Escolar Documentos
Profissional Documentos
Cultura Documentos
Period 9 Assignment
Directions:
For each of the following presidents, you must research the policies and time in
which they served. On additional slides you must show the following information for
each of these presidents:
a. Explain the significance of three major domestic policy issues during the presidency. (3 slides)
b. Explain the significance of three major foreign policy issues during the presidency.(3 slides)
c. Explanation of economic trends in the United States during the presidency (1 slide)
d. Explanation of social/cultural trends in the U.S. during the presidency (1 slide)
e. Primary Source: Speech excerpt that best reflects the domestic and/or foreign policy issue. Include a
HIPP analysis of the speech. (1-2 slides)
f. Primary Source: Political cartoon that best reflects another domestic/foreign policy issue. Include a
HIPP analysis of the cartoon. (1-2 slides)
George H.W. Bush
Republican (1989-1993)
Intended Audience- George W. H. Bush addressed this speech towards congress to address the situation of the Persian Gulf Crisis.
Purpose- President Bush's speech to Congress outlined four key challenges to be met by America after the Gulf War in the Middle
East: 1. to create shared security arrangements in the region 2. to control the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and the
missiles used to deliver them 3. to work to create new opportunities for peace and stability in the Middle East 4. to foster economic
development for the sake of peace and progress The address emphasized the need to close the gap between Israel and the Arab
states and between Israelis and Palestinians, with reference to the principle of territory for peace.
Point of View- George H. W. Bush was the 41st president and as president he did not advocate radical change or announce sweeping
domestic programs. He was constrained by a large budget deficit, limited federal revenue to fund programs, and a
Democratic-controlled Congress. Bush put together a strong team of advisers, including James Baker, Dick Cheney, Brent Scowcroft,
and Colin Powell, and together they oversaw significant accomplishments. Bush had a conservative nature and was uncomfortable
with bold, dramatic change, preferring stability and calm. These characteristics helped him lead the United States through a period of
geopolitical transition. Although the Bush administration often had little control over the unfolding of world events, its responses helped
avoid chaos.
Political cartoon that does the same
Historical Context: That pledge was the centerpiece of Bush's
acceptance address, written by speechwriter Peggy Noonan, for his
party's nomination at the 1988 Republican National Convention. It was a
strong, decisive, bold statement. As presidents sometimes must, Bush
raised taxes. His words were used against him by then-Arkansas
Governor Bill Clinton in a devastating attack ad during the 1992
presidential campaign.
Point of View: The author is someone who is against Bush or the taxes
that he raised and is expressing these views through the cartoon.
William J. Clinton
Democrat (1993-2001)
9/11
2008 recession
Domestic Policy: No Child Left Behind
The No Child Left Behind Act expanded federal funding for education, allowed
more freedom for localities to spend federal funds, set federal standards for school
achievement, and encouraged more freedom of choice between private and public
schools. The act also mandated that 100 percent of U.S. children must have basic
reading and math skills by the 2013-2014 school year: literally, no child was to be
left behind. Schools that failed to meet the standards were offered help. But if they
continued to fail to make the established goals, they would be penalized.
Domestic Policy: Compassionate Conservatism
On January 29, 2001, with his first executive order, Bush created the Office of
Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, based on the idea that local groups and
nonprofits could better serve people in need than the federal government in
Washington. Bush believed that faith-based organizations, charities, and
community groups could respond to people’s needs more effectively than
government. Because federal money was given to faith-based charities, the move
sparked much debate and controversy. Opponents charged that the approach
violated the constitutional concept of church/state separation because it used
federal tax dollars to fund the activities of religious organizations. Thousands of
faith-based and community organizations received federal grants because of
Bush’s new policy.
Domestic Policy: Social Security Reforms
Bush argued that Medicare, the government program to provide health insurance
for people over 65 years old or disabled, was outdated and heading toward bankruptcy.
His ideas for reform included an option for prescription drug benefits that would only be
delivered through private insurance plans. Senior citizens who desired the new benefit
would have to purchase private insurance plans from private companies. Bush hoped
that this proposal would increase competition and allow market forces to regulate the
healthcare system. Under Bush’s plan, the government-run program would compete
with private plans. On December 8, 2003, Bush signed the Medicare Modernization Act
of 2003 into law in the DAR’s Constitution Hall near the White House. The bill was
viewed as a quasi-victory for Bush. It created new benefits and competition increased,
but it was the largest expansion of Medicare benefits since the program’s creation in
1965, and more funds were spent on the program than the administration had
anticipated.
Foreign Policy
Prior to September 11, the United States had funneled CIA funds to the anti-Taliban group,
the Northern Alliance, to combat the Taliban and al Qaeda forces in Afghanistan. After 9/11,
the war cabinet quickly acted to target al Qaeda camps in Afghanistan, but, by late
September, the Bush administration had yet to determine the scope of the military response
to 9/11. Some of his advisors argued for broad military action in both Afghanistan and Iraq.
His cabinet was divided on the issue, even within itself: Colin Powell publicly opposed
expansion to Iraq, but Dick Cheney and Donald Rumsfeld favored ousting Saddam Hussein
as part of the reaction. Bush initially ruled out expanding the war to Iraq, but he expected to
revisit the question once the situation in Afghanistan was under control. President Bush
decided to respond decisively with American troops in Afghanistan to defeat the Taliban and
al Qaeda. Congress passed a joint resolution authorizing the use of force against those
responsible for the September 11 attacks, and Bush signed it on September 18, 2001. On
October 7, the United States began air strikes against Taliban military installations and al
Qaeda training camps in Afghanistan.
