AP US History Flashcards: Reagan And Conservatism

What this deck covers

This deck focuses on Reagan And Conservatism, giving you a quick way to review the definitions, rules, and examples that matter most for AP US History.

How to use these flashcards

Work through these flashcards in short sessions. Try to answer each prompt before flipping the card, then revisit any cards you miss until the explanation feels automatic.

Flashcard 1: What major treaty did Reagan sign with the USSR in 1987?

Answer: Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty. Historic agreement eliminating medium-range nuclear weapons from Europe.

Flashcard 2: What phrase is associated with Reagan's vision of America?

Answer: "Shining city on a hill". Optimistic vision of America as moral leader and beacon of freedom.

Flashcard 3: Identify the major scandal during Reagan's presidency.

Answer: Iran-Contra Affair. Secret arms sales to Iran funded Nicaraguan Contras illegally.

Flashcard 4: Identify the foreign policy strategy involving increased military spending.

Answer: Peace through strength. Military buildup strategy to negotiate from position of strength.

Flashcard 5: What was Reagan's policy towards the Middle East?

Answer: Support for Israel and opposition to radical regimes. Backed democratic ally while opposing Soviet-supported radical governments.

Flashcard 6: What was the outcome of the Reagan tax cuts?

Answer: Short-term economic growth and increased deficits. Tax cuts stimulated economy but reduced government revenue significantly.

Flashcard 7: Which Supreme Court Justice was appointed by Reagan in 1981?

Answer: Sandra Day O'Connor. First woman to serve on the Supreme Court in U.S. history.

Flashcard 8: What was Reagan's impact on the federal judiciary?

Answer: Appointed conservative judges to federal courts. Selected judges who shared his constitutional interpretation and values.

Flashcard 9: What was Reagan's impact on the federal judiciary?

Answer: Appointed conservative judges to federal courts. Selected judges who shared his constitutional interpretation and values.

Flashcard 10: Identify the term for Reagan's conservative political coalition.

Answer: New Right. Conservative political movement that supported Reagan's traditional values.

Flashcard 11: Identify a consequence of Reagan's tax policies on income inequality.

Answer: Widened income gap. Tax benefits primarily helped wealthy while middle class saw limited gains.

Flashcard 12: Which legislation signed by Reagan aimed to simplify the tax code?

Answer: Tax Reform Act of 1986. Simplified tax structure while lowering rates and closing loopholes.

Flashcard 13: What was Reagan's stance on social welfare programs?

Answer: Reduction in social welfare spending. Part of conservative agenda to reduce government role in social programs.

Flashcard 14: What was the result of Reagan's military buildup?

Answer: Soviet economic strain and eventual Cold War de-escalation. Arms race pressure contributed to Soviet reform and eventual collapse.

Flashcard 15: What was Reagan's approach to the Cold War?

Answer: Peace through strength, increasing military spending. Policy of building military strength to deter Soviet aggression.

Flashcard 16: Which Supreme Court Justice was appointed by Reagan in 1981?

Answer: Sandra Day O'Connor. First woman to serve on the Supreme Court in U.S. history.

Flashcard 17: What was a significant consequence of Reagan's defense spending?

Answer: Acceleration of the arms race. Forced Soviets to match military expenditures, straining their economy.

Flashcard 18: Which economic phenomenon was reduced during Reagan's presidency?

Answer: Inflation. High prices and rising costs were brought under control.

Flashcard 19: Identify the term for Reagan's conservative political coalition.

Answer: New Right. Conservative political movement that supported Reagan's traditional values.

Flashcard 20: What characterized Reagan's communication style?

Answer: Effective and charismatic, often called 'The Great Communicator'. Skilled at connecting with public through television and speeches.

Flashcard 21: Which country did Reagan invade in 1983 to combat Marxism?

Answer: Grenada. Quick military intervention to prevent communist takeover of Caribbean island.

Flashcard 22: Which tax legislation was enacted in 1981 under Reagan?

Answer: Economic Recovery Tax Act. Major tax cut legislation that reduced individual and business rates.

Flashcard 23: What role did the Moral Majority play during Reagan's presidency?

Answer: Supported conservative social policies. Religious conservative movement backed Reagan's traditional family values agenda.

Flashcard 24: Which event marked the beginning of the Reagan Revolution?

Answer: Reagan's election in 1980. Marked the conservative shift in American politics and policies.

Flashcard 25: Identify the approach Reagan took towards the Soviet Union.

Answer: Confrontational yet willing to negotiate. Tough military posture combined with diplomatic engagement opportunities.

