Part 1: Post a Response 

By the 1990s, the US was stepping into the “Information Age”. This would coincide with the presidency of Bill Clinton. One can also see this as a period when global connections really became more visible and faster, in part because of new trade agreements around the globe. In North America, there was NAFTA—the North American Free Trade Agreement. By the late 1990s the US economy was entering a dynamic period of growth.

Choose and discuss one of the following two topics related to the American history under President Clinton:

1. Discuss opposing viewpoints about free trade during the 1990s.    
   • For the period of the Clinton presidency, identify one view of those favoring “free trade” and one view of those who were opposed.
   • Explain how you would weigh the pros and cons of this policy. In hindsight, what is your view of NAFTA? Is globalization good?
   • Identify the source(s) where you read about these “free trade” issues of that time.
2. Discuss the “economic rebound” of the late 1990s under President Clinton.    
   • Identify three of the “package” of changes that characterized the economic boost of the “information revolution” in the late 1990s.
   • Discuss and explain what you think was the most important of these changes. What can we learn from that sort of period of economic rebound?
   • Identify the source(s) where you read about these changes during the late 1990s. For guidance, view this short video.

Part 2: Respond to a Peer 

Hi Professor and class,

Discuss the “economic rebound” of the late 1990s under President Clinton. 

Bill Clinton used sick economy yo his advantage in winning the White House in 1992. A strong rebound by the “Clinton crunch”  caused the unemployment to fall as low as  5.4 percent. A gross of domestic product, the broadest measure of economic health,rebounded to a 2.8 percent growth rate in the first quarter.  The increase in the nation’s total output of goods and services would have an even more astonishing 4.4 percent General Motor strike, the winter blizzards and government shutdowns. 

Identify three of the “package” of changes that characterized the economic boost of the “information revolution” in the late 1990s: Information revolution was current economic, social, and technological trends beyond the industrial revolution. Information Revolution was enabled by advances in semiconductor technology, particularly the MOS transistor and integrated circuit, leading to the information age. 

Discuss and explain what you think was the most important of these changes. What can we learn from that sort of period of economic rebound? 

I think the most important of these changes where the strong economy growth such as a record job creation. The raising of taxes on higher income taxpayers during Clinton administration. He also cute defense spending and welfare, which contributed in a rise in revenue and decline in spending relative to the size of the economy. Which these factors help bring the federal budget in to surplus. I think this helped the economy from the disaster it was going in even though it could always be better. 

Resources:  Chapter 28 SCHUTLZ HIST 5  VOL. 2 U.S. HISTORY SINCE 1865 pages 550-553