America in Flux: Chapter 33
WINTER
Template
Emver Davila
Elizabeth Duran
Adriana Miele
Paty Padron
The Buck Starts Here:
Chapter Introduction
- Begins with Bill Clinton & Alan Greenspan.
Introduction discusses different political
ideologies and opinions regarding the federal
deficit of the 1990's.
- Clinton wanted middle-class tax cuts +
programs meant to create jobs.
- Greenspan argued lower bond rates and
deficit reduction.
- Despite arguments between the two, both
aimed to halt the growing national deficit.
The Changing American Population:
A People on the Move
- 1980 census reveals population in the Sunbelt (South and
West States) rose after WWII due to amount of bases/defense
plants built.
- Florida, California, and Texas populations increase at a rate
of 2 million residents each year.
- Northeast and Middle West eventually begin lose residents
to South/West states.
- Urbanization in the Sunbelt causes:
* better educated residents than those living in rural areas.
* Family income increases, as well as city sizes, factories.
* Crime rate, living cost, and daily traffic rises as well.
- Cities contain 80% of U.S population by 2000. Most
population consisted of elderly (over 65 with 13% in 1997) –
- AARP (American Association of Retired People) encouraged
elderly to vote. 2/3 of those over 65 voted regularly.
The Revival of Immigration
- In 2000 record number of number of immigrants was 2
million, but began to fall back after 2001 terrorist attacks.
- Immigrants mainly came from Latin America/Asia.
- Many argued influx of immigrants would create problems.
Immigrants often took low wage jobs, creating competition lowskilled U.S laborers and African Americans.
-1996 legislation began to drop restriction on immigrants, and
positive attitudes were beginning to be directed towards the
influx of immigrants. (Mainly due to their contribution to
economy via taxes)
The Surging Hispanics
- Hispanics became largest ethnic group in 2002, with population
rising to almost 60% in one year.
- Census Bureau reports the major Hispanic categories as: Mexican
Americans, Puerto Ricans, Cuban Americans, and other Hispanics
from Central America.
- Many were employed in low-paying positions and lagged behind
the growing American population.
- Many soon argued undocumented aliens took jobs away from
citizens, however, it was argued just as strongly Hispanics played a
part in the U.S economy through taxes.
- After 2001 border enforcements efforts were put into place. Illegal
immigrants still continued to move from Mexico and Central America
to the U.S.
Advance and Retreat for
African Americans
WINTER
- African Americans formed second largest ethnic group in 2002
with 38 million blacks in the U.S.
- Many resided in northern states, but soon moved to southern
states in the 1980’s.
- Compared to white Americans, they often earned less.
- Rodney King became symbol of black frustration when he was
beaten by four white policemen. Rioting broke out in 1965 and
many African Americans felt life had gotten worse.
- Poverty rates for blacks were nearly double that of their white
counterparts 1998.
Template
Americans from Asia and the
Middle East
- 2000 Census Bureau reveals more than 12 million Americans
were of Asian or Pacific Island descent. Chinese formed the
largest portion of Asian immigrants, followed by Filipinos,
Japanese, Indians, Koreans, and Vietnamese.
- Asian Americans were usually well educated and ¾ of Asian
youths were likely to graduate from high school and move on to
college.
- However, Asian families who hadn’t fared so well faced racism
and became victims of hate crimes.
- Americans from the Middle East had a population of 1.5 million
in 2000.
Melting Pot or Multiethnic Diversity?
“Cultural diversity probably accelerated more in
the 1980’s than any other decade” (Carl Haube).
- Immigrants from around of the world would later affect
American culture.
- U.S became known as a “melting pot”.
- Sociologist Amitai Etzioni suggested referring to the U.S
as a “mosaic”.
- Awareness of ethnic diversity was first seen in education
with multicultural course, and later in census tests.
Key Points for Pgs. 961-969
- After population of Sunbelt states rose dramatically, rapid
urbanization caused an influx of immigrants looking for better
life in the U.S. The influx of immigrants has sparked debates
to this day.
