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Textbook Pages 870-899

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1.The Conservative Revolt

Ronald Reagan a Republican led a conservative revolt against years of government expansion during his two terms (1981-1989). In his two terms as President, he began to move the nation in a new direction.

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Since the 1930’s American government has grown steadily. The past presidents felt that government should play a large role in managing the economy and providing programs. By the 1980’s, conservatives led by Ronald Reagan believed that federal social programs had become too costly. Reagan also felt that federal regulations has kept businesses from growing.

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In 1980 Ronald Reagan defeated Jimmy Carter for President. Reagan promised to “make America great again.” He was reelected in 1984 by an even wider margin. The President’s first priority was his program he called, Reaganomics. Reagan’s persuaded Congress to cut taxes. He hoped the taxpayers would use the money to buy more and save more. Reaganomics also involved cutting federal spending and to slow the size of government. Reagan slowed the spending on social programs such as welfare and aid to education. A third goal of Reaganomics was deregulation, or reduction of restrictions on businesses.

With the Cold War tensions high, Reagan still spent more money on the military. As military spending rose, the budget deficit jumped to an all time high of 240 billion dollars. Reagan funded the Strategic Defense Initiative or Star Wars program to protect the US from nuclear attacks.

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George H.W. Bush won a victory as President and promised to continue Reagan’s economic policies. During his campaign Bush said “Read my lips……No new taxes!” Bush could not keep his promise. He raised taxes. Many banks gave out risky loans that were not repaid. Without bank loans the economy slowed. Many businesses cut costs by downsizing, or reducing the work force. These conditions led to a recession, or an economic slump that is milder than a depression.

George H.W. Bush

Republican (1989-1993)

“Read my lips……No

new taxes!”

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Reagan and Bush appointed a total of five Justices to the Supreme Court. Sandra Day O’Connor was the first woman to serve on the court.

Sandra Day O’Connor

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In August 1990, Saddam Hussein sent 100,000 troops to invade oil rich Kuwait. President Bush feared the invasion was the start of a greater plan to get control of the Middle East Oil. President Bush sent troops to Saudi Arabia. He also persuaded the United Nations to impose a trade boycott on Iraq. These events led to the Persian Gulf War which was fought from August 2, 1990 to February 28, 1991. In six weeks the Iraqis were driven out of Kuwait. In spite of the end of the war Saddam Hussein continued a chemical and biological weapons program. Hussein refused to cooperat with weapons inspectors so a four day air strike was imposed on Iraq.

Saddam Hussein

Persian Gulf War

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During George H.W. Bush’s presidency the former Soviet Union collapsed as the world faced a new threat. The threat of the spread of nuclear weapons. The United States and Russia signed the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty in 1991. In the treaty the United States and Russia agreed to destroy one third of their nuclear weapons.

A nuclear weapon explosion

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On election day voters signaled their dissatisfaction by electing Bill Clinton as the new Democratic President of the United States. He served two terms in office.

President Clinton followed a middle-of-the-road course. He convinced Congress to increase some taxes and reduce spending. The federal deficit began a steady decline. By 2002 the economy grew so strongly the government reported a budget surplus, in which income exceeded spending.

Bill Clinton

1993-2001

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In 1996, Clinton easily won reelection. However, controversy began over real estate dealings and lying under oath about a relationship with a White House intern. The House voted to impeach President Clinton. In February 1999, Clinton was acquitted. All 45 Democratic senators supported the President. All but five Republicans voted to convict him but he was not removed from office (impeached).

The impeachment trial of President Bill Clinton in 1999, Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist presiding. The House managers are seated beside the quarter-circular tables on the left and the president's personal counsel on the right, much in the fashion of President Andrew Johnson's trial.

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In the presidential election of 2000, the Republicans nominated Texas governor George W. Bush, son of former President George H.W. Bush along with Richard Cheney. Vice President Al Gore ran for the Democrats. For his running mate he chose Senator Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut. Gore won the popular vote but lost the electoral vote by a narrow margin. With the Florida vote so close the votes had to be recounted. After 46 days the Supreme Court ordered the counting to be stopped. Gore conceded and Bush became the winner. George W. Bush became the new President of the United States.

George W. Bush Richard CheneyAl Gore

Joseph Lieberman

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One of the challenges George W. Bush was faced with was the September 11th terrorist attack on the World Trade Center. After the attack Bush waged an attack on terrorism. In response to the September 11th attacks launched by Osama bin Laden and his al-Qaeda network in 2001, Bush ordered a military campaign against Afghanistan that would remove the country's Taliban government. In March 2003 Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair led an invasion of Iraq that toppled the government of Saddam Hussein, whom they accused of concealing weapons of mass destruction; no such weapons were found. Today, the United States continues to fight in Iraq.

Another change which Bush made while he was in office was in 2002 Congress passed the administration's controversial No Child Left Behind Act, which required regular tests of public school students.

Saddam Hussein’s statue being removed.