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CHAPTER 30
Twenty-First-Century America
1993–Present
This chapter describes recent demographic trends and covers the administrations of Bill Clinton, George
W. Bush, and Barack Obama. The chapter also details the presidential campaign of 2016 and its outcome,
including the emergence of populism in certain regions of the United States and Hillary Clinton’s failure
to connect with certain voters. Finally, this chapter explores the modern challenges to the United States’
democratic processes and the U.S. Constitution during the first year of Donald Trump’s presidency.
CORE OBJECTIVES
1. Describe the major population trends (demographics) in the United States during the twenty– first cen-
tury, and assess their impact on the nation’s politics.
2. Evaluate the accomplishments and setbacks of Bill Clinton’s presidency.
3. Summarize the impact of global terrorism on the United States during the presidency of
George W. Bush.
4. Assess the issues and developments during Bush’s second term that helped lead to Barack Obama’s
historic victory in the 2008 presidential election.
5. Identify President Obama’s priorities at home and abroad, and assess his efforts to pursue them.
6. Explain the factors that led to Donald Trump’s unexpected presidential nomination and election, and
assess Trump’s early presidency.
CHAPTER OUTLINE
1. America’s Changing Population
2. The Clinton Presidency
A. The Economy
B. Health-Care Reform
C. Landslide Republican Victory
D. The Supreme Court and Race
E. Legislative Breakthrough
F. The 1996 Campaign
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G. The “New Economy”
H. Globalization
I. Foreign Policy in the Nineties
i. The Middle East
ii. The Balkans
J. The Scandal Machine
i. The Impeachment of President Clinton
3. A New Century
A. A Disputed Election
B. A Change of Direction
i. 9/11—A New Day of Infamy
C. The “War on Terror”
i. The “war on terror” at Home
ii. The Bush Doctrine
iii. The Iraq War
iv. Rebuilding Iraq
v. The Election of 2004
4. A Resurgent Democratic Party
A. Hurricane Katrina
B. The “Surge” in Iraq
C. Economic Shock
D. A Historic New Presidency
5. New Priorities at Home and Abroad
A. Obama’s First Term
B. Health-Care Reform
C. Obamacare and the Courts
D. Regulating Wall Street
E. The Obama Doctrine and Iraq
F. A “Surge” in Afghanistan
G. The Death of Osama bin Laden
H. The “Arab Awakening”
I. Libya Ousts Gaddafi
J. Polarized Politics
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K. Bold Decisions
L. The Supreme Court in the Twenty-First Century
M. The 2012 Election
N. Obamacare on the Defensive
O. New Global Challenges in an Age of Insecurity
6. The Rise of Populism
A. The 2016 Presidential Primaries
i. The Democratic Ticket
ii. The Changing Republican Party
iii. A Campaign Like No Other
iv. A Tumultuous Presidential Campaign
B. A Populist President
i. A Chaos President
ii. The President Tries to Take Action
iii. Forging Foreign Policies
iv. The Hundred-Day Mark
v. The Russia Scandal
vi. The Trump Presidency
LECTURE IDEAS
1. A lecture on Bill and Hillary Clinton would be a great way to examine American politics from the cul-
ture wars of the 1960s into the Obama administration. For Bill Clinton’s life preceding his presidency,
see Dave Maraniss’s First in His Class (1995). Carl Bernstein’s A Woman in Charge: The Life of Hil-
lary Rodham Clinton (2008) is a model of journalistic excellence. For sources on Clinton in the White
House, see relevant sections of the following:
2. A lecture on the election of 2000 would give students good insight into the state of politics in the twen-
ty-first century. It would also give you an opportunity to discuss the Electoral College and the role of
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3. A lecture on President George W. Bush’s domestic agenda, including his No Child Left Behind policy,
tax cuts, and environmental policy, would give students a good basis for Bush’s policies. See Paul E.
4. A lecture on the Bush Doctrine and a survey of his foreign policy will help students understand that
president’s policies. See Mel Gurtov’s Superpower on Crusade: The Bush Doctrine in U.S. Foreign
Policy (2006) and Alexander Moens’s The Foreign Policy of George W. Bush: Values, Strategy, and
5. A presentation on Hurricane Katrina is an exciting way to examine environmental issues of the 2000s
and some of President Bush’s second–term difficulties. See Jed Horne’s Breach of Faith: Hurricane
Katrina and the Near Death of a Great American City (2008), Ivor van Heerden’s The Storm (2007)
6. For several decades, the media has increasingly become more partisan and influential toward American
political ideals. A lecture on the powerful influences of media will help students understand ways in
which Republican and Democrats use the media to favor their respective causes. Useful resources in-
clude:
IN-CLASS ACTIVITIES / FLIPPED CLASSROOM SUGGESTIONS
1. Divide the class into several groups. Ask each group to determine which factors led to the Democratic
resurgence in the early 1990s and the surprising Republican landslide of 1994. Additionally, ask each
group to present its findings to see if any common trends can be found.
2. Have students evaluate how the election of 2008 changed the national political conversation forever.
4. Ask students to research the achievements of the Clinton, Bush, and Obama presidencies. In class,
lead the students in a debate that addresses the accomplishments of the presidents. Have students ver-
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DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Analyze the domestic policies of William J. Clinton’s first term as president.
2. Discuss the foreign policy challenges that faced President Clinton during his presidency. How did he
deal with the many issues concerning America’s role in the world?
3. Discuss the election of 2000, paying particularly close attention to the role of the third-party candidate
in determining the outcome. What were other complicating factors in this election?
4. Evaluate the idea that George W. Bush followed a domestic agenda based on “compassionate conserv-
atism.”
5. Discuss President Obama’s attempt at reviving the American economy. What major changes have tak-
en place since he was first elected?
6. Assess what proved to be President Obama’s greatest domestic accomplishment and his greatest for-
eign policy achievement. What, conversely, were his most significant foreign and domestic failures
during his presidency?
7. Analyze how Donald Trump won the Republican nomination in 2016. How was he able to defeat the
establishment candidates of the party and eventually win the presidential election?
8. Explain the primary actions taken by Donald Trump’s administration during his first hundred days.
What were some of the main political issues of the time? Did early legislation fulfill campaign promis-
es?
PRACTICING CITIZENSHIP
One of the challenges and rewards of American citizenship in the early twenty-first century is experienc-
ing the richness and occasional tension inherent in an increasingly diverse society. Promote constructive
dialogue on this topic with friends and classmates through a showing on or off campus of the movie
Crash, winner of the Academy Award for Best Picture in 2005. Watch the film together, and take extend-