Unit Twelve Modern America

The Supreme Court Membership of US Supreme Court has changed to become more diverse over time Membership of US Supreme Court has included women & minorities, such as – Sandra Day O’Connor: First woman Supreme Court justice – Ruth Bader Ginsburg: First Jewish female Supreme Court justice – Clarence Thomas: replaced retiring justice Thurgood Marshall 2 Right: Sandra Day O’Conner was the first woman Supreme Court justice. Left: Ruth Bader Ginsburg was the first Jewish woman Supreme Court justice. Right: Clarence Thomas replaced Thurgood Marshall.

The civil rights movement of the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s provided a model that other groups have used to extend civil rights and promote equal justice.

The United States Supreme Court protects the individual rights enumerated in the Constitution of the United States. The United States Supreme Court identifies a constitutional basis for a right to privacy that is protected from government interference.

The United States Supreme Court invalidates legislative acts and executive actions that the justices agree exceed the authority granted to government officials by the Constitution of the United States.

Immigration Immigration to the United States has increased from many diverse countries, especially Asian and Latin American countries. Reasons for immigration – Political freedom – Economic opportunity

Issues related to immigration policy – Strain on government services – Filling low-paying jobs in the United States – Border issues – Pathway to citizenship – Bilingual education – Increasing cultural diversity

Contributions of immigrants – Diversity in music, the visual arts, and literature – Roles in the labor force – Achievements in science, engineering, and other fields

Space Program In early 1960s, President Kennedy pledged increased support for American space program Race to moon continued through 1960s US astronaut John Glenn was first American to orbit Earth In 1969, American astronaut Neil Armstrong was first person to step onto moon’s surface. He proclaimed, “That’s one small step for a man; one giant leap for mankind.” Sally Ride was first female American astronaut 9

John Glenn & Neil Armstrong In May 1961, President Kennedy announced a manned mission to the moon and back In Feb 1962, John Glenn was first US astronaut to orbit Earth On July 20, 1969, the Apollo program placed Neil Armstrong on the moon’s surface – Armstrong was joined by Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin

Media Over past three decades, improved technology and media have brought about better access to communication and information for businesses and individuals in both urban and rural areas As a result, many more Americans have access to global information and viewpoints – Internet aka World Wide Web (WWW) – Social media (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, etc.) – Cell phone technology – Cable television 11

Examples of Technological Advances Space Exploration Communications Robotics 12

Space Exploration Space shuttle Mars rover Voyager missions Hubble telescope

Communications & Robotics Communications – Satellites – Global positioning system (GPS) – Personal communications devices Robotics 14

Changes in work, school, and health care in recent decades Telecommuting Online course work Growth of service industries Breakthroughs in medical research, including improved medical diagnostic and imaging technologies Outsourcing and offshoring

Post Cold War Policy Post Cold War era goals and policies – Foreign aid – Humanitarian aid – Support for human rights

“Reagan Revolution” President Reagan and conservative Republicans advocated for – Tax cuts – Transfer of responsibilities to state governments& programs – Appointment of judges/justices who exercised “judicial restraint” – Reduction in number and scope of government programs and regulations – Strengthening of American military 17

“Reagan Revolution” Ronald Reagan’s policies had an impact on the relationship between the federal government and state governments Conservative political philosophy of President Reagan prompted a reevaluation of size and role of government in economy and society of contemporary America 18

“Reagan Revolution” “Reagan Revolution” extended beyond his tenure in office with – Election of his vice president, George H. W. Bush – Election of a centrist Democrat, William J. Clinton – Republican sweep of congressional elections and statehouses in the 1990s – Election of George W. Bush as president 19

Role of government in Economy Federal government has ability to influence US economy It bases its decisions on economic indicators such as: – Gross Domestic Product (GDP) – Exchange rates – Rate of inflation – Unemployment rate 20

Role of government in Economy Government promotes a healthy economy characterized by full employment and low inflation through actions of: – Federal Reserve: Monetary policy decisions control supply of money and credit to expand or contract economic growth – President and Congress: Fiscal policy decisions determine levels of government taxation and spending; government regulates economy High taxes tend to depress economies Low taxes tend to spur economic growth 21

President George H. W. Bush, 1989–93 Fall of communism in Eastern Europe Reunification of Germany Collapse of Yugoslavia Breakup of the Soviet state Persian Gulf War of 1990–1991 – First war in which American women served in a combat role Operation Desert Storm

President William J. Clinton, 1993– 2001 North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) Full diplomatic relations with Vietnam Lifting of economic sanctions against South Africa when her government ended the policy of apartheid NATO action in former Yugoslavia

President George W. Bush, 2001–2009 Terrorists attacks on United States soil on 9/11/2001 War in Afghanistan War in Iraq

Terrorism US has confronted increase in international terrorism by formulating domestic and international policies aimed at stopping terrorism US responses to terrorism – Heightened security at home (Patriot Act) – Patriot Act gives government tools to fight terrorism like detaining suspected foreign terrorists for 7 days w/o charging with a crime, tapping phones, and Internet, and making search warrants valid across state lines – Diplomatic and military initiatives International coalition to fight terrorism (e.g., share intel data, arrest terrorists and seize their financial assets) War in Afghanistan (Operation Enduring Freedom) 25