Chapter 31Chapter 31The Post-Cold War The Post-Cold War World: 1992-2002World: 1992-2002

The American PeopleThe American People, 6, 6thth ed. ed.

I.I. The Changing Face of the The Changing Face of the American PeopleAmerican People

The New PilgrimsThe New Pilgrims Immigration once again soared in the Immigration once again soared in the

1990s1990s Faltering economies in their native Faltering economies in their native

countries brought most immigrants to countries brought most immigrants to AmericaAmerica

The scarcity of good jobs and fears of The scarcity of good jobs and fears of cultural dilution brought increasing cultural dilution brought increasing resistance from established Americansresistance from established Americans

II.II. Economic and Social Economic and Social ChangeChange

Boom and BustBoom and Bust American economic growth during the American economic growth during the

1990s was not as remarkable as that 1990s was not as remarkable as that during the 1950s was still impressive during the 1950s was still impressive given the context of economic failures in given the context of economic failures in other countriesother countries

All economic indicators improved during All economic indicators improved during the decade, with significant growth in the the decade, with significant growth in the stock marketstock market

Although the nation enjoyed the economic Although the nation enjoyed the economic boom, poverty was still a problem in the boom, poverty was still a problem in the U.S.U.S.

Aging and IllnessAging and Illness The population of America continued to The population of America continued to

live longer as the century concludedlive longer as the century concluded Potential problems with the solvency of Potential problems with the solvency of

the Social Security program and refusal the Social Security program and refusal of many Americans to retire has led to of many Americans to retire has led to new problems in the national economynew problems in the national economy

Although healthcare improved, Although healthcare improved, devastating diseases such as AIDS and devastating diseases such as AIDS and Alzheimer’s disease continued to ravage Alzheimer’s disease continued to ravage the populationthe population

III. Democratic RevivalIII. Democratic Revival

Democratic VictoryDemocratic Victory

A youthful Bill Clinton stood in stark A youthful Bill Clinton stood in stark contrast to incumbent President George contrast to incumbent President George H.W. Bush in 1992H.W. Bush in 1992

The electorate responded to Clinton’s The electorate responded to Clinton’s charisma and elected him to two terms charisma and elected him to two terms that saw the longest uninterrupted that saw the longest uninterrupted economic growth in the nation’s historyeconomic growth in the nation’s history

Partisan Politics and Partisan Politics and ImpeachmentImpeachment Clinton had been accused of having Clinton had been accused of having

engaged in an improper sexual engaged in an improper sexual relationship with Monica Lewinsky, a relationship with Monica Lewinsky, a White House intern.White House intern.

The Republican Congress considered The Republican Congress considered impeachment and devoted much energy impeachment and devoted much energy to the process of removalto the process of removal

After weeks of testimony, the Senate After weeks of testimony, the Senate voted for acquittalvoted for acquittal

IV.IV. The Second Bush The Second Bush PresidencyPresidency

The Election of 2000The Election of 2000 In a haze of law suits and countersuits, the In a haze of law suits and countersuits, the

presidential election of 2000 became the presidential election of 2000 became the closest and most contested in American closest and most contested in American history.history.

George Bush, son of the former president, George Bush, son of the former president, barely defeated Vice President Albert Gorebarely defeated Vice President Albert Gore

The closeness of the election made The closeness of the election made Americans examine their methods of Americans examine their methods of presidential election and consider sweeping presidential election and consider sweeping reformsreforms