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Presidents Foreign and Domestic Policies
1990-Present
President George H.W. Bush
In office Jan. 20, 1989-1993
George H.W. Bush—Domestic Policy Impact of Defense Spending on US Economy
› Can provide short term economic stimulus Provides jobs New industries
› Drawbacks Money spent on defense is taken away from
education and other federal programs
George H.W. Bush—Domestic Policy Supreme Court Appointments
and their impact› Several conservatives appointed
David Souter – 1990 Clarence Thomas – 1991
Helped toughen rules for criminal defendants
Reduce the scope of abortion rights Many other conservative changes
George H.W. Bush—Domestic Policy
Recession—decline in economy (industrial production, employment, income, wholesale-resale trade)› Reduced consumer, corporate and government
spending led to recession by 1990› Increased foreign competition led to a
decrease in demand for American made goods, resulting in layoffs
George H.W. Bush—Domestic Policy
Civil Rights and unrest› The recession hit young
African Americans hardest› Riots erupted in L.A. and
other cities in 1992› Police were caught on video beating Rodney King
but found not guilty› 70 people died during these riots
George H.W. Bush—Domestic Policy
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990› Prohibited discrimination
against people with disabilities in employment and in public accommodations
› Restaurants, hotels, theaters, etc. had to be wheelchair accessible
George H.W. Bush—Foreign Policy
Invasion of Panama, 1989› US troops were sent to
overthrow Panamanian dictator and drug dealer, Manuel Noriega
› The goal was to restore democracy› Noriega was captured and taken to
the US, where he was tried and convicted on drug charges
George H.W. Bush—Foreign Policy
The End of the Cold War, 1989-1991› Most important event of the Bush administration› Reagan and Gorbachev had initiated reforms› From 1989-1991, Eastern Europe began to shift from
Communism to Democracy The Berlin Wall fell (1989) and Germany was reunited
› 1991-USSR dissolved, creating Russia and the 15 republics (Commonwealth of Independent States) Bush formally recognized Russia
and other nations and offered financial assistance
George H.W. Bush—Domestic Policy The Gulf War, 1990
› Bush’s greatest single foreign policy success
› In 1990, Iraqi leader, Saddam Hussein, invaded Kuwait to capture its oil wealth and extend Iraq’s borders
› UN asked Hussein to withdraw, he refused UN and US launched an attack on Iraq They were successful in only a few days
› In Feb. 1991, Hussein removed all troops and paid for all damages in Kuwait
› Bush declared a cease fire, but did not take the steps to remove Hussein from power in Iraq
George H.W. Bush—Domestic Policy
Somalia, 1992› Humanitarian airlifts of food and supplies to
war-torn Somalia in NE Africa› Millions faced starvation› Local warlords and bandits stole and
threatened food shipments› Bush sent in troops› Fighting would escalate and
continue into the Clinton administration
President Bill Clinton
In office Jan 20, 1993 - 2001
President Bill Clinton – Domestic Policy
Health Care Reform› Promised during his campaign
reform Proposed giving every
American health insurance› Appointed his wife, Hillary,
to head a task force on health care› Many alternative plans were proposed but none
approved by Congress Opponents believed that Clinton’s plan would lead to
long waits and health care rationing Supporters found it shocking that so many Americans
lived without health care› The failure to pass health care reform in Congress
was a major defeat for Clinton
President Bill Clinton – Domestic Policy Economic Recovery
› By eliminating Cold War restrictions on trade, it became easier to export computers and other high tech goods
› Increased trade helped restore the nation’s economy› A reductions in military spending and closing of military bases boosted
the civilian economy› By the end of Clinton’s presidency, unemployment was down,
consumer spending was up and business profits were at an all-time high
› By 1999, Clinton had balanced the budget and even a surplus of revenues over expenditures
President Bill Clinton – Domestic Policy Impeachment and Scandal
› 1999-Clinton’s 2nd term, the Senate conducted an impeachment trial Only the 2nd time in history that a president has been
impeached (Nixon, who later resigned)› Clinton had a sexual affair with a white house
intern, Monica Lewinsky After finding that Clinton had lied under oath about
the affair, the prosecutor recommended impeachment
President Clinton was impeached, but was not formally removed from office.