- Hispanics, African Americans, Asians, and Americans from
the Middle East began to make up a large portion of the U.S
population in the 1990’s.
- As population of immigrants rise, ethnic diversity is
recognized with the U.S described as a “melting pot” or
“mosaic” of cultural diversity.
Democratic Revival
Democratic Revival Cont.
• Democrats regained power of the white
House in 1992 despite republican sweep
in 1994.
• Bill Clinton.
The Election of 1992
• Slow and uneven recession (high
unemployment rate).
• 3,000,000 unemployed became Major
issue for Bush administration.
• Clinton focused on economic renewal.
(Rebuilding roads, training workers, and
solving national healthcare crisis).
Economic Recovery
• Empathy, charm, and understanding,
combined with desire to serve made him a
great political leader.
• Wife Hillary Clinton: Very loyal and helpful
to Bill. (right hand woman)
• “I did not have sexual relations with that
woman”.
Economic Recovery Cont.
• Ethnic and gender diversity in appointing his
cabinet.
• An economic program that called for tax
increases and spending cuts to achieve a
balanced budgets.
• $241 billion in new taxes and $255 billion in
spending cuts, for a total reduction of $496
billion over 4 years.
• Republicans criticized it by saying it was “the
biggest tax increase in the history of the world”.
President versus Congress
• North American Free Trade Agreement
(NAFTA).
• Hillary Clinton presented the health care
reform plan.
• The system included to aid millions of
Americans who lacked insurance and
lower costs. (failed because it would have
been to chaotic).
Contract with America
• Contract with America.
• Republicans criticized Clintons character.
• Republicans took over both house of
congress in 1994.
• Comeback kid once again?
The Clinton Rebound
• Since Clintons presidency: greater
efficiency, greater productivity, and 9
million new jobs had been created.
• Welfare program- required recipients to
find work within two years or lose benefits.
• Comeback kid! Won by stressing on
education and health care.
• Economic growth surpassed his
expectations.
Clinton and the World
 There were significant changes in foreign policy in 1990’s
under Clinton administration.
 The new president focused on domestic and economic issues.
 Worked hard to stimulate the economy and delegate a foreign policy
that could accommodate domestic agenda and sought new secretaries.
 Global Tensions in the Post-Cold War Era
 Dealing with Russia and China, former enemies in the Cold War.
 U.S. provided aid/stopped nuclear proliferation programs in former
Soviet lands.
 Tried negotiating with China for economic interests, despite its
“dismal human rights record.”
 Relations with the Middle East difficult, especially with dependence
on oil.
Clinton and the World
 Intervening in Somalia and Haiti
 Didn’t know how to approach foreign policy after Cold War.
 Sent troops to Somalia; didn’t go well. Low point of Clinton’s foreign
policy
 Tried to help Haiti become democracy, but failed in the long-run.
 Halting Civil War in Bosnia
 Helped end war in the diverse area Bosnia, which had high numbers
of Muslims, Croatians, and Serbians. The Serbs began a policy of
“ethnic cleansing”. Opposed with no national interest, to save human
life.
 Helped temporarily divide Bosnia until the fighting ended.
 Saving Kosovo
 Kosovars were suffered from ethnic cleansing in Yugoslavia. U.S.
intervened and had another foreign policy victory after getting NATO
involved.
The End of the Century
 The 1990’s = extreme economic growth and violent controversy.
 From Deficit to Surplus
 Longest sustained period of economic growth in U.S. history.
 Inflation kept in check (Greenspan)
 $5 billion deficit to $100 billion surplus.
 Violence in the 1990’s
 Expression of political discontent took a violent turn.
 Local militia units in Idaho, Texas, and across 31 other states.
 Oklahoma City attack by Timothy McVeigh on the second anniversary of
Waco tragedy.
 Unabomber: hatred of corporate America and technology.
 World Trade Organization met in Seattle in 1999 to protest “Human Need,
Not Corporate Greed”.
 Shootings (Columbine). Revealed flaws in family structure/pop culture.
The End of the Century
 Shadow on the White House
 Clinton and Monica Lewinsky Affair made national headlines.
