Chapter 26: A Changing Nation in a Changing World

Chapter 26 takes a look at the 1990s and Bill Clinton's presidency, the controversies of the 2000 election, and the ongoing concerns of Americans in the 2000s.

Section 1 discusses President Clinton's 1992 election and the challenges of his first term in office. Concerns about a weak economy prompted voters to choose the Southern democratic governor over the incumbent President and a third party candidate. Clinton's first term saw debates about healthcare, NAFTA, the budget deficit, family leave, entitlements, gun control, refugees from Haiti, and the war in Yugoslavia. In Congress, the 1994 election turned out to be one of the most one-sided ever. Not one incumbent Republican senator, representative, or governor was defeated. In addition, Republicans won enough additional seats to regain control of Congress for the first time in 40 years. The newly elected Congress voted on proposals in the Contract With America and debated tough issues such as term limits, balancing the budget, healthcare, welfare, and the environment.

Section 2 details the events that marked Clinton's second term. After his stunning victory in the 1996 election, Clinton faced the task of finding a middle course between liberals and conservatives. Taking advantage of a booming economy, he led Republicans and Democrats through the passage of a historic balanced budget bill and made strides in welfare reform. Clinton's successes, however, were shadowed by rumors of scandal. Investigations led to a push for impeachment, but a Senate vote failed to obtain the majority required to impeach. Clinton finished out his term while three candidates—Clinton's Vice President, the son of a former President, and a consumer advocate—hit the 2000 campaign trail. After hand counts, legal maneuvering, and a Supreme Court decision, Republican George W. Bush was certified the winner in only the fourth time that a presidential candidate lost the popular vote and won the election.

Section 3 describes how new forces are shaping the makeup of the American people and the way they live as they enter the twenty-first century. Easing immigration requirements created new settlement patterns and added a new twist to debates over affirmative action. Violence in the streets, in the classrooms, and in the form of terrorism were a concern of all Americans. Technology changed not only industry, but also the nature of work and the types of jobs available. The Internet revolutionized communications, but Americans also felt the threats of information overload and privacy invasion. To help students compete in a global economy, educators tried new standards and methods aimed at improving public education.