Time Period III (1940's - Present Day)

Key Points:

• Conservatism began to rise within society in the 1950's-60's and truly started to take off in the 1970's with the election of Richard Nixon
• Many individuals felt traditional family values were in decline so they pushed for conservative Republicans to bring improvements to society
• Nixon caused the American people to increase their distrust in government with the Watergate Scandal
  - because of this Nixon becomes the first President to resign
• This distrust continues throughout Ford and Carter's presidencies especially with the Iran Hostage Crisis

Key Points:

• Ronald Reagan was credited with positively changing America although he was very "hands-off" as a President
• Stood for family values, and a very conservative society and economy
  
• Reaganomics based on supply-side economics and cutting taxes especially for the wealthy
• Defense spending increased with military build-up based on the hopes of defeating the Soviet Union and end the Cold War
• Was successful at easing tension with deals in reduction of nuclear weapons
• Beginning of tension with Middle East with the Iran Contra Affair

Key Points:

• George H.W. Bush was one of the most qualified presidents in US History
• The beginning of negative ads in politics
• End of the Cold War because of the falling apart of the Soviet Union
• Persian Gulf War began with Saddam Hussein's invasion of Kuwait
• Domestic issues were ignored by Bush which prevented him from being reelected
  - economic instability
  - rising unemployment
  - increased taxes

Key Points:

• Clinton's foregin policies were overall ineffective
  - ethnic cleansing in Bosnia
  - genocide is Rwanda
  - Oklahoma City Bombings
  - 1993 Attack on the World Trade Center
• Domestic policies were slightly more successful
  - welfare reforms
  - economic improvement
  - technological advancements
• Culture "wars" began especially with increased immigration and increased changing family structure
• Clinton's downfall came with personal scandals

Key Points:

• 2000 Presidential Election was the most controversial to date
  - the decision came down to the state of Florida
  - a recount was ordered but didn't happen
  - Bush became President
• Domestic policies focused on education reform (No Child Left Behind Act) and tax cuts
• September 11, 2001 changed domestic and foreign policy goals for the rest of Bush's presidency - War on Terrorism
  
• Patriot Act and increased internal security gave the government more power and took away personal liberties