Name: _________________________________________ Period: ____

Unit 11: Modern Era NotesModern Era 1969-Present1. The Nixon Presidency: The ‘Imperial’ Presidency

a. The Constitution: i. Creates a balance between 3 separate branches of government.

b. Since FDR’s New Deal, Presidential powers have increased dramatically.i. The New Deal, World War II, and the following Cold War added powers.

c. This increase in Presidential power is called an Imperial Presidency. i. This expansion of power reached its peak under Richard Nixon.

2. Nixon’s Domestic Policya. Nixon:

i. Republicanii. Moved the USA in a more conservative direction.

iii. Felt federal social programs were inefficient 1. States and local governments could handle issues better.

iv. Eliminated many of LBJ’s Great Society programs1. Gave those federal funds to state and local governments to decide how to

spend the money3. Equal Rights Amendment (ERA)

a. In 1923:i. National Woman’s Party, proposed the Equal Rights Amendment.

b. In 1972:i. The amendment was finally approved by Congress and sent to the states for

ratification: 1. it failed .

c. Phyllis Schlafly :i. Opposed the ERA, thinking it would reduce the rights of wives and harm

family life.ii. Schlafly claimed it would deprive women of the ‘right’ to be ‘supported and

protected’ by men.Pop-Up Questions1. Why is Nixon’s Presidency called “The Imperial Presidency?”

2. In what way was Nixon different than LBJ?

3. What was the ERA and who was opposed to the Act?

4. Nixon’s Supreme Courta. The Supreme Court continued to protect 1st Amendment rights.

i. Tinker v. Des Moines (1969)

1. John and Mary Tinker were suspended from school for wearing black armbands to protest the Vietnam War,

2. The Supreme Court ruled this violated their 1st Amendment right.ii. Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972)

1. struck down law requiring Amish kids to attend High School2. Violated 1st Amendment right of religious freedom.

5. Nixon and the Environmenta. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

i. Signed into law by Pres. Nixon to protect the environment.ii. EPA sets air and water pollution standards.

b. Endangered Species Act (1973)i. Law requiring the Fish & Wildlife Service to list species of plants and animals

that are threatened with extinction.ii. Requires the government to protect these species.

Pop-Up Questions1. What two cases protected 1st Amendment rights?

2. How was religious freedom protected by the Supreme Court?

3. How was the environment protected by Nixon’s Administration?

6. Nixon Opens Chinaa. In 1972, Nixon became the first American president to visit China.

i. Since China’s Communist Revolution, the USA had refused to establish diplomatic relations with China.

b. Nixon was a strong anti-communisti. Wanted to create a more flexible situation in Asia to put more pressure on

North Vietnam to end the war.c. Reopening China was one of Nixon’s greatest foreign policy achievements as it

reduced tensions between the United States and China7. Nixon’s Détente with USSR

a. Nixon wanted a policy of détentei. A relaxing of tensions with the USSR.

ii. Wanted to halt the build-up of nuclear weapons.b. In 1972, Nixon became the first President to visit Moscow.

8. Nixon’s SALTa. Nixon and Soviet leaders signed (SALT)

i. Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty1. Limits development of defensive missile systems.

b. USA sold American grain to Russia

i. Worked with the USSR to ease tension in the Middle East.Pop-Up Questions1. Why did Nixon choose to open-up China?

2. What is the policy of Détente and what was the purpose?

3. What is SALT and what was its purpose?

9. Nixon’s Vice Presidentsa. Nixon’s campaign slogan:

i. A return to ‘law and order’1. The American people soon learned Nixon’s own government was

corrupt.ii. Vice-President Spiro Agnew resigned

1. It was found he took bribes while governor of Maryland.b. 25 th Amendment :

i. When there is a vacancy for Vice President, the President shall nominate a Vice President and confirmed by a majority vote of both Houses of Congress

ii. Nixon appointed Gerald Ford as his new VP.1. Ford would later become the only man to be President that was not

elected by the people of the USA.10.The Watergate Crisis

a. 1972:i. Two former CIA agents

1. Worked for Nixon’s re-election committee2. Caught breaking into the headquarters of the Democratic Party in the

Watergate complex in Washington, D.C.ii. Two investigative reporters exposed the link between Nixon and the

Watergate burglars.1. Pres. Nixon attempted to cover up the investigation on the grounds that it

involved national security.iii. A Special Prosecutor was appointed.

1. Was later fired by Nixon2. The President abolished the office of the special prosecutor.

iv. Under oath, a Nixon aide stated Nixon was a part of the Watergate cover-up.v. Nixon had recorded all of his White House conversations:

1. The Senate wanted to listen them, but Nixon refused claiming executive privilege.

2. Nixon claimed if he turned over the tapes it would lead to Judicial control over the Executive branch

a. Violated the separation of powers of the Constitutionvi. United States v. Nixon (1974)

1. The Supreme Court ordered Nixon to turn over the tapesa. No one is above the law.

vii. The ‘Nixon Tapes’ were released1. Revealed Nixon had lied about his involvement in a cover-up and had

even deleted portions of tapes.b. The House of Representatives moved to impeach Nixon.

i. Impeach means to remove from officeii. Fearing removal from office, Nixon became the 1 st President to resign.

c. The Impact of Watergatei. First time a President resigned!

ii. Lowered public confidence in the government, again. iii. Showed Presidential power gave opportunity for abuses.iv. Proved our government is based on laws and the system of check & balances

works.v. Strengthened role of the press in informing public.

vi. Congress passed new laws to limit Presidential powers.Pop-Up Questions1. What is the 25th Amendment and how was it used during Nixon’s Presidency?

