AimAim: How did President : How did President Bush continue the policies Bush continue the policies
of President Reagan?of President Reagan?
IntroductionIntroductionBy the early 1990s, Americans were preparing By the early 1990s, Americans were preparing for more changes in direction.for more changes in direction.Americans were celebrating the end of the Cold Americans were celebrating the end of the Cold War and watched the Soviet Union break apart.War and watched the Soviet Union break apart.On the domestic front, they continued to On the domestic front, they continued to experience high unemployment, budget experience high unemployment, budget problems and changing social patterns.problems and changing social patterns.Many Americans began to look for new Many Americans began to look for new approaches in both foreign and domestic approaches in both foreign and domestic policies to take the United States into the 21policies to take the United States into the 21stst century.century.
1. A New Presidency1. A New Presidency
Ronald Reagan had given the United Ronald Reagan had given the United States eight years of conservative States eight years of conservative leadership.leadership.The presidential election of 1988 would The presidential election of 1988 would decide if the American people would stay decide if the American people would stay with conservatism or strike out in different with conservatism or strike out in different directions.directions.
1.1 Voters Choose George Bush1.1 Voters Choose George Bush
Given the Iran-Contra scandal and the Given the Iran-Contra scandal and the rising deficit, Democrats thought they had rising deficit, Democrats thought they had a good chance in the election of 1988.a good chance in the election of 1988.The Democrats, however, failed to follow The Democrats, however, failed to follow up on their advantages.up on their advantages.In the early stages of the campaign, so In the early stages of the campaign, so many Democrats became candidates that many Democrats became candidates that it was hard for one from another.it was hard for one from another.
Jesse Jackson, the party’s liberal African Jesse Jackson, the party’s liberal African American candidate and a powerful speaker, American candidate and a powerful speaker, was one of the finalists.was one of the finalists.At the nominating convention, Jackson lost out At the nominating convention, Jackson lost out to Massachusetts Governor Michael Dukakis.to Massachusetts Governor Michael Dukakis.Chosen as the Democratic presidential Chosen as the Democratic presidential candidate, Dukakis presented himself as a cool candidate, Dukakis presented himself as a cool manager who made his state prosper.manager who made his state prosper.Dukakis nominated Senator Lloyd Bentsen as Dukakis nominated Senator Lloyd Bentsen as his vice-presidential candidate.his vice-presidential candidate.
Michael Dukakis and Lloyd BentsenMichael Dukakis and Lloyd Bentsen
The Republicans gathered solidly behind The Republicans gathered solidly behind George Bush, who had been Ronald George Bush, who had been Ronald Reagan’s vice-president for eight years.Reagan’s vice-president for eight years.Bush chose young Senator Dan Quayle of Bush chose young Senator Dan Quayle of Indiana as his running mate.Indiana as his running mate.The Republicans painted Bush as a tough The Republicans painted Bush as a tough candidate who would stay with Reagan’s candidate who would stay with Reagan’s policies, including lowering taxes.policies, including lowering taxes.
In November, the Bush-Quayle ticket took In November, the Bush-Quayle ticket took 54% of the popular vote and 426 electoral 54% of the popular vote and 426 electoral votes.votes.Michael Dukakis received 112 votes and Michael Dukakis received 112 votes and Bush won in a wide victory.Bush won in a wide victory.
George Bush and Dan QuayleGeorge Bush and Dan Quayle
Election of 1988Election of 1988
The states in blue voted for George Bush and the states in red votedfor George Bush. George Bush became the 41st President of the US in1988.
1.2 Bush Commands World Stage1.2 Bush Commands World Stage
During the campaign, Republicans During the campaign, Republicans focused on Bush’s long experience in focused on Bush’s long experience in foreign affairs.foreign affairs.As President, Bush took an active role in As President, Bush took an active role in dealing with other nations of the world.dealing with other nations of the world.
End of the Cold WarEnd of the Cold War
Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev had Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev had started government and social reforms started government and social reforms inside the Soviet Union when he became inside the Soviet Union when he became leader during the mid-1980s.leader during the mid-1980s.Seeing these changes, other nations Seeing these changes, other nations controlled by the Soviet Union demanded controlled by the Soviet Union demanded they, too, receive the same changes and they, too, receive the same changes and reforms.reforms.
