1. Clinton, Bush, & Obama

2. Bill Clinton 1946 – Present 1946 – Present 42 nd President (1993 – 2001) 42 nd President (1993 – 2001) Won election despite numerous reports of extramarital affairs and having no national-level political experience Won election despite numerous reports of extramarital affairs and having no national-level political experience Promised major health- care reform in his campaign, but was unable to gain approval from a Republican controlled Congress Promised major health- care reform in his campaign, but was unable to gain approval from a Republican controlled Congress

3. The Internet During the mid-1990s, localized computer networks began to become interconnected as part of the “World Wide Web,” forever changing how we communicate During the mid-1990s, localized computer networks began to become interconnected as part of the “World Wide Web,” forever changing how we communicate Between 1997 and 2000, internet use soared 300% Between 1997 and 2000, internet use soared 300% The internet also sparked a boom in “dot.com” companies, briefly driving economic prosperity in the late 1990s The internet also sparked a boom in “dot.com” companies, briefly driving economic prosperity in the late 1990s

4. The Deficit and Taxes Clinton had campaigned on a platform of economic recovery through reduction of the federal deficit Clinton had campaigned on a platform of economic recovery through reduction of the federal deficit To do this, he was forced to increase taxes on the middle- class and on fuels To do this, he was forced to increase taxes on the middle- class and on fuels

5. Health Care Failure Clinton had also promised health care reform to provide health insurance to the 40 million Americans without it Clinton had also promised health care reform to provide health insurance to the 40 million Americans without it Clinton lacked enough political support in Congress for his reforms and was not able to fulfill this campaign promise Clinton lacked enough political support in Congress for his reforms and was not able to fulfill this campaign promise

6. Family Medical Leave Act Bill passed in 1993 Bill passed in 1993 Provides workers up to 12 weeks per year of unpaid family leave for the birth or adoption of a child, or for dealing with a serious illness of themselves or a close family member Provides workers up to 12 weeks per year of unpaid family leave for the birth or adoption of a child, or for dealing with a serious illness of themselves or a close family member

7. AmeriCorps Created in 1993 to put people to work improving low-income housing, tutoring students in reading, or in cleaning up the environment Created in 1993 to put people to work improving low-income housing, tutoring students in reading, or in cleaning up the environment While in AmeriCorps, you earn a small salary and scholarship money for continuing your education While in AmeriCorps, you earn a small salary and scholarship money for continuing your education Expanded by Pres. Bush Expanded by Pres. Bush Over 500,000 Americans have participated in the program Over 500,000 Americans have participated in the program

8. Crime & Gun Control Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act of 1993: requires federal background check before the purchase of a handgun, disallows handgun ownership for convicted felons, illegal aliens, the mentally ill, drug addicts, and domestic abusers Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act of 1993: requires federal background check before the purchase of a handgun, disallows handgun ownership for convicted felons, illegal aliens, the mentally ill, drug addicts, and domestic abusers Clinton also won funding for building new prisons and putting over 100,000 more police officers on the streets Clinton also won funding for building new prisons and putting over 100,000 more police officers on the streets

9. Gingrich’s Contract With America Rep. Newt Gingrich of Georgia, a Republican, put forward a plan in 1994 calling for lower taxes, welfare reform, tougher anti-crime laws, term limits, and a balanced budget amendment, which resulted in Republicans winning control of Congress and Gingrich becoming Speaker of the House Rep. Newt Gingrich of Georgia, a Republican, put forward a plan in 1994 calling for lower taxes, welfare reform, tougher anti-crime laws, term limits, and a balanced budget amendment, which resulted in Republicans winning control of Congress and Gingrich becoming Speaker of the House Democratic president + Republican Congress = stalemate for two years until the two sides learned to work together in 1996 Democratic president + Republican Congress = stalemate for two years until the two sides learned to work together in 1996

10. Balancing the Budget Clinton allowed the federal government to shut down in 1995 rather than accept a Republican-backed budget which cut into social program spending Clinton allowed the federal government to shut down in 1995 rather than accept a Republican-backed budget which cut into social program spending Eventually the two sides compromised and produced a balanced budget bill that was acceptable to all parties Eventually the two sides compromised and produced a balanced budget bill that was acceptable to all parties

