Politics and Politics and Major Events of Major Events of

the 1990sthe 1990s

Rise of Conservative Rise of Conservative Media Media

In 1987, the Reagan In 1987, the Reagan Administration, in an effort to Administration, in an effort to deregulate the deregulate the communications industry, communications industry, vetoed the reauthorization of vetoed the reauthorization of the Fairness Doctrine. the Fairness Doctrine.

Since 1949, the Fairness Since 1949, the Fairness Doctrine was used by the Doctrine was used by the FCC to prevent the FCC to prevent the emergence of partisan press.emergence of partisan press.

Without the requirement for Without the requirement for equal coverage for equal coverage for controversial subjects, AM controversial subjects, AM stations created partisan stations created partisan programming. programming.

In 1988 Rush Limbaugh In 1988 Rush Limbaugh began his conservative talk began his conservative talk show, which is currently airs show, which is currently airs on more than 600 stations.on more than 600 stations.

Rise of Conservative Rise of Conservative MediaMedia

The end of the Fairness The end of the Fairness Doctrine coincided with Doctrine coincided with general dissatisfaction with general dissatisfaction with the mainstream media.the mainstream media.

Many believed it was elitist Many believed it was elitist and did not reflect their and did not reflect their politics or values. politics or values.

Outlets such as FOX News, Outlets such as FOX News, headed by former Republican headed by former Republican communication consultant communication consultant Roger Ailes, capitalized on Roger Ailes, capitalized on this void.this void.

New stations offered New stations offered plainspoken reporting and plainspoken reporting and populist appeals to the middle populist appeals to the middle class.class.

Roger Ailes

The Election of 1988 The Election of 1988 The Election of 1988 pitted The Election of 1988 pitted

Vice President George H.W. Vice President George H.W. Bush against Michael Bush against Michael Dukakis. Dukakis.

Bush’s campaign presented Bush’s campaign presented itself as the inheritor of the itself as the inheritor of the Reagan legacy.Reagan legacy.

Dukakis held an early lead, Dukakis held an early lead, but the Bush campaign but the Bush campaign claimed that he was weak on claimed that he was weak on defense and crime. defense and crime.

Dukakis tried to counter this Dukakis tried to counter this image by riding in a tank.image by riding in a tank.

This backfired when his This backfired when his helmet made him appear helmet made him appear cartoonish.cartoonish.

The Election of 1988The Election of 1988

This cartoon addresses each candidate's unwillingness to address the country's This cartoon addresses each candidate's unwillingness to address the country's economic problems.economic problems.

The Election of 1988The Election of 1988

On election night, Bush won decisively, meaning four more years of Republican rule.

The Exxon ValdezThe Exxon Valdez

The Exxon Valdez spill in March 1989 was the largest ecological The Exxon Valdez spill in March 1989 was the largest ecological disaster in American history.disaster in American history.

The supertanker spilled 11 million gallons of oil that covered 470 The supertanker spilled 11 million gallons of oil that covered 470 miles of Alaska coast. miles of Alaska coast.

Billions have been spent on the cleanup, but the damage in many Billions have been spent on the cleanup, but the damage in many places is irreparable. places is irreparable.

The Exxon ValdezThe Exxon Valdez

This image of an oil-covered duck illustrates the impact of the disaster on wildlife. Over

50,000 birds, fish, and animals died.

This image shows lingering damage on a beach in 2003, 14 years

after the spill.

Fall of the Berlin Wall Fall of the Berlin Wall

After WWII, Berlin was divided between the 4 occupying powers. After WWII, Berlin was divided between the 4 occupying powers. The English, French, and American sections were combined to The English, French, and American sections were combined to

form West Berlin while the Soviet section became known as East form West Berlin while the Soviet section became known as East Berlin. Berlin.

In 1961, the Soviets erected the Berlin Wall to separate their In 1961, the Soviets erected the Berlin Wall to separate their section from the remainder of the city. section from the remainder of the city.

246 people were killed by East German police while attempting to 246 people were killed by East German police while attempting to escape to the West.escape to the West.

Fall of the Berlin WallFall of the Berlin Wall

In May 1989, Communist In May 1989, Communist Hungary opened its border to Hungary opened its border to Austria.Austria.

