US History Final

1992 Election

Bill Clinton won against George H.W. Bush and independent Ross Perot.

Ross Perot

His third-party candidacy was one of the most successful in history, splitting the vote to allow Clinton to win.

Economic Policy

Clinton cut federal spending, raised taxes on the rich, and lowered taxes for the poorest Americans.

Economic Prosperity

The economy thrived with low unemployment and record business profits, particularly in the computer industry.

Health Care Reform

Clinton proposed major reforms but failed to get them passed into law.

NAFTA

The North American Free Trade Agreement opened trade between the U.S., Mexico, and Canada by lowering tariffs.

Balkan Crisis

Clinton used NATO airstrikes and sent U.S. troops to stop "ethnic cleansing" of Muslims by Christian Serbs in Bosnia and Kosovo.

Impeachment

In 1999, Clinton was impeached by the House for lying about an affair with an intern, but the Senate failed to convict him.

2000 Election

One of the closest in history, pitting Bush against Al Gore.

Bush v. Gore

The Supreme Court ultimately decided the election after a controversial mandatory recount in Florida due to "chads" (incomplete paper ballot punches).

September 11, 2001

Terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon led Bush to declare a "War on Terror".

Hurricane Katrina (2005)

A massive environmental catastrophe where levees broke, flooding much of New Orleans.

2008 Election

Barack Obama became the first African American president in U.S. history.

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (2009)

A $787 billion stimulus package enacted to create jobs and promote recovery from the Great Recession.

Sonia Sotomayor

Appointed in 2009, she became the first Hispanic Justice and third woman to serve on the Supreme Court.

Affordable Care Act (Obamacare)

Major health care reform that prohibited denying coverage for pre-existing conditions and allowed children to stay on parents' insurance until age 26.

Entrepreneur

Someone who risks starting a business to make a profit.

Bill Gates

Founder of Microsoft; pioneered personal computers.

Sam Walton

Founder of Walmart.

Estée Lauder

Founder of major cosmetics lines.

Robert Johnson

African American founder of BET (Black Entertainment Television).

Lionel Sosa

Hispanic advertising genius.

GATT

General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade; joined by the U.S. to increase world trade.