In June 1989, only six months after Bush had In June 1989, only six months after Bush had taken office, Poland held free elections.taken office, Poland held free elections.Non-Communist leaders of Lech Walesa’s Non-Communist leaders of Lech Walesa’s Solidarity movement won control over the Solidarity movement won control over the government.government.Soon after, people in Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Soon after, people in Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Bulgaria, Romania and East Germany rose up Bulgaria, Romania and East Germany rose up against their Soviet-style governments.against their Soviet-style governments.In November, Germans tore down the Berlin In November, Germans tore down the Berlin Wall, symbolizing the division between East and Wall, symbolizing the division between East and West Germany.West Germany.Germans soon began to reunite their country.Germans soon began to reunite their country.
The Fall of the Berlin WallThe Fall of the Berlin Wall
The Fall of the Berlin WallThe Fall of the Berlin Wall
Gorbachev refused to use force to crush the Gorbachev refused to use force to crush the uprisings in Eastern Europe.uprisings in Eastern Europe.President Bush offered moral support and President Bush offered moral support and modest financial aid to Eastern Europe’s new modest financial aid to Eastern Europe’s new governments.governments.In November 1990, Bush discussed the future of In November 1990, Bush discussed the future of Europe in a meeting with 32 European nations.Europe in a meeting with 32 European nations.Bush wanted to bring in a new era of democracy Bush wanted to bring in a new era of democracy now that the Cold War was over.now that the Cold War was over.
George Bush and Mikhail George Bush and Mikhail GorbachevGorbachev
Breakup of the Soviet UnionBreakup of the Soviet UnionEarly in 1990, some members of the 15 separate Early in 1990, some members of the 15 separate republics that made up the Soviet Union began republics that made up the Soviet Union began pushing for independence.pushing for independence.Gorbachev was unable to stop this Gorbachev was unable to stop this independence movement.independence movement.In August 1991, hard-line Communists in In August 1991, hard-line Communists in Moscow-who feared the end of the Soviet Union Moscow-who feared the end of the Soviet Union and objected to Gorbachev’s reforms-tried to and objected to Gorbachev’s reforms-tried to overthrow Gorbachev.overthrow Gorbachev.Boris Yeltsin, president of the Russian republic, Boris Yeltsin, president of the Russian republic, rallied the people to protect Gorbachev and save rallied the people to protect Gorbachev and save the spirit of reform.the spirit of reform.
While events unfolded in Moscow, the United While events unfolded in Moscow, the United States and other Western European nations States and other Western European nations recognized the independence of these nations.recognized the independence of these nations.By the end of September, all 15 members of the By the end of September, all 15 members of the Soviet Republic had declared independence.Soviet Republic had declared independence.Then on December 25, 1991, Gorbachev Then on December 25, 1991, Gorbachev resigned his authority ending the Soviet Union.resigned his authority ending the Soviet Union.Boris Yeltsin succeeded in bringing 10 of the old Boris Yeltsin succeeded in bringing 10 of the old republics into a loose federation called the republics into a loose federation called the Commonwealth of Independent States.Commonwealth of Independent States.
Soviet Union 1945-1991Soviet Union 1945-1991
Russia 1991-PresentRussia 1991-Present
Boris YeltsinBoris Yeltsin
Voices for Freedom in ChinaVoices for Freedom in China
The spirit of democracy reached as far as The spirit of democracy reached as far as the People’s Republic of China.the People’s Republic of China.In the spring of 1989, a million people In the spring of 1989, a million people gathered in the capital city of Beijing to gathered in the capital city of Beijing to demonstrate for freedom.demonstrate for freedom.On June 4, however, government On June 4, however, government authorities sent in tanks and soldiers in a authorities sent in tanks and soldiers in a bloody crackdown that killed hundreds of bloody crackdown that killed hundreds of students in Tiananmen Square.students in Tiananmen Square.
The demonstrations ended, but Deng The demonstrations ended, but Deng Xiaoping, the aging leader of China, Xiaoping, the aging leader of China, refused to make any changes in the refused to make any changes in the communist system.communist system.The Bush administration protested the The Bush administration protested the government’s violence but did not break government’s violence but did not break diplomatic ties or trade agreements with diplomatic ties or trade agreements with China. China.
