1. SSUSH23 Assess the political, economic, and technological changes during the Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Clinton, George W. Bush, and Obama administrations. a. Analyze challenges faced by recent presidents including the collapse of the Soviet Union, Clinton’s impeachment, the attacks of September 11, 2001, and the war against terrorism. b. Examine economic policies of recent presidents including Reaganomics. c. Examine the influence of technological changes on society including the personal computer, the Internet, and social media. d. Examine the historic nature of the presidential election of 2008.

2. Collapse of the Soviet Union
Reagan and Russian lead Mikhail Gorbachev met several times in 1987 agreeing to remove some nuclear weapons from Europe
This agreement led Gorbachev to reduce Soviet spending on defense and aid to other communist controlled countries in Europe

3. Collapse of the Soviet Union
When George Bush took office in 1988, he continued Reagan’s friendly relationship with Gorbachev and Russia.
In 1989, several former Soviet controlled countries were allowed to form non-communist governments.
In November of 1989, the Berlin Wall, which separated East and West Berlin was torn down.
Trying to save their Communist ways, Communist leaders and some Russian Army officers tried to overthrow Gorbachev, this was unsuccessful and in Dec 1991 he announced the end of the Soviet Union

8. Ronald Reagans Economic Plan (Reaganomics)
Republican Ronald Reagan was elected President in 1980.
One of his 1st priorities in office was to try and fix the nation’s economy.
Dubbed Reaganomics, Reagan’s economic policy worked on the “trickle down” effect
1. Reduce government spending
2. Reduce income tax and capital gains tax
3. Reduce government regulation
4. Control the money supply to reduce inflation

9. Reaganomics
Reagan’s deregulation led to “price wars”, lower prices, and increased spending by consumers.
Though Reagan’s policy had many critics, by the U.S. economy was in full recovery.

10. The Impeachment of President Clinton
In January 1998 Clinton was linked to an improper relationship with a White House intern
For the next 7 months Clinton denied a relationship ever existed between the two. (he lied under oath about it)

11. The Impeachment of President Clinton
By mid August 1998, Clinton finally acknowledged that he had an inappropriate relationship.
By mid January 1999 the Senate began impeachment hearings against Clinton charging him with perjury and obstruction of justice.
Impeachment is the process of investigating a President.
In February 1999, the Senate acquitted Clinton of the charges.
Clinton became only the second President to face Impeachment (do you remember who the first was?)

13. Attacks of Sept. 11, 2001
On September 11, 2001, hijackers took over four jetliners, crashing two into the World Trade Center Towers, one into the Pentagon, and one into a field in Pennsylvania after passengers tried to take back control of the plane

17. The War on Terrorism
The attacks were quickly linked to a terrorist named Osama bin Laden and his group Al Qaeda.
President Bush ordered air strikes and ground troops into Afghanistan, where bin Laden kept his headquarters.
Department of Homeland Security is created

18. Influence of Technology on Society
First computer made in 1946, was huge
Size of processor shrinks to size of postage stamp in 1971

19. Influence of Technology on Society
Personal Computers start being produced in the late 70’s and 80’s
By the mid 90’s Internet becomes accessible to public
becomes a new very popular way to communicate, in business and later for consumers.

20. Influence of Technology on Society
In mid 2000’s Social Media starts to become popular
Gives people a new way to communicate
New way to share news and current events
Cyber bullying becomes an issue

21. Election of 2008
Democrats nominate Barack Obama, the biracial son of a White woman from Kansas and a Black man from Kenya
Most Democrats thought Hillary Clinton would win primary
Republicans nominated 72 year old John McCain
Barack Obama wins and becomes first biracial President