Back to Main Exam Review Page

1970s to Present

The Basics - The following has appeared on New York examinations

• Watergate Affair - Following the Presidential election of 1972, Republican Richard Nixon was forced to resign his post as President because he refused to cooperate fully in an investigation of a break in at the Democratic election headquarters at the Watergate Hotel, despite being favored to win re-election. As the investigation continued, Nixon was asked to turn over recordings of dicussions held in the Oval Office about the break in. The important portion of the tapes were erased. Under great pressure and fear of impeachment, NIxon resigned his post, becoming the first and only President to do so. Vice President Gerald Ford became President and soon after pardoned Nixon for his activites.

• The Gulf War (1991) - Iraq, under orders from leader Saddam Hussein, invaded its oil rich neighbor, Kuwait. The U.S., under President George Bush (George W.'s father), came to the defense of Kuwait and sent U.S. troops to take part in Operation Desert Storm - designed to push Iraqi forces back across the Iraqi border. Due to vastly superior technology and military power, the U.S. easily forced the confused Iraqis back in about three weeks, freeing a thankful Kuwait. This victory protected the U.S.'s supply of Middle Eastern oil. However, the United States did not depose (remove from office) Saddam Hussein, who would continue to be a thorn in the side of the U.S. for another decade.

• Presidential Election of 2000 - In one of the closest races for the Presidency in history, this election was settled by Supreme Court when the results of Florida where in dispute and had to be hand counted. In a decision that took over a month, George W. Bush was proclaimed the winner over Al Gore by only 537 Floridian votes. Gore actually won the national popular vote, but Bush won the all important electorial college vote.

• September 11, 2001 - In the largest terrorist attack on U.S. soil, people loyal to Osama Bin Laden's Al-Qaeda terrorist group hijacked four U.S. planes and intended to crash them into American landmarks. The "Twin Towers" of the World Trade Center in New York were hit by two of the planes, and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. was damaged by another. The fourth plane crashed in a western Pennslyvania field after a struggle ensued between passengers and the hijackers, possibly saving hundeds of lives. It is believed this plane was intended for the White House in Washington. Soon after, President George W. Bush began a worldwide attack on terrorism, focusing on Afghanistan, which many of Al-Qaeda's leaders were believed to be hiding. This assault on terror continues today.

• Manufacturing Jobs Move Overseas - One economic trend of the late 20th century saw manufacturing jobs moving from the United States to other countries. This is due to the fact the under American laws, workers must be paid much more than in other countries. As a result, many companies move these jobs to foreign countries in order to cut production costs and ultimately better compete with other companies. This has resulted in growing rates of unemployment in this sector of the U.S. economy.