chap 36 & 37

Aids in the 1980's

A new disease, AIDS appeared in the 80s. The AIDS virus caused fatigue, strange combinations of infections and death. People contracted the virus by coming in contact with the blood or body fluids of an infected person. Gay men and intravenous drug users were initially those most at risk. Since AIDS was viewed as a gay disease, the Reagan government showed no interest and little was done to battle the disease.

Technological Advances (1970-2010)

A revolution in computer technology increased productivity and prosperity during the 1990s. The invention of the microchip allowed the personal computers to be possible. Cell phones, printers, DVD players, personal computers and iPods became common. All this new technology changed the way people worked, allowing more flexibility and productivity. Fewer people in the US now worked in manufacturing and working in and with technology took priority.

Patriot Act

After the bombing of the twin towers President Bush and Congress created new legislation, the USA Patriot Act, that gave the government the right to eavesdrop on prison inmates and their lawyers and also the right to try suspected terrorists in secret military courts. Even though this legislation was a severe infringement of civil rights, the legislation passed because the events of September 11 people supported the legislation. The Patriot act is still in existence twelve years after the 911 and still poses challenging questions as to how much freedom individuals are willing to sacrifice in the name of protection.

Boris Yeltsin

After the coup against Gorbachev, Boris Yeltsin, president of the Russian republic, obtained support from President Bush and other leaders and emerged as the new Soviet leader. The coup against Gorbachev had accelerated the reduction of arms on both sides and led to the demise of the Communist party. The cold war was over and Boris Yeltsin was seen as a national hero. In 1992, Bush and Yeltsin agreed to drastic reductions in nuclear weapons and all land based warhead missiles were to be destroyed.

Impeachment of Clinton

After years of searching for somthing to use against him, Republicans, under Kenneth Starr, were able to find evidence that Clinton had an affair with White House intern, Monica Lewinsky. Clinton lied about this affair to a Grand Jury but later Kenneth Starr's committee were able to provide proof that he had the affair. After much scandal and mudraking, the Republican controlled House voted Clinton be impeached for lying under oath to a Grand Jury and obstruction of justice. Five weeks later the Senate acquitted Clinton. Clinton was seen as a victim of a witch hunt by his supporters and has someone without honor or integrity by his detractors.

Patrick Buchanan

Arch conservative Pat Buchanan is a writer and politician. A divisive figure, he is pro-life, pro school prayer, against gay rights, anti-entitlements and for reduced government. He was twice a candidate for the Republican presidential nomination and the Reform Party's candidate in 2000. He served as President Nixon's speechwriter and President Reagan's White House Communications Director. He coined the term "Silent Majority" and helped shape the strategy that drew millions of Democrats to Nixon. As Reagan's diirector of White House communications he stated that homosexuals had "declared a war on nature" and that AIDS was natures way of punishing them.

The Election of 1984

By 1984 an economic recovery was well underway and Reagan had restored confidence to the White House. His running mate, Walter Mondale, proved to be no match for Reagan's skill at campaigning. Reagan won 59% of the popular vote. However, Republicans won only 15 seats in the house leaving them greatly outnumbered by Democrats.

The "New Economy" under Clinton

Clinton wanted to reduce the federal deficit without damaging the economy. To do this he increased taxes for corporations and upper income people. He also proposed an economic stimulus to invest in things like transportation, utilities, education, health and welfare. His bill narrowly passed in the house and senate. This new direction of direct government investment in facilities and services that would help citizens was a huge change from the previous Republican administrations.

Health-Care under Clinton

Clintons major public policy initiative was to provide universal health-care for every American. The task of how to implement health-care reform was given to Hilary Clinton. Her task force met with much opposition from drug companies and the insurance industry. By summer 1994 the Clinton health insurance plan was doomed. The need for health-care reform still exists in the US today.

Globalization

Communication technologies improved the speed with which information could travel around the globe. As a result it was easier to manufacture, distribute and market consumer goods. This resulted in increased trade and prosperity worldwide. As more nations entered the world economy US corporations benefited because their people bought more US goods and services. US exports soared and the US became dependent on the global economy.

Deficits under Reagan

Despite his election promise to balance the federal deficit, Reagan cut taxes and greatly increased military spending, resulting the largest deficit in history. Reagan insisted that the deficit was temporary, and that his new tax plan would fuel the economy and result in increased tax revenue. This did not work and the fear of inflation cause a slump in business, sagging stock and bond markets and rising unemployment. Finally, in 1982, Aids persuaded Reagan to raise taxes. However, the economic slump caused election losses for Republicans.

Immigration in America (1990-2010)

Due to a dramatic surge in immigration, by 2010 the US had more foreign born and first generation citizens than ever before. Over 30% of the population claimed non white ancestry. This was the first time in the nation's history that the majority of the immigrants came from non European parts of the world. The largest share of immigrants came from Mexico. The result was a permanent shift in the racial make-up of the US.

Contract with America

During the 1994 election, House Republicans, led by Newt Gingrich, released a document outlining the actions they promised to take if they became the majority party in the House (for the first time in 40 years) after the election. The Republicans gained a majority during the election and over the next two years introduced and voted on 10 bills to implement their promises.

