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Operation Desert Shield
The central crisis of the Bush presidency began when the army of Iraq invaded Kuwait. Fears that Saddam Hussein's next target would be Saudi Arabia, the largest exporter of oil to the United States, pushed the United States into action. Almost immediately, in Operation Desert Shield, large numbers of American troops were sent to protect Saudi Arabia (230,000 American troops). -
Operation Desert Storm (1991)
Military action by the United States and a coalition of allied nations against Iraq and its leader Saddam Hussein after Iraq had invaded Kuwait. This operation was a resounding success, although the decision was made not to force Saddam Hussein from power. -
Globalization
Belief that the United States should work closely with other nations of the world to solve common problems. This was the foreign policy approach of President Clinton. Policies that supported this approach included the ratification of NAFTA, the United States working more closely with the United Nations, and nation building abroad. Many policies of globalization were initially rejected by Clinton's successor, George W. Bush. -
Whitewater
A series of real estate dealings in Arkansas involving Bill Clinton long before he became president. Republicans accused Clinton of associated financial improperties, but no charges were ever proven. The Whitewater affair was one of several accusations that eventually led to Clinton being impeached by the House of Representatives but acquitted by the Senate. -
New Democrat
Term used to describe Bill Clinton and his congressional supporters during his two terms in office. A New Democrat was pragmatic, and not tied to the old Democratic belief in big government. New Democrats took both Democratic and Republican ideas as they crafted their policies. Some in the Democratic party maintained that Clinton had actually sold out the principles of the party. -
NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement)
Ratified in 1994 by the U.S. Senate, this agreement established a free trade zone between the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Critics of the agreement claim that many jobs have been lost in the United States because of it. -
Contract with America
A list of conservative measures proposed by Republicans after winning control of the House of Representatives in 1994. It included term limits and promises to balance the federal budget and to reduce the size of the federal government. Republican supporters of the Contract were led by Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich. -
Lewinsky Scandal
The Lewinsky scandal was a political sex scandal emerging in 1998, from a sexual relationship between President Bill Clinton and a White House Intern, Monica Lewinsky. The news of this affair and resulting investigation eventually led to the impeachment of President Clinton in 1998 by the U.S. House of Representatives. It also led to Clinton's clearing on all impeachment charges of perjury and obstruction of justice in a 21 day Senate trial. -
Neoconservatism
Modern American political philosophy that opposes big government approaches to domestic issues yet favors an interventionist and aggresive foreign policy. Most neoconservatives advocated American intervention in Iraq in 2003. -
9/11
Saudi Arabian terrorists hijacked four American commericial airliners. Four planes were hijacked: two slammed into the World Trade Center, one crashed into the Pentagon, and the fourth slammed into a field near Pittsburg (after passengers attempted to seize control of the plane from the terrorists). On September 20, President Bush stated that that United States would prevail in this conflict and that Osama Bin Laden would be brought to justice.
