History of the U.S Ch highlights, American Journey textbook

Presidents  – Ronald Reagan (Rep.)  – Ronald Reagan (Rep.)  – George H.W. Bush (Rep.)  – William “Bill” Clinton (Dem.)  – William “Bill” Clinton (Dem.)  – George W. Bush (Rep.)  – George W. Bush (Rep.)  – Barack Obama (Dem.)  – Barack Obama (Dem.)

Ronald Reagan ( )  Popular president, former actor and governor  New Conservatism – government intervention does more harm than good in economics and society  “Reaganomics” – tax cuts, decreased domestic spending, deregulation of business  “Second Cold War” – after détente, Reagan supported anti- Soviet governments, increased arms buildup, increased military budget; major government debt

The 1980s  Started with economic recession but recovered  Corporate white-collar jobs increased while blue-collar jobs decreased  “Yuppies” – Young Urban Professionals – young, elitist, consumerist upper class  Increase in disparity of wealth and homelessness  Terrible pop music led to punk rock, alternative rock and gangsta rap

George H. W. Bush ( )  “Daddy Bush” was Reagan’s vice- president and considered a continuation of Reagan’s Conservatism, “Reaganomics”  End of Cold War – Soviets relaxed Communist control and eventually the USSR fell apart in 1991  Berlin Wall fell in 1989  Persian Gulf War – U.S. defeated Saddam Hussein in Iraq to defend tiny Kuwait

1980s-present immigration “New New Immigration”? “Modern Immigration”?  Mexicans are largest group  Other Latinos/Hispanics – Puerto Rican, Cuban, etc.  Asian/Pacific islanders – Chinese, Japanese, Filipino, etc.  Indian  New York, Los Angeles, Miami, SW border cities contain many immigrants

1980s-present value clashes  Feminism, abortion  Roe v. Wade 1973  LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) Rights  AIDS crisis emerged in the 1980s within gay community  “Coming out of the closet”  Lots of progress under Obama administration  Fundamentalist Christianity grew  Liberals vs. Conservative battles

Bill Clinton ( )  First “baby boomer” and “MTV” President; popular  Centrist, moderate liberalism  Failed healthcare reform (aka “Hillary-care”)  “World police” interventions in Somalia, Bosnia  Impeached, but acquitted; accused of lying and obstructing justice in sexual misconduct allegations – aka “Monica-gate”

The 1990s  Boom: longest period of peace-time economic expansion in US history  Service, high-tech, globalized economy  “instant society” – cable TV, internet, cell phones, video games  Y2K  Minority gains – blacks, women, Hispanics  “Graying” of America

George W. Bush ( )  Conservatism  Re-Reaganomics – tax cuts, deregulation, cooperation with corporations, military spending  Aggressive “go it alone” foreign policy  Sept. 11 attacks, 2001  War on Terrorism, Afghanistan  War in Iraq, 2003  Criticized for foreign policy, response to Hurricane Katrina  “The Great Recession” hit at end of his second term; “bailout” spending for big business

Barack Obama ( )  First African-American president  Massive deficit spending to manage recession; economy improved, but slowly  Health care reform (“Obama-care”)  “Tea Party” Movement  Pulled troops out of Iraq and Afghanistan; assassination of Osama bin Laden  LGBT rights have become much more accepted