benefits primarily helped wealthy while middle class saw limited gains.
- What was Reagan's stance on social welfare programs?
- Reduction in social welfare spending. Part of conservative agenda to reduce government role in social programs.
- What was Reagan's approach to the Cold War?
- Peace through strength, increasing military spending. Policy of building military strength to deter Soviet aggression.
- What was a significant consequence of Reagan's defense spending?
- Acceleration of the arms race. Forced Soviets to match military expenditures, straining their economy.
- Identify the term for Reagan's conservative political coalition.
- New Right. Conservative political movement that supported Reagan's traditional values.
- What characterized Reagan's communication style?
- Effective and charismatic, often called 'The Great Communicator'. Skilled at connecting with public through television and speeches.
- Which country did Reagan invade in 1983 to combat Marxism?
- Grenada. Quick military intervention to prevent communist takeover of Caribbean island.
- What role did the Moral Majority play during Reagan's presidency?
- Supported conservative social policies. Religious conservative movement backed Reagan's traditional family values agenda.
- Which event marked the beginning of the Reagan Revolution?
- Reagan's election in 1980. Marked the conservative shift in American politics and policies.
- What was the effect of Reagan's policies on the national debt?
- Increased national debt due to tax cuts and military spending. Lower tax revenue and higher defense costs increased federal borrowing.
- Identify the legislative act that Reagan introduced to cut domestic spending.
- Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981. Comprehensive spending cuts to reduce government social programs.
- What was Reagan's relationship with labor unions?
- Adversarial, exemplified by breaking the PATCO strike. Demonstrated tough stance by firing striking air traffic controllers.
- What was Reagan's position on environmental regulation?
- Reduced environmental regulations. Believed environmental rules hindered business growth and competitiveness.
- What was the primary goal of Reagan's foreign policy?
- Containment and rollback of communism. Strategy to stop and reverse communist influence globally.
- What major treaty did Reagan sign with the USSR in 1987?
- Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty. Historic agreement eliminating medium-range nuclear weapons from Europe.
- What was Reagan's policy towards the Middle East?
- Support for Israel and opposition to radical regimes. Backed democratic ally while opposing Soviet-supported radical governments.
- Identify the economic theory that underpinned Reaganomics.
- Supply-side economics. Economic theory claiming tax cuts stimulate growth and increase revenue.
- Which initiative aimed to develop a missile defense system?
- Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI). Proposed space-based defense against incoming nuclear missiles.
- What was Reagan's approach to the federal government size?
- Reduction of government size. Sought to limit federal programs and return power to states.
- Identify the economic condition Reagan aimed to combat with tax cuts.
- Stagflation. Economic stagnation combined with high inflation plagued the late 1970s.
- Identify the term used to describe Reagan's strategic defense initiative.
- Star Wars. Nickname for the Strategic Defense Initiative missile defense program.
- What was the outcome of the Reagan tax cuts?
- Short-term economic growth and increased deficits. Tax cuts stimulated economy but reduced government revenue significantly.
- Which act did Reagan sign to control immigration in 1986?
- Immigration Reform and Control Act. Provided path to citizenship while strengthening border enforcement.
- What was the result of Reagan's military buildup?
- Soviet economic strain and eventual Cold War de-escalation. Arms race pressure contributed to Soviet reform and eventual collapse.
- Identify the approach Reagan took towards the Soviet Union.
- Confrontational yet willing to negotiate. Tough military posture combined with diplomatic engagement opportunities.
- What was a primary criticism of Reagan's economic policies?
- Increased budget deficits. Tax cuts reduced revenue faster than spending cuts could compensate.
- What was the primary economic policy of Reagan's presidency?
- Reaganomics, emphasizing tax cuts and supply-side economics. Theory that lower taxes boost growth by encouraging investment and productivity.
- Which legislation signed by Reagan aimed to simplify the tax code?
- Tax Reform Act of 1986. Simplified tax structure while lowering rates and closing loopholes.
- What was the result of Reagan's deregulation policies?
- Increased economic activity and corporate growth. Removing government oversight allowed businesses more operational freedom.
- What was the main objective of the Reagan Doctrine?
- Support anti-communist movements worldwide. Aimed to roll back Soviet influence through proxy conflicts.
- Identify the foreign policy strategy involving increased military spending.
- Peace through strength. Military buildup strategy to negotiate from position of strength.
- Which economic phenomenon was reduced during Reagan's presidency?
- Inflation. High prices and rising costs were brought under control.
- What was one of the key legislative achievements in civil rights under Reagan?
- Signing of the Voting Rights Act extension in 1982. Extended federal protection of minority voting rights for 25 years.
- Identify the doctrine that justified U.S. intervention against communism.
- Reagan Doctrine. Policy of supporting anti-communist forces in Third World conflicts.
- Which tax legislation was enacted in 1981 under Reagan?
- Economic Recovery Tax Act. Major tax cut legislation that reduced individual and business rates.