1. President George HW Bush (1988-1992) President George HW Bush (1988-1992) Presided over collapse of Soviet Union: Presided over collapse of Soviet Union: collapse of totalitarian government in large region of world collapse of totalitarian government in large region of world decreased threat of nuclear war decreased threat of nuclear war U.S. seen as the main superpower U.S. seen as the main superpower Pres. Bush and Yeltsin

2. Transitions – 1990s to 2000s Computers led to Globalization – increasing interaction and integration among various societies, economies, and cultures Computers led to Globalization – increasing interaction and integration among various societies, economies, and cultures Some Impacts: Some Impacts: Increased variety of products and services Increased variety of products and services Outsourcing - wealthier nations losing manufacturing jobs to poorer nations Outsourcing - wealthier nations losing manufacturing jobs to poorer nations Pollution issues and workers’ rights issues Pollution issues and workers’ rights issues

3. A Changing Economy Service Economy - Service jobs increasing faster than production jobs Service Economy - Service jobs increasing faster than production jobs Examples: teachers, researchers, lawyers, food service, customer service, sales representatives, custodialExamples: teachers, researchers, lawyers, food service, customer service, sales representatives, custodial Increasing gap between highest and lowest paid workers Increasing gap between highest and lowest paid workers Decline in union members in U.S. mirrors the decline in manufacturing jobs Decline in union members in U.S. mirrors the decline in manufacturing jobs 35% in 1945 to 15% in 200035% in 1945 to 15% in 2000 Workers’ average wages have fallen Workers’ average wages have fallen Customer Service Jobs Food Service Jobs

4. Changing Demographics Immigration Act of 1990 results in largest wave of immigrants in U.S. History Immigration Act of 1990 results in largest wave of immigrants in U.S. History 1 million per yr between 1990 and 20001 million per yr between 1990 and 2000 Primarily Latinos and AsiansPrimarily Latinos and Asians Controversies: Controversies: Pro-Immigration:Pro-Immigration: They work tough jobs that Americans won’t They work tough jobs that Americans won’t Contribute to economy (U.S. birth rate declining) Contribute to economy (U.S. birth rate declining) Tradition: We are a nation of immigrants Tradition: We are a nation of immigrants Anti-Immigration:Anti-Immigration: Take jobs away from Americans Take jobs away from Americans They are not assimilating fast enough (English) They are not assimilating fast enough (English) National Security National Security

5. 1992 Election Clinton won for several reasons: Clinton won for several reasons: Economic Recession Economic Recession Bush broke campaign pledge of “Read my lips. No new taxes” Bush broke campaign pledge of “Read my lips. No new taxes” Ross Perot, an independent party candidate, took votes away from Republicans Ross Perot, an independent party candidate, took votes away from Republicans 43% Clinton, 37% Bush, 19% Perot43% Clinton, 37% Bush, 19% Perot Clinton cast self as a moderate “New Democrat” Clinton cast self as a moderate “New Democrat” Democrats won control of House and Senate Democrats won control of House and Senate Ross Perot (videoRoss Perot (video)

6. 1994 Midterm Elections Contract with America led to a strong voter turnout for Republicans Contract with America led to a strong voter turnout for Republicans Republicans won control of House and Senate Republicans won control of House and Senate Newt Gingrich (Speaker of House) led the strategy: Newt Gingrich (Speaker of House) led the strategy: Reduce size of federal governmentReduce size of federal government Balanced budget amendmentBalanced budget amendment Term limits for Members of CongressTerm limits for Members of Congress Tax cutsTax cuts Strong defense and law enforcementStrong defense and law enforcement Welfare ReformWelfare Reform Former Speaker of the House, Newt Gingrich

7. 2000 Elections Too close to call? Bush had 327 more votes in FL Too close to call? Bush had 327 more votes in FL Automatic machine recount Automatic machine recount Controversies: Controversies: FL Sec. of State Katherine Harris was Co-Chair of Bush Campaign; Brother Jeb Bush was GovernorFL Sec. of State Katherine Harris was Co-Chair of Bush Campaign; Brother Jeb Bush was Governor 1000s people excluded from voter lists1000s people excluded from voter lists Voting Machine irregularitiesVoting Machine irregularities Hanging chads, dimpled chads, etc.Hanging chads, dimpled chads, etc. Hand Recount Controversy: Hand Recount Controversy: Gore asks only for some countiesGore asks only for some counties Republicans sue to prevent recountRepublicans sue to prevent recount Gore v. Bush – Supreme Court stops recountGore v. Bush – Supreme Court stops recount Results? Gore wins popular vote, but Bush wins Electoral College Results? Gore wins popular vote, but Bush wins Electoral College Counting Chads…