Questions and Answers
Who was the forty-third President of the United States?
Who was the vice president under President Clinton?
Al Gore
General ________ became George W. Bush's Secretary of State.
Colin Powell
Senator ________ of Massachusetts was selected as the Democratic presidential candidate in the election of 2004.
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Who was appointed chief justice to the Supreme Court by President Bush?
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Who was the forty-fourth President of the United States?
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Harry Truman replaced the more liberal Henry Wallace as FDR's vice president in the 1944 election. He was later thrust into the presidency after Roosevelt's death in April 1945, maturing into a decisive leader who was known for his basic honesty and unpretentious style.
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What significant speech did Winston Churchill deliver in Fulton, Missouri?
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What did FDR present to the American public after winning the 1932 election?
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Who proposed a 'long-term, patient but firm and vigilant containment' policy regarding Soviet expansion?
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Who was the undersecretary of state that Truman adopted advice from to contain Soviet aggression?
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Who was Bartolome de Las Casas?
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What did Prince Henry sponsor?
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Christopher Columbus succeeded in finding a simpler path to China and India.
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Who extensively explored the Saint Lawrence River in Canada?
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What civilization built a powerful empire in southern Mexico and Central America?
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What was the capital city of the Aztec civilization?
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Where was the Inca empire centered?
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Who conquered the Aztec empire?
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What was the encomienda system?
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What does the term '3-G's' refer to?
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The __________ was a treaty that divided the lands of the New World between Spain and Portugal.
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What was the significance of the Columbian exchange?
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What instrument is used for measuring angular distances in navigation?
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What was a major outcome of the Iranian Revolution?
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What major event occurred in 1989 involving the Berlin Wall?
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NAFTA was aimed at creating a free-trade zone among North American countries.
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Who was the Serbian dictator responsible for suppressing independence movements in the former Yugoslav provinces?
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Which NATO interventions helped stop the bloodshed in the Balkans?
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The Balkan wars were a peaceful resolution of conflicts in Europe.
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What economic period did the United States experience during President Clinton's two terms?
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President Bush did sign into law the __________, which prohibited discrimination against citizens with physical and mental disabilities.
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What was the significant impact of globalization on jobs in the USA?
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Who was the first woman to serve on the Supreme Court?
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Led by a new chief justice, __________, the Supreme Court scaled back affirmative action.
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The free-market economist _______ was influential in the political shift toward conservatism in the 1970s.
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Who was a key player in the Iran-Contra Affair?
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In 1978, California voters passed Proposition 13, a measure promoted by economist _______.
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In 1985, __________ became the new Soviet leader who introduced reforms.
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What role did Boris Yeltsin play in Russian history after the fall of the Soviet Union?
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What was George Bush (41) known for during his presidency?
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The president's nomination of ____ to the Supreme Court proved extremely controversial.
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What movement did Texas billionaire Ross Perot lead in the 1992 presidential elections?
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What was the name of the act signed by President Bush to improve student performance in public schools?
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What did the Affordable Care Act aim to achieve?
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Which event involved a coordinated attack by Al-Qaeda on September 11, 2001?
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What significant decision did the Supreme Court make in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission?
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What did the Great Recession officially begin and end?
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In 2008, the Economic Stabilization Act created a $700 billion _______ to purchase failing assets.
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President Bush's administration often alienated other nations in the ___________ after September 11.
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The USS Cole attack in 2000 involved a conventional military assault.
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Hurricane _______ hit the Gulf Coast in August 2005, leading to disastrous consequences.
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Study Notes
Colonial and Indigenous Influences
- Bartolome de Las Casas: A Spanish priest advocating for Native American rights; influenced the New Laws of 1542.
- Conquistadores: Spanish conquerors who brought vast wealth back to Spain, significantly impacting European power dynamics.
- Aztecs and Incas: Major Mesoamerican civilizations; Aztecs centered in southern Mexico with Tenochtitlan as the capital, while Incas thrived in Peru.
- Mound Builders: North American inhabitants known for constructing earthen mounds for various purposes over 5,000 years.
Exploration and Colonization
- Christopher Columbus: His voyages initiated global interaction; he landed in the Bahamas but failed to achieve his goals.
- Prince Henry: Patron of exploration, credited with finding a trade route around the Cape of Good Hope.
- Caravel: A small, agile ship that revolutionized exploration during the Age of Discovery.
