Topic 20.3: The Barack Obama Presidency

Barack Obama

2008; Democrat; first African American president of the US, health care bill; Gulf of Mexico oil spill disaster; economy: huge stimulus package to combat the great recession, is removing troops from Iraq, strengthened numbers in Afghanistan; repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell; New Start treaty with Russia

How did the Obama Administration's military priorities shift as the war in Iraq was ending? A. It removed all U.S. troops from Iraq. B. It initiated peace negotiations with the Taliban. C. It prepared to send arms to support rebel groups in Egypt. D. It increased the presence of U.S. military forces in Afghanistan.

It increased the presence of U.S. military forces in Afghanistan.

Hillary Clinton

Prominent child care advocate and health care reformer in Clinton administration; won U.S. senate seat in 2000

Why was President Obama's first Supreme Court nomination significant? A. Sonia Sotomayor was the first Hispanic Supreme Court justice. B. This appointment created a female majority in the Court. C. The nominee, Elena Kagan, was noted for her civil rights work. D. It established a conservative bias among justices.

Sonia Sotomayor was the first Hispanic Supreme Court justice.

Why did the 2008 presidential election represent a turning point in U.S. politics? A. The first woman was nominated for president. B. The first African American president was elected. C. A candidate with no party affiliations was elected. D. A member of the Tea Party was nominated for president.

The first African American president was elected.

Tea Party Movement

a grassroots, conservative protest movement that opposed recent government actions, including economic stimulus spending and health care reform

What was the purpose of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act? A. to help the nation by stimulating the economy B. to provide bonuses for recovering war veterans C. to encourage businesses to invest in new technology D. to reduce military spending and end all foreign conflicts

to help the nation by stimulating the economy

What was the primary goal of the Tea Party Movement? A. to create a national health plan B. to reduce the size of the federal government C. to expand funding for Social Security and Medicare D. to reform the risky financial practices of Wall Street institutions

to reduce the size of the federal government