The United States: economy, politics and foreign policy
Lessons 10 · 1 lessons · Sh. Ergashev, B. Xodjayev, J. Abdullayev. World History (1991–2017): textbook for Grade 11 of secondary schools and for students of secondary specialised and vocational institutions. 1st edition. “Turon-Iqbol”, Tashkent, 2018
10
The United States, 1991–2017
Textbook: pp. 48–51
GoalDescribe the economic, political and foreign-policy development of the United States after 1991.
New words
recession, a temporary fall in economic activity · retsessiyathe global financial crisis of 2007–2009 · global moliyaviy inqirozCongress, the legislature of the USA (Senate and House of Representatives) · Kongresspolitical polarization, the growing gap between the main parties · partiyalar qutblanishi
Explanation
In the 1990s the American economy went through a long expansion: under Bill Clinton (1993–2001) unemployment fell and information-technology companies grew fast. About 3,000 people died in the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001; the administration of George W. Bush (2001–2009) began military action in Afghanistan (2001) and Iraq (2003) and strengthened homeland security measures. In September 2008 the failure of the bank Lehman Brothers deepened the global financial crisis that had started in the housing-loan market; Barack Obama was elected in 2008 as the first African American president of the USA (2009–2017). Donald Trump was elected in 2016 and served in 2017–2021, Joe Biden was elected in 2020 and served in 2021–2025; Trump won again in 2024 and took office in January 2025. In politics the polarization between the two big parties, the Democratic and Republican parties, grew. In foreign policy the USA was the sole leading power after the Cold War; later competition with China (trade war, technology) and aid to Ukraine became main issues.
Worked examples
A presidential term lasts four years and one person can be elected at most twice (the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution). Hence Clinton, Bush and Obama each served two terms.
After 11 September 2001 the USA created the Department of Homeland Security, tightened aviation security and began military campaigns called the “war on terror”. NATO invoked Article 5 for the first time.
Class activity
Build a “presidential timeline”: write each president’s name since 1993 and one main event of his time on a card, and hang the cards on the board in order.
Practice
1
Who have been US presidents since 1993 (in order)?
Bill Clinton (1993–2001), George W. Bush (2001–2009), Barack Obama (2009–2017), Donald Trump (2017–2021), Joe Biden (2021–2025), Donald Trump (from 2025).
2
How did the 2008 global financial crisis begin?
The US housing-loan market collapsed, big banks (for example Lehman Brothers) ran into trouble and the crisis spread to the whole world financial system.
3
For how many years in total can one person serve as US president (two terms, consecutive or not)?
8
4
Why did the events of 11 September 2001 change US foreign policy?
The country suffered such a large attack on its own territory for the first time; security became the priority and the USA started military operations abroad against terrorist groups.