Beyond the Cold War

Chapter 26

Foreign Affairs

Invasion of Panama (1989) Bush ordered an invasion to capture General

Manuel Noriega for trial for drug smuggling and money laundering.

The Gulf War Saddam Hussein, dictator of Iraq Iraq invaded its wealthy neighbor Kuwait on

August 2, 1990 because of an oil dispute. The U.S. dispatched troops to Saudi Arabia to

prevent Iraq expansion. Desert Shield

The Gulf War

The U.N. authorized the use of force to dislodge Iraq from Kuwait. By January 1991, Bush had put together a 28 nation

coalitionOperation Desert Storm

Air attack began on January 17 against Baghdad Ground attack began on February 24 and lasted

only 4 days Cease fire on February 28 148 U.S. combat deaths / 145 noncombatant. Saddam Hussein remained in power.

Recession and Downsizing

Bush seemed unbeatable Approval rating – 91%

Bush was an expert in foreign policy; however, the Cold War was over.

Bush begins the process of downsizing the military. Private businesses also began “restructuring” and

“downsizing” Economic recession Bush administration assured Americans that the

recession would be short and self-correcting. “Peace dividend”

More ControversyClarence Thomas Hearings

Bush nominates for Supreme Court African American and a Conservative Former employee Anita Hill accused Thomas of sexual harassment Thomas was confirmed in the Senate by a 52 to 48 margin.

North American Free Trade Agreement Bush negotiated NAFTA with Canada and Mexico Tariff reductions would open up foreign markets to American

industries. Organized labor favored barriers against cheaper foreign products

that might cost U.S. jobs. Passed in 1993.

The Election of 1992

George Bush (Rep)Bill Clinton (Dem)

Moderate Governor of Arkansas Stressed economic issues to win over working-class

whites and blacks. Made extensive use of polls to shape his stance on

issues.Flip-flopped on controversial issues.“Slick Willie” Personal Character

Chronic adulterer Dodged the draft in Vietnam

Ross Perot (Independent) Candidate of the Reform Party Wealthy Texan

“It’s the Economy…”

The Clinton Presidency

Health care reform plan Government subsidized health care Hillary Clinton Failed to muster the necessary support of Congress and

the public.Comprehensive economic program

Tax hikes for corporations and for individuals in higher tax brackets.

Increased “investment” in public works and in education, skills, health, and welfare.

Very controversial; narrowly passed.“Don’t ask; don’t tell” policy for the

military

The Clinton Presidency on Trial

The Conservative Revolution Reborn Midterm elections of 1994 Newt Gingrich (R-Speaker of the House in 1995) The “Contract with America” Welfare reform Government shutdown

Scandals Whitewater fraud (S & L scandal) Paula Jones – Sexual harassment Monica Lewinsky affair (White House intern) Impeachment for perjury(1998) Acquittal (1999)

The Clinton Presidency:The New World Disorder

Middle East Peace Middle East peace

negotiations 1993 agreement between

Israeli prime minister Yitzhak Rabin and PLO leader Yasir Arafat to restore Palestinian self-rule in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.

Rabin assassinated in 1995.

The Clinton Presidency:The New World Disorder

Americans in Haiti (1995) Coup against Democratically-elected Jean-Bertrand Aristide. Jimmy Carter sent to Port-au-Prince to negotiate U.S. troops landed without opposition

Yugoslavian Turmoil (The Balkans) Ethnic and religious conflicts in Bosnia and Croatia

Orthodox Serbs, Catholic Croats, and Bosnian or Albanian Muslims NATO launched air strikes in 1995. Peacekeeping mission.

Intervention in Kosovo Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic asserted Serbian control

through martial law. NATO launched air strikes in 1999

1986 Immigration and Control Act

Significant Events

1992 Rodney King verdict; Clinton elected

1993 NAFTA passed

1994 Republicans win control of Congress

1995 Oklahoma City bombing

1996 California passes Proposition 209

1998 Lewinsky scandal

1999 Senate acquits Clinton of impeachment charges