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William Jefferson Clinton: A Presidential Biography

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William Jefferson Clinton (Presidential Biographies)

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Language	:	English
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William Jefferson Clinton, the 42nd president of the United States, served from 1993 to 2001. During his presidency, he oversaw the longest peacetime economic expansion in American history, balanced the federal budget, and signed the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Clinton was also impeached by the House of Representatives in 1998, but was acquitted by the Senate.

Early Life and Education

William Jefferson Clinton was born on August 19, 1946, in Hope, Arkansas. He was the son of William Jefferson Blythe III, a traveling salesman, and Virginia Dell Cassidy Blythe. Clinton's father died in a car accident three months before he was born, and his mother remarried when he was four years old. Clinton took his stepfather's surname, Roger Clinton.

Clinton attended Georgetown University and Yale Law School. After graduating from law school, he returned to Arkansas to practice law. In 1976, he was elected Arkansas Attorney General. In 1978, he was elected governor of Arkansas, becoming the youngest governor in the United States at the time.

Presidential Campaign

Clinton first ran for president in 1992. He defeated incumbent Republican president George H. W. Bush in a close election. Clinton's victory was due in part to his focus on economic issues, such as job creation and healthcare reform.

Presidency

Clinton's presidency was marked by both economic prosperity and political scandal. Under Clinton's leadership, the American economy experienced the longest peacetime economic expansion in history. The federal budget was also balanced for the first time in decades. In addition, Clinton signed NAFTA into law, which created a free trade zone between the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Despite his economic successes, Clinton's presidency was also marred by scandal. In 1998, he was impeached by the House of Representatives for perjury and obstruction of justice. The charges stemmed from a sexual harassment lawsuit filed against Clinton by Paula Jones. Clinton was acquitted by the Senate, but the scandal damaged his reputation.

Post-Presidency

After leaving office, Clinton continued to be active in public life. He founded the William J. Clinton Foundation, which focuses on global health and economic development. Clinton also served as a United Nations special envoy to Haiti. In 2008, he published his autobiography, "My Life."

Legacy

Clinton is a controversial figure in American history. His presidency was marked by both economic prosperity and political scandal. However, there is no doubt that Clinton was a significant figure in American politics. His policies had a major impact on the country, and he will continue to be debated by historians for years to come.