Served two terms as Reagans VP Promised to continue Reagans
policies with greater compassion in dealing with homeless and poor
Promised to improve education and fight drug use
Slide 3
Previous experience mainly in foreign policy Had to reduce
growing budget deficit Events in E. Europe and Soviet Union
permitted cuts in military spending Late 1990, promised increase
income taxes on wealthy but never able to make big reduction in
budget deficit
Slide 4
Impact of defense spending on US economy Experts disagree on
impact Can provide short-term stimulus Can also divert resources
from more productive uses Heavy military spending can mean less
investment in peacetime projects
Slide 5
Supreme Court Appointments Made several appointments to Supreme
Court, leading to conservative majority Toughened rules for
criminal defendants, reduced scope of abortion rights, and
introduced other important changes
Slide 6
Recession US gradually moved back into recession Economics
blamed on reduced spending by consumers, corporations, and fed and
state govts Greater foreign competition led to less demand for some
American products 1970s-1980s saw increase population in Sunbelt,
opposite for Rust Belt Areas of NE and Midwest with coal and iron
Collapse of US steel industry to steady loss of manufacturing jobs
to Mexico and overseas
Slide 7
Civil Rights and Civil Unrest Recession hard on young African
Americans Riots in Los Angeles and other cities in 1992 when jury
found policeman not guilty even though videotaped beating young
African American Rodney King Several killed Riots highlighted
plight of minorities and continuing racial tensions
Slide 8
Americans with Disabilities Act 1990 Prohibited discrimination
against people with disabilities in employment and public
accommodations
Slide 9
Invasion of Panama, 1989 Bush took steps against Panamanian
dictator and drug-dealer Manuel Noriega Sent US forces to Panama
where restored democratically elected leaders Noriega captured and
taken to US where tried and convicted on drug charges
Slide 10
End of the Cold War, 1989-1991 1989-1991, E. Europe moved from
Communism to democracy Berlin Wall torn down and Germany reunited
1991 Soviet Union dissolved and replaced by Commonwealth of
Independent States Bush recognized Russia and other newly
independent republics and offered economic assistance
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Slide 11
Gulf War, 1990 August 1990 Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein invaded
Kuwait for oil and to extend Iraqs borders Hussein refused requests
from UN to withdraw UN forces under US leadership launched attack
against Iraq Invasion succeeded in a few days Feb 1991, Hussein
agreed to remove all troops from Kuwait and pay for damages
Slide 12
Gulf War, 1990 Bush declared cease-fire but refused to remove
Saddam from power First major challenge to world order after Cold
War American prestige in Middle East greatly enhanced Bushed used
this to initiate peace talks between Israel and neighbors in late
1991
Slide 13
Somalia 1992 Bush began humanitarian airlift of food and
supplies to Somalia in NE Africa Local warlords and bandits
continued to steal supplies, Bush sent US troops in final month of
Presidency
Slide 14
Bill Clinton from poor Arkansas background Attended Yale Law
School and met wife Hilary Clinton Governor of Arkansas 1992
successfully united different groups within Democratic Party and
attract independent voters Bush not doing enough to fight recession
Third party candidate Ross Perot furthered weakened Bushs authority
Perot received 20% of vote, making him most successful third party
candidate in history
Slide 15
Clinton promised agenda of reform Found difficulty obtaining
Congressional support Clinton had trouble passing early budgets
First budget limited fed spending, increased income taxes to 40%
for richest Americans, cut taxes for low-income Americans, and
introduced fed gasoline tax
Slide 16
Health Care Reform Promised to reform health care in campaign
Give every American health insurance Hilary to head task force on
health care Leading advocate for better health insurance for
uninsured and underinsured Americans Many plans proposed but none
passed by Congress Opponents feared Clintons proposal might to lead
long waits and health care rationing Supporters shocked many
Americans lacked health care Major defeat for Clinton
Slide 17
Other policies New Democrat Supported welfare reform, free
trade, lower taxes on middle class, and tough measure on crime
Passed bull that increased funds for police depts, 5 day waiting
period on buying handguns, increased fed money for prisons, and
banned sales of assault weapons
Slide 18
Economic Recovery Made easier to export computers and other
high teach goods abroad by removing Cold War restrictions Helped
grow computer-related industry and restore economy Reduction of
military spending and closed military bases also boosted civilian
