The 80s, 90s, and beyond

1. The 80s, 90s, and beyond

2. Reagan & the End of the Cold War • Reagan brought w/ him conservatism: political philosophy that opposes high taxes, government spending, & numerous federal social programs • He introduced Reaganomics – economic plan based on supply-side economics • The economy would be stimulated & if the supply of goods increased • Lift government regulation and taxes off business

3. Trickle down theory Advocated that the benefits felt by business owners would eventually “trickle down” to consumers and the average working class. The effect: massive spending combined w/ less revenue from taxes contributed to a record national DEBT

4. The Empire Strikes • Reagan was convinced that the USSR could not be trusted & they would stop short of nothing but worldwide domination • Initiated SDI (the Strategic Defense Initiative) – “Star Wars” • A satellite shield that could prevent Soviet missiles from ever reaching their target

5. Evil Empire • Mikhail Gorbachev became the leader of USSR in 1985 • In 1987, Reagan and Gorbachev signed the INF Treaty – reducing the number of US and Soviet missiles in Europe

6. The Curtain comes down • Gorbachev realized that the hurting Soviet economy could not sustain an arms race with the US any longer. • Glasnost – political openness • Perestroika – restructuring of the economy to allow limited free enterprise • On Nov. 9, 1989 the East German government announced that people could travel freely to West Berlin.

7. Iran-Contra Affair • Nervous about communism spreading in Central America • Nicaragua was ruled by a pro-Soviet government known as the Sandinistas • To counter the Sandinistas, the US secretly provided training & support for Nicaraguan rebels known as the Contras

8. Two Bushes & a “New Democrat” • In 1990, Iraq’s leader, Saddam Hussein invaded the neighboring country of Kuwait • Due in part to the US reliance on oil from Kuwait & nearby Saudi Arabia, the US worked through the UN to coordinate an alliance of 28 countries that took military action against Iraq • The war lasted 42 days & resulted in the liberation of Kuwait • Operation Desert Storm (Persian Gulf War)

9. Terrorism Grows • Religious fanatics in the Middle East developed due to a dislike of the US after the Persian Gulf War • The two most prominent are the Taliban in Afghanistan and al Qaeda which is spread all over the Middle East.

10. Terrorist Activity • Based in the Taliban in Afghanistan and al Qaeda. • The US kept an eye on Saddam Hussein due to the growing terrorist threat in the Middle East • USS Cole is bombed in port in Yemen

11. Clinton’s Foreign Policy in the Middle East • Continued support for Israel while trying to resolve the Palestinians had to land claims in Israel • When leadership of the two groups changed the headway that had been made came to a standstill • Somalia- a mission to aid in Somalia – “black hawk down” incident caused us to have to withdraw from that area

12. In Other Area • Brought a peace agreement in Northern Ireland between the Catholics and Protestants • As part of a NATO mission in the Balkans we were able to put a stop to another case of “ethnic cleansing” and established peace there.

13. The Clinton Presidency • Under Clinton, the nation went from having a massive budget deficit to a budget surplus (spending less money than the government has in a given year) • The US also ratified NAFTA (the North American Free Trade Agreement), which promoted free trade between the US, Canada, Mexico • Labor unions feared it would cost Americans jobs because businesses would move out of the country

14. GATT Treaty • Worldwide agreement to lower tariffs • Created more competition for American businesses • This and NAFTA have led to American companies downsizing • Many Americans blame labor unions for us not being able to compete in the world market

15. Clinton Domestic Issues • Balancing the budget • Healthcare Reform • New restrictions on “entitlements” such as welfare -put limits on how much a family could receive and how long they could receive it - put more conditions on qualifying for food stamps • Recession

16. Scandal & Impeachment • The Whitewater Affair: During his first term, Clinton was accused of taking part in fraudulent business practices in Arkansas & using his influence as governor to cover them up. • Some of the Clinton’s associates were convicted of crimes, but not the Clintons