2. What happened at the Watergate and how was Nixon involved?

3. What is the significance of the Nixon Tapes and what was the effect?4. How did Watergate change the office of the Presidency?

11.The Ford Presidency 1974-1977a. President Gerald Ford

i. When Nixon resigned, Gerald Ford became the next President.1. Ford had not even been elected as Vice-President2. He had been appointed by Nixon after VP Agnew had been forced to

resign.b. One of Ford’s first acts as President was to pardon Nixon for any crimes.

i. The pardon was not popular!ii. Pres. Ford felt Nixon had suffered enough and he particularly wanted the

nation to heal.12.Ford and the Economy

a. Ford’s main worry was economics.b. Inflation :

i. rising prices

1. usually associated with economic growth and full employment.c. Stagflation :

i. High inflation combined with high unemployment and no consumer demand and little to no growth

1. During the Ford Presidency stagflation drove our economy.Pop-Up Questions1. In what way is Pres. Ford different than any other president?

2. What is stagflation and how does it affect our economy?

13.Ford and the Energy Crisisa. Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries OPEC.

i. 1960s:1. OPEC was formed by several oil producing nations located mostly in the

Middle East.ii. 1973:

1. OPEC used oil as a political weapon by placing an oil embargo on the USA & Western Europe for supporting Israel in a Middle East war.

iii. Overnight the price of gas shot up!b. After the Middle East war ended:

i. OPEC continued with high oil prices, making them rich and costing Western nations increased prices for fuel and electricity.

Pop-Up Questions1. What is the Energy Crisis?

2. Who is OPEC and what part did they play in the Energy Crisis?

3. What was the effect of the Energy Crisis?

14.The Carter Presidency 1977-1981a. President Jimmy Carter

i. Many Americans continued to blame Nixon and the Republican Party for the Watergate scandal.

ii. Jimmy Carter , a Democrat from Georgia, ran against and defeated Pres. Ford in 1976.

iii. Carter promised to ‘clean up’ Washington and end corruption.iv. Like Pres. Ford, Carter’s main problem was the U.S. economy.

1. Inflation was 10%, interests rates at 21% and price of oil continued rising.

15.Carter’s Domestic Policy

a. The Energy Crisis i. Dependence on foreign oil and rising gas prices forced Carter to create

Department of Energy.b. Three Mile Island nuclear accident

i. Carter created the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) 1. Set standards for the peaceful use of nuclear energy.

c. Diversityi. Carter appointed women and minorities to government positions.

d. Community Reinvestment Acti. Required banks to make loans available in low income, minority communities.

Pop-Up Questions1. How did Carter work to help diversity?

2. Why was the NRC created and what was its function?

3. What is the Community Reinvestment Act?

16.Carter’s Foreign Policya. Carter wanted the U.S.A. to set a moral example for the world and he made human

rights a high priorityi. Condemned apartheid (segregation) in South Africa

ii. Pressured the USSR into allowing its Jews to emigrate (leave)iii. Stopped sending financial aid to dictators who violated human rights.iv. Signed a deal with Panama returning control of the Panama Canal to Panama

in the year 2000.b. Israel was created as a homeland for Jewish people by the U.N. in 1948.

i. The U.S.A. strongly supports Israel1. Pro-Western Democracy surrounded by Islamic nations that intend it

harm.ii. Egypt and Israel have fought several wars since Israel was created.

1. Pres. Carter arranged for a meeting between Egypt’s Anwar Sadat and Israel’s Menachem Begin.

2. Face to face negotiations produced the Camp David Accords ending 30 years of war between the two nations.

c. Carter continued with Nixon’s policy of détente with the USSRi. Until 1979 when the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan.

1. Carter stopped selling grain to the Soviets2. The U.S. boycotted the 1980 Olympic Games held in Moscow.3. Carter also postponed signing a new arms control agreement, known as

SALT II.

Pop-Up Questions1. What word/phrase can characterize Carter’s Foreign policy?

2. How did Carter change American policy in Panama?

3. What were the Camp David Accords, who were involved and what is its significance?

4. During Carter’s Presidency, how were relations with the Soviet Union?

17.Carter and Irana. The Shah of Iran was an ally of the USA, however he was also a brutal dictator.b. In 1978

i. The Shah was overthrown by the Ayatollah Khomeini a radical religious leader who was hostile to the USA.

c. In 1979i. The Shah entered the USA for medical treatment, sparking riots in Iran.

1. Two weeks latera. Iranian students seized 42 staff members of American Embassy in

Tehran, Iran.ii. The hostages would be held for over a year (444 days).

1. Pres. Carter staged a rescue attempt, but it failed.iii. The U.S.A. imposed economic sanctions on Iran and other countries around

the world supported the United States.1. America’s image suffered because of our inability to free the hostages.

iv. They remained captive until Ronald Reagan was inaugurated as President in 1980.

Pop-Up Questions1. What happened in 1978 that changed America’s relationship with Iran?