economy Unemployment down, spending was up, and business profits at
all-time high by end of presidency 1999 Clinton balanced nations
budget and had surplus
Slide 19
Contact with America 1994 Newt Gingrich, Republican Speaker of
the House, proposed program of conservative principles in Contract
with America Book length contract endorsed by most Republicans in
attempt to win House during mid-term elections Argued that fed govt
was too large and no longer responsive to people Fed programs took
away personal responsibility from families and individuals Sought
to restore balance between govt and citizens Many provisions
concerned conduct of Congress
Slide 20
Clinton had scandal in second term in office Senate conducted
second impeachment trial of President Sexual affair uncovered
between Clinton and White House intern Clinton had lied under oath
about the affair Impeached by House but 2/3 vote in Senate to
remove Clinton from office felt short Americans felt they could not
trust elected leaders
Slide 21
Yugoslavia, Bosnia, and Kosovo Yugoslavia in the Balkan
Peninsula formed by joining several ethnic groups together after
WWI Catholic Croats in SW, Bosnian Muslims in SE, Orthodox
Christian Serbs in N End of Cold War renewed tensions which divided
into separate states Dissolution of Yugoslavia was accompanied by
fierce fighting between Muslim Bosnians and Christian Serbs
Slide 22
Yugoslavia, Bosnia, and Kosovo Serbs attempted to massacre
Muslim civilians in parts of Bosnia and Kosovo as part of ethnic
cleansing Genocide like Holocaust might be repeated Clinton helped
negotiate peace in Bosnia after use of NATO airstrikes against
Serbia Clintons intervention led to compromise peace
Slide 23
Participation in International Organizations Originally
negotiated with President Bush, NAFTA (North American Free Trade
Agreement) was push through Congress New trade association with
Mexico and Canada Phased out tariffs between 3 countries Most
economists believe free trade stimulates economy Critics says led
to loss of manufacturing jobs where labor is cheaper and other
countries dont have the same regulations and laws
Slide 24
Participation in International Organizations GATT (General
Agreement on Tariffs and Trade) formed in 1947 to further trade
1994 replaced with World Trade Organization Establishes rules for
global trade and help to settle trade disputes Accelerated
globalization
Slide 25
Participation in International Organizations Also in United
Nations (UN), NATO, SEATO (Southeast Asia Treaty Organization),
APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation), and PAS (Organization of
American States)
Slide 26
Benefits of Participation in International Organizations Helps
all countries improve their economies Promotes peace Provides US
place to state views Cooperation strengthens relationship of US
with other members International cooperation required to tackle
global problems like the environment Helps Americans see their
brand of democracy around the world Costs/Risks of Participation in
International Organizations Participation may place voluntary
limits on a nations own sovereignty Involve US in problems around
the world Cost the US billions of dollars to support
Slide 27
China Clinton tried to protect human rights in China by
proposing trade link Abandoned policy when had no effect on China
except hurting US economic interests Continued to press for human
rights reform but separate from trade 1999 US missiles accidently
hit Chinese embassy in Yugoslavia Chinese nationalists marched on
US embassy in Beijing No attempt to halt US-Chinese trade US
officials helped China join WTO
Slide 28
Russia Both Clinton and H.W. Bush maintained friendly relations
w/ Russian President Boris Yeltsin Israel Clinton administration
worked for peace between Israel and PLO and Jordan Somalia US and
UN unable to end fighting with rebel war lords Clinton withdrew US
troops when no further progress in sight Haiti Haitian military
leaders threw out Jean-Bertrand Aristide, a priest who won UN
supervised free elections in 1990 Clinton sent US troops to Haiti,
resulting in his return to power in 1994 Iraq Clinton airlifted US
troops to Middle East to pressure Saddam Hussein to withdraw Iraqi
troops from along Kuwait border Later took steps to force Hussein
to allow UN inspectors into Iraq to continue inspections for
nuclear and biological weapons
Slide 29
Bill Gates Co-founded of Microsoft One of first to recognize
potential of personal computer Sam Walton 1962 created own
five-and- dime store in Arkansas Vision to create chain store
offering variety of products at low prices Walmart and Sams Club
worlds largest retailer Robert Johnson First Africa-American
billionaire Founded of Black Entertainment Television BET became
first African- American managed company listed on New York Stock
Exchange Lionel Sosa Saw potential in Hispanic market Founded the
