American History Essay: US Politics from Clinton to Obama

This essay delves into the political landscape of the United States from the Clinton to the Obama administrations. It examines President Clinton's navigation between liberal and centrist ideologies, the growing political polarization with the conservative Republican movement, and the controversies surrounding race and women's rights during the 1990s. The essay also analyzes Clinton's survival of the Lewinsky scandal and the impact of multiculturalism, postmodernism, and new media on American culture. Furthermore, it explores the impact of the September 11 terrorist attacks, the post-9/11 wars, and the rise of Barack Obama. The essay discusses Obama's responses to the Great Recession, the Tea Party backlash, economic inequality, and the political gridlock caused by issues like immigration and civil rights. The essay provides a comprehensive overview of the key political, social, and economic developments that shaped the United States during this period, offering insights into the complex interplay of policies, events, and societal changes.

Running head: AMERICAN HISTORY 1
American History
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AMERICAN HISTORY 2
Introduction
United States of America has a rich history revolving around her politics. Politics which
is majorly dominated by high scheming politicians whose politics weigh a lot on economy, war
on terror, self-identity among many other issues that are sold to the electorate during campaigns.
These issues help the electorate make decisions in electing the next president at the end of each
presidential term, which takes a period of four years. During campaigns, strengths and
weaknesses forms center stage in Americans democratic space (Maisel, 2016).
How President Bill Clinton attempted to navigate between traditional liberal
democratic values and his claim to be a centrist
This came at the back drop of many issues that had earlier been characterized with by the
Democratic Party. In order to portray himself as a founder of new Democrat, Clinton’s policies
gave strength to a growing economy, country free from terrorism and safety of Americans being
at the top of his priorities. He literary meant to do things differently from the norms of the party,
a situation that had cost the Democrats in winning elections in the past two decades. He also took
a central role rather than being alienated to his party by also implementing some Republican
policies that were beneficial to the Country making him attract more supporters from the
Republican party, at the same time implementing his party policies (Lawrence, 2018).
The cause of growing polarization between the conservative republican movement
and Clinton Administration
Clinton’s initiatives failed hence leading to a section of citizens going against the
government costing Democrats some of their seats in governorship, senate and the house.
Through lack of majority in the Congress, Clinton’s administration lacked numbers to block or
pass bills. America’s politics is characterized by hardliners drawn from political parties and

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strong stands on policies. Clinton’s administration experienced a lot of challenges in
implementing his policies which were opposed by the other faction, Republicans. Polarization in
this instance emanated through Clintons new way of doing things from the norms to bring up the
country in a different way than before. These brought a lot of polarization in the country, with
politics of division taking center stage, hence difficult to pass some of the laws as he had
anticipated (Dagnes, 2019).
Why issues of race and human rights remained controversial as blacks and women
gained socially and economically;
The entry of women to Americas workforce and engagement in social activities such as
sports was never a solution but opened a Pandora box where there were numerous family
conflicts leading to divorce between couples. There was a rise of single parenting, adoptions and
many more like never before, sparking political debates across America. Racial discrimination
was also eminent on settlements with the whites being in good suburbs as African Americans of
no portfolios languished in dilapidated zones (Tate, 2018).
How Clinton survived the Lewinsky scandal
Having confessed over the scandal at one point, the matter went before the house with
overwhelming evidence after the matter going through perjury followed by the grand jury then to
the house leading to Clinton’s impeachment. Clinton was accused of failing to honor the
constitution as the president. Quite astonishing was that the electorate were never interested in
his morality but the great achievement he made through policies that saved countries economy.
He was later vindicated by the senate after voting with some republican senators joining
democrats against his impeachment with a difference of ten senators, having fifty five in his
favor against forty five.

