The Reagan, George H. The Reagan, George H. Bush, and Clinton YearsBush, and Clinton Years

1981-20011981-2001

Return to Conservative Return to Conservative life: Ronald Reaganlife: Ronald Reagan

Wanted a return to basic Wanted a return to basic American values:American values:– Emphasis on family lifeEmphasis on family life– PatriotismPatriotism– Respect for law & orderRespect for law & order– Reduction in the intrusion of the Reduction in the intrusion of the

federal government into the lives federal government into the lives of Americansof Americans

Believed the government Believed the government collected too much taxes & collected too much taxes & spent too much on government spent too much on government programs like school lunches programs like school lunches & welfare& welfare

ReaganomicsReaganomics

Reduce taxes on businesses as a way Reduce taxes on businesses as a way to jumpstart the American economyto jumpstart the American economy

Rough start, but businesses began to Rough start, but businesses began to flourish flourish

Inflation was tamedInflation was tamed More money spent on military to More money spent on military to

counter the Sovietscounter the Soviets– Negative: federal debt climbed to $3 Negative: federal debt climbed to $3

trilliontrillion

Iran-Contra AffairIran-Contra Affair

2 men assigned to the National 2 men assigned to the National Security Council arranged for the sale Security Council arranged for the sale of weapons to the Iranian government of weapons to the Iranian government as a means to secure the release of 7 as a means to secure the release of 7 American hostages held by Iranian American hostages held by Iranian terrorists in Lebanon.terrorists in Lebanon.

It was discovered later that funds It was discovered later that funds secured for the sale were diverted to secured for the sale were diverted to “contras” (rebels) fighting against the “contras” (rebels) fighting against the Marxist government of Nicaragua.Marxist government of Nicaragua.– Proved to be an embarrassment for the Proved to be an embarrassment for the

Reagan administrationReagan administration

Reagan/Gorbachev Reagan/Gorbachev

Mikhail Gorbachev became the Mikhail Gorbachev became the leader of the Soviet Union in leader of the Soviet Union in 19851985

Advocated a more open Advocated a more open government: government: glasnost glasnost & & perestroika: perestroika: the restructuring the restructuring of Soviet societyof Soviet society

Reagan & Gorbachev formed a Reagan & Gorbachev formed a friendship – resulted in the friendship – resulted in the 1987 Intermediate-Range 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, which reduced the number of which reduced the number of nuclear missiles held by both nuclear missiles held by both countries.countries.

Cold War endsCold War ends

After a lot of work on the After a lot of work on the Soviet society & government, Soviet society & government, the Soviet Union collapsed the Soviet Union collapsed under Gorbachev’s leadershipunder Gorbachev’s leadership

The Berlin Wall came down in The Berlin Wall came down in Germany in November of 1989Germany in November of 1989

15 republics that had 15 republics that had collectively been a part of the collectively been a part of the USSR declared their USSR declared their independence & established independence & established new governments.new governments.

Soviet flag taken down on Soviet flag taken down on Dec. 25, 1991.Dec. 25, 1991.

Bill Clinton’s Bill Clinton’s PresidencyPresidency

(1993-2001)(1993-2001) NAFTA: North American Free NAFTA: North American Free

Trade Agreement – between the Trade Agreement – between the U.S., Canada, & Mexico.U.S., Canada, & Mexico.– Eliminated trade barriers among Eliminated trade barriers among

the 3 countriesthe 3 countries– Some thought it would cause a loss Some thought it would cause a loss

of American jobs, but others of American jobs, but others believed it would expand consumer believed it would expand consumer markets while lowering pricesmarkets while lowering prices

ImpeachmentImpeachment

Had an inappropriate relationship Had an inappropriate relationship with a White House intern: Monica with a White House intern: Monica LewinskyLewinsky

Problems arose as to whether or Problems arose as to whether or not he had committed perjury when not he had committed perjury when testifying under oath about his testifying under oath about his relationship with Lewinskyrelationship with Lewinsky

Articles of impeachment were Articles of impeachment were voted in Congress (where there voted in Congress (where there was a Republican majority) – & it was a Republican majority) – & it was approved.was approved.

In February 1999, the Senate In February 1999, the Senate acquitted Clinton of wrongdoing in acquitted Clinton of wrongdoing in office, allowing him to remain in office, allowing him to remain in office.office.

Practice QuestionsPractice Questions

Which BEST describes the 1980s Which BEST describes the 1980s economic policy called Reaganomics?economic policy called Reaganomics?– A) reduce taxes, reduce social programs, A) reduce taxes, reduce social programs,

deregulate businessderegulate business– B) expand business opportunities, expand B) expand business opportunities, expand

social programssocial programs– C) eliminate foreign aid, raise taxes on C) eliminate foreign aid, raise taxes on

corporationscorporations– D) reduce social programs, raise taxes on D) reduce social programs, raise taxes on

businesses, expand Medicarebusinesses, expand Medicare

Practice QuestionsPractice Questions

As part of his foreign policy, in 1993, As part of his foreign policy, in 1993, President Clinton pressed Congress to President Clinton pressed Congress to pass the North American Free Trade pass the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). This agreement Agreement (NAFTA). This agreement eliminated trade barriers between eliminated trade barriers between Mexico, the U.S. and Mexico, the U.S. and – A) CubaA) Cuba– B) CanadaB) Canada– C) GreenlandC) Greenland– D) IcelandD) Iceland