Bush Doctrine

Foreign policy principles of the George W Bush administration which promoted unilateral actions by the United States when its security interests were threatened. This included withdrawing from the ABM treaty, rejecting the Koyoto Protocol (for global warming) and after 9/11 the invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq. The Bush Doctrine differed from previous US foreign policy which sought to create coalitions and agreements from the international community when global actions were necessary.

Democratic Movement Abroad (late 80's and early 90's)

George W. Bush entered the White House with more foreign policy experience than most presidents and was more comfortable on the World Stage than with domestic issues. Throughout his presidency, authoritarian regime after authoritarian regime in Eastern Europe gave way to democracy. In 1989 a pro democracy movement in China was crushed in the Tiananmen Square massacre.

Grenada

Grenada, a tiny island in the Caribbean allowed Cuban workers to build an airstrip. The leftist government of Grenada had military contracts with several Communist countries. Reagan sent US soldiers to invade the island and evacuate American medical students. While popular with US voters and other countries in the region, the action was condemned by the United Nations.

Gulf War I

In 1990 Iraqi president, Saddam Hussein, invaded neighboring Kuwait. Kuwait had raised its production of oil despite agreeing to keep to OPEC quotas. As a result global oil prices dropped which hurt Iraqi income. In an operation called "Desert Shield", Bush mobilized US troops in Saudi Arabia to prevent an invasion there and together with the UN began peace negotiations. When peace efforts failed, the US formed an allied force of thirty nations and invaded Kuwait and within 4 days thousands of Iraqi soldiers surrendered. Within six weeks Bush called for a cease-fire and Saddam accepted. By this stage the allies occupied about 20% of Iraq.

Stock Market Plunge (1987)

Known as Black Monday, on Monday, October 19, 1987 stock markets around the world crashed, losing huge value in a short time (22% in the US).Though the crash did not plunge the world into a new Recession, it did introduce a new era of stock volatility. Reagan was blamed for the market crash because he tripled the deficit. Market controls were introduced to prevent such a rapid sell off in the future. However, markets are still subject to severe downturns.

Thomas Hearings

In 1992, George HW Bush nominated Clarence Thomas to replace Thurgood Marshall (the first African American Justice) on the Supreme Court. Thomas's political views were very conservative (opposing affirmative action and civil rights) which made his confirmation very difficult because it was feared his views would move the court to the right once Marshall was gone. During the hearings, Anita Hill, a former colleague of Thomas from the EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission) accused Thomas of sexual harassment. The hearings became the first public venue where sexual harassment was discussed and illustrated the difficulties that arose when one brought sexual harassment charges. In the end, the senators on the committee (all men) largely dismissed Anita Hill's testimony and allowed his nomination to proceed. Thomas was appointed to the Supreme Court by a vote of 52 to 48 in the Senate (the closest vote in over a century).

Mikhail Gorbachev

Mikhail Gorbachev tackled Soviet economic problems by restructured Soviet economy (perestroika) and opening up to new influences (glasnost). In the Soviet Union, he reduced central planning and censorship and sought trade with the West. He rejected the previous Soviet policy of interfering in the internal affairs of other Communist countries. Because of this, and mounting internal opposition, Communist regimes fell throughout eastern Europe. Gorbachev attempts to restructure the Soviet economy failed and his popularity tanked. Communist hardliners saw his reforms as unraveling their empire. Gorbachev was overthrown and chaos ensued. The plotters tried and failed to restore things to a pre-Gorbachev era.

Oklahoma City

On April 19th 1995, the Federal Building in downtown Oklahoma City bombed, injuring more than 680 and killing 168 people. This was the most destructive terrorist attack in the US until 9/11/2001. The attack was carried out by Timothy McVeigh, Terry Nichols and Michael Fortier - three american (ex soldiers) who were angry at the way the Federal government handled the standoffs in Ruby Ridge and Waco Texas. The attack was the anniversary of the Waco siege. After being convicted, McVeigh was executed by lethal injection. Nichols was sentenced to life in prison. Fortier, who had testified against both McVeigh and Nichols, was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Terrorism under W. Bush

On September 11, 2001 Islamic terrorists hijacked two planes and flew them into the World Trade Center in New York City. The towers and surrounding buildings were destroyed taking thousands of live with them. American citizens rallied to help the injured and World leaders offered support. Al Qaeda, led by Osama bin Laden, had declared a holy war on the US. George Bush declared a war on terrorism. To be continuied

Reagan and Defense

Reagan believed that all the trouble in the world came from Russia and the Communist threat and so began to build up nuclear and conventional weapons to close the edge he claimed the Soviets had. Reagan launched the Strategic Defense Initiative (Star Wars), a system meant to destroy enemy missiles in outer space or well before they reached their target. Afraid of losing ground, the Soviets launched their own expensive research program. With both sides heavily invested in arms build up hope for detente disappeared and relationships between the two countries deteriorated.