11. Welfare Reform Act Passed in 1996 Passed in 1996 Limited recipients to no more than 2 consecutive years on welfare and no more than 5 years total Limited recipients to no more than 2 consecutive years on welfare and no more than 5 years total Required those receiving welfare to work Required those receiving welfare to work Gave tax breaks to any company hiring a person on welfare Gave tax breaks to any company hiring a person on welfare

12. 1996 Election Democrats nominated Clinton for a 2 nd term Democrats nominated Clinton for a 2 nd term Republicans nominated Sen. Bob Dole of Kansas Republicans nominated Sen. Bob Dole of Kansas Billionaire H. Ross Perot ran once again as an independent Billionaire H. Ross Perot ran once again as an independent Clinton won, but in a fairly close race Clinton won, but in a fairly close race

14. Budget Surplus As the economy recovered, so did federal tax collections, leading to a federal budget surplus – the government actually took in more in taxes than it spent from 1997 to 2002 As the economy recovered, so did federal tax collections, leading to a federal budget surplus – the government actually took in more in taxes than it spent from 1997 to 2002

16. Children’s Programs Banned tobacco advertising aimed at children or teenagers Banned tobacco advertising aimed at children or teenagers Children’s Health Insurance Program: provides health insurance for children whose families can not afford it Children’s Health Insurance Program: provides health insurance for children whose families can not afford it Expanded federal loans for college tuition Expanded federal loans for college tuition Expanded funding for Head Start Expanded funding for Head Start

17. Scandals Travelgate: scandal over the questionable dismissal of White House Travel Office staff Travelgate: scandal over the questionable dismissal of White House Travel Office staff Troopergate: scandal over Clinton’s use of state troopers to cover-up his extramarital affairs while Governor of Arkansas Troopergate: scandal over Clinton’s use of state troopers to cover-up his extramarital affairs while Governor of Arkansas Whitewater: scandal over Clinton’s alleged arranging of illegal loans to a real estate developer while Governor Whitewater: scandal over Clinton’s alleged arranging of illegal loans to a real estate developer while Governor

18. The Monica Lewinsky Scandal In 1998, Clinton was accused of having an affair with White House intern Monica Lewinsky In 1998, Clinton was accused of having an affair with White House intern Monica Lewinsky When questioned under oath, Clinton lied about his relationship, committing the crime of perjury When questioned under oath, Clinton lied about his relationship, committing the crime of perjury Clinton later admitted to the affair and apologized Clinton later admitted to the affair and apologized

19. Impeachment In Dec. 1998, Clinton became only the second president to be impeached In Dec. 1998, Clinton became only the second president to be impeached The House of Representatives passed articles of impeachment for perjury and obstruction of justice related to the Lewinsky scandal The House of Representatives passed articles of impeachment for perjury and obstruction of justice related to the Lewinsky scandal In Feb. 1999, Clinton was acquitted by the Senate in a narrow vote In Feb. 1999, Clinton was acquitted by the Senate in a narrow vote

20. Somalia Battle of Mogadishu: Oct. 3-4, 1993 Battle of Mogadishu: Oct. 3-4, 1993 US forces on a peace- keeping mission in Somalia were ambushed while attempting to rescue the crews of two helicopters which had been shot down US forces on a peace- keeping mission in Somalia were ambushed while attempting to rescue the crews of two helicopters which had been shot down 19 Americans were killed and 73 wounded 19 Americans were killed and 73 wounded Popularized in the movie Black Hawk Down Popularized in the movie Black Hawk Down US forces left Somalia US forces left Somalia

21. Haiti After a military coup overthrew the democratically elected government of Haiti, the UN put a trade embargo in place After a military coup overthrew the democratically elected government of Haiti, the UN put a trade embargo in place To end the violence in Haiti, Clinton ordered US troops to invade and restore order, but Haiti’s new rulers were convinced to step down by former Pres. Carter before the invasion took place To end the violence in Haiti, Clinton ordered US troops to invade and restore order, but Haiti’s new rulers were convinced to step down by former Pres. Carter before the invasion took place US troops still took up position in Haiti for many weeks to ensure a peaceful transition US troops still took up position in Haiti for many weeks to ensure a peaceful transition

22. Bosnia Civil war between Orthodox Christian Serbs, Catholic Croatians, and Bosnian Muslims broke out between 1991 and 1995 Civil war between Orthodox Christian Serbs, Catholic Croatians, and Bosnian Muslims broke out between 1991 and 1995 US-led NATO forces were used to end the fighting and to enforce the 1996 Dayton Accords peace plan US-led NATO forces were used to end the fighting and to enforce the 1996 Dayton Accords peace plan