largest Hispanic advertising agency in US Also advised several
Republican Presidents
Slide 30
Son of former President George H.W. Bush Governor of Texas from
1995-2000 Nov 2000, became President after winning majority of
Electoral College in closest Presidential election in US
history
Slide 31
Al Gore was Clintons vice president Democrats weakened by
Clintons impeachment scandal Gore hurt by third party candidate
Ralph Nader and downturn of American economy Bush did better than
expected n Presidential debates
Slide 32
Gore won popular vote by half a million votes Some states
margin so narrow winner of Electoral College remained unclear for
weeks Bush appeared to have narrow lead in Florida, pending a final
count If either candidate won Florida, where Bushs brother was
Governor, it would be enough to win Bush had carrier state, but
after mandatory recount, lead was fewer than 1,000 votes
Slide 33
Thousands of voters had not punched in holes of paper ballots
to indicate candidate which led to question of accuracy Gore
demanded a recount by hand in four Florida counties State officials
refused and were supported by lower state court Certified Bush had
won
Slide 34
Gore appealed to Florida Supreme Court which demanded a
statewide recount Bush appealed to US Supreme Court 5 to 4 vote, SC
ruled an order to end the recount Florida Supreme Court had
instruct those making the recount to evaluate the voters intent in
cases where ballot was not fully punched in SC objected to this,
arguing there was no consistent standards Critics felt SC had voted
along party lines 5 conservative vs 4 liberal Some felt it was
acting against the will of the people, as expressed in the popular
vote
Slide 35
Bush pushed through tax cut to revitalize economy Federal
Reserve Board dropped interest rates to lowest levels in decade
Revived economy but brought return to high federal deficits Cuts
mainly favored the wealthy but Bush said cuts were needed to get
economy growing Bush introduced No Child Left Behind, requiring all
states to test all students in English and math each year from 3 rd
to 8 th grade
Slide 36
September 11, 2001, Islamic Fundamentalist terrorists used
planes to crash into the World Trade Center in New York City and
Pentagon in Washington, DC. Final plan crashed in Shanksville,
Pennsylvania 3,000 people killed, worst attack in US history Osama
bin Laden and organization al- Qaeda took credit for attacks Bin
Laden from wealthy Saudi Arabian family Soviet invasion in 1979
stirred Bin Laden to recruit Islamic soldiers from around the world
Bin Laden was sheltered by Taliban controlled govt of Afghanistan
after the attack Taliban refused to surrender bin Laden
Slide 37
Bush vowed to launch global War on Terror Oct 2001, Bush
ordered air and ground assaults which toppled Taliban and destroyed
al-Qaedas bases Osama bin Laden eluded capture
Slide 38
Took steps to curb terrorism at home New federal agency,
Transportation Security Agency (TSA) took over security at US
airports All passengers and luggage subjected to thorough screening
2003 new cabinet post, Department of Homeland Security Keep US safe
from all threats Range from nuclear detection and intelligence
coordination to protection of high-level govt officials
Slide 39
USA PATRIOT Act of 2001 Greatly expanded govts law enforcement
powers Some 9/11 terrorists trained as pilots in US Had cell
phones, computers, and bank accounts funded by international
terrorists Law enforcement power to conduct sweeping searches and
surveillance, detain immigrants, and monitor bank accounts Bush
authorized National Security Agency (NSA) to wiretap suspected
callers w/out first obtaining a warren Some felt it gave Executive
Branch too much power Warrantless wiretaps later held
unconstituional
Slide 40
Imprisoned suspected terrorists captured at Guantanamo Bay in
Cuba Rights required by US Constitution did not given to accused
Prisoners on hunger strikes force-fed Department of Justice
believed limited torture techniques like water-boarding were
justified to get info Critics felt torture is rare successful or
necessary Claimed prisoners treated inhumanely Wished to see
Guantanamo Bay closed
Slide 41
Bush and advisors feared dictator Saddam Hussein might provide
weapons to terrorists Hussein had used chemical weapons in 1980s
Hussein denied having Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) First
refused to let UN inspectors in UN inspectors found no WMD Some
question if investigation thorough enough US, Britain, and Spain
warned Iraq to surrender weapons France, Germany, and Russia
favored more cautious approach American leaders feared delay would
allow him to hide weapons
Slide 42
Bush gave Hussein 48 hours to leave Iraq or face invasion
Hussein rejected Coalition forces took action US began campaign w/
air strikes Early April US forces captured Baghdad Husseins
dictatorship quickly collapsed Hussein captured, tried for crimes
