Module 9 Lesson 3 Practice 3
Eli Stafford
Saddam Hussein
Saddam Hussein was the fifth president of Iraq, and the instigator of a lot of middle eastern conflict. He was the leader from 1979, to 2003, and in his early years of presidency invaded Iran and Israel for political gain. He lost the Iran-Iraq War (as it was called) and this had repercussions years later, starting another war, the Gulf-War. Kuwait would not forgive his debt he accumulated during the Iran-Iraq war, and decided that Kuwait was really a part of Iraq and invaded on August 2nd, 1990. Then Saddam put his sights on Saudi Arabia. Owning both Kuwait and Saudi Arabia would give Iraq access to half the worlds petroleum supply, which could not be stood for. This caused the U.S to get involved, and eventually put an end to it.
Operation Desert Storm
Operation Desert Storm was an plan during the Gulf War by the U.S to go on the offensive to Iraq. The U.S had been defending Saudi Arabia with about 500,000 troops, and after January 15th, 1991, the date set for Iraq to disengage from Kuwait, Operation Desert Storm was put into action. Over 2,500 bombing raids were sent into Kuwait, weakening the defenses of Iraq's army. Then, only a few weeks later, ground forces moved in, and within a hundred hours Kuwait was declared liberated.
Famine in Somalia
In Somalia a famine broke out in 1992 in response to a bloody civil war. The U.N and U.S intervened at this time, doing whatever they could to get relief to the citizens of Somalia. 300,000 Somalians died, but the U.N and U.S were successful in their fixing of Somalia's government and populations health.
Gerrymandering
Gerrymandering the redrawing of congressional districts for political gain. In the 1990's it became a large problem, and North Carolina was at the head of this controversy. A twelfth congressional district was attempted to be drawn up multiple times, but struck down many times.
Americans with Disabilities Act
This was a bill which bans discrimination in the hiring and promoting of handicapped people, specifically those who are HIV positive. This helped out many people that are handicapped while searching for jobs, or getting handicapped while having a job.
27th Amendment
The 27th amendment restricted congress from enacting a pay raise on their current term. The pay raise will only take effect the next term.
NAFTA
NAFTA (North American Trade Agreement) is a trade agreement between the countries of Canada, Mexico, and the U.S to allow free trade between their countries. Bill Clinton signed this bill for the U.S, and supported it wholeheartedly.
Brady Bill
The Brady Bill was an act named after James Brady, who was shot in the attempt to assassinate Ronald Reagan. This act was passed by congress to federally mandate that anyone purchasing a gun in the U.S had to undergo a background check.
Newt Gingrich
Newt Gingrich was the Republican Speaker of the House while Bill Clinton, a Democratic President, was inaugurated. This made it difficult for Bill to maneuver his legislation through congress and the House.
Impeachment of President Clinton
President Clinton was accused of an affair with a White House intern, and he denied this claim under oath. He was then proven to have "had sexual relation with this woman", and impeached for obstruction of justice. He was kicked out of the presidential station, but his reputation was tarnished.