Flashcard 26: What was the effect of Reagan's policies on the national debt?

Answer: Increased national debt due to tax cuts and military spending. Lower tax revenue and higher defense costs increased federal borrowing.

Flashcard 27: What was Reagan's relationship with labor unions?

Answer: Adversarial, exemplified by breaking the PATCO strike. Demonstrated tough stance by firing striking air traffic controllers.

Flashcard 28: Identify the economic condition Reagan aimed to combat with tax cuts.

Answer: Stagflation. Economic stagnation combined with high inflation plagued the late 1970s.

Flashcard 29: Identify the legislative act that Reagan introduced to cut domestic spending.

Answer: Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981. Comprehensive spending cuts to reduce government social programs.

Flashcard 30: What role did the Moral Majority play during Reagan's presidency?

Answer: Supported conservative social policies. Religious conservative movement backed Reagan's traditional family values agenda.

Flashcard 31: What was a primary criticism of Reagan's economic policies?

Answer: Increased budget deficits. Tax cuts reduced revenue faster than spending cuts could compensate.

Flashcard 32: What was the primary economic policy of Reagan's presidency?

Answer: Reaganomics, emphasizing tax cuts and supply-side economics. Theory that lower taxes boost growth by encouraging investment and productivity.

Flashcard 33: What was Reagan's relationship with labor unions?

Answer: Adversarial, exemplified by breaking the PATCO strike. Demonstrated tough stance by firing striking air traffic controllers.

Flashcard 34: What was one of the key legislative achievements in civil rights under Reagan?

Answer: Signing of the Voting Rights Act extension in 1982. Extended federal protection of minority voting rights for 25 years.

Flashcard 35: Which initiative aimed to develop a missile defense system?

Answer: Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI). Proposed space-based defense against incoming nuclear missiles.

Flashcard 36: What was the result of Reagan's deregulation policies?

Answer: Increased economic activity and corporate growth. Removing government oversight allowed businesses more operational freedom.

Flashcard 37: What was Reagan's position on environmental regulation?

Answer: Reduced environmental regulations. Believed environmental rules hindered business growth and competitiveness.

Flashcard 38: Which act did Reagan sign to control immigration in 1986?

Answer: Immigration Reform and Control Act. Provided path to citizenship while strengthening border enforcement.

Flashcard 39: What was the primary goal of Reagan's foreign policy?

Answer: Containment and rollback of communism. Strategy to stop and reverse communist influence globally.

Flashcard 40: Which country did Reagan invade in 1983 to combat Marxism?

Answer: Grenada. Quick military intervention to prevent communist takeover of Caribbean island.

Flashcard 41: What was Reagan's position on environmental regulation?

Answer: Reduced environmental regulations. Believed environmental rules hindered business growth and competitiveness.

Flashcard 42: What major treaty did Reagan sign with the USSR in 1987?

Answer: Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty. Historic agreement eliminating medium-range nuclear weapons from Europe.

Flashcard 43: What was Reagan's policy towards the Middle East?

Answer: Support for Israel and opposition to radical regimes. Backed democratic ally while opposing Soviet-supported radical governments.

Flashcard 44: Identify the economic theory that underpinned Reaganomics.

Answer: Supply-side economics. Economic theory claiming tax cuts stimulate growth and increase revenue.

Flashcard 45: Identify the economic theory that underpinned Reaganomics.

Answer: Supply-side economics. Economic theory claiming tax cuts stimulate growth and increase revenue.

Flashcard 46: Identify the term used to describe Reagan's strategic defense initiative.

Answer: Star Wars. Nickname for the Strategic Defense Initiative missile defense program.

Flashcard 47: Which initiative aimed to develop a missile defense system?

Answer: Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI). Proposed space-based defense against incoming nuclear missiles.

Flashcard 48: What was the primary goal of Reagan's foreign policy?

Answer: Containment and rollback of communism. Strategy to stop and reverse communist influence globally.

Flashcard 49: What was Reagan's approach to the federal government size?

Answer: Reduction of government size. Sought to limit federal programs and return power to states.

Flashcard 50: Which event marked the beginning of the Reagan Revolution?

Answer: Reagan's election in 1980. Marked the conservative shift in American politics and policies.

Flashcard 51: What was the effect of Reagan's policies on the national debt?

Answer: Increased national debt due to tax cuts and military spending. Lower tax revenue and higher defense costs increased federal borrowing.

Flashcard 52: What was Reagan's approach to the federal government size?