2. How did Americans become hostages in Iran and in what way did this effect U.S./Middle East relationships?

3. How did the Hostage Crisis effect the perception of America in the world?

18.The Reagan Presidency 1981-1989a. President Ronald Reagan

i. The 1980s saw a resurgence in conservatism.1. Since the New Deal (FDR) the size and powers of the federal government

had been steadily increasing.

ii. Pres. Reagan decided it was time to cut down the size of federal government by:

1. Reducing taxes and federal regulations on businesses.2. Increasing private competition.3. Increasing the strength of the military.

iii. Reagan wanted to expand the size of the government in one direction while reducing it in another.

iv. Reagan was a popular Hollywood actor before entering politics.v. Reagan was originally a Democrat, until he realized the federal government

was too powerful and intrusive.vi. Reagan was elected Governor of California and twice ran and lost the

Presidential race in 1968 & 1976.vii. In 1980

1. Rising inflation and the Iran hostage situation gave Reagan the winning edge over Pres. Carter for President.

viii. Reagan selected George H. W. Bush as his Vice-President.Pop-Up Questions1. In what ways were the 1980s a ‘rise of conservatism’?

2. Why did Reagan win the 1980 election against Carter?

19.Reagan’s Domestic Policya. As Reagan took office the main problem facing the nation was still stagflation.

i. Reagan’s answer to the problem was called supply-side economics aka Reaganomics.

1. Reagan wanted to lower taxes and decrease business regulations so that producers could create a larger supply of goods.

2. He reasoned this larger supply of goods would drive down prices and stop inflation.

a. It would also lead to higher employment as business needed increased workers.

3. But, the U.S. debt rose due to a decrease in tax revenues and an increase in military spending.

4. Unemployment rates also rose as Americans bought more things from overseas than were sold overseas.

b. Mazzoli-Simpson Act changed U.S.A.’s immigration policy to deal with illegal immigration by legalizing illegal aliens who had lived in U.S. since 1981.

c. Reagan nominated Sandra Day O’ Connor to be the 1 st woman justice on the Supreme Court.

Pop-Up Questions1. What is Reaganomics and how was it supposed to help the economy?

2. What Act changed immigration during the 1980s and how was it changed?

3. In what way was the Supreme Court impacted by the Reagan Presidency?

20.Peace Through Strengtha. Peace through Strength:

i. Meant the best way to prevent war was to make our enemies think the USA had the means and the will to stop Communist aggression.

ii. Reagan set out to rebuild American confidence after Vietnam and have the USA continue to act as the world’s defender of freedom & democracy.

1. Reagan sent the Marines to Grenada after a Communist takeover.b. Strategic Defense Initiative (STI) or Star Wars:

i. Was to be a space based system to shoot down missiles, deterring the Soviets.Pop-Up Questions1. What is the policy of ‘Peace through Strength’?

2. What is STI and in what was its intended use?

3. How was STI ineffective?

21.War on Terrorisma. Terrorism :

i. The use of bombings, assassinations, kidnapping, and acts of terror1. Effort to make a groups voice is heard and that governments will yield to

their demands.ii. 1983

1. Reagan sends Marines to Lebanon as part of a multinational peace keeping force

2. A suicide bomber attacked the American Embassy in Beirut, killing 241 Marines.

iii. 19861. Reagan bombed Muammar Gaddafi’s Libya in response to Libya’s

involvement in terrorism.22.The Iran-Contra Affair

a. Reagan had stated he would refuse to negotiate with terroristsi. The Iran-Contra Affair was a secret operation run by Reagan White House

officials.

1. His administration sold weapons to Iran secure Iranian help with the release of American hostages in Lebanon.

2. Profits from weapons sales were then given to anti-Communists Nicaraguan Contras who were fighting Communism in Nicaragua.

ii. When the scandal was revealed the image of the USA was tarnished.1. Americans again wondered if they could trust their government.

Pop-Up Questions1. What actions did Reagan take to combat terrorism?

2. What was the Iran-Contra affair and how did this policy go against Reagan’s policies against terrorism?

3. What effect did the Iran-Contra Affair have on Reagan and America?

23.Evil Empirea. Reagan often referred to the USSR as the ‘Evil Empire’.b. Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev introduced free-enterprise reforms to the failing

Russian economy.c. Some say that Pres. Reagan deserves credit for the fall of Communism

i. Because of his strong stand on defense and support of democracy.1. Others believe Reagan benefitted from a weak Russian economy and

Gorbachev’s reform efforts.d. Reagan and Gorbachev formed a political friendship during Reagan’s second term

as Presidenti. June 1987 Reagan traveled to West Berlin and demanded Gorbachev tear

down the Berlin Wall1. The Physical Symbol of Communism in Eastern Europe

ii. In 1990 the USSR fell Pop-Up Questions1. What was unique about Reagan’s and Gorbachev’s relationship and how did it effect U.S./Soviet Union relations?

2. Why did Reagan call the Soviet Union an ‘Evil Empire’?

3. How was the fall of the Berlin Wall a signal that the Soviet Union was falling?

24.George H.W. Bush Presidency 1989-1993a. George H.W. Bush

i. Yale Graduate ii. WW2 Veteran

iii. VP under Reaganiv. Director of CIAv. US Ambassador to the United Nations

25.War on Drugsa. Started under Nixon, continued by Bushb. 1960s

i. Drugs became symbols of youthful rebellion, social upheaval, and political dissent.

c. June 1971i. President Nixon declared a “war on drugs.” He dramatically increased the

size and presence of federal drug control agencies, and pushed through measures such as mandatory sentencing and no-knock warrants. 

ii. George W. Bush arrived in the White House as the drug war was running out of steam

1. He allocated more money than ever to it. d. The era of George W. Bush:

i. Witnessed the rapid escalation of the militarization of domestic drug law enforcement.

ii. By the end of Bush's term, there were about 40,000 paramilitary-style SWAT raids on Americans every year

1. Mostly for nonviolent drug law offenses, often misdemeanorsPop-Up Questions1. How did Bush carry on the War on Drugs?

2. How did Bush expand previous policies on drugs?

26.Tiananmen Squarea. Chinese students protesting against Communism

i. Demonstrators crushed by tanks, hundreds killedii. Bush condemned the actions but continued to keep economic and diplomatic

relations with China27.South African Apartheid

a. Apartheid i. Political systems of strict segregation

ii. Bush met with Nelson Mandela once he was released from prison and worked to bring democracy to South Africa.

