This is the End? Last Two Weeks Quick Questions (May 11-12) 1.) What was President Carter s successful diplomacy that brought temporary peace to the Middle East called? a.) Suez Canal Crisis b.) Potsdam Treaty c.) Camp David Accords d.) Gulf of Tonkin Resolution CORRECT ANSWER: 2.) What political event that began in 1979 contributed to Carter s defeat in the 1980 presidential election? a.) Sharpsville Massacre b.) Iran-Contra Affair c.) Suez Canal Crisis d.) Iran-Hostage Crisis CORRECT ANSWER:
The Final Political and Economic Notes: The 1980s - Present
Today s Lesson Standard / Indicator Big Picture Ideas : The student will demonstrate an understanding of social, economic & political issues in contemporary America. Key Concepts: Summarize key political & economic issues of the last 25 years, including continuing dependence on foreign oil; trade agreements & globalization; health & education reforms; increases in economic disparity & recession; tax policy; the national surplus, debt, & deficits; immigration; presidential resignation/impeachment; & the elections of 2000 & 2008. Key Concepts: Summarize America s role in the changing world, including the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the expansion of the European Union, the continuing crisis in the Middle East, & the rise of global terrorism.
The Conservative Tide - Challenges to the nation s moral fiber in the 70s-80s led to the founding of religious organizations that supported conservative positions on political, social & moral issues. - Supreme Court rulings = outlawed prayer in school & allowing abortion. - Civil & women s rights movement. - Sexual revolution - Fundamentalist televangelists founded churches & educational institutions & used the power of television to raise money to support them. Jerry Falwell Benny Hinn
The Conservative Tide - Conservative political organizations: Moral Majority & the Christian Coalition supported moral candidates, such as Ronald Reagan. - He opposed abortion, took pro-family positions & opposed the increasing role of the welfare state.
The Conservative Tide - End of Cold War = result of changes within the Soviet Union as well as the strain of the arms race on the Soviet economy. - 1985: Mikhail Gorbachev = leader of USSR he advocated glasnost (openness) & perestroika (economic restructuring). - Fall of Berlin Wall (1989) = marked Cold War s end. - U.S. became the world s only superpower. - U.S. had responsibility for maintaining world peace in the face of regional conflicts, but also aroused resentment.
The 1990s & the New Millennium - U.S. influenced the Middle East = vast oil resources & U.S. dependence on it. - 1990: Pres. George H.W. Bush led the world against Iraq s invasion of Kuwait. - 1st Persian Gulf War (1991): U.S. led coalition = quick military victory that restored Kuwait s independence.
The Middle East
The 1990s & the New Millennium - U.S. withdrawal from Iraq did not alter the Middle East s balance of power. - U.S. troops in Saudi Arabia angered religious fanatics. - Fanatics joined religious fundamentalists groups, (i.e. Taliban = drove Soviets from Afghanistan) & formed terrorist groups (i.e. al Qaeda).
The 1990s & the New Millennium - Clinton administration: continued to support Israel & working diplomatically to resolve the Middle East s problems - Occupied territories & rights of the Palestinian people. - Some initial success until hardliners in Israel & in the PLO gained power & negotiations stalled. Bill Clinton 42nd President Yasir Arafat President of the PNA (1996-2004)
The 1990s & the New Millennium - U.S. continued to monitor & control Saddam Hussein regime in Iraq, the Taliban in Afghanistan & a growing terrorism. - Attacks: World Trade Center (1993), USS Cole, & U.S. embassies in Africa signaled the rise of global terrorism.
The 1990s & the New Millennium - 9/11/01: al Qaeda attacks = World Trade Center (NYC) & Pentagon (Wash D.C.) - 3rd attack, Flight 93, was stopped by passengers = crashed in PA. - U.S. invaded Afghanistan, & overthrew the Taliban government. - May 2011 = U.S. eliminated al Qaeda s leader, Osama bin Laden.
