1. : George H. W. Bush

2. Warning: This is Barely History
History is an argument about the past. Recent events are still being argued, but without all the relevant information- people still need to write their memoirs, documents are still classified, unforeseen effects have yet to occur. Remember historiography and how history changes based on the time period it is written. My narrative provided to you today is influenced by the environment we are currently in. I’ll try to present a balanced view, but…

3. George H. W. Takes Office:
Bush runs on political experience as former congressman, CIA Director and Vice President.

4. George H. W. Takes Office:
Promises to continue Reagan’s conservative agenda and promises “no new taxes.”
Bush after acceptance speech at Republican National Convention, “read my lips: no new taxes.” Bush promised to keep up Reagan’s conservative agenda. His experience in foreign affairs (ambassador to U.N. and head of CIA in the 70s, as well as Vice President) would prove beneficial later.
Bush wins with 54% of popular vote.

5. George H. W. Takes Office:
Democrats nominate Dukakis who is portrayed as too liberal, unpatriotic and “soft on crime.”
Dukakis criticized as too liberal, unpatriotic and “soft on crime.” His publicity stunt in a tank backfired when “Tank Ride” ad came out criticizing his opposition to military programs. Willie Horton ad unanswered by Dukakis. No ads about Iran-Contra.

6. Bush’s Foreign Policy:

7. The Cold War Ends:
Mikhail Gorbachev becomes leader of U.S.S.R. in 1985 & began reforming failing communist economy (perestroika or “restructuring”).

8. The Cold War Ends:
Glastnost or “openness” allowed freedom of speech in Eastern Europe, encouraging protest and peaceful “velvet” revolutions ending Soviet rule.

9. The Cold War Ends:
Berlin Wall falls in 1989 and the revolution spreads to Soviet Union, which did not respond to revolts in Eastern Europe.

10. The Cold War Ends:
Citizens tear down statue of Lenin after Romania’s communist dictator was executed in late Gorbachev encourages glasnost to spread to Eastern Europe- leading to peaceful revolutions. Poland has democratic elections in Hungary and Bulgaria have non-Communist govt. same year.

11. The Cold War Ends
Communist leaders attempt a coup (overthrow) of Gorbachev, but the Russian people rally to his cause in Moscow, and soon after the USSR dissolves.
Russian tanks in Moscow during August 1991 coup attempt on Gorbachev. Russian President Boris Yeltsin defied coup leaders and 50,000 people surrounded Russian Parliament. Coup failed and by December Gorbachev announces end of Soviet Union. Boris Yeltsin outlaws communism.

12. End of the Cold War
Debate: conservatives credit Reagan’s arms build up as helping to bankrupt USSR and encourage reform.
Others credit Gorbachev and weakness of Soviet economy w/o U.S. role

13. End of the Cold War
Effects: less fear of nuclear war, power-vacuum in E. Europe (who will control it now), recession in U.S. due to reduced military spending, and new U.S. military focus

14. The Persian Gulf War:
Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein invades neighbor Kuwait in 1990.

15. The Persian Gulf War:

16. The Persian Gulf War:
U.S. worried he’s headed for oil-rich U.S. ally Saudi Arabia (oil prices would increase even more).

17. The Persian Gulf War:
Bush persuades other U.N. nations to join to stop Iraq with Operation Desert Storm (1991).

18. The Persian Gulf War:
U.S. bombed Iraqi defenses using advanced technology (laser-guided smart bombs).

19. The Persian Gulf War:

20. The Persian Gulf War:
U.S. sends in a ground invasion and quickly pushed Iraq out of Kuwait, thousands surrender.

21. The Persian Gulf War:

22. The Persian Gulf War:

23. The Persian Gulf War:
Effects: Saddam left in power, U.S. sets precedent to intervene to stop aggression, Bush’s popularity high (except in Middle East).

24. Ross Perot and 1992 Election:
Republicans pick Bush despite weak economy and falling approval rating.

25. Ross Perot and 1992 Election:
Democrats pick William (Bill) Clinton who runs as a “New Democrat,” proposing to cut middle class taxes and govt. spending & push reform.

26. Ross Perot and 1992 Election:
In February 1992 Perot announced he might run on Larry King. Grassroots groups gathered signatures to put him on the ballot in all 50 states. Some polls showed him ahead but he dropped out in July, only to return again in October. Estimated to be worth $3 billion (tech companies). Wanted a balanced budget, direct democracy, increased military strength and war on drugs.
Third party candidate Ross Perot wins 19% of vote by grassroots movement- criticizing the status quo and govt. spending and deficit.

27. Bill Clinton Wins 1992 Election:
Perot reached the 15% threshold to participate in the three presidential debates. He financed his own campaign and refused any donation larger than $5. Three out of four polls showed Perot the winner of first debate.

28. Ross Perot and 1992 Election:
Ross Perot wins nearly 20 million votes, and may have cost Bush the election- if he was not running, those votes would have likely gone to Bush.

29. George H.W. Bush Domestic Policy:
Use the textbook or other sources to record notes on the following (what happened, when, and why- consider cause/effect):
Savings and Loan Crisis (p. 646)
Americans with Disabilities Act (p )