Thousands of East Germans Thousands of East Germans used this route to escape. used this route to escape.

Closing off access would have Closing off access would have strained East German strained East German resources.resources.

The government opened the The government opened the Wall in November 1989. Wall in November 1989.

Residents of Berlin poured on Residents of Berlin poured on to the streets in a to the streets in a spontaneous celebration. spontaneous celebration.

The communist regime in The communist regime in East Germany soon fell.East Germany soon fell.

In October 1990, East and In October 1990, East and West Germany reunited.West Germany reunited.

Iraq Invades KuwaitIraq Invades Kuwait

Iraq was nearly bankrupt Iraq was nearly bankrupt after a war with Iran.after a war with Iran.

Saddam Hussein saw his oil Saddam Hussein saw his oil rich neighbor as the solution rich neighbor as the solution to his economic problems. to his economic problems.

In August 1990, Iraq invaded In August 1990, Iraq invaded Kuwait.Kuwait.

Kuwait had virtually no Kuwait had virtually no military.military.

Hussein then annexed Kuwait Hussein then annexed Kuwait and threatened Saudi Arabia..and threatened Saudi Arabia..

Iraqi control of Saudi Arabia Iraqi control of Saudi Arabia would allow Hussein to would allow Hussein to corner the world oil market.corner the world oil market.

President George H.W. Bush President George H.W. Bush announced that the invasion announced that the invasion “would not stand.” “would not stand.”

The Gulf WarThe Gulf War

In November 1990, the U.N. authorized “all means necessary” to reverse the In November 1990, the U.N. authorized “all means necessary” to reverse the invasion. invasion.

The war began in January 1991. The war began in January 1991. After a month of intensive bombing, only a minimal ground assault was After a month of intensive bombing, only a minimal ground assault was

necessary to remove the Iraqis from Kuwait. necessary to remove the Iraqis from Kuwait. After the war, President Bush said that the U.S. would support the overthrow After the war, President Bush said that the U.S. would support the overthrow

Hussein. Hussein. The Iraqi Shiites rose up but, when no American help materialized, they were The Iraqi Shiites rose up but, when no American help materialized, they were

crushed by Hussein.crushed by Hussein.

The Fall of the Soviet The Fall of the Soviet UnionUnion

In August 1991, hard-liners in the Soviet government attempted a coup against the In August 1991, hard-liners in the Soviet government attempted a coup against the liberal rule of Gorbachev. liberal rule of Gorbachev.

Moscow Mayor Boris Yeltsin led a demonstration against the coup. Moscow Mayor Boris Yeltsin led a demonstration against the coup. The leaders of the conspiracy ordered soldiers and tanks into Moscow to arrest The leaders of the conspiracy ordered soldiers and tanks into Moscow to arrest

Yeltsin, but many soldiers switched sides. Yeltsin, but many soldiers switched sides. Gorbachev returned from house arrest overshadowed by Yeltsin. Gorbachev returned from house arrest overshadowed by Yeltsin. They negotiated a power sharing agreement, with Yeltsin assuming the presidency. They negotiated a power sharing agreement, with Yeltsin assuming the presidency. In December 1991, with Yeltsin at the helm, the Soviet Union voted itself out of In December 1991, with Yeltsin at the helm, the Soviet Union voted itself out of

existence.existence.

Economic Troubles: Economic Troubles: Recession of 1991Recession of 1991

Despite Bush's foreign Despite Bush's foreign success, he was dogged by success, he was dogged by economic troubles at home. economic troubles at home.

By 1991, the American By 1991, the American economy was in recession.economy was in recession.

Personal spending fell Personal spending fell dramatically and dramatically and unemployment rose. unemployment rose.

Bush was forced break his Bush was forced break his campaign pledge not to raise campaign pledge not to raise taxes.taxes.

By 1992, domestic problems By 1992, domestic problems had eroded Bush’s once had eroded Bush’s once unapproachable popularity.unapproachable popularity.

He was vulnerable in the He was vulnerable in the upcoming election.upcoming election.

