Approaching the New Approaching the New Century: 1989-2000Century: 1989-2000

Chapter 22Chapter 22

Section 2Section 2

The Clinton PresidencyThe Clinton Presidency

The economy remained sluggish as The economy remained sluggish as the Republicans nominated President the Republicans nominated President Bush and Vice President Quayle for Bush and Vice President Quayle for reelection in 1992.reelection in 1992.

Bush cited the U.S. victory in the Gulf Bush cited the U.S. victory in the Gulf War and the end of the cold war as War and the end of the cold war as major achievements of his major achievements of his administration and blamed the administration and blamed the Democratic majority in Congress for Democratic majority in Congress for stalling his economic programs.stalling his economic programs.

The Democratic nominee, Governor Bill The Democratic nominee, Governor Bill Clinton of Arkansas and his running mate, Clinton of Arkansas and his running mate, Senator Al Gore of Tennessee, blamed Senator Al Gore of Tennessee, blamed economic ills on Bush and said it was economic ills on Bush and said it was “time for change.”“time for change.”

The biggest voter turnout in 20 years The biggest voter turnout in 20 years elected Clinton after 12 years of elected Clinton after 12 years of conservative Republican leadership. conservative Republican leadership.

In 1996 Clinton was elected to a second In 1996 Clinton was elected to a second term.term.

Republicans, however, kept their Republicans, however, kept their majorities in both houses, which they had majorities in both houses, which they had established in the 1994 congressional established in the 1994 congressional election.election.

Third Party CandidateThird Party Candidate

Texas billionaire Ross Perot, an Texas billionaire Ross Perot, an independent candidate for president independent candidate for president in the election of 1992, spent millions in the election of 1992, spent millions of dollars buying TV time to present of dollars buying TV time to present his programs.his programs.

He promised to end the deficit and He promised to end the deficit and revive U.S. global competitiveness.revive U.S. global competitiveness.

His early following decreased after he His early following decreased after he dropped out of the race, only to dropped out of the race, only to reenter it later and capture about 19 reenter it later and capture about 19 percent of the popular vote.percent of the popular vote.

Domestic IssuesDomestic Issues

Following his election in 1992, Following his election in 1992, President Clinton supported some President Clinton supported some liberal legislation (health care liberal legislation (health care reform, gun control), but as a fiscal reform, gun control), but as a fiscal conservative, cut federal spending, conservative, cut federal spending, federal jobs, and the budget deficit.federal jobs, and the budget deficit.

The election of Democrat Bill Clinton The election of Democrat Bill Clinton in 1992 marked a shift away from in 1992 marked a shift away from the conservative policies of the conservative policies of presidents Reagan and Bush.presidents Reagan and Bush.

Three social concerns were care, Three social concerns were care, welfare reform, and gays in the welfare reform, and gays in the military. military.

President Clinton proposed a President Clinton proposed a health care plan that would have health care plan that would have covered all Americans, and that covered all Americans, and that would also have kept costs would also have kept costs within reasonable limits.within reasonable limits.

Clinton failed to get the support Clinton failed to get the support he needed in Congress partly he needed in Congress partly because of opposition by small because of opposition by small businesses and the insurance businesses and the insurance industry.industry.

President Clinton approved deep President Clinton approved deep cuts in federal welfare programs.cuts in federal welfare programs.

New welfare legislation required New welfare legislation required recipients to work where possible.recipients to work where possible.

Clinton adopted a “don’t ask, don’t Clinton adopted a “don’t ask, don’t tell” approach to gays in the tell” approach to gays in the military.military.

He removed the longstanding ban He removed the longstanding ban against homosexuals serving in the against homosexuals serving in the armed forces.armed forces.

The policy stirred up controversy in The policy stirred up controversy in both the military and civilian sectors.both the military and civilian sectors.

Economic ConcernsEconomic Concerns

Three economic concerns were Three economic concerns were the proliferation of personal the proliferation of personal computers and the Internet, computers and the Internet, rising budget deficits, and the rising budget deficits, and the investors’ bull market of the investors’ bull market of the 1990s.1990s.

The growing use of the internet The growing use of the internet for shopping, banking, and for shopping, banking, and investing raised the issues of investing raised the issues of privacy and regulation. privacy and regulation.

