President George H.W. Bush 41ST PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

1989

1991

1992

End of the Cold War, a Mixed Blessing?

For Europe, threat of Soviet Union was over and Eastern Europe was free from Soviet domination But many nations were underdeveloped, not used

to democracy, unstable as nations

Although U.S. had won as world’s only remaining superpower…Now What

The Gulf War

U.S. had strategic interests Prevent Saddam

from interfering with Middle Eastern oil production

Keep Iraq and Iran balanced

Saddam Hussein and Iraq Claimed retaking of

natural Iraqi land Power grab, sought

Kuwait’s oil reserves

Outcomes of the Persian Gulf War

Saddam Hussein ousted from Kuwait No Fly Zone,

sanctions enforced, concern over weapons programs

U.S. has permanent presence in Middle East Osama bin Laden

inspired to attack the United States

Emboldened Iran in the face of a weaker Iraq Especially since 2003

invasion

Not Conservative Enough?

Americans with Disabilities Act

Required accommodations to be made for disabled

Clean Air Act

Set new standards curbing car emissions

Both seen as betrayals for the Reagan Revolution

Increased regulation, gov’t bureaucracy

Clarence Thomas Anita Hill Hearings

Sparked a national debate on Sexual Harassment in the workplace

Illustrated that culture issues had lost some wider appeal

Bill Clinton, a “New Democrat”

Helped to rebrand the Democratic Party with his “New Democrat” centrist approach No longer New

Deal liberals Pro-growth Strong on

defense Tough on crime Reform welfare Balance

budgets

Clinton Domestic Agenda

Motor Voter Law Allowed voter

registration at RMV/DMV

Don’t Ask Don’t Tell policy instituted (DADT) Gay men and women

can serve as long as their sexual orientation is not known

Family Medical Leave Act May receive 12 weeks

of unpaid leave for medical/family reasons and still have job

Clinton Tough on Crime

Clinton passed new stiffer gun control limits Brady Bill

Mandatory waiting period of five days, background check required

Assault Weapons Ban Placed limits on

Assault weapons and high capacity clips over 10 rounds

Instant background check still in effect, AWB expired in 2004

Branch Davidian Cult, Waco Texas 1993

ATF raided compound, 51 day siege took place

Led by David Koresh

76 people died, including 21 children and two pregnant women when the compound was set on fire from within

Oklahoma City Bombing, 1996

Anti government act of domestic terrorism committed when Timothy McVeigh set off a truck bomb outside the federal building killing 168 people killed and wounding 680 others.

Committed on the anniversary of the Waco Siege ending/fire

Columbine High School shooting, April 20, 1999Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, 12 students killed, one teacher

Provoked National Debate:

Regarding gun control laws, guns violence involving youths.

High school cliques, subcultures, bullying and intervention

Role of violent video games/movies in American society

Increased emphasis on school security

1/10/11

"Segregation is no longer the law, but too often separation is still the rule."

- Bill Clinton, 1997

Rodney King Riots, L.A. 1992

In reaction to four white officers being “not guity” of excessive force, L.A. erupted into rioting

Verdict ignited an already tense atmosphere

Mistrust towards police

Urban decay

Defacto segregation

O.J. Simpson Trial

85% of African Americans agreed with the “not guilty” verdict

34% of whites agreed

In response, inclusive “Million Man March” on Washington (half a million)

Clinton’s Foreign Policy: Undefined

Hesitant to intervene disaster during humanitarian mission to Somalia

Avoided genocide in Bosnia 1993, Rwanda 1995,

Successfully intervened in 1999 in Kosovo

Brokered Israeli/Palestinian peace agreements, pathway to statehood

Only to be shattered by extremists on both sides

Clinton’s Defense…said with a straight face!

“I have not had sex with her as I defined it”

My understanding of this definition is it covers contact by the person being deposed with the enumerated areas, if the contact is done with an intent to arouse or gratify”

Clinton had not made any effort to arouse or gratify Lewinsky, he had therefore not “had sex”

“It depends on how you define alone”

When pressed if lawyer’s previous statement “that there is absolutely no sex of any kind,” Clinton said it was not untrue because “it depends on what the meaning of the word ‘is’ is.”

Longest Economic Expansion in History

1998 unemployment down to 4.5%, lowest since 60s

Inflation down to 1%, lowest since 50s

Fed. Gov’t had first surplus since 69’

By 2000, 237 billion surplus

Dot.com boom, some 200 companies went public, raised 20 billion

NASDAQ doubled from Oct 1999-March 2000

Crash in spring, NASDAQ lost half its value, 2 trillion in stocks lost

North American Free Trade Agreement or NAFTA

Free trade agreement under Clinton

Effects are controversial; lowers cost of goods, creates opportunities for American companies

Or…

Lost jobs to Mexico with available cheap labor