United States History
EOC 10: 1970s to 1990
10A – describe Richard M. Nixon's leadership in the
normalization of relations with China and the policy of détente
Détente – (1969-1979) in French means “relaxation”; “thawing
out”/“unfreezing”/easing of tensions between the US and USSR; policy of
Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, and Jimmy Carter; ended when the Soviet Union
invaded Afghanistan in 1979; attempt to normalize relations between US
and USSR; debate is ongoing over the success of détente
Nixon visits China – (1972) officially recognized the communist
government of China as legitimate, normalized relations with China; ended
23 years (1949-1972) of separation between the two sides
SALT I – (1972) Strategic Arms Limitation Talks I - the US and Soviet
Union agreed to limit the number of nuclear missiles in their arsenals; signed
in May following Nixon’s visit to China in February; (Jimmy Carter signed
SALT II in 1979, it never went into effect)
2014 #36
One action that influenced the U.S.-Soviet signing of the SALT I treaty
in 1972 was President Richard Nixon’s —
A opening of diplomatic relations with China
B involvement in the Watergate scandal
C support of Israel during the Yom Kippur War
D withdrawal of military forces from Vietnam
2016 #63
How was the goal set forth in this excerpt advanced during President
Nixon’s administration?
A By the normalization of relations with China B By supporting the Arab coalition during the Yom Kippur War C By escalating the bombing of North Vietnam D By attacking enemy bases in Cambodia 10B – describe Ronald Reagan's leadership in domestic and
international policies, including Reaganomics and Peace Through
Strength
Reaganomics - refers to the economic policies promoted by Ronald
Reagan during the 1980s. These policies are commonly associated with
supply-side economics – referred to as trickle-down economics or voodoo
economics by political opponents, and free-market economics by political
advocates.
Supply-side economics – believed in lowering taxes and regulation;
which would lead to cheaper, more plentiful goods and services; which would
lead an expansion of businesses and more jobs
Peace Through Strength – (1980-1989) Reagan idea that peace
cannot exist without being prepared for war; given credit by some for
defeating the Soviet Union in the Cold War (1989-1991)
2013 #53
The policy objectives of Reaganomics were based on the theory that —
A borrowing from foreign countries would help cover the costs of
domestic programs
B significant increases in government spending would help reduce
unemployment
C broad tax cuts and financial deregulation would promote economic
expansion
D reducing trade barriers would result in a budget surplus
2014 #52
Which speaker would most likely agree with President Ronald Reagan’s
national security policies?
A Speaker 1
B Speaker 2
C Speaker 3
D Speaker 4
10C – compare the impact of energy on the American way of
life over time
1973 Oil Embargo – (1973-1974) started in October 1973 when the
Arab members of OPEC (Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries)
proclaimed an oil embargo; the Arab countries were upset that the US had
supported Israel in the Yom Kippur War (1973) against Egypt and Syria;
global oil prices went from $3 a barrel to $12 a barrel (higher in the US); US
gas prices went from 38.5¢/gallon to 55.1¢/gallon ($2.07/gallon to
2.68/gallon in 2015 dollars)
1979 oil crisis – decrease in oil output caused by the Iranian
Revolution (1979). Sent interest rates up to 20 percent
2015 #5
Why did gasoline prices spike during the 1970s and early 1980s?
A A natural disaster impeded offshore drilling for oil.
B Congress imposed new regulations on foreign energy companies.
C Conflicts in the Middle East disrupted the distribution of oil.
D Congress introduced new legislation to increase the fuel efficiency of
vehicles.