- Jacques Cartier: Explored the Saint Lawrence River, contributing to French claims in Canada.
Economic Systems and Agricultural Practices
- Maize: Essential crop for Mayas and Aztecs, highlighting indigenous agricultural practices.
- Encomienda System: Spanish labor system designed to exploit indigenous populations for labor and conversion to Christianity.
- Start of Slavery in Africa: Portuguese initiated slave trading in West Africa, leading to a system replicated in American colonies.
Social Structures and Caste Systems
- Spanish New World social class: Established a hierarchy from Peninsulares to enslaved individuals, shaping colonial society.
- 3-G's: Motivations for European exploration: God (religious expansion), Gold (economic gain), and Glory (national prestige).
Treaty and Diplomacy
- Line of Demarcation: A 1493 papal decree dividing New World lands between Spain and Portugal.
- Treaty of Tordesillas: A 1494 agreement that adjusted the Line of Demarcation, favoring Spain but recognizing Portuguese claims in Brazil.
Cultural Interactions and Exchanges
- Columbian Exchange: Transfer of goods, animals, and diseases between the Old World and the Americas with varying impacts on populations.
- Navajo: Notable southeastern Native American tribe known for their craftsmanship and complex societal structure.
Modern Historical Topics and Events
- Election of 1980: Ronald Reagan won by appealing to conservative values and economic issues, reshaping the political landscape.
- Boland Amendment: 1985 legislation restricting U.S. aid to Nicaraguan contras, reflecting Cold War tensions.
- Reaganomics: Economic approach emphasizing tax cuts to stimulate private investment rather than government spending.
- Iran/Contra Affair: Scandal involving secret arms sales to Iran and using profits to fund contra rebels in Nicaragua, raising ethical concerns about governmental practices.
- NAFTA: The 1994 agreement promoting free trade between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, influencing economic relations.
Social Change and Global Impact
- American with Disabilities Act (1990): Landmark law prohibiting discrimination against disabled individuals, marking a significant advancement in civil rights.
- Economic Recovery Tax Act: Major tax reforms during the Reagan administration aimed at stimulating the economy through significant tax cuts.
- 911 and Oklahoma City Bombing: Events highlighting domestic terrorism and its impact on national security policies and public sentiment.
Contemporary Issues
- Nuclear Proliferation: Heightening concerns about the spread of nuclear weapons following tests by North Korea, India, and Pakistan.
- Middle East Unrest: Complex geopolitical issues involving Iraq, Israel, and Palestine, showcasing ongoing conflicts and diplomatic challenges.
- Globalization's Impact on Jobs: Increased trade and capital movement affecting job markets in the U.S. and illustrating economic interdependence.### Economic Disparities and Globalization
- Growing disparities between rich and poor nations are causing global tensions.
- Poor nations struggle with debts owed to powerful banks and wealthy nations.
- Workers in affluent nations resent globalization for job losses to cheaper labor markets in developing countries.
Ronald Reagan
- Known for "Star Wars" plan, trickle-down economics (Reaganomics).
- Reduced nuclear arms in negotiations with the Soviet Union.
- Nominated first female Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor.
Sandra Day O'Connor
- First woman appointed to the Supreme Court by President Reagan.
William Rehnquist
- As Chief Justice, scaled back affirmative action and imposed restrictions on abortion rights.
Milton Friedman
- Influential conservative economist; contributed to the shift away from 1960s liberalism.
- Coalition of conservatives emerged in the 1980s opposing big government, emphasizing traditional values.
Oliver North
- Key figure in the Iran-Contra Affair; involved in diverting funds from arms sales to Nicaraguan contras.
Arthur Laffer
- Promoted tax cuts to stimulate government revenue; influenced Proposition 13 in California.
Mikhail Gorbachev
- Soviet leader known for reforms: glasnost (openness) to encourage political freedom and perestroika (restructuring) for economic reform.
Boris Yeltsin
- President of Russia; advocated for democracy and a market economy; disbanded the Communist Party in Russia.
George H.W. Bush
- Former CIA director; became the first president of the post-Cold War era.
- Faced major events like Tiananmen Square, the Soviet Union’s breakup, and the Persian Gulf War.
Clarence Thomas
- Controversial Supreme Court nominee; faced allegations of sexual harassment and criticized for conservative views.
H. Ross Perot
- Texas billionaire; ran as an independent in 1992 and garnered nearly 20% of the popular vote.