 Republicans attempted to impeach the president for lying to the
public by denying the affair.
 His wife, Hillary Clinton stood by his side.
 Most believed that it was a private matter to be dealt with
between the president and his wife.
 Republicans lost attempt at impeachment in Senate.
 Despite overcoming this right-wing conspiracy, Clinton will
always be remembered for his inappropriate conduct with a
young intern.
Feature Essay: The Dot.com Boom and Bust
 People began to invest millions of dollars in new “dot.com”




companies that boomed beginning in 1999
“Getting quick rich”.
Proved unstable and unreliable. Most dot.com businesses
wound up losing more money than earned.
Investments poorly made
Led to the recession of 2001, which many blamed on the
stockbrokers and professionals who took a chance in such a
risky business, which has now become a crucial part of our
present-day economy.
THE NEW MILLENIUM
•21st century brought celebration but
challenges such as the myth of the
crash of technology due to (Year
2000/Y2K)
•Republicans gained control of the
White House and Congress
•1900s boom collapsed in 2001 with
the stock market crash, leading to a
brief recession
•There was a terrorist attack
September 11 2001 on the Twin
Towers and the Pentagon and the
U.S. invaded to protect the nation
THE DISPUTED ELECTION OF 2000
•
The presidential candidates were Governor of Texas George W. Bush and
Tennessee’s Vice President Al Gore
•
Both were very different and has different approaches for leading the nation. For
example, Bush wanted a limited government, a tax cut, partial privatization for SS
and other reforms. Gore wanted government action, expand in federal role for
education and healthcare and no tax cuts.
•
Gore had seemed like the winner with more popular votes and electoral votes than
Bush but after fixing the recount problems in Florida, and the Electoral College
results, Bush won the election
BUSH’S DOMESTIC AGENDA
•
Bush had the a challenge of being
inexperienced and starting off with
Democrats who had power in the
legislature.
•
He organized his cabinet with mainly
conservative Republicans
•
Set for tax- cuts to stimulate the economy,
and increased federal aid for education
with the “No Child Left Behind” Act
•
Although the tax cut and education
reformed seemed successful, but then a
republican left the party and the
Democrats ruled the upper chamber, a
recession occurred leading to a rise of 6%
of unemployment, the war with Iraq was
declared after the terrorist attack, and
major companies collapsed.
•
Bush said the tax cuts would benefit and
after 3 years of loss, the stock market
begain to rise slowly.
TERRORISM: ATTACK AND COUNTERATTACK
•
On September 11 2001 terrorist attacked in the world trade center and the
pentagon, leading to the U.S. enforcing military trying to set peace end terrorism,
“ war on terrorism”
•
U.S. invaded Afghanistan to destroy the Taliban, wipe out al-Qaeda and capture
Osama bin Laden and his terrorist in training.
•
Homeland security department was in charge of possible threats with on the
nations border with immigrants coming in, safety on airplanes , etc. People were
scared making made bush take action, proving his leadership skills and clearing
some doubts about his potential.
THE NEW AMERICAN EMPIRE
•
Bush decision after Sep 11 led to a new global policy for the U.S:
•
National Security Strategy (NSS) of the United States who’s purpose was to
“extend the peace by the encouraging free and open societies on every
continent”
•
Bush’s new administration was different than the traditional forms but he came
more focused on “the war on terrorism”
•
Bush believed that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction and sent inspectors to
search the country and war was declared in Iraq late 2002 early 2003
•
Nothing was found, and made the country deal with debt and critics questioning
why the war was done in the first place, the war had large intensity and deaths
were increasing
•
Hussein was captured in 2003, but there were still problems
•
Economy started stabilizing slowly with the restore of public sources
CONCLUSION: THE AMERICAN CENTURY
•
Its said that the the next 100 will be the real American Century and despite the
issues and depression after the terrorist attack, the U.S. is still the strongest
nation in the world. We have strong military power and our economy is depended
on.
•
The ultimate goal is to give liberty to all people, and spread democracy
throughout the world