History Study Guide 8

William Jefferson Clinton (1993-2000)

Family Medical Leave Act (1993), Brady Bill (1993), Healthcare Bill failure (1993), Impeachment and Acquittal (1998 & 1999)

Weapons of mass destruction

Following the attacks on the U.S. by al Qaeda on 9/11/01, the U,S began what President Bush described as the "war on terror." Part of this "war on terror" involved invading iraq because experts believed the Iraqi president, Saddam Hussein, was building nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons of mass destruction (WMD). Congress authorized President Bush to use military force against Iraq to uncover and remove these weapons. On March 19, 2003, American and British forces invaded Iraq in Operation Iraqi Freedom. However, five years later, in 2008, a Senate Intelligence Committee report determined that there was no credible evidence to support claims that Iraq did have WMD or ties to terrorist groups.

How did President Obama respond to the ongoing financial crisis?

Following the economic crisis in 2008, President Obama had to deal with economic problems throughout his first two years in office. By 2010, our nation faced high unemployment and sluggish economic growth. In order to combat these problems, Obama signed into law a sweeping financial reform bill aimed at changing the Wall Street practices that had contributed to the 2008 financial crisis. In July 2010, this new law increased federal oversight of banks, hedge funds, and other financial institutions. In addition, it created a consumer protection agency to oversee credit card rates, bank fees, mortgages, and car loans. Critics of this bill argued that it was too complex, too confusing, and would lead to further economic woes.

What are the major components of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act aka Obamacare?

"Obamacare" was passed by the House and Senate in March of 2010. It was the most significant healthcare legislation since Medicare was introduced in 1965. It extends coverage to the uninsured, prevents insurance companies from denying coverage to patients with pre-existing medical conditions, and provides subsidies to help low-income earners by insurance. Critics of this bill argued it cost too much, put too great a burden on small businesses, and gave the federal government too much power.

Why is a global response to environmental challenges difficult to achieve?

A global response to environmental issues is difficult to achieve because populous countries like China, India, and Russia do not follow the American call for environmental protection. Many large countries and economically developing countries have made little effort to improve air and water quality. Ultimately, the U.S. has no power to make other countries environmentally conscious.

Affirmative action

Affirmative action was introduced during the 1960s under President Johnson's administration. This policy was designed to improve opportunities for minorities and women by giving preference to them in school admission and job applications. Since that time, affirmative action has been extremely controversial and hotly debated. Proponents argue that without such initiatives, minorities could not overcome generations of discrimination. Opponents argue that the policy is unfair because it actually discriminates against nonminorities and males.

How has immigration impacted American society in recent decades?

As a result of the Immigration Act of 1990, from the 1990s to the 2000s the U.S. saw the largest numbers of immigrants in our nation's history. During this time, almost one million immigrants arrived in America each year. Today, immigrants account for more than 10 percent of our total population. By 2010, 55% of all immigrants came from Mexico or Central America. 27% of the immigrants came from Asia and 16% came from the Middle East, Europe, and Africa. The large amounts of immigrants to the U.S. has led to more bilingual education within schools, more jobs being taking by immigrants, and more illegal immigration occuring. The solution to illegal immigration and securing our borders is on ongoing debate in politics.

Barack Obama

Barack Obama graduated from Columbia University and Harvard Law School. He served in the Illinois state legislature before being elected to the U.S. Senate. Obama defeated the Republican presidential candidate, John McCain, in the 2008 presidential election. Obama became the 44th U.S. President and served two terms from 2009-2016. Obama's biggest immediate challenge was dealing with the economic recession of 2008. In response, he developed a $787 billion economic stimulus package, called the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, that was passed by Congress in 2009. This act focused on tax cuts, aiding state and local governments, and funding infrastructure projects, In addition, Obama successfully was able to find the votes in Congress for the House and Senate to pass the "Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act" in 2010. This healthcare bill became known as "Obamacare."

George W. Bush (2001-2008)

Bush v. Gore Supreme Court ruling to win the 2000 election, 9/11 terrorist attacks, War on Terrorism begins, Congressional approval of The Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) in the 2008 financial crisis

Barack Obama (2009-2016)

Congressional approval of the Patient Protection & Affordable Care Act (2010), Congressional approval of the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (2009), Republicans won control of House of Representatives (2010), Economic recession (2013)

Explain why the U.S. experienced a shift from an industry-based economy to a service-based economy.