1. Mandela was elected president in 1994 after the apartheid was dismantled

28.Persian Gulf Wara. 1990

i. Iraq (Saddam Hussein) invades Kuwait1. Kuwait controlled 20% of the oil produced in the world2. US was fearful of what Saddam could do with that much oil and power3. Bush demanded a UN resolution and that the Iraqi troops withdraw

b. Operation Desert Stormi. 700,000 troops assembled, 500,000 were American. The others representing

France, Britain, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia. 1. Operation Desert Storm 2. American led attack on Iraqi forces3. 5 weeks of Iraqi bombing

ii. Feb 24 1. Coalition troops stormed Kuwait and overwhelmed the Iraqi troops.

a. Surrendered or fled, setting fire to Kuwait oil rigs along the way 2. Shortly after, Iraq agreed to a UN-brokered ceasefire

iii. End of the War1. Forces did not chase Saddam into Baghdad so his regime survived. 2. After the Persian Gulf War, American troops stayed in the area to help

refugees and establish a no-fly zone in parts of Iraq. 3. Bush’s approval ratings sky rocketed. 4. Saddam and the Iraqi resented the presence of American troops, as did

some in Saudi Arabiaa. This resentment attracted recruits to the terrorist organization, al

QaedaPop-Up Questions1. What events started the Persian Gulf War?

2. What is Operation Desert Storm and how was it effective in ending the conflict?

3. In what ways did the Persian Gulf War lead to greater tensions and problems in the Middle East?

29.The Clinton Presidency 1993-2001a. Pres. Bill Clinton

i. Bill Clinton came from a poor Arkansas background, but he attended Yale Law School and met his future wife Hillary.

ii. In 1992 Bill Clinton was Governor of Arkansas when he ran for President against George Bush and Ross Perot.

1. Americans believed Pres. Bush had not done enough and Independent party candidate Perot split the vote allowing Clinton to win the presidency.

a. Ross Perot ’s 3 rd Party candidacy was one of the most successful in history

30.Clinton’s Foreign Policy: Balkan Crisisa. Yugoslavia , Bosnia, & Kosovo

i. Following the end of the Cold War, there was an increase in tensions between several nations on the Balkan Peninsula.

ii. Christian Serbs attempted to massacre Muslims living in Bosnia and Kosovo in a policy called ‘ethnic cleansing’

1. Ethnic cleansing is the expulsion of a group of people from a geographic area using murder, rape, torture and forced displacement

iii. Fearing genocide (like the Holocaust might be repeated)1. Pres. Clinton sent U.S. troops and used NATO airstrikes to stop Serbians

from attacking Kosovo.31.Clinton’s Foreign Policy: Trade

a. Pres. Clinton pushed through NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement).i. Opened easier trade between the USA, Mexico, and Canada

ii. Lower tariffs and less regulations with the hope of increasing trade and stimulate the economies of the three nations involved.

iii. Opposition to NAFTA:1. Causes a loss of U.S. jobs, because other nations have lower wages,

fewer government regulations, and fewer environmental concerns. iv. U.S. also joined GATT (General Agreement of Trade and Tariffs) to increase

world tradePop-Up Questions1. What was the Balkan Crisis and how is this an example of Ethnic Cleansing?

2. How was the U.S and NATO involved in the Balkan’s?

3. What are the names of Clinton’s trade agreements and in what ways did it effect trade?

4. What are the arguments against NAFTA?

32.Rwandan Genocidea. April –July 1994

i. Hutu are the ethnic majority in the African country of Rwanda. 1. Hutu nationalists incited Hutus to attack the minority group Tutsi2. In total 800,000 Tutsi were killed

ii. The Tutsi Rwandese Patriotic Front (RPF) gained control of the country and forced nearly 2 million Hutus out of Rwanda

iii. Clinton pleaded with Government to stop and the UN to take control1. Decided to not get involved with:2. Conflict U.S. did not understand3. Clans/Tribes U.S. knew nothing about4. Conflict that did not involve U.S. interests

33.al Qaeda & Osama Bin Ladena. Middle Eastern grievances against U.S.:

i. Supported Iranian Shah 1950s-70s1. Support of Israel (Six-Day War 1967 and Yom Kippur War 1973) &

backing of Israel in the 1980sii. Middle Eastern Governments with Political and Economic Ties to U.S. were

unpopular1. Left opening for Radical Islamic Fundamentalists to start a movement

iii. Opposed Western Imperialism and Consumer/Material Cultureiv. Did not want U.S. involved in Saudi Arabiav. Troops on Air Force base there after Operation Desert Storm

1. Did not like U.S. actions in Iraq a. U.S. Air Force flew regular bombing/ strategic missions over Iraq

b. Clinton enforced UN embargo on Iraqi. Meant to contain Saddam Hussein’s military

1. Led to lack of needed goods for the Civilian Populationc. Middle Eastern Terrorists began attacking

i. 1993 :1. Set off bomb in parking garage of World Trade Center (NY)

a. Killed 6/Wounded over 1,000ii. 1998 :