The 1990s & the New Millennium - George W. Bush s administration believed that Saddam Hussein (Iraq) had weapons of mass destruction (WMDs). - 2003 Iraq invasion (U.S., Great Britain & a others) = overthrew Hussein & brought democracy to that country. - No WMDs were found. - Saddam Hussein was captured, tried for crimes against humanity & executed.
The 1990s & the New Millennium - U.S. intervention = overthrew Hussein s Sunni-dominated gov t & election of a new more democratic government. - Did not result in peace. - Militias attacked U.S. forces until our withdrawal from Iraq (Dec 2011). - Middle East continues to be in turmoil.
Economics of the 90s & 00s.
The United States in Today s World - 1980s: yearly budget deficits accumulated the national debt. - Budget deficits & recession = campaign issues in the early 1990s.
The United States in Today s World - Clinton administration = passed deficit reduction plan: 1.) tax increase 2.) spending cuts 3.) the establishment of the earned income tax credit. - Welfare reform legislation reversed decades of policy dating back to the New Deal. - Health care reform did not Pass until the Patient Protection & Affordable Care Act (aka Obamacare ) was passed (March 2010).
The United States in Today s World - Clinton & Republican Congress fought over how to balance the budget & stimulate the economy. - Federal Reserve = kept inflation in check & stimulated the economy by managing interest rates. - Resulted in economic growth = low unemployment; but the gap between rich & poor (income polarization) continued to widen. - Nation s debt lessened as the world experienced the end of the Cold War & the peace dividend.
The United States in Today s World - George W. Bush administration: tax cuts for the wealthy to stimulate the economy = further increased economic disparity. - Involvement in Afghanistan & Iraq = defense spending climbed = U.S. experienced deficit spending & escalating debt. - 1990s = European Union (E.U.) founded to provide political cooperation, promote trade, & the develop Europe s economy (common currency).
The United States in Today s World - North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) attempted to increase trade by eliminating trade barriers (political controversy over economic impact). - 1994: GATT (General Agreement of Tariffs & Trades) lowered tariffs around the world to increase trade = U.S. industries experienced greater competition. - Some jobs were created by NAFTA, but others were lost. - Outsourcing resulted in economic hardship for some U.S. workers. - Mechanization & globalization = loss of U.S. manufacturing jobs & a shift to jobs in service industries. - Influx of immigrants increased problem = willing to work menial jobs for low wages.
The United States in Today s World - Labor unions: membership decline & loss of influence = workers faced overseas competition, new immigrants, & manufacturing mechanization. - Demographic changes affected the economy. - Industries & retirees moved from the rustbelt to the sunbelt. - Big population shift impacted influence of labor unions as well as national politics = move to right to work states.
The United States in Today s World - Medical advances prolonged productivity & life for Americans = added to Social Security s burden. - Growing need for services = day care for children & elderly care. - Patient Protection & Affordable Care Act (aka Obamacare ) was passed by Democratic congress & Pres. Obama (March 2010).
The United States in Today s World - 90s = growth in computer, internet, e-mail, texting, & cell phone use. - Brought changes to society, privacy laws, & communication networks in the U.S. & around the world. - Increased globalization raised concerns about our education system. - No Child Left Behind (George W. Bush) = federal law. - Prepared students to compete in a global marketplace. - Mandated state academic ability tests.
The United States in Today s World 2000 & 2004 Elections (George W. Bush) - Post 9/11 wars = increased defense spending. - U.S. = deficit spending & increased debt. - 2008 = Housing Bubble Burst = deficit spending to stop decline. - 1st Stimulus Package (bank bailout). - Unemployment = 10%. - Tax revenues fell & deficit grew = Great Recession.
The United States in Today s World 2008 & 2012 Elections (Barack Obama) - Passed 2nd Stimulus Package to jump start the economy. - Liberals & Conservatives still seem unable to find economic compromise. Middle East Dealings - Arab Spring (2011) - U.S provided diplomatic support for more democratic institutions. - Gave air support to the Libyan pro-democracy forces. - Continued presence in Afghanistan & Iraq. - Continues to mediate issue of the Palestinian State. - Dealing with Iran s nuclear threat.