Tiananmen Square 1989Tiananmen Square 1989
Tiananmen Square-1989Tiananmen Square-1989
Tiananmen Square-1989Tiananmen Square-1989
Deng XiaopingDeng Xiaoping
More World ChangesMore World Changes
During the last term of the Reagan During the last term of the Reagan administration, Congress had banned administration, Congress had banned imports from South Africa and prohibited imports from South Africa and prohibited Americans from investing there.Americans from investing there.The ban protested apartheid-a policy of The ban protested apartheid-a policy of segregating the Black majority and segregating the Black majority and keeping it under the control of the white keeping it under the control of the white minority.minority.
In 1990, South African President, F.W. de In 1990, South African President, F.W. de Klerk released the popular Black leader Klerk released the popular Black leader Nelson Mandela from prison.Nelson Mandela from prison.The following year, de Klerk began The following year, de Klerk began repealing the rules of apartheid and that repealing the rules of apartheid and that led to President Bush lifting the economic led to President Bush lifting the economic sanctions against South Africa.sanctions against South Africa.
F.W. de KlerkF.W. de Klerk
Nelson MandelaNelson Mandela
In Latin America, the pro-communist In Latin America, the pro-communist regime in Nicaragua held free elections in regime in Nicaragua held free elections in 1989.1989.In the election, Violeta Barrios de In the election, Violeta Barrios de Chamorro, a political moderate and pro-Chamorro, a political moderate and pro-American leader, defeated the Sandinista American leader, defeated the Sandinista candidate and she was able to assume the candidate and she was able to assume the presidency peacefully.presidency peacefully.Ten years of Sandinista rule ended.Ten years of Sandinista rule ended.
Violeta Barrios de ChamorroVioleta Barrios de Chamorro
1.3 United States Military Actions1.3 United States Military Actions
President Bush exerted his President Bush exerted his leadership in foreign military leadership in foreign military actions.actions.Bush used some of the arms that Bush used some of the arms that Reagan built up during his Reagan built up during his presidency.presidency.
Panama InvasionPanama Invasion
In December 1989, Bush sent some In December 1989, Bush sent some 26,000 troops to the Central American 26,000 troops to the Central American nation of Panama.nation of Panama.The mission was to remove General The mission was to remove General Manuel Noreiga, the President of Panama Manuel Noreiga, the President of Panama from power.from power.Noreiga had refused to leave office even Noreiga had refused to leave office even after the people of Panama voted him out after the people of Panama voted him out in a national election.in a national election.
American troops captured Noreiga and brought American troops captured Noreiga and brought him to the United States, where he stood trial on him to the United States, where he stood trial on earlier drug-trafficking charges.earlier drug-trafficking charges.Many people applauded the invasion of Many people applauded the invasion of Panama.Panama.Some people, especially in Latin America, Some people, especially in Latin America, criticized the invasion because the United States criticized the invasion because the United States used force and that innocent civilians were killed used force and that innocent civilians were killed in the process.in the process.
PanamaPanama
Operation Just CauseOperation Just Cause
General Manuel NoreigaGeneral Manuel Noreiga
Persian Gulf WarPersian Gulf War
One year later, President Bush ordered One year later, President Bush ordered American forces into a much bigger military American forces into a much bigger military action.action.In August 1990, the President of Iraq, Saddam In August 1990, the President of Iraq, Saddam Hussein, sent his army into taking over Hussein, sent his army into taking over neighboring Kuwait. Kuwait’s main export was neighboring Kuwait. Kuwait’s main export was oil.oil.Bush saw this move by Hussein as a threat to Bush saw this move by Hussein as a threat to peace and stability in the Middle East while peace and stability in the Middle East while threatening the shipment of oil.threatening the shipment of oil.
Bush worked with the United Nations and Bush worked with the United Nations and our allies to decide how to respond.our allies to decide how to respond.With the help of Secretary of Defense Dick With the help of Secretary of Defense Dick Cheney and the Joint Chiefs of Staff Colin Cheney and the Joint Chiefs of Staff Colin Powell, President Bush organized Powell, President Bush organized Operation Desert Storm.Operation Desert Storm.He planned to force the Iraqis out of He planned to force the Iraqis out of Kuwait.Kuwait.