1. Truck Bombs blew up U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania (Africa)iii. 2000 :

1. Bombed USS Cole ported in Yemen (Middle East)a. Killed 17/Wounded 37

iv. Through Intelligence gathering:1. Knew attacks were from al Qaeda

a. Network of Radical Islamic terroristsb. Organized by bin Laden

i. Wealthy exiled Saudi Arabianv. 1998:

1. bin Laden issues a call for a holy war “Jihad against Jews and Crusade”a. bin Laden: “Duty of every Muslim to kill Americans and their

allies”2. Clinton orders air strikes on al Qaeda bases in Afghanistan

a. Estimated 15,000 insurgents had trained since 1990b. Strikes failed to disrupt al Qaeda network

3. CIA briefed Clinton and incoming President Bush on threats to U.S. mainland

Pop-Up Questions1. What actions led to a rise in Anti-American sentiment in the Middle East and what did this lead to?

2. What early attacks on the United States by terrorists caused an increase in tensions?

3. What actions did Clinton take against al Qaeda and in what way can these actions effect the future relationship between U.S and the Middle East?

34.Clinton’s Domestic Policya. Pres. Clinton cut federal spending, raised taxes on the rich, and lowered taxes on

the poorest Americans.b. Clinton proposed health care reforms but failed to get them passed into law.c. The end of the Cold War saw our national debt drop as military spending

decreased.d. The U.S. economy prospered as:

i. Unemployment went downii. Consumer spending increased

iii. Business profits were at all-time highs, especially the computer industrye. Family Medical Leave Act

i. Signed 1993 to balance the demands of the workplace with the needs of families

1. Eligible employees to take up to 12 work weeks of unpaid leave during any 12-month period to attend to the serious health condition of the employee, parent, spouse or child

2. Provides employees job-protected and unpaid leave for qualified medical and family reasons.

ii. Qualified medical and family reasons include: 1. Personal or family illness, family military leave, pregnancy, adoption, or

the foster care placement of a childf. Brady Bill

i. Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act 1. Mandates federal   background checks  on firearm purchasers in the United

States2. Imposed a five-day waiting period on purchases (until the NICS

system was implemented in 1998)

3. It was signed into law by President Bill Clinton on November 30, 1993 a. More than 202 million Brady background checks have been

conductedb. Approx. 1.2 million attempted firearm purchases were blocked by

the Brady background check system, or about 0.5 percent.i. The most common reason for denials are previous felony

convictions.4. A 2000 study found the Brady Act reduced firearm suicide rate for

persons aged 55 years or older but not with reductions in homicide rates or overall suicide rates

Pop-Up Questions1. How was the economy different during Clinton’s Presidency?

2. What is the purpose of the FMLA and how is it supposed to accomplish its purpose?

3. What was the purpose of the Brady Bill and what are some of the actions taken from it?35.Newt Gingrich

a. Republican Representative from Georgiab. Part of the “New Right”c. Backed Reagan “Revolution” but felt George H.W. Bush had not done enoughd. Gingrich and the Contract with America

i. Conservative action ii. 3 Core ideas: Accountability, Responsibility and opportunity

iii. Some Initiatives:1. Tax Cuts2. Reduction in Welfare programs3. Anti-crime laws4. Cutback on Federal regulations and departments

36.Bill Clinton’s Impeachment Scandala. Impeachment

i. The removal from office1. House of Representatives vote to impeach2. Senate holds a trial requiring a two-thirds vote to convict

b. Clinton had a sexual affair with a White House intern and then lied about it.i. Pres. Clinton faced a major scandal and faced impeachment proceedings.

c. Dec 1998 Clinton was impeached on two countsi. Lying under oath

ii. Obstructing Justice d. Only the 2 nd President to be impeached

e. Senate voted on whether to remove from officei. Found ‘not guilty’

f. Vowed to finish out his termi. The Senate failed to convict

g. Once again the American public felt they could not trust their leaders.Pop-Up Questions1. What is the ‘Contract with America’, who was involved and why was it significant?

2. Why did Clinton get impeached and how is this different from previous impeachments?

3. If Clinton was impeached, why was he still in office afterwards?

37.The Bush Presidency 2001-2009a. George W. Bush

i. Son of President George H.W. Bushii. Republican

iii. Called a “Unifier, not a divider”iv. Vice President : Richard Cheney

b. 2000 Electioni. Republican Bush vs. Democrat Al Gore

ii. Popular Vote:1. Gore Won 50.9 Million 2. Bush received 50.4 Million

iii. Electoral :1. Bush Won 2712. Gore received 267

c. 2000 Election: Florida Recounti. Bush won Florida by a narrow amount

ii. Democrats asked for a recount in several countiesiii. Florida still used paper ballots

1. Machines did not accurately punch the ballotsiv. After 1 month the recount was still going

1. U.S. did not know president yetd. Bush v Gore Supreme Court case:

i. Supreme Court ordered recount to stop because it was impossible to know “voter intent” when examining the ballots

1. Violated Florida voters under 14 th Amendmente. George W. Bush became the 43 rd President

f. Recount and the Supreme Court case caused people to question the electoral system

i. Should we have the Electoral College (EC)?ii. What is the purpose of the EC?

1. The founding fathers established EC in Constitution2. Compromise between election by a vote in Congress and by a popular

vote of qualified citizens.3. The Electoral College consists of 538 electors.

a. A majority of 270 electoral votes is required to elect the President. 4. State’s allotment equals the number of members in congress:

a. One for each member in the House of Representatives plus two for your Senators.

iii. Opened up debate in future elections about the need for Electoral College or vote on just popular majority

Pop-Up Questions1. In what ways was the 2000 election unusual?