The national debt had doubled The national debt had doubled during the Reagan years to over $2 during the Reagan years to over $2 trillion and continued to rise during trillion and continued to rise during the Bush Administration.the Bush Administration.

President Clinton got Congress to President Clinton got Congress to pass a budget deficit-reduction bill pass a budget deficit-reduction bill that increased the top income tax that increased the top income tax rate to 36 percent and provided for a rate to 36 percent and provided for a small increase in the federal small increase in the federal gasoline tax, spending cuts, and a gasoline tax, spending cuts, and a five year $500 billion deficit five year $500 billion deficit reduction plan.reduction plan.

The unprecedented stock market The unprecedented stock market surge (bull market) of the 1990s surge (bull market) of the 1990s was highlighted by a fivefold was highlighted by a fivefold increase in the Dow Jones stock increase in the Dow Jones stock average from 1987 through average from 1987 through 1999.1999.

The Dow passed the 10,000 mark The Dow passed the 10,000 mark in the latter year.in the latter year.

The strength of the bull market The strength of the bull market was based on American was based on American leadership in computer leadership in computer technology.technology.

However, the However, the Federal Reserve Federal Reserve Board became Board became concerned that concerned that increases in increases in income and income and employment employment levels could levels could signal the return signal the return of inflation, and of inflation, and it slowly began it slowly began to raise interest to raise interest rates.rates.

Political Concerns Political Concerns

Two political concerns were the Two political concerns were the Whitewater investigation and Whitewater investigation and gun control.gun control.

The U.S. Senate organized a The U.S. Senate organized a special committee to investigate special committee to investigate the actions of Bill Clinton when the actions of Bill Clinton when he was governor of Arkansas.he was governor of Arkansas.

Senate Whitewater InvestigationSenate Whitewater Investigation

While he was serving as governor of While he was serving as governor of Arkansas, President Clinton and his Arkansas, President Clinton and his wife, Hillary Rodham Clinton, had wife, Hillary Rodham Clinton, had taken loans from an Arkansas bank taken loans from an Arkansas bank and purchased land in the Whitewater and purchased land in the Whitewater region of Arkansas.region of Arkansas.

This land was expected to increase This land was expected to increase greatly in value.greatly in value.

Questions arose about both the loans Questions arose about both the loans and the purchase of the land.and the purchase of the land.

A Senate investigating A Senate investigating committee was formed committee was formed to determine if Clinton to determine if Clinton had acted improperly had acted improperly and violated the law.and violated the law.

Hillary Clinton was Hillary Clinton was accused of a cover-up.accused of a cover-up.

Attorney General Janet Attorney General Janet Reno appointed a Reno appointed a special prosecutor to special prosecutor to investigate the matter.investigate the matter.

After several years, the After several years, the investigation ended investigation ended without charges.without charges.

Gun ControlGun Control

The issue of gun control is related to The issue of gun control is related to the Second Amendment of the the Second Amendment of the Constitution.Constitution.

On one side are those who cite the On one side are those who cite the statement in the amendment that statement in the amendment that says “the right of the people to keep says “the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be and bear arms shall not be infringed.”infringed.”

On the other side are those who note On the other side are those who note that the right to bear arms refers to that the right to bear arms refers to a “well regulated militia,” another a “well regulated militia,” another phrase in the Second Amendment. phrase in the Second Amendment.

Gun ControlGun Control

Gun control remained a Gun control remained a controversial issue throughout controversial issue throughout the Clinton years.the Clinton years.

Congress passed the Brady Bill Congress passed the Brady Bill in 1993, which had the in 1993, which had the president’s support.president’s support.

This law required a five day This law required a five day waiting period and background waiting period and background check by local police before a check by local police before a person could purchase a person could purchase a handgun. handgun.

The effectiveness of this legislation The effectiveness of this legislation was undermined by a Supreme Court was undermined by a Supreme Court decision, which held that local decision, which held that local officials could not be required by officials could not be required by Congress to make background Congress to make background checks.checks.