17. Scandal & Impeachment • Paula Jones accused Clinton of sexual harassment before he became president. • During the investigation, Clinton was asked about the nature of his relationship with a White House intern named Monica Lewinski • Under oath, Clinton denied he had had any relationship with ML • Later he appeared on television to admit having a relationship that was “inappropriate”

18. Scandal

19. Scandal and Impeachment • Special prosecutors presented to the House of Representatives a report that listed grounds for impeachment • On December 18, 1998 the House voted to impeach Clinton • He was only the second president in history to be impeached (Andrew Johnson was the first) • The presidency survived after he was acquitted by the Senate

20. The Middle East & theRise of Terrorism • The alliance between the US & Israel has been one of the factors making the US a major target of Islamic terrorists • The terrorists subscribe to a radical form of Islam which advocates violence to overthrow the US & other western nations • The best known Islamic group is Al-Qaeda with Osama bin Laden at the head of the organization

21. Terrorism • Al-Qaeda gained international attention when linked to US embassy bombings in Tanzania and Kenya • The attacks on September 11, 2001 • Bush had been in office eight months on 9/11 and responded by declaring a “war on terror”

22. Bush’s Response • The Department of Homeland Security was created to increase airline security & institute a color-coded terrorist alert system to warn the public when there is increased reason to fear a terrorist attack • The Patriot Act increased the authority of US law enforcement agencies and allowed them greater latitude in what measures they used to obtain information

23. Operation Enduring Freedom • The US knew bin Laden was in Afghanistan (protected by the Taliban) • The US insisted that the Taliban hand over bin Laden, the Taliban refused, offering instead to try bin Laden in an Islamic court • The US would not consider such a deal and in October of 2001 launched Operation Enduring Freedom

24. War in Iraq • As part of the war on terror, Bush felt that the US needed to strike first against terrorists & state-sponsored terrorism • The US-led coalition launched the War in Iraq based on intelligence from several nations suggesting that the Iraqi leader, Saddam Hussein had ties to Al-Qaeda and that he possessed weapons of mass destruction

25. War in Iraq • The alleged “weapons of mass destruction” were never found • The Hussein government (as well as the leader) was removed from power • Iraq has formed a new democratic government • Written a new constitution • Greater opportunities for women

26. In his 2002 State of the Union address, Bush referred to what he called an “axis of evil.” These countries were accused of sponsoring terrorism Iraq Iran North Korea Among the concerns is that of nuclear proliferation (the spread of nuclear weapons to nations that don’t already have them) Eight nations are believed to have weapons: The US Russia China France Great Britain India Pakistan Israel Nuclear Proliferation

27. Nuclear Proliferation - NK • North Korea had conducted recent missile test launches & claim to have successfully tested nuclear weapons • Evidence suggests that the claims are true & has caused the US and other nations to call for UN sanctions against North Korea

28. Nuclear Proliferation - Iran • Iran does not yet have nuclear weapons, but is openly pursuing the kind of uranium that could lead to such technology. • Iran claims that their only interest is in developing nuclear power for peaceful uses. • However, their oil supply, history of hostility towards the US and open calls for Israel’s destruction make Iran’s nuclear program a matter of great importance to the world

29. Economic Disparity • Economic disparity refers to the differences in income and assets that exist when comparing individuals and/or different populations within a society

30. What to do? • How to deal with the reality of economic disparity is often an issue of political debate • Conservatives tend to advocate less government control, providing equal opportunity for all citizens to pursue success without hindering the process with high taxes & excessive regulation • Liberals believe that the government should get involved, favoring higher taxes that can be pumped into government programs

31. Barack Obama

32. Recap • The wall came down • Terrorism went up • Currently troops remain in Afghanistan & Iraq • Other countries are seeking nuclear weapons • The economy is still a roller coaster ride • With a very high government deficit • And economic disparity that no one has an answer we can all agree upon. • Barack Obama First African America president • 