2. How did the Florida recount effect the election and what ended the recount?

3. How did the recount effect future Presidential elections?

38.No Child Left Behind (NCLB)a. Signed By Bush in 2001b. Supported standards-based education reform

i. Setting high standards and establishing measurable goals could improve individual outcomes in education.

ii. Required states to develop assessments in basic skills. 1. To receive federal school funding, states had to give these assessments to

all students at select grade levels.iii. The act did not assert a national achievement standard

1. Each state developed its own standards. iv. Expanded federal role in public education v. Emphasis on yearly testing, annual academic progress, report cards, and

teacher qualificationsvi. Made significant changes in funding

1. Requires public schools to give yearly statewide standardized tests. 2. Requires states to provide "highly qualified" teachers to all students.

a. Each state decides what counts as "highly qualified." vii. Requires states to have one high, challenging standard

1. Each state decides what its one high, challenging standard will be

a. The standards must be applied to all students viii. Goal is to help teachers and schools realize the significance and importance of

the educational system and how it affects the nation. ix. Opponents of this law say that funding punishments hurt the schools and do

not contribute to the improvement of student education.c. Hurricane Katrine 2005

i. Category 3-5 rating brought sustained winds of 100–140 mph and 175 mph at times–and stretched some 400 miles across.

ii. The storm surge was as high as 9 meters in some places1. It overwhelmed many of the city’s unstable levees and drainage canals. 2. Water seeped through the soil underneath some levees and swept others

away altogether. 3. Levee breaches led to massive flooding.

a. Eventually, nearly 80 percent of the city was under some quantity of water.

iii. The Coast Guard rescued some 34,000 people in New Orleans1. Many ordinary citizens commandeered boats, offered food and shelter,

and did whatever else they could to help their neighbors. iv. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) took days to establish

operations in New Orleans1. Officials, (including President George W. Bush): unaware of how bad

things were v. Affected some 90,000 square miles.

1. Hundreds of thousands of evacuees scattered far and wide.2. Hurricane Katrina was the largest and 3rd strongest hurricane ever

recorded to make landfall in the US.vi. The final death toll was at 1,836, primarily from Louisiana (1,577) and

Mississippi (238). 1. More than half of these victims were senior citizens. 2. 705 people were never found as a result of Hurricane Katrina.

vii. Experts estimate that Katrina caused more than $100 billion in damage.Pop-Up Questions1. What was the purpose of NCLB and how was it meant to achieve its purpose?

2. In what ways must each state be responsible for its education system according to NCLB?

3. How did Hurricane Katrina cause disaster in 2005?

4. What is the effect of the Hurricane on the U.S.?

39.Bush and 9/11a. Bush had campaigned on Domestic policy and was weak on foreign policy

i. Was planning on devoting his presidency to issues in the U.S.b. 9 Months into the Presidency:

i. Decades of foreign policy in the Middle East had increased the threat against the U.S.

1. Lack of cooperation within the Intelligence community created an opening for terrorists to enter the country

c. 9/11i. 19 Radical Islamic Fundamentalists

1. From Saudi Arabia, Egypt, United Arab Emirates, and Lebanon 2. Financed by Osama bin Laden’s al-Qaeda terrorist organization 3. Retaliation for America’s support of Israel, its involvement in the Persian

Gulf War and its continued military presence in the Middle East. 4. Exploited weaknesses in U.S. immigration system:

a. Visa-processing operations overseas, control of the border and ports of entry, and green-card issuance.

b. Some lived in the United States for more than a yearc. Had taken flying lessons at American commercial flight schools. d. Most entered the country legally on a temporary, tourist visas with

six month entry permits.  e. Four of them attended flight school in the United States

i. One entered on an appropriate visa for flight studyf. One entered on a student visa.

5. Easily smuggled box-cutters and knives through security at three East Coast airports

6. Boarded four flights bound for Californiaa. Flights chosen because planes were loaded with fuel for the long

journey.d. 9/11: Flights 11 and 175: World Trade Center

i. 8:45 a.m.:1. American Airlines Flight 11 loaded with 20,000 gallons of jet fuel

crashed into the north tower of the World Trade Centera. The impact left a gaping, burning hole near the 80th floor b. Instantly killed hundreds of people and trapped hundreds more in

higher floors. 2. Initially appeared to be a freak accident.

ii. 9:03 a.m.:1. United Airlines Flight 175 turned sharply toward the World Trade Center

and sliced into the south tower near the 60th floor.

a. The collision caused a massive explosioniii. 10:00 a.m.:

1. The south tower of the World Trade Center collapsed a. The structural steel of the skyscraper could not withstand the

tremendous heat generated by the burning jet fuel. iv. 10:30 a.m.:

1. The north Trade Center tower collapsed. v. Approx. 3,000 people died in the World Trade Center and its vicinity

1. Including 343 firefighters and paramedics, 23 New York City police officers and 37 Port Authority police officers who were struggling to complete an evacuation of the buildings and save the office workers trapped on higher floors.

2. Only 6 people in the World Trade Center towers at the time of their collapse survived.

3. Almost 10,000 others were treated for injuries, many severe.Pop-Up Questions1. What reason did al Qaeda give for the attack on 9/11?

2. How did the attackers get into the U.S?

e. 9/11: Flight 77i. Circled over downtown Washington, D.C.

