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Questions and Answers
What was one of Gorbachev's main efforts to address the demands of nationalist groups in the Soviet Union?
What was one of Gorbachev's main efforts to address the demands of nationalist groups in the Soviet Union?
What action did Boris Yeltsin take in response to the coup against Gorbachev?
What action did Boris Yeltsin take in response to the coup against Gorbachev?
What was a significant outcome of Gorbachev's reforms in the Soviet Union on Eastern Europe?
What was a significant outcome of Gorbachev's reforms in the Soviet Union on Eastern Europe?
What was the outcome of the coup attempt against Gorbachev?
What was the outcome of the coup attempt against Gorbachev?
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How did the Eastern European revolutions generally unfold in the late 1980s?
How did the Eastern European revolutions generally unfold in the late 1980s?
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Which of the following best describes the nature of Gorbachev's reforms?
Which of the following best describes the nature of Gorbachev's reforms?
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What stance did Bush take regarding gun control and abortion during his presidency?
What stance did Bush take regarding gun control and abortion during his presidency?
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What significant action did Eastern Europeans take to symbolize the collapse of communism?
What significant action did Eastern Europeans take to symbolize the collapse of communism?
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Which factor contributed to the end of the Cold War in Eastern Europe?
Which factor contributed to the end of the Cold War in Eastern Europe?
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What action did Gorbachev announce regarding Soviet control over Eastern European countries?
What action did Gorbachev announce regarding Soviet control over Eastern European countries?
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What was the fate of Nicolae Ceausescu during the Romanian revolution?
What was the fate of Nicolae Ceausescu during the Romanian revolution?
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What was a common misconception about the transition to democracy in Eastern Europe?
What was a common misconception about the transition to democracy in Eastern Europe?
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What role did the United States play during the collapse of communism in Eastern Europe?
What role did the United States play during the collapse of communism in Eastern Europe?
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What was one of Bush's significant actions in response to drug-related issues during his presidency?
What was one of Bush's significant actions in response to drug-related issues during his presidency?
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Which of the following countries was not mentioned as having a peaceful transition from communism?
Which of the following countries was not mentioned as having a peaceful transition from communism?
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What constitutional amendment did Bush advocate for during his presidency?
What constitutional amendment did Bush advocate for during his presidency?
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What was a significant outcome of the agreements signed by Bush and Gorbachev in June 1990?
What was a significant outcome of the agreements signed by Bush and Gorbachev in June 1990?
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Which event is linked to Bush's military intervention in Panama in 1989?
Which event is linked to Bush's military intervention in Panama in 1989?
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Which factor contributed to the discrediting of Soviet-style communism in Eastern Europe?
Which factor contributed to the discrediting of Soviet-style communism in Eastern Europe?
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What was a characteristic of Gorbachev's reforms during the late 1980s?
What was a characteristic of Gorbachev's reforms during the late 1980s?
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What was one of the implications of the end of the Warsaw Pact for Eastern Europe?
What was one of the implications of the end of the Warsaw Pact for Eastern Europe?
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How did Bush respond to emerging democratic governments in Eastern Europe?
How did Bush respond to emerging democratic governments in Eastern Europe?
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What was the consequence of Noriega's refusal to yield power after the election?
What was the consequence of Noriega's refusal to yield power after the election?
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What was a key factor in the end of the Cold War as it relates to Eastern Europe?
What was a key factor in the end of the Cold War as it relates to Eastern Europe?
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Study Notes
Chapter 30: Running on Empty: 1975-1991
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The chapter covers the period from 1975 to 1991 in US history, focusing on the economic and political challenges faced during this time.
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The Oil Crisis: The Yom Kippur War in October 1973 triggered an oil crisis. Arab nations cut off oil to the US, leading to a significant increase in oil prices.
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Price of oil rose to $12 a barrel from $3.
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This increase sent prices soaring for everything else. Homes were heated with oil; factories were powered by it; utility plants used it to generate electricity, nylon and other synthetic fibers, paints, insecticides, fertilizers and many plastic products were made from it; and it made gasoline for cars and trucks.
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US, formerly a major oil exporter, imported one-third of its oil.
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American car makers faced difficulties adapting to smaller, fuel-efficient cars being popular. Production costs rose, hindering their ability to profitably sell smaller cars.
