1. Transitions – 1990s to 2000s Computers led to Globalization – increasing interaction and integration among various societies, economies, and cultures Computers led to Globalization – increasing interaction and integration among various societies, economies, and cultures Some Impacts: Some Impacts: Increased # of products and services available Increased # of products and services available Outsourcing - wealthier nations losing manufacturing jobs to poorer nations Outsourcing - wealthier nations losing manufacturing jobs to poorer nations Economic problems spread easily Economic problems spread easily Pollution and workers’ rights Pollution and workers’ rights Service Economy… Service Economy…

2. A Changing 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 representativesExamples: teachers, researchers, lawyers, food service, customer service, sales representatives Gap – highest and lowest paid workers Gap – 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 jobs 35% in 1945 to 15% in 200035% in 1945 to 15% in 2000 Workers’ average wages have fallen Workers’ average wages have fallen Customer Service Jobs Food Service Jobs

3. Changing Demographics Immigration Act of 1990 results in largest wave of immigrants in U.S. History Immigration Act of 1990 results in largest wave of immigrants in U.S. History 1 million per yr between 1990 and 20001 million per yr between 1990 and 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 (U.S. birth rate declining) Contribute to economy (U.S. birth rate declining) Tradition: We are a nation of immigrants Tradition: We are 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

4. 1992 Election Clinton won for several reasons: Clinton won for several reasons: Economic Recession Economic Recession Bush broke campaign pledge of “Read my lips. No new taxes” Bush broke campaign pledge of “Read my lips. No new taxes” Ross Perot, an independent party candidate, took votes away from Republicans Ross Perot, an independent party candidate, took votes away from Republicans 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

5. 1994 Midterm Elections Contract with America led to a strong voter turnout for Republicans Contract with America led to a strong 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: Term limits for Members of CongressTerm limits for Members of Congress Reduce size of federal governmentReduce size of federal government Balanced budget amendmentBalanced budget amendment Tax cutsTax cuts Strong defense and law enforcmentStrong defense and law enforcment Welfare ReformWelfare Reform Former Speaker of the House, Newt Gingrich

6. 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 CampaignFL Sec. of State Katherine Harris was Co-Chair of Bush Campaign 1000s people excluded from voter lists1000s people excluded from voter lists Machine irregularitiesMachine 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…

7. Operation Iraqi Freedom (2003) Reasons for Invasion: Reasons for Invasion: Sadaam’s imminent ability to deploy WOMDs Sadaam’s imminent ability to deploy WOMDs Violating UN resolutions on weapons inspections Violating UN resolutions on weapons inspections Sadaam sent money to the families of Palestinian Suicide Bombers Sadaam sent money to the families of Palestinian Suicide Bombers End Human Rights Abuses End Human Rights Abuses Spread Democracy – End the regime of Sadaam Hussein Spread Democracy – End the regime of Sadaam Hussein Some officials made claims of ties to Al Qaeda (no evidence ever found) Some officials made claims of ties to Al Qaeda (no evidence ever found)

8. Operation Iraqi Freedom (2003) Controversies: Controversies: No Connection to 9/11 Attacks (no evidence ever found) No Connection to 9/11 Attacks (no evidence ever found) Diverting Troops and $ from fighting Al Qaeda in Afghanistan Diverting Troops and $ from fighting Al Qaeda in Afghanistan Destabilize the region? (Kurds? Shiites? Iran strengthened) Destabilize the region? (Kurds? Shiites? Iran strengthened) Evidence against WOMD claims – Hans Blix (UN) Evidence against WOMD claims – Hans Blix (UN) Valerie Plame Scandal: seeking uranium in Niger? Joe Wilson, Scooter Libby, Karl Rove and Richard Armitage Valerie Plame Scandal: seeking uranium in Niger? Joe Wilson, Scooter Libby, Karl Rove and Richard Armitage No WOMDs found (Weapons depots not guarded?) No WOMDs found (Weapons depots not guarded?) Human Rights? (Chemical warfare, DU & sanctions) Human Rights? (Chemical warfare, DU & sanctions) Spreading Democracy by War? Hearts and minds? Spreading Democracy by War? Hearts and minds? Bush Doctrine (preemptive strike) A dangerous precedent? Bush Doctrine (preemptive strike) A dangerous precedent? Global protests – Millions of people (“No Blood for Oil”) Global protests – Millions of people (“No Blood for Oil”) NIE report (2006) – Iraq War increased terrorist group activity in Iraq? NIE report (2006) – Iraq War increased terrorist group activity in Iraq? Senate Intelligence Committee (June 08) – Bush Admin. misused intelligence reports on Sadaam’s ties to terrorists and on WOMD claims) Senate Intelligence Committee (June 08) – Bush Admin. misused intelligence reports on Sadaam’s ties to terrorists and on WOMD claims) Several Bush Admin. Officials resign and criticize Bush on Iraq (Sec. O’Neill and Richard Clarke say Bush was looking for reasons to attack Iraq long before 9/11 attacks) Several Bush Admin. Officials resign and criticize Bush on Iraq (Sec. O’Neill and Richard Clarke say Bush was looking for reasons to attack Iraq long before 9/11 attacks)

9. Iraq Occupation QUESTIONS: QUESTIONS: Should we have invaded Iraq? Should we have invaded Iraq? What responsibility did Congress have in the run-up to war? Did they meet their responsibilities? What responsibility did Congress have in the run-up to war? Did they meet their responsibilities? Sadaam was captured, tried, and executed in Iraqi court. So where do we go from here? (withdraw or stay?) Sadaam was captured, tried, and executed in Iraqi court. So where do we go from here? (withdraw or stay?)