Black Lives Matter
A social movement advocating for the civil rights and liberation of Black people, and protesting against police brutality and racially motivated violence.
Contract with America
A legislative agenda put forth by the Republican Party during the 1994 midterm elections, advocating for a balanced budget amendment, term limits, and other conservative policies.
Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act
A 1996 federal law that significantly reformed the welfare system, imposing time limits on benefits and emphasizing work requirements.
North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)
A trade agreement between the United States, Canada, and Mexico that eliminated most tariffs and trade barriers between the three countries.
Ethnic Cleansing
The forced removal of an ethnic or religious group from a particular territory, often involving violence and persecution.
Patriot Act
A law passed after the September 11th terrorist attacks that expanded the surveillance and investigative powers of law enforcement and intelligence agencies.
Bush Doctrine
A foreign policy approach, primarily associated with President George W. Bush, that asserted the right of the United States to take preemptive military action against perceived threats.
Hurricane Katrina
A devastating Category 5 hurricane that struck the Gulf Coast of the United States in 2005, causing widespread destruction and loss of life, particularly in New Orleans.
Great Recession
A severe economic downturn that began in 2007 and lasted until 2009, characterized by a financial crisis, high unemployment, and a decline in economic activity.
Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Obamacare)
A healthcare reform law enacted in 2010 that aimed to expand health insurance coverage, regulate the insurance industry, and reduce healthcare costs.
Tea Party Movement
A conservative political movement that emerged in 2009, advocating for lower taxes, reduced government spending, and a strict interpretation of the Constitution.
Obergefell v. Hodges
A landmark 2015 Supreme Court decision that legalized same-sex marriage nationwide.
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)
An immigration policy that allows certain undocumented immigrants who entered the country as minors to receive a renewable two-year period of deferred action from deportation and become eligible for a work permit.
Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS)
A militant extremist group that emerged in the Middle East, known for its radical ideology, terrorist tactics, and efforts to establish a caliphate.
#MeToo Movement
A social movement that gained prominence in 2017, advocating against sexual harassment and sexual assault, and raising awareness of the prevalence of these issues.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
A federal law enforcement agency responsible for enforcing immigration laws and border security.
Mueller Report
The official report documenting the findings and investigation by Special Counsel Robert Mueller into Russian interference in the 2016 United States presidential election.
COVID-19
An infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, responsible for a global pandemic that began in 2020.