president george h.w. bush
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41ST PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
President George H.W. Bush
"I CAN TELL YOU THIS: IF I'M EVER IN A POSITION TO CALL THE SHOTS, I'M NOT GOING
TO RUSH TO SEND SOMEBODY ELSE'S
KIDS INTO A WAR.“
- GEORGE BUSH
“‘These are the times that try men’s souls.’ But even as planes of the
multinational forces attack Iraq, I prefer to think of peace, not war. I am convinced not only that we will prevail, but that out of the horror of combat will come the recognition that no nation will
be permitted to brutally assault its neighbor.”
- President George Bush
"One of the ironies of George Bush's life is that a fundamentally decent man presided over a moment when politics got meaner and rougher... Lee Atwater and these henchmen for Bush looking for the so-called wedge issues, not really staying on the high road and talking about the great issues of the day, but rather sniping at their opponent to find some weakness in him. And Bush put up with that."
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 Remain interventionist, if so when and how? Revert to isolationism?
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
12/18/11
“A president is neither prince nor pope, and I
don’t seek a window on men’s souls”
- George H.W. Bush
Outcomes of the Persian Gulf War
Saddam Hussein ousted from Kuwait No Fly Zone, sanctions
enforced, concern over weapson programs
Take two? Invasion in 2003
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
Bush’s Foreign Policy Approach
Sought to establish a "New World Order,“ Collective security Multinational
cooperation Breaking down Cold
War alliances and using peaceful nations to stand united against rogue states.
Supporters: United States had to take on a large role as world leader to guard against human rights abuses, defend democratic regimes, and lead humanitarian efforts.
Critics: Unrealistic for U.S. to engage where national interests not involved; catchphrase/gimmick of idealism
Bush Domestic Affairs
Not Conservative Enough?
Americans with Disabilities Act Required
accommodations to be made for disabled
Clean Air Act Set new standards
curbing car emissionsBoth 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
“The future is not an inheritance, it is an opportunity
and an obligation…The most important family
policy, urban policy, labor policy, minority policy, and foreign
policy America can have is an expanding entrepreneurial
economy of high-wage, high-skilled jobs.”
- Bill Clinton
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
Modern Extensions of Clinton Era Issues
Should the federal government be allowed to mandate that everyone have health care coverage?
Do you believe that people should have to produce a photo I.D. in order to vote?
Do you believe that DADT should have been repealed? What are your thoughts on the Defense of Marriage
Act and the Justice Department’s decision to not defend it in court?
Should assault weapons be banned? Should high capacity clips be banned? Should there be background checks and waiting periods for gun purchases?
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 seige 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
"The tank, the B-52, the fighter-bomber, the state controlled
police are the weapons of dictatorship. The rifle is the
weapon of democracy....”
- Edward Abbey (American author)
The Second Amendment
"A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.“
Should assault weapons be banned?
Should there be background checks and waiting periods for gun purchases?
Should high capacity clips be banned? (anything over 10 rounds)
Violence in Movies/TV
Public Enemy, 1930s. Most violent film of the decade, had eight deaths
Robocop, Die Hard, and Rambo each had over 60 deaths
1991, by the age of 18 the average viewer had witnessed some 40,000 murders on TV
The Contract with America
Republicans gained control of both houses of Congress
Sought to realign back with Reagan principles of smaller gov’t, cut welfare, balance budgets, etc. Over estimated
mandate with gov’t shutdown in 1994.
Welfare Reform Act of 1996
1/10/11
"Segregation is no longer the law, but too often separation is
still the rule."
- Bill Clinton, 1997
A Racial Divide
Harsh racial tone during decade Affirmative Action policies
repealed by Proposition 209 in C.A.
Thurgood Marshall, Supreme Court justice commented that Americans had “given up on integration.”
Persistence of inequality 1972 income of black families
were 1/3 less than white families
Virtually unchanged 20 years later
Sharp declines in black test scores, achievement gap remained
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 agreedIn response, inclusive
“Million Man March” on Washington (half a million)
Racial Ambivalence?
1964 1 in 5 whites lived near a black neighbor
1994 3 in 5 whites did so1968 17% of whites and 48% of blacks
approved of interracial marriage1994 had increased to 45% for whites and
68% for blacksYet was there a voluntary racial apartheid?
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 50sFed. Gov’t had first surplus since 69’By 2000, 237 billion surplusDot.com boom, some 200 companies went
public, raised 20 billionNASDAQ doubled from Oct 1999-March 2000Crash 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
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