Chapter 36Launching the New Millennium

Clinton’s First TermSection 1 Objectives

• 1. Discuss how the 1992 presidential election differed from other recent elections.

• 2. Explain what led to the Republican comeback in the 1994 congressional elections.

• 3. Analyze how regional conflicts and terrorism affected the world.

• 4. Assess how successful the United Nations was in maintaining world peace after the Cold War ended.

Election of 1992

Even though the economy was not in good shape. President Bush ratings were high after the Persian Gulf War.

1992: Governor of Arkansas Bill Clinton a Democrat chose to run for president against Bush.

Background: Bill Clinton grew up in poverty and had a troubled home life, with a alcoholic step-father. After meeting President John Kennedy in 1963, as a delegate to the Boy’s Nation. Clinton decided on a career in politics.

• Clinton reflected the traits of many baby boomers of his generation, against the Vietnam War, worked towards avoiding the draft, idealism of the 1960s, and believed strongly in diversity and equality.

• His wife whom he met while at Yale University is his political partner. Hillary Clinton was involved in the daily political process of Arkansas. Some felt if she became first lady her role should not be high profile.

The Campaign

• The 1992 campaign was different, candidates used different avenues of gaining exposure in the media and to the American public.

• Ross Perot: Texan billionaire who ran on the independent party ballot. He wanted to cut spending and reduce debt.

• President Bush spoke very little about the economy in the election. He went after the character of the candidates.

Voter Frustration

• Many women ran for public office in 1992. Called the “year of the woman.” Women were still upset over the Clarence Thomas-Anita Hill hearings. Women were able to unseat men politicians in the 1992 elections. The Democrats won 4 seats in the U.S. Senate with women.

Clinton Takes Office

• When Clinton came into the office of presidency he created a diverse cabinet with women, Mexican-Americans, African Americans, Press Secretary-Dee Dee Myers, and Ruth Bader Ginsburg-Supreme Court justice.

• Clinton had to deal with some financial questions about a failed real-estate development in Arkansas.

Economics

• 1993: Congress passed a budget package which combined tax increases with spending cuts to reduce national debt.

• 1996: deficit dropped to 107 billion dollars, unemployment to 5.4 percent, inflation to 3 percent, and people started investing in the stock market.

• Health Care Costs: The increasing financial burden of health care became an issue of concern for the federal government and state governments in the early 1990s. In 1960 health care had accounted for 5.3 percent of the nation’s gross domestic product, and the total bill for health care in the United States came to 27.1 billion. By 1990 health care represented 12.2 percent of GDP, and total costs that year came to 666.2 billion.

• Clinton felt the time was right to address health care reform in the country. He had First Lady Hillary Clinton head the taskforce on healthcare. Congress shutdown the idea before discussion could start. The American people were concerned over the rising costs of health care, living longer, and a baby boom generation fearful of not being able to afford quality health care.

Republican Comeback

• With the slow recovery of the economy the Republicans knew they would have a good chance in regaining congressional seats in mid-term elections.

• Many candidates signed the Contract with America on committing to balance the budget. The Republicans won both the House and Senate the first time since 1952. Newt Gingrich, Speaker of the House.

Foreign and Domestic Dangers

• Regional Conflicts: Cold War faded but regional conflicts over land, religion, politics, and ethnic issues emerged.

• 1994: Free elections in South Africa. Nelson Mandela, became president.

• 1992:Operation Restore Hope-relief for African countries (Somalia) that needed support from the UN.

• Middle East: • Palestinian : Yasir Arafat, • 1993: Rabin, Israeli prime minister signed a peace accord.

Established guidelines for self-rule in the Palestinian occupied areas of Israel.

• 1995: Rabin was assassinated and Benjamin Netanyahu elected Prime Minister and not so willing to negotiate peace.

• July, 2000: Clinton tried to move peace forward.• 2001: Ariel Sharon, government official and eventual Prime

Minister stirred controversy by visiting a religious site in east Jerusalem.

• Terrorism: • 1986: Libyan bombing in West Berlin linked to Gadhafi.• 1993: Clinton ordered the Iraqi Intelligence service

headquarters to be bombed.• 1998: US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania were bombed.• 1993: February, World Trade Center in New York City bombed • April, 1995: Oklahoma City Bombing• FBI arrested the Unabomber who had mailed bombs, didn’t

like modern technology.• 1996: Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia a bombing

occurred

United Nation Actions Around the World

• UN peacekeepers successful in Cambodia• UN relief efforts in Somalia meet with mixed

results • UN peacekeepers successful in El Salvador• UN peacekeepers unable to put an end to

ethnic conflicts in Bosnia