Download George H. W. Bush

George H. W. Bush
41st U.S. President
1989–93
1988 Election

defeated Democratic opponent Michael Dukakis

Bush defeated Dukakis by 426 to 111

popular vote, Bush took 53.4 percent of the ballots
cast while Dukakis received 45.6 percent.

Bush became the first serving Vice President to be
elected President since Martin Van Buren in 1836

as well as the first person to succeed someone
from his own party to the Presidency via election
to the office in his own right since Herbert Hoover
in 1929.
Domestic Policy

Bush faced a $220 billion deficit
spawned by the Reagan years.

By 1990, the deficit had grown to three
times its size since 1980.

Bush was forced by the Democratic
majority to raise tax revenues

many Republicans felt betrayed because
Bush had promised "no new taxes" in
his 1988 campaign
Immigration Act of 1990

increased the number of legal immigrants
allowed into the United States each year.

created a lottery program that randomly
assigned a number of visas.


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helped immigrants from countries where the
U.S. did not often grant visas.
removed homosexuality as a grounds for
exclusion.
provided for exceptions to the English testing
process required for naturalization
(Naturalization Act of 1906.)
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990


ADA is a wide-ranging civil rights law
that prohibits, under certain
circumstances, discrimination based on
disability.
Disability is defined as "a physical or
mental impairment that substantially
limits a major life activity."
Foreign Policy
 Panama
 Soviet

1989 - 1992
Union
START I
 Gulf
War 1990
 NAFTA
Panama 1989 - 1992

Panamanian leader Manuel
Noriega



accused of spying for Fidel Castro
using Panama to traffic drugs into the
U.S.
In May 1989, Panama held
democratic elections,

Guillermo Endara was elected
president;
Panama 1989 - 1992


Noriega suppressed a military
coup attempt and massive protests
in Panama against him.
Bush ordered 24,000 troops into
the country with an objective of
removing Noriega from power

"Operation Just Cause"
Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty
(START I)



would reduce the US's and USSR's
strategic nuclear weapons by about
35% over seven years
the Soviet Union's land-based
intercontinental ballistic missiles would
be cut by 50%.
Bush described START as "a significant
step forward in dispelling half a century
of mistrust"
Dissolution of the USSR

resulted in the destruction of the Soviet
Federal Government

independence of the USSR's republics on
December 25, 1991.


The process was caused by weakening of the
Soviet government, which led to
disintegration and took place from about
January 19, 1990 to December 31, 1991.
The process was characterized by many of
the republics of the Soviet Union declaring
their independence and being recognized as
sovereign nation-states.
Gulf War



Aug.1, 1990, Iraq, led by
Saddam Hussein, invaded
its oil-rich Kuwait
Saudi Arabia’s King Fahd
requested U.S. military
aid, fearing a possible
invasion of his country
Bush insisted on a
complete withdrawal of
Iraqi forces from Kuwait
Gulf War


U.S.-led coalition forces formed in
Sept. 1990, headed by Gen.
Norman Schwarzkopf
Congress authorized the use of
Military force


goal of returning control of Kuwait to
the Kuwaiti government
protecting America's interests abroad.
North American Free Trade
Agreement (NAFTA)

agreement signed Canada, Mexico, and
the United States



creating a trilateral trade bloc in North
America.
eliminate barriers of trade and investment
between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
brought the immediate elimination of tariffs on
more than 1/2 of U.S. imports from Mexico and
more than 1/3 of U.S. exports to Mexico