1990-Present

1. 1990-Present

2. George H.W. Bush 1989-1993 • Served two terms as Reagan’s VP • Promised to continue Reagan’s policies with greater compassion in dealing with homeless and poor • Promised to improve education and fight drug use

3. Domestic Policy • 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

4. Domestic Policy • 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

5. Domestic Policy • 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

6. Domestic Policy • 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

7. Domestic Policy • 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

8. Domestic Policy • Americans with Disabilities Act 1990 • Prohibited discrimination against people with disabilities in employment and public accommodations

9. Foreign Policy • 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

10. Foreign Policy • 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 • http://youtu.be/7z6dxQVhE8o • http://youtu.be/fK1MwhEDjHg • http://youtu.be/zmRPP2WXX0U

11. Foreign Policy • Gulf War, 1990 • August 1990 Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait for oil and to extend Iraq’s 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

12. Foreign Policy • 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

13. Foreign Policy • 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

14. Clinton Presidency, 1993-2001 • 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 Bush’s authority • Perot received 20% of vote, making him most successful third party candidate in history

15. Domestic Policy • 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

16. Domestic Policy • 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 Clinton’s proposal might to lead long waits and health care rationing • Supporters shocked many Americans lacked health care • Major defeat for Clinton

17. Domestic Policy • 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

18. Domestic Policy • 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 nation’s budget and had surplus

19. Domestic Policy • 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

20. Impeachment • 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

21. Foreign Policy • 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

22. Foreign Policy • 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 • Clinton’s intervention led to compromise peace

23. Foreign Policy • 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 don’t have the same regulations and laws

24. Foreign Policy • 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

25. Foreign Policy • 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)

26. Foreign Policy • 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

27. Foreign Policy • 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

28. Achieving the American Dream • 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 • Walmartand Sam’s Club world’s 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

29. George W. Bush Presidency 2001-2009 • 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

30. 2000 Election Bush VS Gore • Al Gore was Clinton’s vice president • Democrats weakened by Clinton’s impeachment scandal • Gore hurt by third party candidate Ralph Nader and downturn of American economy • Bush did better than expected n Presidential debates

31. 2000 Election Bush VS Gore • 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 Bush’s brother was Governor, it would be enough to win • Bush had carrier state, but after mandatory recount, lead was fewer than 1,000 votes

32. 2000 Election Bush VS Gore • 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

33. 2000 Election Bush VS Gore • 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 voter’s 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

34. Domestic Policy • 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 3rd to 8th grade

35. September 11, 2001 • 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

36. Global War on Terror • Bush vowed to launch global “War on Terror” • Oct 2001, Bush ordered air and ground assaults which toppled Taliban and destroyed al-Qaeda’s bases • Osama bin Laden eluded capture

37. Global War on Terror • 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

38. Global War on Terror • USA PATRIOT Act of 2001 • Greatly expanded govt’s 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

39. Global War on Terror • 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

40. War in Iraq • 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

41. War in Iraq • 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 • Hussein’s 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

42. War Effort in Iraq • 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

43. War Effort in Iraq • 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

44. Hurricane Katrina • Also in Bush’s 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 America’s history • Rescue efforts delayed so many found themselves stranded

45. Financial Crisis of 2008-2009 • 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

46. Financial Crisis of 2008-2009 • 2007 – overbuilding led to falling house prices • Some had special mortgages that adjusted to higher interest rates • Interest rates rose, some homeowners couldn’t afford mortgages • Led to rising number of home foreclosures • Federal govt gave rebates to taxpayers and businesses in Feb 2008 to stimulate the economy

47. Financial Crisis of 2008-2009 • Sept 2008- fed govt took over the nation’s 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

48. Financial Crisis of 2008-2009 • 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 nation’s largest banks

49. 2008 Election • 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

50. Obama Presidency • 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