Newt Gingrich
- Speaker of the House; launched "Contract with America", targeting federal program cuts.
Madeline Albright
- First woman Secretary of State; took a more assertive foreign policy stance.
Election of 2000
- Closest presidential election in U.S. history; Supreme Court decision settled Bush vs. Gore.
- Bush won despite losing the popular vote.
Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (2010)
- Supreme Court ruled that corporations have the same rights as individuals to spend on political ads, amplifying campaign financing.
District of Columbia v. Heller (2008)
- Established individual Second Amendment rights to possess firearms unrelated to militia service.
NFIB v. Sebelius (2012)
- Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of health insurance mandates as Congress's taxing authority.
USS Cole Attack
- In 2000, suicide bombers nearly sank the USS Cole, highlighting vulnerabilities in U.S. naval security.
World Trade Center Attack (1993)
- 1993 truck bombing marked a significant threat from Islamic terrorists, killing six people.
September 11, 2001
- Coordinated terrorist attacks by Al-Qaeda killed nearly 3,000; a pivotal moment leading to aggressive U.S. foreign policy.
War on Terrorism
- Post-9/11, U.S. foreign policy became heavily focused on combating terrorism; involved significant military actions and a controversial approach.
Iraq Troop Withdrawal
- Plan initiated in 2009 to end U.S. ground operations in Iraq, officially concluded in 2011.
Hurricane Katrina
- Government response criticized due to FEMA's failure; the disaster highlighted socio-economic disparities.
Great Recession
- Began in 2007; marked by severe economic downturn, high unemployment, and the collapse of the housing market.
TARP (Troubled Assets Relief Program)
- Established in 2008 to stabilize the economy by purchasing failing assets; controversial due to its implications.
No Child Left Behind
- Education reform Act aimed at closing achievement gaps through nationwide testing and funding initiatives.
Dodd-Frank Act
- Comprehensive legislation for financial reform post-Great Recession, focusing on banking and consumer protections.
Affordable Care Act (Obamacare)
- Aims to extend health coverage to millions; requires insurers to accept pre-existing conditions and mandates insurance purchasing.
Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) Overturned
- Supreme Court ruled DOMA unconstitutional in 2013, leading to expanded legalization of same-sex marriage.
Tea Party Movement
- Emerged from opposition to national debt and economic policies like "Obamacare"; focused on limited government and conservative values.
Operation Iraq Freedom
- Launched in 2003 with claims of Iraq's noncompliance with U.N. resolutions; led to regime change and subsequent controversy over WMDs.
Sequestration
- Automatic cuts in federal spending due to budgetary deadlock in early 2013; part of broader economic challenges.
Government Shutdown
- 2013 shutdown resulted from budget disputes over the Affordable Care Act; reflected deep partisan divisions.
Congressional Gridlock
- Affected federal operations; ongoing conflicts between party lines resulted in difficulties passing meaningful legislation.
George W. Bush
- Fortieth President; faced significant global challenges including terrorism and economic crises; introduced various education reforms.
Al Gore
- Democratic nominee in the 2000 election; won the popular vote but lost in the Electoral College after the Florida debacle.
Colin Powell
- First African American Secretary of State; held a prominent role during Bush's administration.
John Kerry
- Democratic presidential candidate in 2004; lost to George W. Bush despite a competitive election.
John Roberts
- Appointed as Chief Justice; known for a conservative judicial philosophy.
Barack Obama
- First African American President elected in 2008; known for health care reform (Affordable Care Act) and an economic focus.
Harry Truman
- Vice president under FDR; took office after FDR's death and initiated the Fair Deal reform program.
Winston Churchill
- British Prime Minister who famously highlighted the "iron curtain" over Eastern Europe post-WWII; emphasized Western democracy's need to counter communism.
Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR)
- Introduced New Deal policies during the Great Depression; led the U.S. during WWII; pivotal in shaping modern American liberalism.
George Kennan
- Advocate for containment of Soviet aggression; proposed long-term strategies to address Soviet expansion.
Dean Acheson
- Undersecretary of State who played a crucial role in developing the U.S. containment strategy during the Cold War.
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Test your knowledge on key historical figures like Bartolome de Las Casas, Prince Henry, and Christopher Columbus who played significant roles in the age of exploration and reform. Discover their contributions and the impact they had on the treatment of Native Americans and global trade routes.