The Los Angeles Riots The Los Angeles Riots 19921992

In 1991 Rodney King, a black In 1991 Rodney King, a black motorist, was severely beaten by motorist, was severely beaten by LAPD officers following a traffic LAPD officers following a traffic stop. stop.

The incident was caught on The incident was caught on tape.tape.

The officers were prosecuted The officers were prosecuted acquitted in 1992.acquitted in 1992.

The verdict outraged the The verdict outraged the African American community.African American community.

Lawless elements erupted into Lawless elements erupted into violence.violence.

For 3 South Central LA was For 3 South Central LA was wracked with riotingwracked with rioting

National Guard was deployed to National Guard was deployed to restore calm. restore calm.

55 people died, 2300 were 55 people died, 2300 were injured, and 1100 buildings injured, and 1100 buildings were burned at a cost of over a were burned at a cost of over a billion dollars. billion dollars.

The Election of 1992The Election of 1992

The Election of 1992 was a 3-way race between George H.W. Bush, The Election of 1992 was a 3-way race between George H.W. Bush, Democrat Bill Clinton, and independent H. Ross Perot. Democrat Bill Clinton, and independent H. Ross Perot.

Clinton’s candidacy was sunk while pursuing the Democratic nomination by Clinton’s candidacy was sunk while pursuing the Democratic nomination by a sex scandal.a sex scandal.

In the general election the presence of Perot, an eccentric Texas billionaire, In the general election the presence of Perot, an eccentric Texas billionaire, split conservative vote and allowed Clinton a relatively easy victorysplit conservative vote and allowed Clinton a relatively easy victory

WacoWaco

In February 1993, the FBI and ATF, acting on weapons violations and In February 1993, the FBI and ATF, acting on weapons violations and allegations of child abuse, raided the Branch Davidian cult compound in allegations of child abuse, raided the Branch Davidian cult compound in Waco, Texas to arrest leader David Koresh. Waco, Texas to arrest leader David Koresh.

The heavily armed Davidians fought off the agents, killing 4 and The heavily armed Davidians fought off the agents, killing 4 and wounding 20. wounding 20.

51 day siege ensued. In April, agents again raided the compound. 51 day siege ensued. In April, agents again raided the compound. Koresh ordered his followers to burn the compound and commit suicide.Koresh ordered his followers to burn the compound and commit suicide. Many believed that the initial raid was an infringement upon the religious Many believed that the initial raid was an infringement upon the religious

liberty of the Branch Davidians. liberty of the Branch Davidians.

Health Care Reform, Health Care Reform, 1993-19941993-1994

President Clinton’s major President Clinton’s major goal was reform of the goal was reform of the healthcare system. healthcare system.

Hillary Rodham Clinton to Hillary Rodham Clinton to headed the Task Force on headed the Task Force on National Healthcare Reform.National Healthcare Reform.

In September 1993, President In September 1993, President Clinton presented the plan to Clinton presented the plan to guarantee coverage for all guarantee coverage for all Americans to Congress. Americans to Congress.

While the plan was popular While the plan was popular with the public, its opponents with the public, its opponents were able to bog the were able to bog the legislation down.legislation down.

A year after proposal, Senate A year after proposal, Senate Majority Leader George Majority Leader George Mitchell pronounced the bill Mitchell pronounced the bill dead.dead.

Republicans Take the Republicans Take the House House

In 1994 Republicans took the In 1994 Republicans took the majority House of majority House of Representatives for the 1st Representatives for the 1st time in 40 years. time in 40 years.

Under Rep. Newt Gingrich, Under Rep. Newt Gingrich, Republicans campaigned on Republicans campaigned on the “Contract with America.” the “Contract with America.”

The Contract nationalized the The Contract nationalized the campaign, turning the campaign, turning the election into a referendum on election into a referendum on Democratic leadership. Democratic leadership.

Republicans gained 54 seats. Republicans gained 54 seats. By the end of 1995 most of By the end of 1995 most of

the Contract died in the the Contract died in the Senate or were vetoed.Senate or were vetoed.

The Oklahoma City The Oklahoma City BombingBombing

On 19 April 1995, the 2nd On 19 April 1995, the 2nd anniversary of the Waco raid, anniversary of the Waco raid, Timothy McVeigh and Terry Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols bombed the Murrah Nichols bombed the Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma Federal Building in Oklahoma City. City.

