George H.W. Bush: Foreign Policy May 3, 2011

1989: Soviet Union collapsed U.S. unopposed superpower New U.S. President: George H.W. Bush – Yale graduate – WWII vet – U.S. ambassador for UN – Director CIA – Reagan VP South Africa Controlled by whites Apartheid Policy (segregation) Anti-apartheid movement led by Nelson Mandela – Imprisoned since 1962 – Released in 1990 (28 years) 1994: 1 st free elections – Nelson Mandela elected President

Persian Gulf War Aug. 2, 1990: 150,000 Iraqi troops invaded Kuwait Saddam Hussein – Iraq dictator since 1979 – Ruled with “iron fist” Why invade Kuwait??? – OIL Hussein would have 20% of oil produced in world U.S. Fears: this would give Hussein HIGH influence And…maybe invade Saudi Arabia next

Bush: will NOT tolerate Iraq aggression UN demands Iraq remove troops Fall 1990: 700,000 troops in Saudi Arabia (no fighting yet) – 500,000 U.S. – Others: Britain, France, Egypt, Saudi Arabia – Japan gave $$$ Bush hope: presence will force Hussein to leave Kuwait Bush receives OK from Congress to use force if necessary

Operation Desert Storm January 16, 1991 Name given on U.S. led attack on Iraq – Aerial bombardment on Iraq Gen. Colin Powell & Norman Schwarzkopf devised plan Iraq counter attack: scud missiles – Little damage – But fear of chemical warheads February 23 – U.S. troops invade Iraq Iraqi’s surrender or flee Set fire to Kuwait oil rigs on way 5 days later: Iraq agrees to UN cease-fire – 25,000 Iraq soldiers die – 148 U.S. deaths Leave Kuwait…But Hussein remains in power of Iraq

1991: Persian Gulf War – Bush approval 91% In one year, Approval DOWN – Recession/ Deficit – Taxes HIGHER – Saddam still in power 1992 Election Republican: George H.W. Bush Democrat: William Jefferson Clinton – Governor of Arkansas “New Democrat” – Strong military – Tough on crime – Free trade – Welfare reform Independent: Ross Perot (billionaire) – Clinton WINS (43%) – Bush (38%) – Perot (19%)