The 1999 tragedy at Columbine High The 1999 tragedy at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado, in School in Littleton, Colorado, in which two teenage gunmen killed 13 which two teenage gunmen killed 13 others and themselves, revived the others and themselves, revived the debate between the National Rifle debate between the National Rifle Association and the supporters of Association and the supporters of stricter gun control.stricter gun control.

Campaign Finance ReformCampaign Finance Reform The issues involving campaign finance The issues involving campaign finance

reform centered on limiting the amount of reform centered on limiting the amount of spending for individual candidates and the spending for individual candidates and the use of “soft money.”use of “soft money.”

The latter term refers to unlimited The latter term refers to unlimited contributions made to political parties, contributions made to political parties, which have sometimes improperly which have sometimes improperly diverted them to individual candidates.diverted them to individual candidates.

The high costs of financing today’s The high costs of financing today’s election campaigns make it unlikely the election campaigns make it unlikely the two major parties will come to an two major parties will come to an agreement on campaign finance reform agreement on campaign finance reform anytime soon.anytime soon.

The impeachment of President The impeachment of President ClintonClinton

The impeachment of President Clinton The impeachment of President Clinton revolved around a sexual harassment lawsuit revolved around a sexual harassment lawsuit brought against the president by an Arkansas brought against the president by an Arkansas woman, and Clinton’s sexual involvement woman, and Clinton’s sexual involvement with a White House intern.with a White House intern.

In 1998 the House of Representatives voted In 1998 the House of Representatives voted to impeach the president on two counts: to impeach the president on two counts: perjury in the harassment case, and perjury in the harassment case, and obstruction of justice in the investigation of obstruction of justice in the investigation of his involvement of the intern.his involvement of the intern.

The Senate acquitted the president in 1999, The Senate acquitted the president in 1999, after it failed to obtain the required two-after it failed to obtain the required two-thirds majority vote to remove him from thirds majority vote to remove him from office.office.

Monika LewinskiMonika Lewinski

Foreign Policy IssuesForeign Policy Issues

The Middle East remains a major The Middle East remains a major concern for U.S. foreign policy concern for U.S. foreign policy because of its vast oil reserves because of its vast oil reserves and strategic location.and strategic location.

The U.S. has supported the The U.S. has supported the peace process between Israel peace process between Israel and the Palestinians as the best and the Palestinians as the best way to promote stability in the way to promote stability in the region.region.

In 1993, Israeli Prime Minister In 1993, Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and PLO Yitzhak Rabin and PLO Chairman Yasir Arafat reached Chairman Yasir Arafat reached an land for peace agreement an land for peace agreement in Washington, D.C. in Washington, D.C.

The U.S. continues to sponsor The U.S. continues to sponsor the peace process despite the peace process despite terrorism and the opposition terrorism and the opposition of extremists on both sides.of extremists on both sides.

Somalia Somalia

Somalia proved to be a challenge Somalia proved to be a challenge for U.S. foreign policy since for U.S. foreign policy since relieving suffering from famine relieving suffering from famine and civil war were perceived to and civil war were perceived to be in the best interests of the be in the best interests of the United States.United States.

After heavy causalities, both the After heavy causalities, both the UN and the U.S. pulled out of UN and the U.S. pulled out of Somalia.Somalia.

HaitiHaiti

Haiti posed a challenge for U.S. Haiti posed a challenge for U.S. policy because of its proximity to policy because of its proximity to the mainland. the mainland.

In the early 1990s, the Haitian In the early 1990s, the Haitian military overthrew the military overthrew the democratically elected democratically elected president, Jean-Bertrand president, Jean-Bertrand Aristide.Aristide.

Large numbers of refugees fled Large numbers of refugees fled to the U.S.to the U.S.

Both the United States and Both the United States and the UN opposed the human the UN opposed the human rights violations of the rights violations of the Haitian government, which Haitian government, which stepped down in the face of stepped down in the face of military intervention.military intervention.

Aristide was returned to Aristide was returned to power, but the Haitian power, but the Haitian economy remained economy remained unstable.unstable.

AristideAristide

BosniaBosnia

The U.S. faced a difficult challenge in The U.S. faced a difficult challenge in Bosnia because widespread ethnic Bosnia because widespread ethnic cleansing made a mockery of cleansing made a mockery of American support for human rights.American support for human rights.