1. Slammed into the west side of the Pentagon military headquarters at 9:45 a.m.

a. Jet fuel caused a devastating infernob. Led to the structural collapse of a portion of the giant concrete

building.2. 125 military personnel and civilians were killed in the Pentagon

a. All 64 people aboard the airliner died.f. 9/11: Flight 93

i. Crashed in Pennsylvania after the passengers fought back1. Believed to be headed to White House or Capital Building2. 44 casualties (including 4 hijackers)

a. A vote was taken and passengers decided to fight back against their hijackers

3. Thomas Burnett Jr., told his wife over the phone, “I know we’re all going to die. There’s three of us who are going to do something about it. I love you, honey.”

4. Todd Beamer, was heard over an open line saying, “Are you guys ready? Let’s roll.”

5. Sandy Bradshaw, a flight attendant, called her husband. Her last words to him were: “Everyone’s running to first class. I’ve got to go. Bye.”

g. Effects of 9/11 Attacksi. Targets were all of economic or military/governmental importance

1. Triggered major U.S. initiatives to combat terrorism and defining the presidency of George W. Bush.

2. Bush called for a “War on Terror”a. Al Qaeda was “safe” in Afghanistan

3. October 2001-2002:a. Ground and Air attack ousted Taliban forces and destroyed al Qaeda

campsi. Osama bin Laden retreated into Pakistan

4. Launched a war on terror:a. IRAQ: Anticipatory Self-Defense

i. Part of the “Axis of Evil” along with Iran and North Korea5. Plan to help spread democracy through Middle East

a. Secure oil supplyh. Effects of 9/11 Attacks: U.S. Patriot Act

i. USA Patriot Act : October 26, 2001. 1. Full title:

a. Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act.

2. Grants Government authority to monitor citizens and apprehend suspected terrorists

a. Deter/punish terrorist acts in the United States and around the worldb. Enhance law enforcement investigatory toolsc. Expanded authority to monitor phone and email communications,

collect bank and credit reporting records, and track on the InternetPop-Up Questions1. Why did the terrorists pick the targets they did?

2. How did America react to the attack and what actions did the government take?

3. What was the purpose of the Patriot Act?

4. How was the Patriot Act going to achieve its purpose?

40.The Obama Presidency 2009-2017a. Barack Hussein Obama

i. Born in Hawaii

ii. Educated at Columbia University and Harvard Law Schooliii. Married Michelle 1992iv. Illinois State Senator 1997-2004

1. Served as an Illinois U.S. Senator 2005-2008v. Nominated by the Democratic National Convention for President

1. Beat out Hillary Clintonb. An Important Election

i. Barack Obama vs. Republican John McCain1. Emphasized issues:

a. Ending the Iraq War, b. Increasing energy independence c. Reforming the health care system

ii. Campaign set numerous fundraising records,1. Particularly in the quantity of small donations. 2. June 19, 2008:

a. Obama became the first major-party presidential candidate to turn down public financing in the general election

iii. Obama won the presidency with 365 electoral votes and 52.9% of the popular vote.

1. McCain's received173 electoral votes and 45.7% of the popular voteiv. Obama became the first African American to be elected president

Pop-Up Questions1. In what ways was the 2008 election a historical event?

2. What were the big issues Obama campaigned on?

41.Obama’s Policiesa. American Recovery and Reinvestment Act 2009

i. Economic stimulus after the 2008-2009 Recession1. Provided $831 Billion

ii. Primary objectives:1. Save existing jobs and create new ones.2. Provide temporary relief programs for those most affected by the

recession3. Invest in infrastructure, education, health, and renewable energy.4. Offset the decrease in private spending with an increase in public (and

government) spending iii. Meant to save jobs and stop further economic deterioration

b. Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act 2010i. “Obamacare”

ii. Goal: 1. Transform Health care for better health outcomes, lower costs, and

improve accessibility.2. Increase health insurance quality and affordability, lower the uninsured

rate, expand insurance coverage and reduce the costs 3. Requires insurers to accept all applicants, cover list of conditions

and charge the same rates regardless of pre-existing conditions or sex.4. Reduction in the number and percentage of people without health

insurancea. 20-24 million additional persons covered during 2016.

iii. Faced challenges:1. Congress, labor unions, state governments, conservative advocacy

groups, federal courts and small business organizations. Pop-Up Questions1. What is the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and what was it in response to?

2. What were some of the objectives of the Act?

3. What was the goal of the Affordable Care Act?

42.Modern Era: Significant Peoplea. Sandra Day O’Connor:

i. First woman appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court. ii. A Republican: considered a moderate conservative

1. Served for 24 years.a. Retired from the court on January 31, 2006

b. Hillary Clintoni. Elected (New York) to the U.S. Senate in 2001

1. The first American first lady to ever win a public office seat. ii. 67th U.S. Secretary of State in 2009.

1. Most traveled secretaries of state in American history2. Promoted the use of social media to convey the country's positions. 3. As Secretary of State, the Department came under investigation after a

deadly attack on a U.S. diplomatic post in Benghazi, Libya.iii. First woman in U.S. history to become the presidential nominee of a major

political partyc. Billy Graham

i. Evangelist at revival meetings, and on radio and television for over 40 years.ii. Used the media as a means for spreading the gospel of Christ, allowing him to

access millions of people around the globe

d. Barry Goldwateri. Senator from Arizona

1. Served for 30 yearsii. Known for fiscal conservatism

1. Beginning of a shift to the Right in U.S.iii. Shaped the Republican Party’s positions on limited government, welfare, and

defense1. Revived belief constitutional heritage

a. Placed it at the center of popular political discussion when the conservative cause seemed lost.

e. Bill Gatesi. Founded Microsoft with friend Paul Allen

1. The world's largest software businessii. Became one of the richest men in the world.

1. $85.7 Billionf. Sam Walton

i. An American businessman best known for founding the retail chain Wal-Mart1. In 1962 Walton opened his first Wal-Mart store in Rogers, Arkansas2. Grew to be the world’s largest corporation

ii. Today the family is worth $130 Billiong. Vernon Baker

i. Only living black WWII veteran to earn the Medal of Honor1. 1941: assigned to segregated 270th Regiment: 92nd Infantry Division

a. The first black unit to go into combat in WWII. ii. Earned a Purple Heart, Bronze Star and Distinguished Service Cross.