Reaganomics

Reagan believed that if he cut taxes and reduced spending the economy would rebound and therefore produce more revenue, this revenue would reduce the deficit. He cut taxes, particularly for the wealthy, but at the same time he greatly increased military spending. By 1983 a major economic recovery was underway, but due to defense spending, the deficit was larger than ever before.

Reagan and Labor

Reagan was one of the most anti-labor presidents in history. He did not bargain with Union leaders. In 1981 he fired 13,000 striking air traffic controllers and destroyed their union.This action sent a clear signal to employers that they need feel little obligation to their workers. Reagan put government agencies designed to protect workers under the direct control of those opposed to unions. He weakened workplace safety laws so much that union experts called them useless. Reagan's actions set labor-management relations back decades.

Phyllis Schlafly

Right wing Republican activist and author, Phyllis Schlafly, spearheaded the anti-feminist movement. She is most known for organizing the successful campaign against the equal rights amendment. She is anti-feminist, anti gay rights, and pro-life. The anti-feminist movement led to large growth in the pro-life movement which, by 1980, had 11 million members, a powerful political force. Schlafly, still active, gives speeches, has written nine books and is adept at manipulating the emotions of her audience.

NAFTA

The North American Free Trade Agreement is a treaty between Canada, Mexico and the United States meant to eliminate the barriers to trade and investment between the three countries. NAFTA was signed by George HW Bush in 1992, but it did not go into effect until January 1, 1994, during the Clinton administration. NAFTA eliminated government taxes and regulations which interfered with free trade and allowed workers to get temporary visas for jobs. Supporters of the treaty believed that it would create more American jobs and more export opportunities. Opponents felt that NAFTA would cause American jobs to be lost in favor of cheaper labor in Mexico. It was also feared that environmental protections within the US would be weakened because Mexico and Canada had less strict environmental laws.

The Reagan Doctrine

The Reagan Doctrine was Reagan's promise to support anti-communist forces around the world. In reality, this doctrine challenged the isolationism that occurred in US foreign policy after Vietnam. Despite his talk about the Soviet Union being an "evil empire", Reagan was keen to reach an arms control agreement. A year after the Geneva summit produced no real result Reagan and Gorbachev met in Iceland to discuss arms control. Reagan refused to negotiate on the Strategic Defense Initiative and the talks gave way.

Iran-Conta

The United States secretly supplied arms to Iraq and used the profit to fund Contra rebels fighting in Nicaragua. When this became public an investigation showed that knowledge of the affair reached far up the government. Under growing doubts about his credibility and his ability, Regan formed an independent counsel and independent commission to investigate. This resulted in Reagan being criticized because he did not realize what his staffers were doing. There were six indictments of government officials. The affair undermined Reagan's popularity and eroded support for the Nicaraguan Contras.

Election of 2000

The election of 2000 showed American voters were evenly split along party lines. The two candidates, Republican George Bush and Democrat Al Gore had very different views on the role of government, taxes, the environment and entitlements. The election was ine of the closes in US history. The final tally of the votes showed a razor thin lead for George Bush in Florida. Votes had to be recounted. There was stalemate for five weeks with the Supreme Court ordering a manual recount of the Florida votes. In the end W Bush took the election.

Conservative Resurgence under Reagan

The resurgence of Republican Conservatism in the 1980's was aided by the rise of the evangelical movement, the backlash against feminism and the movement of Northern Democrats to the South. Grassroots organizations like the Moral Majority, lobbied for an increase in free enterprise, a reduction in government, outlawing abortion, teaching creationism and reinstating prayer in public schools. Phyllis Schlafly organized a campaign against the equal rights amendment and spearheaded the anti-feminist movement. This led to large growth in the pro-life movement which, by 1980, had 11 million members, a powerful political force. Reagan was quick to capitalize, supporting traditional "family values", gender roles, and the rights of the unborn. Their moralistic zeal and effective political organizing made them effective opponents. These cultural issues persuaded many democrats to support Regan.

Moral Majority

The resurgence of Republican Conservatism in the 1980's was aided by the rise of the evangelical movement. Catholic and Protestant evangelical conservatives increased their political power by buying media outlets and operating schools. Grassroots organizations like the Moral Majority, lobbied for an increase in free enterprise, a reduction in government, outlawing abortion, teaching creationism and reinstating prayer in public schools. Their moralistic zeal and effective political organizing made them effective opponents.

Religious Right

Though diverse, the religious tended to be evangelical Christian or orthodox Catholic. They joined forces to pressure the government. Pat Robertson's Christian Coalition replaced the Moral Majority and pushed its pro-life, anti gay rights, and pro school prayer agenda. In addition this group pushed to downsize and limit government power. In many ways this group took control of the political agenda of the 90s

Clinton and the Middle East

Under Clinton the PLO was included in Arab/Israeli peace talks. In 1993 the Israeli Prime Minister agreed to exchange land for peace. Unfortunately, religious hardliners resented the negotiations with the Palestinians. In 1995 a zealot killed Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, a major defeat for the peace process. In the next election, Israelis elected a very conservative Prime Minister. However, Clinton was still able to bring the king of Jordan, the PLO and Israelis together to talk peace. An agreement was reached where Israelis agreed to exchange land in return for security guarantees.