For most of the 19th and 20th centuries much of the American economy was industry-based. Manufacturing of products was the foundation of the U.S. economy during this time. However, the inventions of the internet, computer, and other electronic devices at the end of the 20th century changed the U.S, economy. In addition, the technological innovations of the 21st century transformed the U.S. economy from industry-based to service-based. Today, almost 80% of the American economy is based on jobs within the service economy. Jobs such as lawyers, teachers, doctors, research analysts, police officers, professional athletes, actors/actresses, salespeople, restaurant owners and workers, and professional builders. This transformation from an industry-based to service-based economy has created opportunities for small business entrepreneurs to achieve the American dream. Men like Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Sergey Brin, Larry Page, and Mark Zuckerberg have all become billionaires by starting tech companies like Microsoft, Apple, Google, and Facebook.

What foreign policy challenges did President Obama face in both of his terms?

From 2009 to 2016 President Obama faced terrorist threats in the Middle East. The countries of Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, Syria, and Iran all required U.S. involvement. In Iraq, Obama ordered troops removed in 2011 but around 50,000 stayed in the country in supporting roles. Despite U.S. support, Iraq remained politically unstable and threatened by sectarian violence. Obama decided to increase U.S. military presence in Afghanistan in 2011. He wanted the U.S. military to focus on destroying the Taliban forces that protected Osama bin Laden. U.S. troops are still in Afghanistan as of 2020. In Libya, Obama ordered U.S. forces to help Libyan rebels overthrow dictator al-Qaddafi in 2011. The U.S. didn't know what to do with the civil war in Syria. We wanted to intervene but didn't want to get bogged down in another war. Finally, Obama persuaded the country of Iran to halt parts of its nuclear program and agree to weapons inspections in exchange for Western nations lifting some economic sanctions against them.

George W. Bush

George W. Bush was elected as the 43rd president of the U.S. in the 2000 presidential election. Bush was the Republican candidate, Al Gore was the Democratic candidate, and Ralph Nader was the Green Party candidate. Bush was the son of George H. W. Bush who was the 41st president of the U.S. Bush narrowly defeated Al Gore by receiving 271 electoral votes. The outcome of the election came down to the state of Florida. Most likely, Nader took votes away from Gore in the state of Florida which allowed Bush to win the 25 electoral votes from that state and, eventually, the presidential election. However, the Supreme Court eventually had to decide the outcome of this close election. In a 5-to-4 decision, in the case Bush v. Gore, the court ended the recount of votes in Florida and Gore conceded the win to Bush. In Bush's first term in office he focused on domestic issues like cutting taxes, winning support for the "No Child Left Behind Act," and extending Medicare to cover prescription drugs for senior citizens. The biggest challenge for Bush during his first term in office came on 9/11/2001. On 9/11/01, Al Qaeda, led by Osama bin Laden, flew two hijacked planes in the World Trade Center Towers in NYC, one plane into the Pentagon, and one plane crashed in farm fields of Pennsylvania. Immediately, Bush was faced with beginning the "war on terror" and the invasion of Afghanistan. Bush's second term in office dealt with fighting in Iraq, aiding people hit by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and the U.S. economy sliding into a recession in 2007. To bailout U.S. banks that engaged in risky lending practices, Bush and Congress approved The Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP). This controversial program was funded by taxpayers dollars, but may have prevented a catastrophic financial meltdown of the U.S, economy.

How has the American family changed in the 21st century?

In 1960, more than 70% of American households were headed by a working father and non-working mother, both of whom had never been divorced. By 2000, less than 15% of American households fit this model. By 2000, one out of every two marriages ended in divorce and in a high percentage of households both parents worked outside the home. Single-parent households were very common with 25% of all children growing up in a single-parent household. By 2011, the number of children born to unmarried mothers was 25% for white babies, 33% for Latino babies, and 50% for black babies. This led to higher rates of poverty and lack of educational opportunities for children.

No Child Left Behind Act

In 2002, this act was supported by President Bush which penalized schools that did not reach federal performance standards. In order to receive federal funding, schools had to meet certain academic achievement. It also called for improving teacher quality.