However, because of U.S. leadership, However, because of U.S. leadership, Bosnian, Croatian, and Serbian Bosnian, Croatian, and Serbian leaders were able to arrive at an leaders were able to arrive at an agreement in 1995 creating an agreement in 1995 creating an independent Bosnian nation.independent Bosnian nation.

U.S. and NATO troops were stationed U.S. and NATO troops were stationed in Bosnia to preserve the peace. in Bosnia to preserve the peace.

U.S. policy was again challenged U.S. policy was again challenged in Yugoslavia when the Muslim in Yugoslavia when the Muslim province of Kosovo demanded province of Kosovo demanded independence.independence.

The U.S. grew alarmed when The U.S. grew alarmed when Yugoslav president Slobodan Yugoslav president Slobodan Milosevic ordered the execution Milosevic ordered the execution of Kosovo’s separatists and of Kosovo’s separatists and authorized the destruction of authorized the destruction of numerous towns inhabited by numerous towns inhabited by ethnic Albanians. ethnic Albanians.

A bombing campaign by U.S. and A bombing campaign by U.S. and NATO forces caused the Serbs to NATO forces caused the Serbs to withdraw from Kosovo.withdraw from Kosovo.

A 50,000 member multinational A 50,000 member multinational force was sent to Kosovo to force was sent to Kosovo to enforce the peace.enforce the peace.

IraqIraq

Iraq remained a challenge to U.S. Iraq remained a challenge to U.S. policy because of its continued policy because of its continued violations of the 1991 peace violations of the 1991 peace agreements that ended the Gulf agreements that ended the Gulf War.War.

Despite U.S. and British air strikes Despite U.S. and British air strikes in 1998 and 1999, Iraq was still in 1998 and 1999, Iraq was still reluctant to allow inspection of reluctant to allow inspection of suspected weapon sites within its suspected weapon sites within its territory. territory.

RussiaRussia

Russia has been a focus of U.S. Russia has been a focus of U.S. foreign policy since the dissolution foreign policy since the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991.of the Soviet Union in 1991.

The U.S. and Russia have worked The U.S. and Russia have worked together on some key issues yet together on some key issues yet continue to disagree in other continue to disagree in other areas.areas.

The U.S. provided emergency aid The U.S. provided emergency aid for the Russian economy as for the Russian economy as Russia’s leaders promised Russia’s leaders promised continued economic reforms. continued economic reforms.

The U.S. and Russia have also The U.S. and Russia have also worked together to reduce the worked together to reduce the number of nuclear weapons on each number of nuclear weapons on each side and to prevent the spread of side and to prevent the spread of weapons of mass destruction to weapons of mass destruction to other countries.other countries.

Areas of disagreement were Russia’s Areas of disagreement were Russia’s use of excessive force in putting use of excessive force in putting down a rebellion in the province of down a rebellion in the province of Chechnya, Russian cooperation with Chechnya, Russian cooperation with Iran’s missile program, Russian Iran’s missile program, Russian opposition to the inclusion of opposition to the inclusion of Eastern European countries in NATO, Eastern European countries in NATO, and finally, its opposition to NATO’s and finally, its opposition to NATO’s bombing of Serbia. bombing of Serbia.

The Election of 2000The Election of 2000

The 2000 presidential election proved The 2000 presidential election proved to be one of the most dramatic and to be one of the most dramatic and controversial in United States history.controversial in United States history.

More than 100 million Americans cast More than 100 million Americans cast ballots in the November 7 election.ballots in the November 7 election.

The election was between former vice The election was between former vice president Al Gore and Texas governor president Al Gore and Texas governor George Bush.George Bush.

Bush won the electoral vote and Gore Bush won the electoral vote and Gore won the popular vote.won the popular vote.

In the Bush vs. Gore In the Bush vs. Gore Supreme Court Supreme Court decision Florida decision Florida was ordered to stop was ordered to stop its recount of votes.its recount of votes.

Bush won the Bush won the electoral college electoral college vote 271 votes to vote 271 votes to Gore’s 266.Gore’s 266.

This was the This was the narrowest margin narrowest margin any president had any president had achieved since achieved since Hayes won in 1876.Hayes won in 1876.