Modern Era

1. Unit 12 Modern Era

2. Persian Gulf War • In August of 1990, Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein invaded neighboring Kuwait • The United Nations condemned the takeover and set an ultimatum for Iraqi withdrawal • When the withdrawal date came and went, United Nations and American forces began bombing attacks on Iraqi forces • Within days of a ground attack, Iraqi forces had been driven from Kuwait; the attacks became known as Operation Desert Storm

4. The End of the Cold War • In 1989 pro-Soviet parties in Hungary and Poland lost political power and East Germany followed announcing that East Germans were allowed to visit West Berlin. • In the weeks that followed public celebrations began the tear down of the Berlin Wall. Germany officially reunified in October 1990. • On December 25, 1991 Soviet Premier Mikhail Gorbachev resigned and the next day the Soviet Union formally ceased to exist. • The former USSR would eventually include 15 independent “states” including the largest Russia which would then be led by President Boris Yeltsin.

7. Election of 1992 • After the Success of the Persian Gulf War in 1991, George Bush (SR) and the Republican party’s popularity was high for the 1992 election. • The Democratic challenger was an attorney and Governor of Arkansas, Bill Clinton. • Ross Perot a billionaire businessman from Texas ran as a third party candidate and picked up 19 percent of the popular vote, many felt that Perot pulled votes that would have gone to the Republican Party. • Clinton and his Vice President Al Gore won the election with only 43% of the popular vote

9. Balkans Crisis • The breakup of the Soviet Union left several cultural factions battling for power in nearby Yugoslavia. Muslim Bosnians made up the largest population but Serbian Christians were better funded and equipped militarily. • Some Serbians began to attempt ethnic cleansing of Muslim populations which prompted the United States and United Nations to become involved. • President Clinton helped negotiate peace in Bosnia and NATO airstrikes worked to slow Serbian attacks.

11. Modern Entrepreneurs in Business Bill Gates founded Microsoft in 1976 and has became one of the wealthiest people in the US. His philanthropist spirit has led him to donate millions of dollars to charity, but he has also been accused of denying competition in business. Sam Walton grew his low price, chain departments stores into Walmart; Walton’s business model is praised by some but others accused him of swallowing up smaller companies Estee Lauder co-founded a beauty supply company in1946 that has grown to top 10 billion dollars in sales in 2013, she was named one of Times most influential business people in 1998 and died in 2004 at the age of 97. Lionel Sosa founded a San Antonio advertising agency which has helped companies such as Coca-Cola, Burger King and Sprint reach out to the Latino community through advertising.

13. Increased Immigration • The 1980’s brought more immigrants to the United States than any decade since 1910. • Congress passed the Immigration Act of 1990, which doubled the number of skilled workers allowed into the US and authorized special visas for overseas investors. • In 1996 Congress passed new laws which strengthened the US borders, allowed only wealthy families to sponsor legal immigrants, and kept new immigrants from receiving welfare.

15. NAFTA, GATT and the WTO • In 1993 concern over economic competition led the US to enter into a free trade agreement (NAFTA) with Mexico and Canada. • Specifically NAFTA lowered tariffs and other trade boundaries, allowing for increased trade. • Although NAFTA has increased exports to Canada and Mexico by over $100 billion, many argue that US business have moved many manufacturing jobs to Mexico. • GATT – General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade originally founded post WWII to encouraged free trade between member nations by regulating and reducing tariffs, GATT is known today as the World Trade Organization or WTO.

17. Presidential Scandals • After winning re-election over Bob Dole in 1996, the second term of Bill Clinton was marked by several scandals. • In 1994 a sexual harassment lawsuit was filed against Clinton by former employee Paula Jones • In 1997 Kenneth Starr was appointed to research possible financial misconduct by Bill and Hillary • During Starr’s investigation, Clinton lied to a grand-jury about an improper relationship with a former white house intern, Monica Lewinski • Clinton would be impeached by the House but not removed from office in a Senate trial.