What did a Senate Intelligence Committee determine in 2008 about the reasons for the war in Iraq?

In 2008, a Senate Intelligence Committee report determined that there was no credible evidence to support claims that Iraq did have WMD or ties to terrorist groups. Political opponents of President Bush accused his administration of deliberately misleading Congress and the American people to win support for the war.

Deepwater Horizon spill

In 2010, the Deepwater Horizon spill in the Gulf of Mexico (often referred to as the BP oil spill) created environmental problems in Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, and Florida These types of spills are even more of a problem in underdeveloped nations, and help intensify the use of the Keystone XL pipeline that brings crude oil from Canada to refineries in the Gulf of Mexico.

Why was the Bush administration criticized regarding its response to Hurricane Katrina?

In August of 2005, Hurricane Katrina ravaged the Gulf Coast of the United States. New Orleans, Louisiana was impacted especially when rising waters, following the storm, breached levees protecting the low-lying city. Citizens were forced onto rooftops to await rescue and thousands of others sought shelter at the Superdome stadium. Many political opponents of President Bush criticized the government's slow response to the damage.

Department of Homeland Security

In addition to Congress passing the USA Patriot Act, they also approved President Bush's desire for the creation of a new Cabinet-level Department of Homeland Security, This cabinet is in charge of security matters among federal, state, and local agencies. This agency began in 2003 and involves antiterrorism, border security, immigration and customs, cyber security and disaster prevention and management

Explain why labor leaders, environmentalists, and liberal Democrats opposed NAFTA?

Labor leaders, environmentalists, and liberal Democrats argued that NAFTA would force American manufacturers to relocate to Mexico, where wages were lower and environmental controls were less rigid. They feared that hundreds of thousands of American jobs would be lost. However, since 1994, Canada, the U.S., and Mexico have also signed agreements covering environmental protection, safety standards, and workers' rights.

Describe the events that occurred on September 11, 2001.

On 9/11/2001, the terrorist organization al Qaeda, led by Osama bin Laden, hijacked four planes and crashed them into key American targets. Two planes crashed into the World Trade Center Towers in NYC. One plane crashed into the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. The fourth plane most likely was headed to Washington, D.C. but crashed into a field just outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In all, nearly 3,000 people died as a result of these acts of terror against the U.S.

Oprah Winfrey

Oprah Winfrey was born into poverty in Mississippi in 1954. She overcame her life hardships to become a world-famous actor, talk-show host, and producer. She is now a billionaire, philanthropist, social leader, and role model for people everywhere who long to improve their lives and the lives of others.

Privatization

Privatization is the concept of allowing younger American workers to invest some of their earnings in individual retirement accounts rather than into the Social Security fund. This concept was supported by President Bush because the aging population starting in the early 2000s was placing a strain on the country's social welfare system, especially Social Security and Medicare. Critics stated whis would put younger workers at the mercy of fluctuating stock market returns without addressing the shortage of funds.

Recycling

Recycling is the concept to conserve resources and decrease the amount of waste going into landfills. Glass, plastic, paper, rubber, and metal are all just a few examples of materials that can be recycled and then reused.

Why was a Supreme Court decision necessary to determine the winner of the 2000 election?

The 2000 presidential election candidates were George W. Bush (Republican Party), Al Gore (Democrat Party), and Ralph Nader (Green Party). On election night, the Electoral College vote margin was extremely close. Both Bush and Gore fell just short of receiving the 270 electoral votes needed to win the election. The result of the election came down to whichever candidate won the 25 electoral votes from the state of Florida. The popular vote in Florida was so close that a state law mandated an automatic statewide recount. Following the recount, Bush had a 527 popular vote lead and, thus, was awarded all of the 25 electoral votes from Florida. This allowed Bush to claim victory in the 2000 presidential election. However, Gore and the Democratic Party demanded a hand recount in several key Florida counties. During the recount, it was discovered that thousands of ballots were incorrectly filled out and many of them had to be discarded. For more than a month, confusion reigned in Florida as the recount occurred. Finally, the US. Supreme Court ruled on the issue of the recount. In the case Bush v. Gore, the court ended the recount in a 5-to-4 decision. Thus, on 12/12/2000, Bush officially won the election.

