The Clinton and Bush (43rd) Years 1993-2009

Standards SSUSH25 The student will describe changes in national politics since 1968. e. Explain the relationship between Congress and President Bill Clinton; include the North American Free Trade Agreement and his impeachment and acquittal. f. Analyze the 2000 presidential election and its outcome, emphasizing the role of the electoral college. g. Analyze the response of President George W. Bush to the attacks of September 11, 2001, on the United States, the war against terrorism, and the subsequent American interventions in Afghanistan and Iraq.

The Presidency of bill Clinton

Clinton/Gore Victorious in 1992 Democrats Bill Clinton and VP Al Gore defeat George H.W. Bush in ‘92 election. Third party candidate Ross Perot heavily impacted election for Clinton.

North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) In 1994, the nations of Canada, the US and Mexico signed an agreement known as NAFTA. NAFTA eliminated tariffs on imports and exports (hence the term “free trade”) amongst the three nations. Many feared that free trade would result in mass numbers of American jobs being “sent across the border” without protective tariffs.

1996 Election: Clinton (blue) handily defeats Dole (Red)

Clinton Impeached for Perjury During the Paula Jones Sexual Harassment Lawsuit Presidents Clinton lies under oath about a affair with a 20 year old White House intern Monica Lewinskey. The President them famously lied to the American people when he said “ I did not have sexual relations with that woman, Ms. Lewinsky.” Further investigate proved he was lying. The House of Representatives voted to impeach the President for perjury. The Senate however failed to vote for impeachment and Clinton was subsequently acquitted. He was also Disbarred as a Attorney

The 2000 Election

2000 Election: Bush v. Gore The 2000 Presidential Election became one of the most controversial in US history. VP Al Gore won the popular vote, but lost the electoral vote. A legal struggle broke out after accounts of voter fraud and intimidation left disputed results in the state of Florida. The Florida Supreme Court agreed to a recount of the states votes. However the US Supreme Court stepped in, stopping the recount awarding Florida’s 25 electoral votes to G.W. Bush ultimately giving him the election. Questions remained as to whether or not the Electoral College was still relevant and if the system should stay.

  Newspapers' recount shows Bush prevailed USA TODAY/Miami Herald/Knight Ridder study shows. George W. Bush would have won a hand count of Florida's disputed ballots if the standard advocated by Al Gore had been used, the first full study of the ballots reveals. Bush would have won by 1,665 votes — more than triple his official 537-vote margin — if every dimple, hanging chad and mark on the ballots had been counted as votes, a USA TODAY/Miami Herald/Knight Ridder study shows. The study is the first comprehensive review of the 61,195 "undervote" ballots that were at the center of Florida's disputed presidential election

The War on Terror

America’s New Threat: International Terrorism September 11th, 2001 – World Trade Center and Pentagon attacked by Islamic fundamentalist using airplanes. A fourth plane crashed in a field in PA after passengers fought hijackers for control. Plane allegedly heading for White House. The international terrorist organization AL QAIDA eventually takes responsibility for the attacks. AL QAIDA headed by Osama bin Laden – enemy to all Western, capitalist societies.

Bush Responds to 9/11: The Domestic Front In response to the September 11th attacks, the Bush administration took major steps to secure the safety of the American people. Bush established a new cabinet position: the Department of Homeland Security in late 2002. The Department’s mission is to develop and coordinate a national strategy to protect the American homeland from terrorists attacks. Bush also signed into law the Patriot Act in late 2001 to further the federal government’s ability to investigate and prevent terrorist activity. Many critics of the Patriot Act argue that it gives the federal government sweeping powers that infringe on the civil liberties granted in the Bill of Rights. Under the Patriot Act, the government can: intercept and listen to phone/email conversations of people suspected of being security threats, detain suspected terrorists without evidence and suppress anti-government speech and propaganda.

Bush’s War on Terrorism In response to the 9/11 attacks, the US declares war on terrorist group the Taliban whose stronghold exists in Afghanistan. Al-Qaida had been known to help support and fund terrorist activities of the Taliban throughout the world. October 2001 – American troops invade Afghanistan to rid the country of the Taliban.

Bush Invades Iraq March 2003 – President Bush asks Congress to declare war on Iraq for a 2nd time citing Saddam Hussein’s ties to Al-Qaida. He also claimed Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction. War becomes a polarizing subject in the nation. Many feared US involvement in Iraq was for economic purposes and not part of the War on Terrorism. May 2003 – Bush delivers a speech on aircraft carrier declaring “Mission Accomplished” in Iraq However war drug on for another 8 years costing billions of dollars and thousands of American soldiers’ lives.

A Decade of Deception and Defiance 16 United Nations Resolutions defied by Saddam Hussein's. UNSCR 678 - November 29, 1990, UNSCR 686 - March 2, 1991, UNSCR 687 - April 3, 1991, UNSCR 688 - April 5, 1991, UNSCR 707 - August 15, 1991, UNSCR 715 - October 11, 1991, UNSCR 949 - October 15, 1994, UNSCR 1051 - March 27, 1996, UNSCR 1060 - June 12, 1996, UNSCR 1115 - June 21, 1997, UNSCR 1134 - October 23, 1997, UNSCR 1137 - November 12, 1997, UNSCR 1154 - March 2, 1998, UNSCR 1194 - September 9, 1998, UNSCR 1205 - November 5, 1998, UNSCR 1284 - December 17, 1999

There were 30 additional UN Security Council Statements from the President of the UN security Council regarding Saddam Hussein's crimes on: Saddam Hussein's Development and use of Weapons of Mass Destruction, Chemical Weapons, Nuclear Weapons, Ballistic Missiles, Saddam Hussein's Repression of the Iraqi People, Refusal to Admit Human Rights Monitors, Violence Against Women, Torture, Executions and Repression of Political Opposition, Saddam Hussein's Abuse of Children, Disappearances of citizens, Basic Freedoms: Freedom of Speech, Freedom of the Press, Freedom of Information, Withholding of Food for minority groups, Crimes Against Muslims, Saddam Hussein's Support for International Terrorism, Saddam Hussein's Refusal to Account for Gulf War Prisoners, Saddam Hussein's Refusal to Return Stolen Property, Saddam Hussein's Efforts to Circumvent Economic Sanctions On March 16, 1988 12,000 Iraq Curds Mostly Women and children were Killed in a Gas Attack in Halabja Iraq. The Attack was ordered by Saddam.

Bush – 281 Electoral Votes Kerry – 256 Electoral Votes Bush (red) wins reelection in 2004 over Democratic challenger John Kerry (blue)…the war in Iraq was a major issue of the campaign. Bush easily won Florida in 2004