Secretary of Defense-Dick CheneySecretary of Defense-Dick CheneyGeneral of the Joint Chiefs of Staff-General of the Joint Chiefs of Staff-
Colin PowellColin Powell
Both Dick Cheney and Colin Powell were instrumental in our organizing andenforcing Operation Desert Storm in 1991.Cheney is now vice president while Colin Powell was Secretary of State underGeorge Bush. They were instrumental in planning Operation Enduring Freedom.
By January 1991, the United States had By January 1991, the United States had flown more than 400,000 troops and their flown more than 400,000 troops and their equipment into Saudi Arabia.equipment into Saudi Arabia.The Americans joined soldiers from other The Americans joined soldiers from other nations that belonged to the coalition nations that belonged to the coalition (temporary alliance) to drive Saddam (temporary alliance) to drive Saddam Hussein out of Kuwait.Hussein out of Kuwait.Hussein and the Iraqi forces dug in along Hussein and the Iraqi forces dug in along defensive lines near Saudi Arabia.defensive lines near Saudi Arabia.
On January 16, Operation Desert Storm—On January 16, Operation Desert Storm—and the Persian Gulf War—opened with a and the Persian Gulf War—opened with a massive air assault.massive air assault.American and allied bombers, flying day American and allied bombers, flying day and night, pounded Iraqi troops, depots and night, pounded Iraqi troops, depots and targets near and in Baghdad.and targets near and in Baghdad.After six weeks of war, General Norman After six weeks of war, General Norman Schwarzkopf overran the Iraqi forces.Schwarzkopf overran the Iraqi forces.
American casualties were light.American casualties were light.One hundred hours after the ground war One hundred hours after the ground war began, President Bush declared a cease began, President Bush declared a cease fire.fire.Iraqi power was damaged and Kuwait was Iraqi power was damaged and Kuwait was liberated.liberated.
Saddam HusseinSaddam Hussein
Operation Desert StormOperation Desert Storm
General Norman SchwarzkopfGeneral Norman Schwarzkopf
General Schwarzkopf, General General Schwarzkopf, General Colin Powell and Secretary of Colin Powell and Secretary of
Defense Dick CheneyDefense Dick Cheney
George Bush Poll (1991)George Bush Poll (1991)
1.4 Bush Struggles with Domestic 1.4 Bush Struggles with Domestic ConcernsConcerns
President Bush won praise for his foreign President Bush won praise for his foreign policy.policy.However, he had trouble with domestic affairs.However, he had trouble with domestic affairs.Bush continued the policies of Reagan Bush continued the policies of Reagan regarding lower taxes and cutting of social regarding lower taxes and cutting of social programs.programs.Bush called for a “thousand points of light” or Bush called for a “thousand points of light” or volunteers to help solve domestic problems.volunteers to help solve domestic problems.
Thousand Points of LightThousand Points of Light
Failings of Savings and LoansFailings of Savings and LoansIn 1990, a serious recession struck the In 1990, a serious recession struck the economy.economy.Sales of goods slumped, manufacturing plants Sales of goods slumped, manufacturing plants closed, workers lost jobs, real estate prices closed, workers lost jobs, real estate prices dropped.dropped.Many banks had taken risks after the Many banks had taken risks after the government eased regulations during the government eased regulations during the Reagan years.Reagan years.Under Bush, they now had debts that needed to Under Bush, they now had debts that needed to be paid, the problems was they could not do it.be paid, the problems was they could not do it.
Because the government insures bank deposits, the Because the government insures bank deposits, the government took steps to repay the depositors money.government took steps to repay the depositors money.The government sold all real estate holdings which The government sold all real estate holdings which belonged to the banks.belonged to the banks.Due to the poor real estate market, the government had Due to the poor real estate market, the government had to spend more money to pay off the loans.to spend more money to pay off the loans.Americans were annoyed that their taxes were used to Americans were annoyed that their taxes were used to pay off monies that the banks owed. This showed many pay off monies that the banks owed. This showed many Americans that the government catered to the needs of Americans that the government catered to the needs of the wealthy while many people who were working class the wealthy while many people who were working class struggled.struggled.
