Friday, March 7, 2008

Chapter 32 The Reagan, Bush and Clinton Years

Chapter 32: Entering a New Millennium, 1981-Present
Section 1: Conservatives Reshape Politics
Main Idea: The country became more conservative, leading to Republican political
victories. President Ronald Reagan worked to achieve conservative goals. His first goal was to lower taxes. He believed in supply-side economics, the theory that if people paid lower taxes, they would have more money to spend or save. Companies would have more money to create new products. And banks would have more money to lend to businesses. Congress did lower taxes by 25 percent. Reagan’s policies helped the United States climb out of its recession but forced the federal government to use deficit spending—the use of borrowed money to pay for its programs. As a result, the national debt doubled from 1981 to 1986. Reagan backed anti-Communist efforts around the world. In Nicaragua in Central America, there were anti-Communist rebels known as Contras. When Congress made it illegal for the U.S. government to give them money, people who worked for Reagan did so secretly. The money came from selling weapons to Iran. The resulting scandal was known as the Iran-Contra affair. George Bush, Reagan’s vice president, was elected president in 1988. During his presidency, most Eastern European nations threw off Communist rule. In the early 1990s, the Soviet Union broke up. In 1991, under the leadership of President Bush, the United States and the United Nations led an effort that succeeded in driving Iraq out of Kuwait. This conflict was known as the Persian Gulf War. Then, the United States entered a recession. Bush lost the 1992 election to Bill Clinton, the Democratic governor of Arkansas. President Clinton had mixed success asking Congress to pass new laws. He was unable to bring about health-care reform but succeeded in having the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) passed in 1993. NAFTA made tariffs lower in order to increase trade among Mexico, Canada, and the United States. In 1996, Clinton was reelected. Scandal marked his second term. Officials found out that Clinton had an improper relationship with a young woman who worked at the White House. They also claimed that he lied about it under oath. Clinton admitted to the relationship but said he had not lied. The House of Representatives voted to impeach President Clinton in December 1998. He was charged with perjury and obstruction of justice. The Senate found Clinton not guilty. President Clinton continued to act as a world leader. When conflict broke out in a part of Yugoslavia called Serbia, Clinton helped lead a group of nations in dealing with the problem. Serbia has a region called Kosovo, which had been fighting to become independent. In early 1999, Serbian troops marched into Kosovo and tried to drive Kosovars out of their homes. The United States and the United Nations responded by bombing Serbia. In June, the Serbs withdrew.
Section 2: Technological and Economic Changes
Main Idea: Advances in science and technology have improved daily life and created a
global economy. Although manufacturing was once a big part of the U.S. economy, by 1996 about 71 percent of all workers had jobs in the service industry. By the late 1990s, technology had changed the way business was done. The Internet, a network of computers from around the world, provided a new means for selling goods. Business done over the Internet is called e-commerce. By 1997, 35 percent of U.S. homes had a computer. By 1998, 8 million classrooms had a computer. On the Internet, people can find information on almost any subject. They also use it to send and receive messages called e-mail. Cellular phones, which are portable, also changed daily life, as did many other forms of technology. Technology changed the way people learned new information, thereby creating an information revolution. Although this meant many new, high-paying jobs for workers skilled in technology, there were fewer factory jobs. Many factory workers had a hard time finding new jobs that paid well. At the same time, many corporations engaged in downsizing by letting go of workers to make company profits grow. Technology also helped build a more global economy. The Internet allows companies on different continents to do business as if they were in the same city. Many companies built factories and offices in other countries. Some companies in different countries merged with each other, creating huge corporations. The growth of world trade allowed the United States to sell more goods, which in turn created more jobs. However, some U.S. businesses moved their plants to countries where wages were lower, causing many U.S. workers to lose their jobs. During the late 20th century, medical science saw many new advances, such as the development of new drugs that offer hope for a cure of cancer. Scientists also developed new drugs and treatments for AIDS—acquired immune deficiency syndrome. This slowed the rate at which AIDS kills infected people. In 1997, Scottish scientists cloned—or made a genetic copy of—a sheep. Many feared that
cloning human beings could be next. Some people believed that cloning would improve
the human species, while others argued that it is unethical. In nonmedical science, the United States and other nations began to build The International Space Station (ISS). Nations will use it to learn about outer space.
Section 3: The New Americans
Main Idea: Due to immigration the United States grew more diverse. From 1981 to 1996, nearly 13.5 million immigrants came to the United States. Nearly 85 percent came from either Latin America or Asia. Many came for the same reasons as earlier European immigrants—to gain more freedom and to seek economic opportunities. Some Americans argue that immigrants take jobs from citizens. Illegal immigrants are people who enter the country against the law. In 1996, about 5 million illegal immigrants lived in the United States. More than half were from Mexico. Although illegal immigrants do not pay income taxes, they often use government services. Congress passed the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, which made immigration laws stronger. It also strengthened the methods used to stop illegal immigrants. Even so, people still crossed the border illegally. Immigrants have brought many talents to the United States. Many immigrants have become sports stars. Others are scientists and engineers. Immigrants also are a major source of labor. Experts believe that without them, the work force would shrink, and the United States would grow less productive. American arts and culture have gained from the talent of immigrants. Latin music, for example, has become very popular. Immigrants have written books for children and adults. In addition, immigrants are acting in many movies. The sons and daughters of immigrants also take part in the arts. Immigrants from all over the world have come to the United States, bringing their cultures with them. Many also have embraced American ways. Most immigrants share a belief in the ideas of democracy and freedom, which still inspire Americans today. These ideas help to hold the nation together. Today, the United States is a different nation from the one begun in 1776. Over time, democratic rights have been given to more people. As the United States moves into the future, it will continue changing. Citizens of all colors and backgrounds will play a role in shaping what America will become.