1. One of the most highly decorated black soldiers in the Mediterranean Theater.

iii. 1997 : 52 years after World War II military service1. President Clinton presented him with the Medal of Honor

h. Sonia Sotomayori. The first Latina Supreme Court Justice in U.S. history.

1. Nominated by President Barack Obamaii. On June 26 2016:

1. She voted on the Supreme Court historic decision with a 5–4 majority ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges  that made same sex marriage legal in all 50 states

Pop-Up QuestionsTake a moment to Pick one of the Important people in the slides above and answer the questions below about that person1. Why was this person significant during the Modern Era?

2. In what ways did this person effect America?

3. Why did you choose this person?

43.Modern Technology and its effect on Americaa. Music devices

i. 1970s:1. Vinyl Record Player

a. analog soundb. flat disc with an inscribed, spiral groove.

2. 8-Track Cartridgea. Magnetic tape sound recordingb. Recording length was 80 minutes.c. Ford Motor Company introduced factory-installed and dealer-

installed eight-track tape players as an option on three of its 1966 models

i. The 1967 model year, all of Ford's vehicles offered this tape player upgrade option.

ii. 1980s1. Compact Cassette (Cassette Tape)

a. Magnetic tape  recording for audio recording and playbackb. Come in two forms

i. Already containing pre-recorded cassette, or as a recordable "blank" cassette

c. Used for portable audio and home systems i. One of the most common formats for prerecorded music

d. Boom-Box and Walk-man invented and were popular with Youth iii. 1990s

1. Compact Disc (CDs)a. Small discb. Music or other digital information is stored,

i. The information can be read using reflected laser lightc. Come pre-recorded, writeable and re-writeabled. First invented in the early 1980s, were not widely used until the late

80s-early 90se. CD Players and Portable CD players replaced devices for cassettes

iv. Impact:1. Brought music to more people

2. Able to share/enjoy and experience favorite music in cars, homes and on the go

3. Formed shared experiences within youth community4. Created a music-centered culture

b. Cellphonesi. 1970s: The first cellphones

1. 1973 Motorola a. 30 minutes of talkb. 10 hours to charge.c. Used by Government/Corporate only 

ii. 1980s: Consumer cellphones 1. 1983 Motorola DynaTAC 8000X 2. 30 minutes of talk-time3. 6 hours standby4. Store 30 phone numbers. 5. It cost $39956. Marketed to the wealthy and businessmen

iii. 1980s: Consumer cellphones 1. 1989 :

a. Nokia ’s Mobira Cityman 900 i. weighed 1.7 pounds

ii. Still marketed for Wealthy and businessmeniv. 1990s: Huge changes in phone Tech

1. 1990-1995 a. Mobile devices starting to appear in the hands of average consumers

2. 1990s: Cells phones for ALLa. 1997 Nokia 6110

i. Three games: Memory, Snake, Logicii. Calculator, clock and calendar

iii. 4 colors3. 1997 Motorola StarTAC

a. Inspired by the communicator from Star Trekb. World’s first clamshell handset

4. 1999 – BlackBerry 850a. Marketed for people on the go b. Access to emails and text messages

v. 2000s: Rise of the smart phone1. Phones with greater technology2. Able to store and send larger amounts of Data3. Meant to be used by everyone

c. Computers: Now for Personal Usei. 1977 : Apple II is introduced

1. Came with the game “Breakout”2. Connects to Color TV3. Gave 1000s to public schools

ii. 1982: Commodore 641. $5952. 64 KB of RAM 3. Hundreds of games4. Word Processing /Printing5. Sold more than 22 million

iii. 1982: IBM Personal Computer (PC)1. Uses Microsoft’s MS-DOS operating System

a. Microsoft forms partnership with IBM2. Revolutionizes business computing3. Led to creation of new software

iv. 1989 : Invention of the World Wide Web1. English Scientist Lee2. Uses HTML, URL and HTTP as its ‘language’3. 3.2 Billion users by 20154. Connection across the globe5. Businesses use tech to reach greater amount of consumers

v. 2003: PowerMac G51. Up to this point:

a. Rated as 3rd fastest Computervi. Competition of Desktop/laptop platforms

1. Increased processing speeds2. More software/features3. Size/shape/color4. Need for graphics/gaming/sound

vii. Computers become smaller1. Processing speed increases

viii. Use for computers changes:1. Originally used for business2. Used for entertainment3. 2000s: Used for Social Media, networking and consumerism

ix. Computers changes from Desktops to smartphonesPop-Up QuestionsTake a moment to Pick one of the technological innovations in the slides above and answer the questions below about it

1. How did this innovation improve/change America/world?

2. In what ways did this innovation lead to greater change?

3. How does/did this innovation effect your life?