Silverado Savings and Loan-Bailed Silverado Savings and Loan-Bailed out by the Bush Administrationout by the Bush Administration
Not only is Neil Bush the CEO of thisS & L. He is the youngest son of thePresident of the United States,George H.W. Bush.
New TaxesNew TaxesAs a candidate, Bush promised to make the economy As a candidate, Bush promised to make the economy grow which would reduce the federal deficit.grow which would reduce the federal deficit.The deficit went up and by 1990, Bush realized that he The deficit went up and by 1990, Bush realized that he should go with the Democrats and reduce the deficit should go with the Democrats and reduce the deficit within five years.within five years.The plan of Congress was to lower spending on health The plan of Congress was to lower spending on health care, cutting social programs, raising taxes on the care, cutting social programs, raising taxes on the wealthiest Americans and increased taxes on gas, luxury wealthiest Americans and increased taxes on gas, luxury goods and alcohol.goods and alcohol.People accused Bush of going against his promise of People accused Bush of going against his promise of “read my lips…no new taxes.”“read my lips…no new taxes.”
““Read my lips, no new taxes.”Read my lips, no new taxes.”
Foreign TradeForeign TradeAnother problem facing the United States economy was Another problem facing the United States economy was the unfavorable balance of trade.the unfavorable balance of trade.The balance of trade refers to the difference between the The balance of trade refers to the difference between the total value of the country’s exports compared with the total value of the country’s exports compared with the total value of the country’s imports.total value of the country’s imports.Americans bought many more goods from the Japanese Americans bought many more goods from the Japanese than the Japanese bought from the United States.than the Japanese bought from the United States.The United States had a large and costly imbalance in its The United States had a large and costly imbalance in its trade with Japan.trade with Japan.Early in 1992, Bush flew to Japan to persuade their Early in 1992, Bush flew to Japan to persuade their government to buy more of our products. The visit to government to buy more of our products. The visit to Japan failed to change people’s minds in Japan.Japan failed to change people’s minds in Japan.
US Trade Deficit With JapanUS Trade Deficit With Japan
In an attempt to improve the foreign trade In an attempt to improve the foreign trade imbalance and improve the economy, President imbalance and improve the economy, President Bush began to work with Canada and Mexico on Bush began to work with Canada and Mexico on a North American Free Trade Agreement.a North American Free Trade Agreement.Under the agreement, the three nations would Under the agreement, the three nations would eliminate tariffs and other laws that would hold eliminate tariffs and other laws that would hold back trade.back trade.This would make North America one huge, free-This would make North America one huge, free-trade unit when Bush announced the plan in trade unit when Bush announced the plan in 1992.1992.Congress did not take any action on NAFTA Congress did not take any action on NAFTA while Bush was president.while Bush was president.
NAFTANAFTA
The three major nations that compose NAFTA are the UnitedStates, Mexico and Canada.NAFTA encourages free trade across the North American continent.
The Bush Supreme CourtThe Bush Supreme Court
Like Reagan, Bush believed in appointing Like Reagan, Bush believed in appointing Supreme Court justices who would Supreme Court justices who would support his conservative views.support his conservative views.In 1990, Bush appointed David Souter In 1990, Bush appointed David Souter from New Hampshire to become a new from New Hampshire to become a new justice.justice.In 1991, he appointed Clarence Thomas to In 1991, he appointed Clarence Thomas to replace Thorogood Marshall.replace Thorogood Marshall.
Bush Appointments to the US Bush Appointments to the US Supreme CourtSupreme Court
David Souter (1990) Clarence Thomas (1991)
Gridlock in Washington, DCGridlock in Washington, DC
Congress and the Bush administration could Congress and the Bush administration could seldom agree on how to solve all of our nation’s seldom agree on how to solve all of our nation’s problems.problems.Constant squabbling brought government action Constant squabbling brought government action to a standstill, popularly called gridlock.to a standstill, popularly called gridlock.As the elections of 1990 grew near, upset voters As the elections of 1990 grew near, upset voters threatened to get rid of their officials, but all the threatened to get rid of their officials, but all the incumbents-the people already in office had won incumbents-the people already in office had won re-election.re-election.