What caused the financial crisis of 2008?

The 2008 financial crisis stemmed in part from "subprime" home mortgage loans that banks had made to less-qualified, low-income borrowers. The banks allowed these loans because the higher interest rates on these loans made them more profitable for banks. The loans were then sold as mortgage-backed securities to investors. As a result, since the borrowers were unstable in their payments, these loans and investments were very risky. To complicate matters, the U.S. economy slid further into a recession in 2007. Thus, unemployed Americans could no longer pay their mortgages. Foreclosures (seizures of property from borrowers who are unable to repay their loans) increased. As the housing prices fell and mortgage-related investments lost their value several large banking and investment firms collapsed or were sold. Finally, in addition to all of this, in 2008 the stock market plunged. The U.S. faced its worst economic crisis since the Great Depression of the 1920s and 1930s. To help with the problem, Congress approved The Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) which used federal funds to make multibillion-dollar loans to at-risk banks.

Taliban

The Taliban was the radical Islamist government in Afghanistan that allowed Osama bin Laden and al Qaeda to operate terrorist training camps in their country. Consequently, the Taliban was an enemy of the U.S

What were the goals of the Tea Party movement?

The Tea Party Movement developed during President Obama's first year in office. This group was made up of many local organizations that were united by a common desire to reduce the size and scope of the federal government. Many Tea Party members wanted plans to phase-out of programs like Social Security and Medicare. Also, this group wanted to repeal Obama's healthcare bill, cut taxes, and establish an arms-control treaty with Russia.

Why did the U.S. and Great Britain invade Iraq in 2003?

The U.S, and Great Britain invaded Iraq in 2003 as a part of President Bush's wider "war on terrorism". Many experts believed that Iraqi president Saddam Hussein was building nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons of mass destruction (WMD). Congress authorized President Bush to use military force against Iraq to uncover and remove these weapons. On March 19, 2003, American and British forces invaded Iraq in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

How did the U.S. respond to the terrorist attacks on September 11?

The US, responded to the 9/11/01 attacks in four main ways: a. Americans were outraged and a strong wave of patriotism occurred. b. On October 7, 2001, the U.S. military invaded Afghanistan in order to destroy the Taliban which was supporting al Qaeda. c. The U.S. passed the USA Patriot Act in 2001 which was to prevent future terrorist attacks on America. d. The Department of Homeland Security was created in 2002.

Bilingual education

The educational philosophy that immigrant students should be taught in their native languages as well as in English.

Why was the election of Barack Obama to the presidency historic?

The election of Barack Obama to the presidency was historic because he was the first African American to hold the office.

Immigration Act of 1990

The goal of the immigration Act of 1990 was to increase immigration into the US. and reduce immigration restrictions. As a result, from 1990 to 2000 the US. experienced the Largest numbers of immigrants in the country's history. Most of the new immigrants were Latinos and the second-largest group consisted of Asians.

How have changes in technology in the 21st century affected American life?

The invention of the internet, computers, cellular phones, and satellite communication have significantly changed American life in the 21st century. These inventions combined with a free enterprise system have changed humans lives in countless ways. This technology has created new industries, medicines, and energy resources. The way Americans entertain themselves, communicate, work, and educate themselves have all been impacted by technological advancements.

Patriot Act

This bill was passed by Congress soon after the terrorist attacks on 9/11/01. This act gave law enforcement broader powers to monitor suspected terrorists. Critics claimed this act violated civil liberties, but other Americans were willing to sacrifice freedoms in return for more security. This law allows the U.S, government to perform secret searches against suspected terrorists and criminals.

Tea Party movement

This movement emerged in 2009 as opposition to President Obama's political agenda mounted. Obama successfully passed healthcare reform, reduced military involvement overseas, and signed into law sweeping financial reforms bills. In response, the Tea Party movement emerged to challenge Obama's policies. This movement wanted to reduce the size and scope of the federal government. This movement took its name from the Boston Tea Party, a colonial protest against British taxes. In 2010, with the help of the Tea Party movement, the Republican party won back control of the House and announced intentions to repeal Obamacare and lower taxes.