America Confronts the PostCold War Era 1992 2004

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America Confronts the Post-Cold War Era 1992 -2004 “There is nothing wrong with America

America Confronts the Post-Cold War Era 1992 -2004 “There is nothing wrong with America that cannot be cured with what is right in America” Bill Clinton, Inaugural, 1993

Opportunities and Obstacles During the last decade of the 20 th century… Slumbering economy

Opportunities and Obstacles During the last decade of the 20 th century… Slumbering economy Widening gender gap Anti-incumbent spirit Provided key opportunity for Democrats-out of the White House all but 4 years since 1968.

The 1992 Democratic Primary William J. Clinton (Gov. of Arkansas)- won democratic primary in

The 1992 Democratic Primary William J. Clinton (Gov. of Arkansas)- won democratic primary in spite of accusations of womanizing & draft evasion. “New Democrat”- pro-economic growth, strong national defense, and anti-crime Chose Al Gore (another white southerner) as running mate.

1992 Election Campaign Democratic Campaign issues: Stimulate the economy Reform welfare system Overhaul nation’s

1992 Election Campaign Democratic Campaign issues: Stimulate the economy Reform welfare system Overhaul nation’s healthcare system (40 million Americans without coverage).

1992 Republican Convention & Campaign Nominated George H. W. Bush & running mate Danforth

1992 Republican Convention & Campaign Nominated George H. W. Bush & running mate Danforth Quayle Republican convention emphasis: Family values Bush Campaign: unenergetic campaign & long winded speeches= made him looked old next to youthful Clinton. Took credit for Cold War end & Persian Gulf leadership US citizens most concerned about lagging economy.

American Independent Party Candidate H. Ross Perot Billionaire from Texas Emphasized the need to

American Independent Party Candidate H. Ross Perot Billionaire from Texas Emphasized the need to reduce the HUGE budget deficit Won 20% of the vote on election day Won over 19 million votes (most for 3 rd party since TR & Bull Moose Party 1912)

Bill Clinton Elected President- 1 st Baby Boomer elected President!!

Bill Clinton Elected President- 1 st Baby Boomer elected President!!

Democrats win Big In Congress Democrats won Big majorities in Congress in 1992 also.

Democrats win Big In Congress Democrats won Big majorities in Congress in 1992 also. Near Record numbers of new members 39 African-Americans, 19 Hispanic, 7 Asian, 1 Native American 48 women (Carol Moseley-Braun -1 st African-American woman to serve in US Senate).

“A Government that looks like America” Bill Clinton Janet Reno- 1 st female Attorney-General

“A Government that looks like America” Bill Clinton Janet Reno- 1 st female Attorney-General Donna Shalala- 1 st female Sec. of Health & Human Services Henry Cisneros- Housing & Urban Development Ron Brown- Sec. of Commerce Ruth Bader Ginsberg- Clinton nominated to Supreme Court 1993

A Series of Blunders 1. Advocated an end to ban on gays & lesbians

A Series of Blunders 1. Advocated an end to ban on gays & lesbians in armed forces. Fierce opposition occurred Finally settled on a “Don’t ask, Don’t tell” Policy- far short of ending the ban. 2. Attempted to Reform the nation’s healthcare Appointed Hillary Clinton to lead taskforce to redesign the healthcare system. Complicated & heavily opposed by the insurance industry, the plan was DOA in 1993.

Clinton Domestic Achievements 1. The Deficit Reduction Bill (1993)combined with great economy by 1996=

Clinton Domestic Achievements 1. The Deficit Reduction Bill (1993)combined with great economy by 1996= lowered federal deficit by lowest level in a decade. Creates unique issue of federal SURPUSES & how to use them. 2. The Brady Bill (1993)- gun control law. 1994 - Clinton also got Congress to pass anti-crime law which outlawed several types of assault weapons & placed more officers on the streets.

