Ch 40 –America Confronts the Post- Cold War Era
Ch 40 – The 1990’s Essential Questions: What the issues of the 1992 presidential campaign? What was Clinton’s domestic and foreign policy agenda? What were the political events surrounding Clinton’s impeachment?
The Election of 1992 Issues: – Recession – Lack of Job Creation Candidates: George HW Bush ( R) William J. Clinton ( D) H. Ross Perot ( Reform Party)
Clinton-The New Democrat Democratic Leadership Council was formed by Clinton and other moderate Democrats Pro-Economic Growth Strong Defense Anti-Crime Focus on the Economy- “It’s the Economy Stupid.” …James Carville
A False Start on Reform Clinton wanted to end the ban on gays and lesbians in the armed forces Clinton faced fierce opposition Settled for Don’t Ask Don’t tell policy Repealed in 2010
Health Care Reform Clinton appointed Hillary Clinton to head a health-care reform plan Clinton had promised affordable health care The bill never made it through Congress
Republicans Take Control of Congress Contract with America –Promised term limits, a balanced budget amendment, tax cuts, tough crime laws, welfare reform, and Immigration Newt Gingrinch
Welform Reform Act of – Limits were put on how long people could collect benefits “Block Grants” given out to states People moved from Welfare to Workfare Strong Economy helped
Economic Boom -1990’s Spending was cut, taxes cut, more spending for programs to help children and health care Budget surplus-1 st time in 30 years Unemployment fell, stock market took off
Crime and Terrorism 1990’s Oklahoma City Bombing Columbine HS – 1999 World Trade Center 1993
1995- Timothy McVeigh uses a truck bomb to destroy the Federal Building in Oklahoma City
US Troops Abroad -1990’s US peace keepers come under fire in the African Nation of Somalia ( Black Hawk Down) Clinton dispatches troops to Haiti, to force the military leaders to step down’ 1999 – NATO with US participation launched air strikes against Serbia
Trade and The Global Economy NAFTA- North American Free Trade Agreement – Canada, US, Mexico
World Trade Organization (WTO) Successor to GATT ( Post WWII) Free Trade, low or no tariffs Opposition fought for human and Environmental costs Clinton hosted the WTO Conference in 1999 in Seattle Clinton pushed for a China trade bill China full US trading partner, May 2000
Election of 1996 Clinton (D) vs Dole ( R) Strong Economy and Welfare Reform helped Clinton
Searching for a Post-Cold War Peace Somalia –US Withdraw March 1994 No US involvement in Rwanda NATO expansion to Eastern Europe NATO Air Strikes against Serbia 1999 Clinton, Arafat, Rabin agreed to Palestinian self rule in West Bank & Gaza. (Rabin Assassinated) Al Qaeda- Attacks in Kenya, Tanzania & USS Cole in Yemen
1998 – Two US Embassies bombed in Africa by Al-Qaeda
2000- The bombing of the USS Cole in Yemen, 17 sailors killed
The President Investigated The Clinton’s were investigated for the White Water land deal in Arkansas in 1979 Did Illegal $ go towards Clinton’s run for Governor? Independent Investigator Kenneth Starr led the investigation
Clinton’s Impeachment Starr discovered Clinton had an improper relationship with a White House Intern Clinton was charged with lying under oath and obstruction of justice Senate could not convict him
The Election of 2000 Al Gore (D)- VP Clinton, former Senator from TN – Middle Class tax cuts, strengthen SS George W. Bush – Son of George HW Bush, Governor of Texas – Massive Tax Cuts, School Vouchers, small gov. – Controversy in Florida – Recounts were not conducted by uniform standards and were halted by the Supreme Court