against Iraqi citizens, and executed by Iraqis in 2006 Set up
provisional govt in Iraq Early 2005 Iraqi voters elected
representatives to draw up constitution Newly elected Iraqi
national govt took power becoming first Arab democracy in Middle
East
Slide 43
War far from over Insurgency consisting of former supporters of
Hussein, Shiite radicals, and Iraqis angry at foreign intervention
arose Differences between ethnic groups of Iraq added to conflict
Iraqi prisoners at Abu Ghraib prison were tortured and humiliated
President Bush ran for second term against Senator John Kerry,
outspoken critic of the war
Slide 44
End of 2006, as many as 1,000 people still being killed each
month in Iraq Bush announced new surge strategy, sending more than
20,000 additional US troops Surge greatly reduced violence in Iraq
American withdrawal from Iraq became central issue in 2008 US
Presidential election
Slide 45
Also in Bushs second term Hurricane led to evacuation and
flooding of almost 80% of New Orleans and other parts of Guild
Coast Storm surge greatly exceeded engineering design of New
Orleans levees Costliest hurricane in history More than 1,800
people died in flooding One of deadliest natural disasters in
Americas history Rescue efforts delayed so many found themselves
stranded
Slide 46
Stock market dropped sharply in 2000, Federal Reserve lowered
interest rates to stimulate the economy Many took advantage to buy
new homes Some banks lent money to borrowers who could not afford
their homes House prices rose, leading to speculation in housing
Mortgages were bundled with other investments and sold to banks or
investors
Slide 47
2007 overbuilding led to falling house prices Some had special
mortgages that adjusted to higher interest rates Interest rates
rose, some homeowners couldnt afford mortgages Led to rising number
of home foreclosures Federal govt gave rebates to taxpayers and
businesses in Feb 2008 to stimulate the economy
Slide 48
Sept 2008- fed govt took over the nations largest mortgage
lenders Despite actions, financial crisis spiraled out of control
Several securities and investment firms showed signs of collapsing
Govt allowed investment firm of Lehman Brothers to fail Banks
stopped lending and credit dried up for individuals and
businesses
Slide 49
Oct Emergency Economic Stabilization Act (2008) authorized the
Secretary of Treasury to spend up to $700 billion to buy distressed
investments and to provide funds to banks to prevent them from
failing Treasury and Fed Reserve provided emergency funding to
insurance giant AIG, several brokerage houses, and the nations
largest banks
Slide 50
One of the hardest fought in US history Hilary Clinton seen as
early Democrat forerunner Barack Obama emerged as nominee after one
of the closest primary elections in history Republicans nominated
John McCain distinguished war record and former POW in Vietnam
Obama received boost when Oprah Winfrey publicly endorsed him
Slide 51
Promised health care reform Appealed to young people and
African Americans Called to close Guantanamo Bay, promised
citizenship for millions of undocumented aliens, and spoke against
tax cuts for wealthiest Americans Obama became first Africa-
American elected President Campaigned for change Most costly
Presidential campaign in US history Grassroots campaign through
internet
Slide 52
April 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act More than
$700 billion spent in bailout package to create new jobs, save
existing ones, spur economic activity, and invest in long-term
infrastructure development Passed legislation to regulate credit
cards, lending, and other banking practice Took steps to save US
auto industry Health care reform passed
Slide 53
Sonia Sotomayor first Hispanic Justice and third women on US
Supreme Court Later Obama named Elena Kagan to US Supreme
Court
Slide 54
Pakistan Encouraged Pakistan to take more aggressive stance in
fighting terrorism US troops entered Pakistan and were able to
track down and kill Osama bin Laden Iraq Gradually withdrew troops
Acts of terrorism still continue against Iraqi govt Afghanistan
Increased level of US troops in effort to stabilize country Iran
Iran continues to develop nuclear weapons despite increased
economic and political sanctions Iran sponsors terrorist groups in
Middle East Europe Maintained close ties w/ Europe European Union
experienced own financial crisis similar to US Arab Spring Obama
discouraged dictators from using force to suppress democracy
movements in Tunisia, Yemen, Syria, and Egypt In Library,
authorized airstrikes to defend rebels, leading to Gaddafis
downfall and death Israel Seeks to work w/ Israelis and
Palestinians to achieve two-state solution Jewish state and
Palestinian state living side-by-side in peace China Continues to
export large number of goods to Americans while investors buy great
deal of US Treasury Notes