Download - Modern America (HW bush to Obama)
Modern America1989 – 2012
H.W. Bush to Obama
Obama, G.W. Bush, Clinton, H.W. Bush, and Carter from the 70’s
- U.S. influenced the Middle East = vast oil resources & U.S. dependence on it.
- 1990: Pres. George H.W. Bush led the world against Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait.
- 1st Persian Gulf War (1991): U.S. led coalition = quick military victory that restored Kuwait’s independence.
The 1990s & the New Millennium
The Middle East
- U.S. withdrawal from Iraq did not alter the Middle East’s balance of power. - U.S. troops in Saudi Arabia angered religious fanatics.
- Fanatics joined religious fundamentalists groups, (i.e. Taliban = drove Soviets from Afghanistan) & formed terrorist groups (i.e. al Qaeda).
The 1990s & the New Millennium
The 1990s & the New Millennium
- Clinton administration: continued to support Israel & working diplomatically to resolve the Middle East’s problems
- Occupied territories & rights of the Palestinian people.
- Some initial success until hardliners in Israel & in the PLO gained power & negotiations stalled.
Yasir ArafatPresident of the
PNA(1996-2004)
Bill Clinton42nd President
- U.S. continued to monitor & control Saddam Hussein regime in Iraq, the Taliban in Afghanistan & a growing terrorism.
- Attacks: World Trade Center (1993), USS Cole, & U.S. embassies in Africa signaled the rise of global terrorism.
The 1990s & the New Millennium
- 9/11/01: al Qaeda attacks = World Trade Center (NYC) & Pentagon (Wash D.C.)
- 3rd attack, Flight 93, was stopped by passengers = crashed in PA.
- U.S. invaded Afghanistan, & overthrew the Taliban government.
- May 2011 = U.S. eliminated al Qaeda’s leader, Osama bin Laden.
The 1990s & the New Millennium
- George W. Bush’s administration believed that Saddam Hussein (Iraq) had weapons of mass destruction (WMDs).
- 2003 Iraq invasion (U.S., Great Britain & a others) = overthrew Hussein & brought democracy to that country.
- No WMDs were found.
- Saddam Hussein was captured, tried forcrimes against humanity & executed.
The 1990s & the New Millennium
- U.S. intervention = overthrew Hussein’s Sunni-dominated gov’t & election of a new more democratic government.
- Did not result in peace.
- Militias attacked U.S. forces until our withdrawal from Iraq (Dec 2011).
- Middle East continues to be in turmoil.
The 1990s & the New Millennium
Economics of the 90s & 00s.
The United States in Today’s World
- 1980s: yearly budget deficits accumulated the national debt.
- Budget deficits & recession = campaign issues in the early 1990s.
The United States in Today’s World
- Clinton administration = passed deficit reduction plan:
1.) tax increase 2.) spending cuts 3.) the establishment of the earned income tax credit.
- Welfare reform legislation reversed decades of policy dating back to the New Deal.
- Health care reform did not Pass until the “Patient Protection& Affordable Care Act”(aka “Obamacare”) waspassed (March 2010).
The United States in Today’s World
- Clinton & Republican Congress fought over how to balance the budget & stimulate the economy.
- Federal Reserve = kept inflation in check & stimulated the economy by managing interest rates.
- Resulted in economic growth = lowunemployment; but the gap between rich& poor (income polarization) continued towiden.
- Nation’s debt lessened as the worldexperienced the end of the Cold War &the ‘peace dividend.’
The United States in Today’s World
- George W. Bush administration: tax cuts for the wealthy to stimulate the economy = further increased economic disparity.
- Involvement in Afghanistan & Iraq = defense spending climbed = U.S. experienced deficit spending & escalating debt.
- 1990s = European Union (E.U.) founded to provide political cooperation, promote trade, & the develop Europe’s economy (common currency).
The United States in Today’s World
- North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) attempted to increase trade by eliminating trade barriers (political controversy over economic impact).
- 1994: GATT (General Agreement of Tariffs & Trades) lowered tariffs around the world to increase trade = U.S. industries experienced greater competition.
- Some jobs were created by NAFTA, but others were lost.
- Outsourcing resulted in economichardship for some U.S. workers.
- Mechanization & globalization = loss ofU.S. manufacturing jobs & a shift tojobs in service industries.
- Influx of immigrants increased problem= willing to work menial jobs for low wages.
The United States in Today’s World
- Labor unions: membership decline & loss of influence = workers faced overseas competition, new immigrants, & manufacturing mechanization.
- Demographic changes affected the economy.
- Industries & retirees moved from the “rustbelt” to the “sunbelt”.
- Big population shift impacted influence of labor unions as well as national politics = move to “right to work” states.
The United States in Today’s World
- Medical advances prolonged productivity & life for Americans = added to Social Security’s burden.
- Growing need for services = day care for children & elderly care.
- “Patient Protection & Affordable Care Act” (aka “Obamacare”) was passed by Democratic congress & Pres. Obama (March 2010).
The United States in Today’s World
- 90s = growth in computer, internet, e-mail, texting, & cell phone use.
- Brought changes to society, privacy laws, & communication networks in the U.S. & around the world.
- Increased globalization raised concerns about our education system.
- “No Child Left Behind” (George W. Bush) = federal law.- Prepared students to compete in a global marketplace.- Mandated state academic ability tests.
The United States in Today’s World
2000 & 2004 Elections (George W. Bush)
- Post 9/11 wars = increased defense spending.
- U.S. = deficit spending & increased debt.
- 2008 = Housing Bubble Burst = deficit spending to stop decline.
- 1st Stimulus Package (bank bailout).
- Unemployment = 10%.
- Tax revenues fell & deficit grew = “Great Recession”.
The United States in Today’s World
2008 & 2012 Elections (Barrack Obama)
- Passed 2nd Stimulus Package to “jump start” the economy.
- Liberals & Conservatives still seem unable to find economic compromise.
Middle East Dealings
- Arab Spring (2011)
- U.S provided diplomatic support for more democratic institutions.
- Gave air support to the Libyan pro-democracy forces.
- Continued presence in Afghanistan & Iraq.
- Continues to mediate issue of the Palestinian State.
- Dealing with Iran’s nuclear threat.