2016 #68
Lines for gas such as the one in this photograph resulted from —
A the dissolution of Standard Oil Company B an oil rig explosion in the Gulf of Mexico C the construction of the trans-Alaska pipeline D an embargo by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting
Countries
10D – describe U.S. involvement in the Middle East such as
support for Israel, the Camp David Accords, the Iran-Contra Affair,
Marines in Lebanon, and the Iran Hostage Crisis
Camp David Accords – (1978) signed by Egyptian President Anwar El
Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin after 12 days of secret
negotiations, hosted by Jimmy Carter at Camp David (Maryland); led to the
1979 Egypt-Israel Peace Treaty; Sadat and Begin shared the 1978 Nobel
Peace Prize; led to Sadat’s assassination
Iran-Contra Affair – 1987 - political scandal during the second term
of Ronald Reagan; senior administration officials secretly facilitated the sale
of arms to Iran, which was the subject of an arms embargo; they hoped to
secure the release of several U.S. hostages and to use the money to fund
the Contras in Nicaragua (anti-communist freedom fighters)
Beirut Barracks Bombings – (1983) in Beirut, Lebanon; two truck
bombs struck separate buildings housing US and French military forces –
killing 299 American and French servicemen
Iran Hostage Crisis – (1979-1981) diplomatic crisis between Iran
and the US; 66 American diplomats and citizens were held hostage for 444
days after a group of Iranian students, who supported the Iranian
Revolution, took over the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, Iran
2014 #56
How did President Jimmy Carter attempt to end hostilities between the
groups that fought these wars?
A He helped negotiate a peace treaty known as the Camp David
Accords.
B He deployed U.S. troops to defeat the Palestine Liberation
Organization.
C He ordered the boycott of the Olympic Games in Moscow.
D He threatened to sever diplomatic ties with Syria.
2015 #44
In this excerpt, President Reagan is referring to what would become
known as —
A the Iran-Contra affair
B the Watergate scandal
C the Plame affair
D the Whitewater controversy
2016 #29
How did President Ronald Reagan’s administration support Contra
rebels in Nicaragua after Congress cut funding for military aid?
A By secretly selling weapons to Iran in order to raise funds B By confiscating funds seized in drug raids C By implementing a sin tax on luxury items D By collecting tariffs on oil imports from Saudi Arabia
2013 #36
In 1979 the Shah of Iran was forced into exile. The U.S. government
later allowed the Shah to enter the United States for medical treatment. This
perceived U.S. support for the Shah of Iran resulted in which of the
following?
A Iran attacked a U.S. military base in Asia.
B Soviet forces began an occupation of Iran.
C Israel demanded U.S. support for the strategic bombing of cities in
Iran.
D Revolutionaries kidnapped a group of U.S. citizens in Iran.
10E – describe the causes and key organizations and
individuals of the conservative resurgence of the 1980s and 1990s,
including Phyllis Schlafly, the Contract with America, the Heritage
Foundation, the Moral Majority, and the National Rifle Association
Phyllis Schlafly – (1924-2016) conservative author and speaker;
known for her staunch opposition to modern feminism and opposing the ERA
ERA – Equal Rights Amendment (1923-1982) proposed constitutional
amendment; ratified by 30 of the required 38 states; those opposed said it
would hurt housewives
Contract with America – (1994) document released by the
Republican Party during the 1994 Congressional election campaign; detailed
the actions the Republicans promised to take if they became the majority
party in the United States House of Representatives for the first time in 40
years
Heritage Foundation – (1973-present) conservative think tank, took
a leading role in the conservative movement during the presidency of Ronald
Reagan
Moral Majority – (1979-1989) Christian right political organization
founded by evangelist Jerry Falwell; played a key role in mobilizing
Christians as a political force in the 1980s
National Rifle Association – NRA (1975-present) states position is
to “protect and defend the Constitution of the United States…,” especially
the right to keep and bear arms (2 nd Amendment); has directly lobbied for
and against legislation since 1975
2013 #29
Dear Stop ERA Friend . . .
In the face of all the pressure the ERAers are exerting this month, we need to remind
all our Senators and Representatives that we are counting on them —
1) To vote NO on ERA, and
2) To resist all efforts to eliminate the 3/5th majority that the
Illinois Constitution requires for constitutional amendments.
—Letter from the National Chairman of Stop ERA, December 6, 1978
The author of this letter was —
A a leader of the Civil Rights movement
B the cofounder of the National Organization for Women
C a leader of a conservative interest group
D the cofounder of Ms. magazine