23. Kosovo Civil war broke out in 1998 between Serbs and Albanians in Kosovo Civil war broke out in 1998 between Serbs and Albanians in Kosovo Again, US-led NATO forces were used to bring an end to the fighting and to enforce a peace plan Again, US-led NATO forces were used to bring an end to the fighting and to enforce a peace plan

24. Middle Eastern Peace? Clinton orchestrated an agreement between Israel and the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) in which the two sides agreed to negotiate over Palestinian rights in Israel Clinton orchestrated an agreement between Israel and the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) in which the two sides agreed to negotiate over Palestinian rights in Israel Unfortunately, no lasting peace agreement was ever struck Unfortunately, no lasting peace agreement was ever struck

25. NAFTA North American Free Trade Agreement North American Free Trade Agreement Passed in 1994 Passed in 1994 Canada, Mexico, and the US joined into a “free trade zone” Canada, Mexico, and the US joined into a “free trade zone” Increased US trade with its neighbors, but shifted many manufacturing jobs to Mexico while the US became a service and technology based economy Increased US trade with its neighbors, but shifted many manufacturing jobs to Mexico while the US became a service and technology based economy

26. European Union Formed in 1993 Formed in 1993 Created to promote economic and political cooperation amongst European states Created to promote economic and political cooperation amongst European states Members share a common currency (the Euro) Members share a common currency (the Euro) Weakened US political and economic influence in Europe, as EU members began to cut back on US imports Weakened US political and economic influence in Europe, as EU members began to cut back on US imports

27. Kyoto Protocol International environmental conference, held in Japan in 1997 International environmental conference, held in Japan in 1997 38 nations plus the EU agreed to reduce greenhouse emissions, but the US never approved the plan and pulled out of the talks in 2001 38 nations plus the EU agreed to reduce greenhouse emissions, but the US never approved the plan and pulled out of the talks in 2001

28. Oklahoma City Bombing April 19, 1995 April 19, 1995 Terror attack carried out by American Timothy McVeigh, an anti- government militiaman Terror attack carried out by American Timothy McVeigh, an anti- government militiaman Truck bomb detonated in front of the federal building, killing 168 Truck bomb detonated in front of the federal building, killing 168 McVeigh was later executed for his role in the attack McVeigh was later executed for his role in the attack

29. Terror Attacks World Trade Center bombing: Feb. 26, 1993, Islamic terrorists detonated a truck bomb under the WTC in an attempt to bring down the North Tower, killing 6 and injuring over 1000 World Trade Center bombing: Feb. 26, 1993, Islamic terrorists detonated a truck bomb under the WTC in an attempt to bring down the North Tower, killing 6 and injuring over 1000 US Embassy bombings: US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania were attacked by terror bombers in Aug. 1998 US Embassy bombings: US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania were attacked by terror bombers in Aug. 1998 USS Cole: US warship which was attacked in Oct. 2000 by al Qaeda suicide bomber, killing 17 USS Cole: US warship which was attacked in Oct. 2000 by al Qaeda suicide bomber, killing 17

31. Election of 2000 Democrats nominated Vice-President Al Gore Democrats nominated Vice-President Al Gore Republicans nominated Texas Governor George W. Bush Republicans nominated Texas Governor George W. Bush Environmentalist and reformer Ralph Nader ran as an independent Environmentalist and reformer Ralph Nader ran as an independent

32. Controversy In one of the closest elections in US history, Bush won by only 6 electoral votes, thanks largely to his victory in Florida In one of the closest elections in US history, Bush won by only 6 electoral votes, thanks largely to his victory in Florida The votes in Florida were so close that a recount was called, but due to problems with the ballots, recounting was difficult and required too much interpretation of voter intent The votes in Florida were so close that a recount was called, but due to problems with the ballots, recounting was difficult and required too much interpretation of voter intent

33. Bush v Gore When Bush was declared the winner in Florida, Gore sued When Bush was declared the winner in Florida, Gore sued The US Supreme Court was forced to rule on the validity of the election results and found that a hand recount of ballots, requiring interpretation of voter intent, was unfair, thereby allowing the election results to stand The US Supreme Court was forced to rule on the validity of the election results and found that a hand recount of ballots, requiring interpretation of voter intent, was unfair, thereby allowing the election results to stand