McVeigh and Nichols were McVeigh and Nichols were members of rightist fringe members of rightist fringe and white supremacy and white supremacy movements.movements.

168 were killed. 168 were killed. The bomb targeted ATF The bomb targeted ATF

offices inside the building, offices inside the building, but exploded near the but exploded near the facility’s day care, killing 19 facility’s day care, killing 19 children.children.

The Election of 1996The Election of 1996

In the Election of 1996, President Clinton faced Republican In the Election of 1996, President Clinton faced Republican Senator Robert Dole. Senator Robert Dole.

Dole survived a bruising primary campaign while Clinton was Dole survived a bruising primary campaign while Clinton was able to focus his attention on the general election. able to focus his attention on the general election.

Republican hopes were elevated by their control of the House and Republican hopes were elevated by their control of the House and a minor Clinton fundraising scandala minor Clinton fundraising scandal

Clinton won a relatively easy reelection. Clinton won a relatively easy reelection.

Impeachment Impeachment In August 1998, Clinton testified In August 1998, Clinton testified

that he had not perjured himself that he had not perjured himself in a sexual harassment case by in a sexual harassment case by denying a sexual relationship denying a sexual relationship with former intern Monica with former intern Monica Lewinsky.Lewinsky.

Clinton admitted on TV to having Clinton admitted on TV to having an “improper relationship” with an “improper relationship” with Lewinsky.Lewinsky.

In December 1998, the House In December 1998, the House offered 4 articles of offered 4 articles of impeachment, 2 of which were impeachment, 2 of which were accepted.accepted.

The impeachment trial began in The impeachment trial began in January 1999. January 1999.

Neither article garnered a Neither article garnered a majority.majority.

On his last day in office, Clinton On his last day in office, Clinton agreed to surrender his law agreed to surrender his law license and pay a $25,000 fine. license and pay a $25,000 fine.

CitationsSlide 2: http://archive.salon.com/news/feature/2004/05/26/rush_limbaugh/story.jpgSlide 3: http://newsbusters.org/media/ailes_roger.jpgSlide 4: http://www.cripplecreekhistory.com/images/dukakis.jpg Slide 5: http://www.wku.edu/Library/onlinexh/sanders/cartoons/periscope/bush_dukakis_jackson.jpg Slide 6: http://fisher.lib.virginia.edu/collections/stats/elections/maps/1988ec.gifSlide 7: http://www.unu.edu/unupress/unupbooks/uu21le/uu21le0c.jpg Slide 8: http://whyfiles.org/168oil_spill/images/valdez_duck.jpg, http://www.csuchico.edu/pub/inside/archive/04_02_05/photos/2003_Beach.jpg Slide 9: http://www.pohl-projekt.de/G_M_D/G_MD008b.jpg Slide 10: http://www.remote.org/frederik/culture/berlin/7314-3252-4641-img0013-2.jpg Slide 11: http://www.cnn.com/WORLD/9711/04/iraq.us.history/iraq.kuwait.bahrain.saudi.jpgSlide 12: http://www.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/100best/images/storyD_main.jpg Slide 13: http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/static/in_depth/europe/2001/collapse_of_ussr/photofile/4.stm Slide 14: http://history.sandiego.edu/gen/USPics40/92540.jpgSlide 15: http://www.kang.org/images/wEdSungLee.jpg Slide 16: http://fisher.lib.virginia.edu/collections/stats/elections/maps/1992ec.gif Slide 17: http://www.healthsystem.virginia.edu/internet/ciag/images/wacofire.jpgSlide 18: http://clinton1.nara.gov/White_House/Family/images/raw/bill-hillary-inside.gifSlide 19: http://history.sandiego.edu/gen/USPics40/gingrich.jpg Slide 20: http://www.jfsc.ndu.edu/images/hlspc/okalahoma.gif Slide 21: http://fisher.lib.virginia.edu/collections/stats/elections/maps/1996ec.gif Slide 22: http://news.bbc.co.uk/olmedia/1790000/images/_1794824_bush_yeltsin.jpg