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Role of multiculturalism, postmodernism and new media in change of splinter
American culture
Post modernism helped Americans have a different view of things in the immediate
environment, helping change attitudes and transforming this to objective thinking devoid of race.
This aspect help America embrace cultural identity of everybody including the minorities who
could never be heard before. America was greatly divided by race and cultural practices which
did not allow some minorities given positions in politics as well as education. Women’s roles
were also limited. The aspect of post modernism and multiculturalism can never be separated for
growth of a country. Therefore it was time cultures and science was brought together to enhance
growth and focus of achieving greater things for the country. This helped in ensuring that the
focus remained on transformations in technology and not war against one another in terms of
race and cultural practices (Kosherbayev, Mombek, Kuzhagulova, Kamalova, Nurysheva &
Remizov, 2016).
The impacts of September 11 terrorist attack on United States, accomplishments
and
failures; the terrorists attack left America’s economy worse than before as fear of further
attacks sent fear to Americans. This came amidst economy’s back fall to worsen it. Bush’s
administration managed to attack and overpower Taliban and Saddam’s regime though didn’t get
their main target Bin Laden. A lot of investments made on intelligence department and police
training as mitigations.
George W. Bush’s “Great recession” contribution to election of Barack Obama
economy was on its knees at the end of Bush’s error. Banks were losing money from defaulters
who could not pay their mortgages. There was decline in real estate with the freezing credit

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markets and highest rate of un employments ever. These gave Obama chance to thrive against
republican candidate (Peck, 2017).
Obama’s strongest efforts on “Great recession” and policies provoking angry Tea
Party backlash; Obama’s entry to presidency came as a savior to America’s economy by
shielding it from collapse, there was an improvement on jobs and investments amid a staggering
economy. Obama also had his Obama care health insurance passed to law among other acts
provoking a section of citizens to protest against his leadership, claimed to be characterized by
socialism.
Contribution of inequality due to economic rise and the widening income gap role in
political and social polarization; over half a century America had realized an economic gap
between the rich and the poor, which raised concerns. It was ironical that the poor stagnated as
the rich overwhelmingly earned. The uproar came at the point Obama’s administration did
minimal to curb the same.
Contributions of immigration, civil rights and civil liberties in political “gridlock” in
Washington; Immigration policy remained a thorn on Obama’s administration after failing to
deliver his promise during elections. President Obamas policies over immigration including the
Development, Relief, Education, for Alien Minors act which would give opportunity to non-
Americans serving in US Military or graduated from American University was heavily opposed
by the Republicans who had reservations that the bill on immigration will be loophole to entry
and legalization of millions of illegal immigrants in the United States of America. Groups
emerged on streets forcing him to pen executive order giving some hope. With reduction on Job
approvals, Democrats also lost senate control as a result of struggling economy (Volpp, 2016).

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Conclusion
America has a great history from the time of President Clinton to President Obama. The
history is encompassed by politics that has drawn a line between two major political parties in
the United States, which are Democratic and Republican Parties. This politics of division has
greatly influenced the electorate during campaigns with policies sold either making or breaking a
particular candidate. A lot of issues cutting across on Americas history have been ranging from
Racial discrimination, un employment, gender inequality, war against terrorism among others.
History of America cannot be separated from her politics, therefore it overwhelmingly controls
elections, as it is based on fundamental issues affecting citizens in their day to day lives, and the
governance of the country.

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References
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Super Mad at Everything All the Time (pp. 119-165). Palgrave Macmillan, Cham.
Kosherbayev, Z., Mombek, A., Kuzhagulova, G., Kamalova, N., Nurysheva, G., &
Remizov, V. (2016). POSTMODERNISM: THEORY AND PRACTICE OF
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27(2).
Lawrence, D. G. (2018). The collapse of the democratic presidential majority: Realignment,
dealignment, and electoral change from Franklin Roosevelt to Bill Clinton. Routledge.
Maisel, L. S. (2016). American political parties and elections: A very short introduction (Vol.
169). Oxford University Press.
Peck, R. (2017). Usurping the usable past: How Fox News remembered the Great Depression
during the Great Recession. Journalism, 18(6), 680-699.
Tate, K. (2018). Black faces in the mirror: African Americans and their representatives in the US
Congress. Princeton University Press.
Volpp, L. (2016). Immigrants Outside the Law: President Obama, Discretionary Executive
Power, and Regime Change. Discretionary Executive Power, and Regime Change
(December 1, 2016), 3.