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The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) initiated further price increases after the end of the oil embargo.
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Ford as President: Ford's presidency was largely dominated by economic challenges.
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Ford identified inflation as the chief economic culprit, asking citizens to wear WIN buttons.
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However, the US economy suffered a big slump.
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Production fell, and unemployment rose above 9 percent.
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Ford was forced to seek various tax cuts and measures to stimulate the economy.
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Ford versus Carter: Ford's economic difficulties made him vulnerable during the 1976 presidential campaign.
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Democrats chose Jimmy Carter, who presented himself as an outsider untouched by scandal.
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Carter's perceived integrity and a perceived lack of Washington connections helped him gain popularity.
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The Fall of South Vietnam: In January 1975, after two years of a “cease fire”, North Vietnam conquered South Vietnam.
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Saigon charged Hanoi with violations of the ceasefire; Hanoi charged Saigon with 301,000 violations.
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The South Vietnamese army fell back and dissolved.
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The Carter Presidency: Faced economic challenges and political missteps.
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A National Malaise: Carter's administration was also viewed as having a lack of direction or vision. His efforts to improve morality and simplicity were viewed by some as not being effective.
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He placed many Georgians in important positions throughout his administration.
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Stalled or failed to follow through on many important proposals to Congress.
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Stagflation: The Weird Economy: This refers to the unique economic challenges faced.
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Rising unemployment did not prevent inflation.
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Inflation was high in 1971, 1975, and peaked in 1979 at 13%.
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Carter advanced energy conservation initiatives but did not sufficiently act on those proposals.
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"Constant Decency" in Action: Carter used his high moral principles and tried to support human rights globally.
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Cut off aid to Chile and Argentina.
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Carter aimed to conduct a foreign policy based on “constant decency”, and tried to focus on basic human rights.
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He signed the SALT II treaty with the Soviet Union, but the relationship soured.
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The Iranian Crisis: The Iranian Revolution and the hostage crisis led to international tensions.
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In November 1979, thousands of militants seized the US embassy in Tehran, holding US citizens hostage.
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The militants demanded that the US return Shah to Iran for trial as a traitor.
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The hostage crisis was an extensive period of tension and political challenges faced during Carter's time in office.
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The Iranian hostage crisis began in 1979 and lasted over a year into 1981.
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The Election of 1980: Carter was the Democratic nominee; Ronald Reagan ran for the Republicans, denouncing immorality and crime, and speaking for traditional American values.
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Reagan won handily vs Carter, with 8 million more votes.
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Reagan as President: Reagan's presidency was marked by significant tax cuts and aggressive military spending, including the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI).
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The Reagan Revolution: This section documents Reagan's domestic policies, including large tax cuts (Reaganomics),
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Increased military spending.
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The New Merger Movement: The emergence of a new, aggressive style of corporate mergers and takeovers in the 1980s is documented.
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Michael Milken and his role in selling junk bonds are detailed.
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RJR Nabisco involved in a dramatic takeover.
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“A Job for Life”: Layoffs Hit Home: Corporate restructuring led to job losses in many American companies, including US Steel and IBM. American labor policies in the 1980s in the context of global competition and corporate restructuring affected many employees.
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Corporate Restructuring: The US economy underwent significant transformation in the 1980's with a rise of technology and service sectors.
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Rogue Foreign Policy: Reagan's foreign policy was marked by intervention in Central America and the support of anti-communist groups.
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The Contras and the Iran-Contra affair are described.
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The Collapse of Communism in Eastern Europe: This section documents the fall of communism in Eastern Europe, tracing the reforms of Gorbachev in the Soviet Union and the resulting political and economic transformations.
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The War in the Persian Gulf: Iraq's invasion of Kuwait in 1990 led to a major war, described in this section.
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This section covers the war, and the eventual US led victory.
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Deficits: The war in the Persian Gulf, defense spending decisions, and S&L financial issues led to huge Federal government deficits.
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The Election of 1988: Bush defeated Dukakis in this election as the Republican nominee.
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George H.W. Bush as President: Bush's presidency focused on drug control, gun control, and the end of the Cold War.
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These sections provide an account of US political and economic history and the significant events that unfolded during this time.
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