Study Contemporary America, 1990s–Early Twenty-First Century with 12 free online flashcards. Review key terms, definitions, and concepts with this interactive flashcard deck.
What did NAFTA do to North American economies?
NAFTA, implemented in 1994, increased economic integration among the United States, Canada, and Mexico; supporters emphasized expanded markets, while critics linked it to manufacturing-job losses.
What did the dot-com bubble reveal?
The dot-com bubble burst in 2000–2001, showing that technological innovation could generate both economic growth and financial speculation.
What institutional failures preceded 9/11?
The 9/11 Commission identified failures in intelligence sharing, communication, and institutional coordination as factors contributing to U.S. unpreparedness.
How did the USA PATRIOT Act change federal authority?
The USA PATRIOT Act expanded surveillance, information-sharing, and investigative authorities after September 11, while prompting continuing debates over privacy, due process, and oversight.
Why did the Afghanistan war become prolonged?
The Afghanistan war became the longest war in U.S. history. Its goals expanded from destroying al-Qaeda’s sanctuary to state-building, counterinsurgency, and development.
What followed the rapid overthrow of Iraq’s government?
The Iraq invasion quickly overthrew Saddam Hussein’s government, but the occupation produced insurgency, sectarian violence, political instability, and extensive human and financial costs.
How did the foreign-born U.S. population change from 1990 to 2010?
The foreign-born population increased from about 19.8 million in 1990 to 31.1 million in 2000 and 40.0 million in 2010.
What major multiracial-population change did the 2020 Census document?
The multiracial population rose from about 9 million in 2010 to 33.8 million in 2020, partly because census race and ethnicity measures were improved.
What were two major economic effects of the Great Recession?
The Great Recession lasted from December 2007 to June 2009. Real GDP fell 4.3% from peak to trough, and unemployment rose from 5% to 10%.
How did the federal government respond to the financial crisis?
The Dodd–Frank Act of 2010 expanded financial oversight after the crisis, while the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 aimed to preserve jobs and stimulate demand.
How common was social-media news use by 2020?
By 2020, about 53% of U.S. adults reported getting news from social media often or sometimes.
What did Obergefell v. Hodges establish?
In Obergefell v. Hodges (2015), the Supreme Court held that the Fourteenth Amendment requires states to license and recognize marriages between same-sex couples.