Special Sub-Topic: American Politics in the 1980s Click Here To Play: American Politics in the 1980s

Which man declared his candidacy for president at the 1980 democratic national convention but did not receive the nomination?

Ted Kennedy. Jimmy Carter, the incumbent president received the nomination.

Who served as Speaker of the House of Representatives for most of the decade (until 1987)?

Tip O'Neill. O'Neill served as speaker from 1977 to 1987 and was a staunch New Deal Democrat.

In 1981, which woman was appointed to the Supreme Court?

Sandra Day O'Connor. O'Connor became the 102nd Supreme Court Justice and its first woman.

Who was the Democratic nominee for president in 1984?

Walter Mondale. Mondale served as Carter's vice-president.

What word or phrase described Ronald Reagan's policy towards the Soviet Union?

Peace through strength. Reagan believed in negotiating with the Soviet Union from a position of power.

Who was the Democratic candidate for vice president in 1984?

Geraldine Ferrarro. Ferraro was a New York congress woman and teacher.

What was the name of the defense program Reagan began in order to "render nuclear weapons obsolete"?

The Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI). SDI was the alternative to MAD. SDI's purpose was to find ways to defend us from nuclear weapons.

Who did Michael Dukakis choose as his running mate in the 1988 presidential election?

Lloyd Bentsen. Bentsen served as US senator for Texas and in 1983 was appointed Secretary of the Treasury.

The Iran-Contra affair was a huge political scandal of the 1980s. What country were the Contras from?

Nicaragua. Reagan viewed the Contras as freedom fighters but congress didn't. They made it illegal for the US government to fund them.

Who served as Secretary of Defense under George H.W. Bush?

Dick Cheney. Cheney was also the youngest chief-of-staff in American history. He was appointed to the post at just 34 under Ford.