Foreign Policy:
Before a joint session of Congress on September 20, 2001, President Bush declared a new
approach to foreign policy in response to 9/11: “Our war on terror begins with al Qaeda, but it does not
end there. It will not end until every terrorist group of global reach has been found, stopped, and
defeated.” Bush declared that the United States considered any nation that supported terrorist groups a
hostile regime. In his State of the Union speech in January 2002, President Bush called out an “Axis of
Evil” consisting of North Korea, Iran, and Iraq, and he declared all a threat to American security. British
and French allies did not receive Bush’s declaration enthusiastically because they believed Bush’s
language to be overly aggressive. These remarks later matured into the policies known as the Bush
Doctrine, officially traceable to September 2002, when the White House released the National Security
Strategy of the United States. The doctrine generally focused on three points. The first was preventive war
in which the United States would strike an enemy nation or terrorist group before they had a chance to
attack the United States. It focused on deterring any potential attacker. The second point was unilateral
action in which the United States would act alone if necessary to defend itself either at home or abroad.
The third point embraced spreading democracy and freedom around the world, focusing on concepts such
as free markets, free trade, and individual liberty.
Foreign Policy: Patriot Act
The USA PATRIOT Act, as it is officially known, is an acronym for “Uniting
and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept
and Obstruct Terrorism.” Bush hoped the bipartisan legislation would empower
law enforcement and intelligence agencies to prevent future terrorist attacks on
American soil. The law was intended, in Bush’s words, to “enhance the penalties
that will fall on terrorists or anyone who helps them.” The act increased
intelligence agencies’ ability to share information and lifted restrictions on
communications surveillance. Law enforcement officials were given broader
mandates to fight financial counterfeiting, smuggling and money laundering
schemes that funded terrorists. The Patriot Act’s expanded definition of terrorism
also gave the FBI increased powers to access personal information such as
medical and financial records. The Patriot Act superseded all state laws.
Culture: 9/11
The cultural influence of the September 11 attacks (9/11) has been profound and
long-lasting. The impact of 9/11 has extended beyond geopolitics into society and
culture in general. Immediate responses to 9/11 included greater focus on home life
and time spent with family, higher church attendance, and increased expressions of
patriotism such as the flying of American flags. The radio industry responded by
removing certain songs from playlists, and the attacks have subsequently been used as
background, narrative or thematic elements in film, television, music and literature.
Already-running television shows as well as programs developed after 9/11 have
reflected post-9/11 cultural concerns. The culture of the United States succeeding the
attacks is noted for heightened security and an increased demand thereof, as well as
paranoia and anxiety regarding future terrorist attacks that includes most of the nation.
Psychologists have also confirmed that there has been an increased amount of
national anxiety in commercial air travel.
Economic Policy: 2008 recession
The Great Recession, which officially lasted from December 2007 to June
2009, began with the bursting of an 8 trillion dollar housing bubble. The resulting
loss of wealth led to sharp cutbacks in consumer spending. This loss of
consumption, combined with the financial market chaos triggered by the bursting
of the bubble, also led to a collapse in business investment. As consumer
spending and business investment dried up, massive job loss followed. In 2008
and 2009, the U.S. labor market lost 8.4 million jobs, or 6.1% of all payroll
employment. This was the most dramatic employment contraction of any
recession since the Great Depression. By comparison, in the deep recession that
began in 1981, job loss was 3.1%, or only about half as severe.
Economy: Bush Tax Cuts
President Bush won passage for two major tax cuts during his term in office:
The Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 and the Jobs and
Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003. The cuts, scheduled to expire a
decade after passage, increased the standard income tax deduction for married
couples, eliminated the estate tax, and reduced marginal tax rates. Bush asked
Congress to make the tax cuts permanent, but others wanted the cuts to be wholly
or partially repealed even before their scheduled expiration, seeing the decrease
in revenue while increasing spending as fiscally irresponsible.
Speech
Historical Context: The act is an acronym for “Uniting and
Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to
Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism.” Its intent, in Bush’s words, is to
“enhance the penalties that will fall on terrorists or anyone who helps
them.” These were in result to the 9/11 attacks that happened
previously, testing America’s security.
Purpose: An Act to deter and punish terrorist acts in the United States
and around the world, to enhance law enforcement investigatory tools,
and for other purposes. The USA PATRIOT Act is an Act of Congress
that was signed into law by President George W. Bush on October 26,
2001.
Intended Audience: Normal Americans so that they can realize the reality of
the No Child Left Behind Act
Point of View: I am not sure who the author is specifically according to this
cartoon, they do not agree with the No Child Left Behind Act, and believe
that it is not accurately benefiting students as Bush says it does.
Barack Obama
Democrat (2009-2017)
Works Cited
http://www.international.gc.ca/trade-commerce/trade-agreements-accords-commerciaux/agr-acc/nafta-alena/fta-ale/facts.as
px?lang=eng
https://millercenter.org/president/clinton/foreign-affairs
http://www.thepeoplehistory.com/1990s.html
http://bancroft.berkeley.edu/ROHO/projects/debt/1990srecession.html
https://immigration.laws.com/immigration-act-of-1990
https://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2016/04/the-end-of-welfare-as-we-know-it/476322/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_House_Initiative_on_Educational_Excellence_for_Hispanics
https://adata.org/learn-about-ada