Objective: SWBAT assess the presidencies of Clinton, Bush, and Obama, as well as the current state of affairs in the U.S.

Do Now: According to the documents, what are the worries that Americans currently face today?

At home William “Bill” Clinton ( ) Signed “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” (LGBT can serve in the military if they keep their sexuality a secret) Signed DOMA—Defense of Marriage Act (defined marriage between a man and a woman only). Economic boom due to the.com bubble (in the 1990s many internet companies began operating. Stocks or shares of these internet companies sent the stock market higher than it had ever been.) Was impeached but not convicted for lying and obstruction of justice relating to a sex scandal with his aide Monica Lewinski.

Abroad Increased free trade through NAFTA— North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA allowed free trade between Canada, US, and Mexico and eliminated trade barriers like tariffs). Intervened in the Arab-Israeli conflict by hosting the Oslo accords to bring peace to the Middle East Engaged US forces for humanitarian efforts (to promote human rights). For example; Authorized US forces armed forces to stop genocide of Albanians by Kosovo

2000 Presidential Election

Bush v. Gore Supreme Court case that decided the Presidential election of 2000 between Al Gore (D) and George W. Bush (R). George W. Bush was declared the winner of the elections.

At home George W. Bush ( ) Bush v. Gore controversial election Sign the “No Child Left Behind (creates the standardized tests across states) Sets aside $15 million to combat AIDS Was criticized for not providing enough relief after hurricane Katrina. Cut taxes and increased the US debt. The Great Recession began.

The September 11, 2001 Terrorist Attacks 19 members of al-Qaeda hijacked 4 planes and carried out suicide attacks against targets in the US. Two of the planes crashed into the World Trade Center, a third plane hit the Pentagon, and the fourth plane crashed in a field in Pennsylvania. Over 3,000 people were killed during the attacks, including more than 400 police officers and firefighters.

After 9/11…. The US invades Afghanistan to overthrow the Taliban gov. that was tied to Al-Qaeda and its leader Osama Bin Laden. NATO supported the US and became involved. Bush signs the Patriot Act to investigate and prevent terrorist activities, the law however, violates American's privacy rights. US invades Iraq in 2003 to overthrow the gov. of Sadam Hussein who was accused of supporting Al-Qaeda and having “weapons of mass destruction”. Abroad

At home Barack H. Obama ( ) Signed the “Economic Stimulus Plan” (to help economic growth) Repealed “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” (allowing LGBT to openly serve in the military) Signs the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. (helps women demand equal pay) Supreme Court declares same-sex marriage legal. Signs the Affordable Care Act or “Obamacare” Promised to help the US turn to “clean” energy (solar/wind power instead of oil or coal)

FDR’s New Deal & Obama’s Stimulus Plan

The 2008 Recession has been compared to the 1930s Great Depression because it is the worst period for the US economy since the 1930s.

Unemployed people wait outside in New York City to register for federal relief jobs in Job seekers wait to attend a job fair in the Brooklyn borough of New York City in The Great Depression v. The Great Recession

Abroad Ordered the closing of Guantanamo Bay (after reports of torture at the jail site by American officials) On 2010, Obama announced that troops in Iraq and Afghanistan would come back home. May 2011, Osama Bin Laden is killed. By 2014, authorized continuous airstrikes against ISIS in Iraq and Syria. December 2014, opened relations with Cuba. On July 2015 removed trade sanctions against Iran (in an effort to prevent Iran from building nuclear weapons)

 Iraqi Civil War & Syrian Civil War  (2011–present) US joins forces to rid Iraq and Syria of terrorist groups mainly of ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) and deliver humanitarian aid to minority religious and ethnic groups.

How is the US able to pay for all its wars???? To pay for World War II, Americans bought war bonds. During the Korean and Vietnam wars the US raised taxes and cut nonmilitary spending. But to pay for the ongoing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the US has used its credit card, counting on the Chinese and other foreign buyers of its debt to pay the bills.

What If China Collected on U.S. Debt? China's investment in the U.S.