1999 Columbine shootings caused huge gun control debate in the US Clinton signs the

1999 Columbine shootings caused huge gun control debate in the US Clinton signs the Brady Bill as James Brady (former Press Sec. for Reagan) looks on with approval (1993)

Anti-Government Attitudes Inflamed 1. The Branch Dravidian Standoff (1993): federal agents stormed a religious

Anti-Government Attitudes Inflamed 1. The Branch Dravidian Standoff (1993): federal agents stormed a religious sect’s compound in Waco, Texas. 168 men, women, & children killed Fire set supposedly by cult members instead of being taken alive

David Koresh-Branch Davidian Leader Branch Davidian Compound burning

David Koresh-Branch Davidian Leader Branch Davidian Compound burning

2. Oklahoma City Bombing (1995)federal office building bombed by domestic terrorists in retaliation for

2. Oklahoma City Bombing (1995)federal office building bombed by domestic terrorists in retaliation for Branch Dravidian standoff. Highlighted underworld of “militia groups” across the US suspicious of the government States also passed term limits for office

1994 Congressional Elections Clinton blunders & antigovernment feelings gave Republicans great opportunity. l Led

1994 Congressional Elections Clinton blunders & antigovernment feelings gave Republicans great opportunity. l Led by Newt Gingrich (Ga. Rep) offered the “Contract with America” contained promises to attack budget deficits and reduce welfare programs. l Result of Election: All Republican gubernatorial, senatorial, & congressional candidate were re-elected. l Picked up 11 new governorships, 8 Senate seats, 53 House seats (Gingrich= Speaker) l Republicans take control of both houses 1 st time in 40 years!!

Accomplishments of the Republican led Congress Like Clinton-the Republicans overplayed their hand. 1. Restricted

Accomplishments of the Republican led Congress Like Clinton-the Republicans overplayed their hand. 1. Restricted “Unfunded Mandates”- fed. Laws that imposed new obligations on states & local governments without providing new revenue. 2. The Welfare Reform Bill (1996)- deep cuts to welfare & required able-bodied recipients to find work. Compelled Clinton to sign-horrified liberals Restricted welfare for legal & illegal immigrants

The 1995 Budget Impasse Americans became convinced the Republicans were overreaching… For example, Gingrich

The 1995 Budget Impasse Americans became convinced the Republicans were overreaching… For example, Gingrich proposed children of welfare families be sent to orphanages… Disagreement over the president’s budget by Republicans shut the government down for a few days= American backlash against Republicans.

The 1996 Election Republicans chose Kansas Senator Robert “Bob” Dole. Democrats re-nominated Clinton. The

The 1996 Election Republicans chose Kansas Senator Robert “Bob” Dole. Democrats re-nominated Clinton. The Reform Party candidate Ross Perot picked up only half the votes he got in 1992. Clinton won a 2 nd Term- 1 st Dem. Reelected since FDR!! Republicans kept control of Congress

1996 Clinton wins again!!

1996 Clinton wins again!!

Clinton vs. Republican Congress Clinton proposed only modest agenda in the face of Republican

Clinton vs. Republican Congress Clinton proposed only modest agenda in the face of Republican opposition and seized the middle ground. Prosperous economy & tax revenues led to 1998 1 st balanced federal budget in 30 years!! Endorsed the Welfare Reform Act “Mend it, not end it” –Affirmative Action Hopwood v. Texas Prop 209 * Clinton criticized assaults on Affirmative action, but, did not reverse them. Why? ?

The “dot. com” Economic Boom Clinton’s major advantage over Republicans was the booming economy.

The “dot. com” Economic Boom Clinton’s major advantage over Republicans was the booming economy. By 2000, the US had the longest sustained economic growth in US history. Driven by high tech industry (“dot. com”) Unemployment remained low (4%) Inflation remained low

Clinton & Foreign Trade 1. (1993) North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)- free trade

Clinton & Foreign Trade 1. (1993) North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)- free trade zone between the US, Canada, & Mexico. Clinton reversed campaign stand & shocked labor leaders. 2. Supported creation of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Clinton hosted meeting in Seattle in 1999. Protestors against globalization organized

Campaign Finance Reform During the 1996 election, Congress investigators discovered that the Clinton campaign

Campaign Finance Reform During the 1996 election, Congress investigators discovered that the Clinton campaign received “improper” contributions (contributors who got to stay overnight in the Lincoln bedroom & foreigners). Both parties were reliant on vast sums of money Some members of Congress made campaign finance a major issue.

