Beyond the Cold War Chapter 26
Beyond the Cold War
Chapter 26
Foreign Affairs
Invasion of Panama (1989) Bush ordered an invasion to capture General
Manuel Noriega for trial for drug smuggling and money laundering.
The Gulf War Saddam Hussein, dictator of Iraq Iraq invaded its wealthy neighbor Kuwait on
August 2, 1990 because of an oil dispute. The U.S. dispatched troops to Saudi Arabia to
prevent Iraq expansion. Desert Shield
The Gulf War
The U.N. authorized the use of force to dislodge Iraq from Kuwait. By January 1991, Bush had put together a 28 nation
coalitionOperation Desert Storm
Air attack began on January 17 against Baghdad Ground attack began on February 24 and lasted
only 4 days Cease fire on February 28 148 U.S. combat deaths / 145 noncombatant. Saddam Hussein remained in power.
Recession and Downsizing
Bush seemed unbeatable Approval rating – 91%
Bush was an expert in foreign policy; however, the Cold War was over.
Bush begins the process of downsizing the military. Private businesses also began “restructuring” and
“downsizing” Economic recession Bush administration assured Americans that the
recession would be short and self-correcting. “Peace dividend”
More ControversyClarence Thomas Hearings
Bush nominates for Supreme Court African American and a Conservative Former employee Anita Hill accused Thomas of sexual harassment Thomas was confirmed in the Senate by a 52 to 48 margin.
North American Free Trade Agreement Bush negotiated NAFTA with Canada and Mexico Tariff reductions would open up foreign markets to American
industries. Organized labor favored barriers against cheaper foreign products
that might cost U.S. jobs. Passed in 1993.
The Election of 1992
George Bush (Rep)Bill Clinton (Dem)
Moderate Governor of Arkansas Stressed economic issues to win over working-class
whites and blacks. Made extensive use of polls to shape his stance on
issues.Flip-flopped on controversial issues.“Slick Willie” Personal Character
Chronic adulterer Dodged the draft in Vietnam
Ross Perot (Independent) Candidate of the Reform Party Wealthy Texan
“It’s the Economy…”
The Clinton Presidency
Health care reform plan Government subsidized health care Hillary Clinton Failed to muster the necessary support of Congress and
the public.Comprehensive economic program
Tax hikes for corporations and for individuals in higher tax brackets.
Increased “investment” in public works and in education, skills, health, and welfare.
Very controversial; narrowly passed.“Don’t ask; don’t tell” policy for the
military
The Clinton Presidency on Trial
The Conservative Revolution Reborn Midterm elections of 1994 Newt Gingrich (R-Speaker of the House in 1995) The “Contract with America” Welfare reform Government shutdown
Scandals Whitewater fraud (S & L scandal) Paula Jones – Sexual harassment Monica Lewinsky affair (White House intern) Impeachment for perjury(1998) Acquittal (1999)
The Clinton Presidency:The New World Disorder
Middle East Peace Middle East peace
negotiations 1993 agreement between
Israeli prime minister Yitzhak Rabin and PLO leader Yasir Arafat to restore Palestinian self-rule in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
Rabin assassinated in 1995.
The Clinton Presidency:The New World Disorder
Americans in Haiti (1995) Coup against Democratically-elected Jean-Bertrand Aristide. Jimmy Carter sent to Port-au-Prince to negotiate U.S. troops landed without opposition
Yugoslavian Turmoil (The Balkans) Ethnic and religious conflicts in Bosnia and Croatia
Orthodox Serbs, Catholic Croats, and Bosnian or Albanian Muslims NATO launched air strikes in 1995. Peacekeeping mission.
Intervention in Kosovo Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic asserted Serbian control
through martial law. NATO launched air strikes in 1999
1986 Immigration and Control Act
Significant Events
1992 Rodney King verdict; Clinton elected
1993 NAFTA passed
1994 Republicans win control of Congress
1995 Oklahoma City bombing
1996 California passes Proposition 209
1998 Lewinsky scandal
1999 Senate acquits Clinton of impeachment charges