The American Nation A History of the United States, Combined Volume (14th Edition)

Chapter Summary 881

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Chapter 32

Bill Clinton and Al Gore
on the South Lawn of the White House,
1993,p. 851

Bill Clinton,Answers to the
Articles of Impeachment, p. 853

George W. Bush,Address to
Congress (September 20, 2001), p. 858

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Bill Clinton Sells Himself to

America: Presidential Campaign Ad, 1992, p. 851

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Bill Clinton First Inauguration,

p. 851

The Historical Significance of

the 2008 Presidential Election, p. 869

The Connection Between

Obama & Lincoln, p. 873

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Connections

Review Questions

1.The introduction divides this chapter into two dif-
ferent narrative arcs: the first one—from 1992 to
2001—is mostly positive; the second, from 9/11
through 2010, is said to constitute—as Time maga-
zine put it—“The Decade from Hell.” What were
the “positive” aspects of the period from 1992 to
2001? The “negative” components of the subse-
quent one? How is this characterization too simple?
2.Bill Clinton was hardly the first president to com-
mit adultery. Why did his indiscretions lead to
charges that resulted in an impeachment proceed-
ing? Did his actions constitute “high crimes and
misdemeanors”? What were the major achieve-
ments of the Clinton presidency?
3.The section of this chapter on the disputed 2000
presidential election is subtitled: “George W. Bush
Wins by One Vote.” What does that mean? Why
did Bush win the election?

4.Why did Islamist terrorists attack on 9/11? Why

did George W. Bush go to war against Afghanistan

shortly afterwards? Why did he then invade Iraq?

What issues in Iraq made it difficult to withdraw

United States troops?

5.Hurricane Katrina was a natural disaster. To

what extent, however, did human actions—and

inactions—aggravate the calamity?

6.Why did global financial markets nearly collapse

from 2008–2009? What caused the financial melt-

down? What impact did it have on Americans?

7.What factors contributed to Barack Obama being

elected president? What were the major elements

of his health care reform act and how did he get it

through Congress?

8.Why did Obama send American troops back

into Afghanistan?