Unit 11: modern america (1990-current)

KEY TERMS:

Bill Clinton’s Impeachment Scandal - result of perjury. An independent prosecutor had uncovered affair between Clinton & White House Intern. After finding that Clinton had lied about the affair under oath, the prosecutor recommended impeachment. Citizens question the integrity of politicians & lose trust in the federal government as well as its leaders as they face a greater scrutiny in their private lives. 

Political Spectrum - range of political positions or opinions that exist from the progressive left wing to the conservative right wing.

Advocacy Organizations - use various forms of advocacy to influence public opinion and/or policy.

Kyoto Protocol - international treaty which extends the 1992 UN Framework on Climate Change that commits state parties to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, based on the scientific consensus that global warming is occurring & that human-made CO₂ emissions are driving it.

NAFTA - 1994, the North American Free Trade Agreement between  U.S., Canada, & Mexico was signed. NAFTA eliminated tariffs & quotas which dismantled trade barriers & helped lead to economic prosperity in member nations. NAFTA created the world's largest free trade area, which now links 450 million people producing $17 trillion worth of goods and services. 

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 - Economic stimulus package intended to create jobs, promote investment, and increase consumer spending. (Obama)

Diffusion - spreading of something more widely. (Example: Hip-hop (American Genre of Music) has spread to other countries in the world).

Standard of Living -level of wealth, comforts and services available to a person or community.

USA PATRIOT ACT - It gives law enforcement broader powers to monitor suspected terrorists. Critics claim it violates civil liberties. Many Americans were willing to give up some freedoms in return for improved security.

Levee - embankment built to prevent the overflow of a river.

Terrorism - unlawful use of violence and intimidation, especially against civilians, in the pursuit of political aims.

NATO - intergovernmental military alliance between 30 European and North American countries. The organization implements the North Atlantic Treaty that was signed in April 1949.