Clinton & Foreign Policy The end of the Cold War ended long standing policies.

Clinton & Foreign Policy The end of the Cold War ended long standing policies. Clinton struggled to find a policy to replace it. 1. Somalia (1993)- US troops sent as part of peace-keeping force; dozen US troops killed by Somali rebels. Clinton withdrew troops March 1994. 2. Rwanda (central Africa) 1995 ethnic violence broke out= Washington stood by & about 500, 00 people were killed.

1993 - Somalia

1993 - Somalia

Clinton & Foreign Policy 3. Haiti- Democratically elected leader Jean. Bertrand Aristide was deposed

Clinton & Foreign Policy 3. Haiti- Democratically elected leader Jean. Bertrand Aristide was deposed by military coup in 1991. Thousands of Haitian refugees seek refuge in US 1994 --Clinton sent 20, 000 US troops to restore Aristide to power.

The 1991 overthrow of Bertrand Aristide created a refugee exodus. Here: Refugees seek asylum

The 1991 overthrow of Bertrand Aristide created a refugee exodus. Here: Refugees seek asylum in the US. The US denied access.

Clinton & China Policy 1992 Clinton criticized Pres. Bush for not using sanctions against

Clinton & China Policy 1992 Clinton criticized Pres. Bush for not using sanctions against China for human rights violations. found out that China was much too important to the US economy. Clinton wanted better trade with China & hesitated to confront China on human rights. Congress passed a trade bill with China in 2000, which made a US trade partner (pushed by Clinton).

Clinton & the Balkans Crisis In the former Yugoslavia- ethnic violence raged through Bosnia.

Clinton & the Balkans Crisis In the former Yugoslavia- ethnic violence raged through Bosnia. Clinton administration hesitated until… 1995 - Clinton committed US troops to a NATO peace-keeping force NATO forces were spread to Poland, Hungary, & the Czech Republic—conflict continued. 1999 - Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic carried out a new phase of ethnic cleansing against Albanians in Kosovo. US led NATO forces launched airstrikes against Serbia. Milosevic was arrested in 2001 & placed on trial for war crimes- US role as “peace-keepers” grows

Clinton & the Middle East A major focus until Clinton left office. 1993 -

Clinton & the Middle East A major focus until Clinton left office. 1993 - Clinton brokered a meeting between (Israeli premier Yitzhak Rabin & PLO leader Yasir Arafat) Both men agreed to idea of self-rule Palestinians. Rabin assassinated 2 years later. Arafat died 2004

Clinton & Scandal Dogged him since BEFORE he was president. 1. Whitewater Land Corporation

Clinton & Scandal Dogged him since BEFORE he was president. 1. Whitewater Land Corporation failed real estate investment deal. Clinton’s involved- federal special prosecutor assigned Wrong doing never materialized.

Clinton & Scandal 2. Biggest scandal- Monica Lewinski 1998 report revealed Clinton’s sexual affair

Clinton & Scandal 2. Biggest scandal- Monica Lewinski 1998 report revealed Clinton’s sexual affair with White House intern. Clinton lied about the affair in another woman’s sexual harassment law suit against him. 1998 - Kenneth Starr (Special Prosecutor)resented a report to Congress. 2 Articles of Impeachment passed by House (perjury & obstruction of justice). Did his conduct rise to the level of “high crimes & misdemeanors”? Senate trial vote- 5 Republicans joined Democrats to block expulsion from office.

The Clinton Legacy Moderate reformer (public support for “Patient's Bill of Rights”) Federal Surpluses-

The Clinton Legacy Moderate reformer (public support for “Patient's Bill of Rights”) Federal Surpluses- used to hire 100, 000 teachers & 50, 000 police officers. Economic growth (full employment, low poverty rates, median income rose) “New Democrat”- consolidated the Reagan-Bush revolution against liberalism. Lowered expectations government Low standard of personal conduct • Made a deal with special prosecutor= immunity; agreed to a fine & five year suspension from law practice. • Made controversial pardons to financial supporters