reagan to clinton
Post on 30-Dec-2015
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The Conservative Turn
• Southern Democrats align with Republicans
• Social conservatism– Centrality of religion– “Family values”– Individualism– Fear of change
Ramping Up the Tension
• The Evil Empire, June 8, 1982
• Korean Airliner, September 1, 1983
• “The Day After”, Nov. 20, 1983
Election of 1984
Democratic challengers: Walter Mondale and Geraldine Ferraro (First woman on major party ticket.)
Nicaragua
• Sandinistas (communist rebels) overthrow dictator Somoza (1979)
• Contras are US backed insurgency
• Pres. Reagan supports Contras– Arm sales to Iran to funnel money to
Contras– Violation of Congress, big scandal
Iran Contra Affair
Mikhail Gorbachev
• New Soviet premier (1985) institutes new policies
• Glasnost– “openness” - political reform
• Perestroika– “restructuring” - economic
reform
“General Secretary Gorbachev, if you seek peace, if you seek prosperity for the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, if you seek liberalization, come here to this gate.
Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate.
Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!”
Reagan visits Berlin
June 12, 1987
The Fall of Soviet Communism• Gorbachev’s reforms unleash a tide of
activism across Eastern Europe
• Command economy can’t supply people’s needs and wants
• 1989: Communist governments topple
• 1991: Gorbachev survives attempted coup; Soviet Union begins to disintegrate
Election of 1988
George H.W. Bush chooses Indiana Senator Dan Quayle as his running mate.
Democrats choose Gov. Michael Dukakis (MA) and Sen. Lloyd Bentsen (TX)
George H.W. Bush
• Continued Reagan legacy– Managed Cold War wind down
• First Gulf War– Ejected Iraqi forces from Kuwait
• Moderate on many issues– Reached budget accord with
Democrats– Broke “Read My Lips” pledge
Election of 1992
Democrats: Gov. Bill Clinton (Arkansas) and Sen. Al Gore (TN).
Reform Party: Ross Perot – businessman from Texas.
Bill Clinton
• Rocky first year
• North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)– US, Mexico, Canada
• 1994 – Republicans sweep Congress– Clinton triangulates
Scandals
• Clintons subject to several investigations by Republican congress– Whitewater– Paula Jones– Monica Lewinsky
• House votes to impeach in 1998– Senate clears Clinton following year
A New World• Communism collapses in
Europe– Russia now an ally
• Rise of extremist terrorism attacks– World Trade Center (1993)– Oklahoma city bombing (1995)– US Embassy (1998)– USS Cole (2000)
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