President George HW Bush ( ) President George HW Bush ( ) Presided over end of USSR: Presided over end of USSR: decreased threat of nuclear war decreased threat of nuclear war U.S. seen as the main superpower U.S. seen as the main superpower Violence in Balkans Violence in Balkans Pres. Bush and Yeltsin

Transitions – 1990s to 2000s Computers led to Globalization – increasing interaction among various countries, economies, and cultures Computers led to Globalization – increasing interaction among various countries, economies, and cultures Some Impacts: Some Impacts: Increased variety of products and services Increased variety of products and services Outsourcing - wealthier nations losing manufacturing jobs to poorer nations Outsourcing - wealthier nations losing manufacturing jobs to poorer nations Pollution issues and workers’ rights issues Pollution issues and workers’ rights issues

A Changing U.S. Economy Service Economy - Service jobs increasing faster than production jobs Service Economy - Service jobs increasing faster than production jobs Examples: teachers, researchers, lawyers, food service, customer service, sales representatives, custodialExamples: teachers, researchers, lawyers, food service, customer service, sales representatives, custodial Increasing gap between highest and lowest paid workers Increasing gap between highest and lowest paid workers Decline in union members in U.S. mirrors the decline in manufacturing jobs Decline in union members in U.S. mirrors the decline in manufacturing jobsdecline in manufacturing jobsdecline in manufacturing jobs 35% in 1945 to 15% in % in 1945 to 15% in 2000 Workers’ average wages have fallen (after inflation) Workers’ average wages have fallen (after inflation) Customer Service Jobs Food Service Jobs

Changing Demographics Immigration Act of 1990: largest wave of immigrants in U.S. History Immigration Act of 1990: largest wave of immigrants in U.S. History 1 million/yr from 1990 to million/yr from 1990 to 2000 Primarily Latinos and AsiansPrimarily Latinos and Asians Controversies: Controversies: Pro-Immigration:Pro-Immigration: They work tough jobs that Americans won’t They work tough jobs that Americans won’t Contribute to economy Contribute to economy Tradition of being a nation of immigrants Tradition of being a nation of immigrants Anti-Immigration:Anti-Immigration: Take jobs away from Americans Take jobs away from Americans They are not assimilating fast enough (English) They are not assimilating fast enough (English) National Security National Security

1992 Election Clinton won for several reasons: Clinton won for several reasons: Economic Recession Economic Recession Bush broke campaign pledge: “Read my lips. No new taxes” Bush broke campaign pledge: “Read my lips. No new taxes” Ross Perot (an independent) won many votes Ross Perot (an independent) won many votes 43% Clinton, 37% Bush, 19% Perot43% Clinton, 37% Bush, 19% Perot Clinton cast self as a moderate “New Democrat” Clinton cast self as a moderate “New Democrat” Democrats won control of House and Senate Democrats won control of House and Senate Ross Perot (videoRoss Perot (video)

1994 Midterm Elections Contract with America high voter turnout for Republicans Contract with America high voter turnout for Republicans Republicans won control of House and Senate Republicans won control of House and Senate Newt Gingrich (Speaker of House) led the strategy: Newt Gingrich (Speaker of House) led the strategy: Reduce size of fed. Govt.Reduce size of fed. Govt. Balanced Budget Amt.Balanced Budget Amt. Term limits for CongressTerm limits for Congress Family ValuesFamily Values Tax cutsTax cuts Defense & law enforcementDefense & law enforcement Welfare ReformWelfare Reform Former Speaker of the House, Newt Gingrich

Clinton Controversies Whitewater & Independent Counsel Whitewater & Independent Counsel Monica Lewinsky & Impeachment Monica Lewinsky & Impeachment Pardons Pardons Should the Constitution be amended to place limits on Presidential pardons? Should the Constitution be amended to place limits on Presidential pardons?

2000 Elections Too close to call? Bush had 327 more votes in FL Too close to call? Bush had 327 more votes in FL Automatic machine recount Automatic machine recount Controversies: Controversies: FL Sec. of State Katherine Harris was Co-Chair of Bush Campaign; Brother Jeb Bush was GovernorFL Sec. of State Katherine Harris was Co-Chair of Bush Campaign; Brother Jeb Bush was Governor 1000s people excluded from voter lists1000s people excluded from voter lists Voting Machine irregularitiesVoting Machine irregularities Hanging chads, dimpled chads, etc.Hanging chads, dimpled chads, etc. Hand Recount Controversy: Hand Recount Controversy: Gore asks only for some countiesGore asks only for some counties Republicans sue to prevent recountRepublicans sue to prevent recount Gore v. Bush – Supreme Court stops recountGore v. Bush – Supreme Court stops recount Results? Gore wins popular vote, but Bush wins Electoral College Results? Gore wins popular vote, but Bush wins Electoral College Counting Chads…