President Bill Clinton – Foreign Policy
Yugoslavia, Bosnia, Kosovo› Yugoslavia broke up at the end the
Cold War Fierce fighting erupted between Muslim
Bosnians and Christian Serbs Serbs attempted to rid Bosnia of
Muslims (ethnic cleansing-genocide) Clinton negotiate peace in Bosnia and
spearheaded the use of NATO airstrikes against Serbia to stop attacks on Kosovo
› Clinton’s intervention led to a compromise and an end to the bloodshed and killing
President Bill Clinton – Foreign Policy North Atlantic Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)
› Originally negotiated by Pres. Bush Clinton pushed it through Congress
› Created a trade agreement with Mexico, Canada and the US NAFTA gradually phased out tariffs between these 3 countries,
increasing trade and stimulating the economy› Critics say NAFTA has led to loss of manufacturing jobs to
countries where labor is cheaper
President Bill Clinton – Domestic Policy General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT)
› Formed in 1947› Increased trade by reducing tariffs on many goods› In 1994, GATT was replaced by the World Trade Organization
(WTO) Establishes rules for global trade and helps to settle trade
disputes Accelerated globalization
President George W. Bush
In office Jan 20, 2001 - 2009
President George W. Bush-Domestic Policy
No Child Left Behind› Requires states to test all students in English and Math each
year from 3rd to 8th grade› Expanded the role of the federal government in education › Aimed primarily at improving education for disadvantaged
students
President George W. Bush-Domestic Policy Hurricane Katrina, 2005
› The flooding and evacuation of almost 80% of New Orleans and other coastal region
› Highest storm surge and waves ever recorded to hit North America Exceeded the engineering design of
the New Orleans levees› Costliest hurricane on record
More than 1,800 people died› Rescue efforts were delayed, citizens
were stranded on rooftops and in attics› Almost 20,000 people were stranded
in the New Orleans Superdome Suffered through extreme heat
and unsanitary conditions
President George W. Bush-Domestic Policy Financial Crisis of 2008-2009
› Worst financial crisis since the Great Depression› In 2000, after stock market decline, the Federal Reserve lowered
interest rates Many people took advantage of lower interest rates to buy new homes Many of them couldn’t really afford to pay the mortgages on these
homes Failure to repay loans led to increase in housing prices
› Banks began to foreclose on houses› Banks were on the verge of failure
President George W. Bush-Domestic Policy Economic Stabilization Act, October 2008
› Authorized the Secretary of the Treasury to spend up to $700 billion to buy distressed investments and provide funds to banks to prevent failure These “bailouts” were provided to insurance giant AIG,
several brokerage houses and the nation’s largest banks
President George W. Bush-Domestic Policy September 11, 2001
› Islamic Fundamentalist Terrorists hijacked 4 planes The terrorists (trained) pilots flew them into
the World Trade Center (Twin Towers) in NYC, the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.
The 4th plane crashed into a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania when passengers resisted the terrorists
› 3,000 people died Worst attack in US History
› Osama bin Laden (al Qaeda) took responsibility
President George W. Bush-Domestic Policy Transportation Security Agency
(TSA)› Took over security at US airports› All passengers and luggage were
subjected to thorough screenings Department of Homeland Security
› Cabinet post created in 2003› Mission: keep the US secure from all
threats› Activities range from nuclear
detection and intelligence coordination to protection of high-level government officials
President George W. Bush-Domestic Policy "Uniting and Strengthening America by
Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism (USA PATRIOT) Act of 2001“› Mission: to deter and punish terrorist
acts in the United States and around the world and to enhance law enforcement investigatory tools
› Expanded law enforcement powers Allowed sweeping searches and
surveillance, detainment of immigrants, monitoring of bank accounts for unusual activity
Nation Security Agency (NSA) had power to wiretap phones of suspicious calls with out a warrant—later declared unconstitutional Too Much Power? Threat to individual freedom?
President George W. Bush-Domestic Policy Guantanamo Bay Detention Camp, Cuba (Gitmo)
› Suspected terrorists held here are not guaranteed the same US Constitutional rights as prisoners in the US Prisoners have been force-fed while on hunger strikes and
“water-boarded” to obtain info about future attacks Critics claim this torture is inhumane Obama has promised to close down Gitmo Currently houses 155 detainees
President George W. Bush-Foreign Policy The Global War on Terror
› Bush warned the nations that harbored terrorists that he was prepared to launch a “war on terror” October, 2001-Bush ordered air and ground strikes on Taliban
and al Qaeda bases Many al Qaeda members were captured, but bin Laden eluded
capture He was later located and killed by US Seal Team Six (Operation Neptune
Spear, May 2, 2011)
President George W. Bush-Foreign Policy The War in Iraq
› Dictator of Iraq—Saddam Hussein Denied having Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMDs),
but refused to allow UN inspectors to search UN was finally allowed in, but found no WMDs Many believed they had hidden or moved the WMDs
› US, Spain, Britain threatened to invade if WMDs were not turned over
› France, Germany, Russia called for more inspections March, 2003-Bush gave Hussein 48 hours to comply Hussein refuse, US launched airstrikes
› April, 2003- US forces entered Baghdad, Hussein was captured, and a provisional democratic government was established Iraq was the first democratic nation in the Middle East
› Hussein was tried for crimes against humanity (using chemical weapons on the Kurds) and executed in 2006
› US troops continue to provide protection and support to the Iraqi government
President Barack Hussein Obama
In office Jan 20, 2005 - present
President Obama-Domestic Policy American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, 2009
› Mission: to jumpstart the American economy› $700 billion+ on a bailout package to create new jobs,
save existing ones, spur economic development and invest in long-term infrastructure development
› Legislation was passed to regulate credit cards, lending and other banking practices
› Steps were taken to save the auto industry
President Obama-Domestic Policy
Supreme Court Appointments› Sonia Sotomayor
Nominated to US Court of Appeals by Clinton
2009-nominated to the US Supreme Court by Obama 1st Hispanic Justice 3rd woman on Supreme Court
› Elana Kagan was also nominated to US Supreme Court Former Harvard Law School Dean
President Obama-Foreign Policy The “Arab Spring”
› Obama discouraged dictators from using force to suppress democracy movements in Tunisia, Yemen, Syria, and Egypt In Libya, he authorized airstrikes to defend rebels
Led to Gaddafi’s down fall and death
President Obama-Foreign Policy War in Afghanistan
Obama increased the level of troops in effort to stabilize the country and revitalize its development
War in Iraq› Gradually withdrew troops› US troops were replaced by
Iraqi security forces› Situation still remains challenging, as acts of terrorism
continue against the Iraqi government