Answer: Reduction of government size. Sought to limit federal programs and return power to states.

Flashcard 53: What characterized Reagan's communication style?

Answer: Effective and charismatic, often called 'The Great Communicator'. Skilled at connecting with public through television and speeches.

Flashcard 54: Identify a consequence of Reagan's tax policies on income inequality.

Answer: Widened income gap. Tax benefits primarily helped wealthy while middle class saw limited gains.

Flashcard 55: What phrase is associated with Reagan's vision of America?

Answer: "Shining city on a hill". Optimistic vision of America as moral leader and beacon of freedom.

Flashcard 56: Identify the economic condition Reagan aimed to combat with tax cuts.

Answer: Stagflation. Economic stagnation combined with high inflation plagued the late 1970s.

Flashcard 57: Identify the term used to describe Reagan's strategic defense initiative.

Answer: Star Wars. Nickname for the Strategic Defense Initiative missile defense program.

Flashcard 58: What was the outcome of the Reagan tax cuts?

Answer: Short-term economic growth and increased deficits. Tax cuts stimulated economy but reduced government revenue significantly.

Flashcard 59: Which act did Reagan sign to control immigration in 1986?

Answer: Immigration Reform and Control Act. Provided path to citizenship while strengthening border enforcement.

Flashcard 60: What was the result of Reagan's military buildup?

Answer: Soviet economic strain and eventual Cold War de-escalation. Arms race pressure contributed to Soviet reform and eventual collapse.

Flashcard 61: What was the main objective of the Reagan Doctrine?

Answer: Support anti-communist movements worldwide. Aimed to roll back Soviet influence through proxy conflicts.

Flashcard 62: What was Reagan's stance on social welfare programs?

Answer: Reduction in social welfare spending. Part of conservative agenda to reduce government role in social programs.

Flashcard 63: Identify the legislative act that Reagan introduced to cut domestic spending.

Answer: Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981. Comprehensive spending cuts to reduce government social programs.

Flashcard 64: Identify the doctrine that justified U.S. intervention against communism.

Answer: Reagan Doctrine. Policy of supporting anti-communist forces in Third World conflicts.

Flashcard 65: Identify the approach Reagan took towards the Soviet Union.

Answer: Confrontational yet willing to negotiate. Tough military posture combined with diplomatic engagement opportunities.

Flashcard 66: What was a primary criticism of Reagan's economic policies?

Answer: Increased budget deficits. Tax cuts reduced revenue faster than spending cuts could compensate.

Flashcard 67: What was the primary economic policy of Reagan's presidency?

Answer: Reaganomics, emphasizing tax cuts and supply-side economics. Theory that lower taxes boost growth by encouraging investment and productivity.

Flashcard 68: What was Reagan's approach to the Cold War?

Answer: Peace through strength, increasing military spending. Policy of building military strength to deter Soviet aggression.

Flashcard 69: Which legislation signed by Reagan aimed to simplify the tax code?

Answer: Tax Reform Act of 1986. Simplified tax structure while lowering rates and closing loopholes.

Flashcard 70: Identify the major scandal during Reagan's presidency.

Answer: Iran-Contra Affair. Secret arms sales to Iran funded Nicaraguan Contras illegally.

Flashcard 71: What was the result of Reagan's deregulation policies?

Answer: Increased economic activity and corporate growth. Removing government oversight allowed businesses more operational freedom.

Flashcard 72: What was the main objective of the Reagan Doctrine?

Answer: Support anti-communist movements worldwide. Aimed to roll back Soviet influence through proxy conflicts.

Flashcard 73: Identify the foreign policy strategy involving increased military spending.

Answer: Peace through strength. Military buildup strategy to negotiate from position of strength.

Flashcard 74: Which economic phenomenon was reduced during Reagan's presidency?

Answer: Inflation. High prices and rising costs were brought under control.

Flashcard 75: What was one of the key legislative achievements in civil rights under Reagan?

Answer: Signing of the Voting Rights Act extension in 1982. Extended federal protection of minority voting rights for 25 years.

Flashcard 76: Identify the doctrine that justified U.S. intervention against communism.

Answer: Reagan Doctrine. Policy of supporting anti-communist forces in Third World conflicts.

Flashcard 77: What was a significant consequence of Reagan's defense spending?

Answer: Acceleration of the arms race. Forced Soviets to match military expenditures, straining their economy.

Flashcard 78: Which tax legislation was enacted in 1981 under Reagan?

Answer: Economic Recovery Tax Act. Major tax cut legislation that reduced individual and business rates.