19. 2000 Presidential Election • In 2000 the Democrats nominated former VP Al Gore, while Republicans countered with George W. Bush—son of former President Bush. • Bush promised to return tax surpluses to the people and to reorganize social security, while Gore promised to reduce the national debt and provide more for education and healthcare • The election between Bush and Gore was so close that when it was over a winner could not be declared, eventually the Supreme Court ruled that Bush won the final state of Florida by 537 votes.

21. Modern Day Entrepreneurs in the Entertainment Industry • American Actress, talk show host and philanthropist Oprah Winfrey has been called, the queen of all media • Oprah’s entrepreneurial spirit has led to a successful talk show, magazine and cable television network and has made her America’s only current African American Billionaire. • In 1980 Princeton Graduate, Robert Johnson founded BET (Black Entertainment Television) Cable Network. • Johnson later became the first African American Billionaire after selling BET to Viacom for $3 billion. Johnson was also part owner of the Charlotte Bobcats.

23. September 11th, 2001 • At 8:48 A.M. an American Airlines passenger jet struck the north tower of the world trade center, at 9:03 another plane struck the south tower. • At 9:40 flight 77 struck the Pentagon and soon after flight 93 crashed just south of Pittsburg as passengers attempted to retake the plane. • At 9:59 as hundreds of police and rescue workers arrived at the trade center, the south tower collapsed killing thousands instantly. • Official death tolls from that day currently stand at 2,986—including the 19 hijackers.

25. USA Patriot Act of 2001 • In response to September 11th and an increase in acts of Terror around the world, Congress passed the USA PATRIOT act in October of 2001 and the law has been approved and extended by Presidents Bush and Obama. • The Patriot Act allows the FBI and NSA use of wiretaps, video surveillance, searches of business records and email in order to track individuals involved in terrorist activities and to intercept possible acts of terror before they are committed. • The USA Patriot Act raises the constitutional issue of right to privacy and protection again unreasonable searches. • Supporters of the Patriot Act see it as a necessary measure to fight terrorism, opponents see it as government using tragedy to infringe of the rights of individuals.

27. Hurricane Katrina • Katrina formed over the Bahamas on August 23, 2005, and strengthened rapidly in the Gulf of Mexico before becoming one of the strongest hurricanes ever recorded in the Gulf • Katrina was the costliest ($75 billion) and one of the deadliest (1604 lives lost) hurricanes in the history of the United States • The federal and state governments and FEMA have been widely criticized for not being well prepared for the disaster and not acting quickly enough to help the people of New Orleans

29. Barack Obama Presidency • In 2008 the United States elected the first African American President, Democrat Barack Hussain Obama. • Obama was born and raised in Hawaii, his mother from Kansas and his father Kenya; his post secondary education included Columbia University and Harvard Law School. • Obama entered politics in the State of Illinois as a Community Organizer and State Senator; from 2005 to 2008 Obama served as U.S. Senator from Illinois. • In 2008 Barack Obama defeated Hilary Clinton for the Democratic Nomination and Republican Senator John McCain for the Presidency. • In 2009 Obama appointed Sonia Sotomayor the first Hispanic female to the US Supreme Court.

31. Modern Era Technology in a Free Enterprise System • Technological innovations of the 21st century have been focused on the world of telecommunication, information technology and social media. • The free enterprise system and the constant demand created by the American consumer has fueled many of the 21st century technological advancements. • Advances in Cellular capabilities first seen in the military have found their way into the hands of almost every American in the form of Smartphones. • Internet access in the 21st century is prolific nationwide and social media has given the individual and their opinions a greater voice in American society.

33. Impact of the Internet on American Industry • Manufacturing and purchasing has been revolutionized in the 21st century by the internet and increasing use of technology. • Just-In-Time Inventory Management allows manufacturers to prioritize production and better meet the ever changing demands of the consumer in real time. • The Internet allows for increased speed and efficiency in global trade and provides a virtual store front for companies throughout the US and the World. • Social Media and product websites allow manufactures unprecedented access to the opinions and feedback of consumers.