What significant issue was President Bill Clinton impeached over?

Prepare for the CLEP US History II Test. Use flashcards and multiple choice questions with hints and explanations. Ensure your readiness for the exam!

President Bill Clinton was impeached primarily due to the Monica Lewinsky scandal, which involved revelations about his extramarital affair with a White House intern, Monica Lewinsky, and his subsequent attempts to cover it up. The impeachment process was initiated after Clinton was accused of lying under oath and obstructing justice in relation to a sexual harassment lawsuit filed by former Arkansas state employee Paula Jones. These actions led to charges of perjury and obstruction of justice, which formed the basis of the impeachment articles approved by the House of Representatives in December 1998.

This event was significant not only because it represented a constitutional crisis, the second presidential impeachment in U.S. history, but also because it highlighted issues of personal conduct and legal accountability in politics. The Senate later acquitted Clinton in early 1999, allowing him to serve the remainder of his term. The other options, while important in various contexts during his presidency, do not pertain directly to the charges that led to his impeachment.

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