GEORGE H. BUSH

41st President of the U.S. 1989-1993

Buschistory Presents – The Presidentswww.buschistory.net

The Election• 1.President: George Bush Number 41 Vice President: Dan Quayle

 • 2. Political Party – Republican

• 3. Term of Office 1989-1993

• 4. Who came before and after him, and what were their Political parties? • Ronald Reagan (Republican) preceded him and Bill Clinton

(Democrat) followed him

• 5. Were there any unusual circumstances surrounding his ascent to the presidency? If so, describe the situation in specific detail.

• Many felt that by electing George Bush that they were continuing the Reagan era policies.

The Office• 6. Are there any catch phrases or terms specifically

associated with this president? If so, list and explain them. “Read my Lips – No New Taxes.” Thousand points of Light

 • 7. When he left office, was it by: choice, defeat, natural

death, assassination, or resignation? Explain your answer. • He served one term. Bush’s decision to raise taxes in

the wake of the Reagan debt cost him to lose to Bill Clinton in 1992.

 

Domestic Issues and Events• Cornerstones – Believed to continue Reagan policies,

debt and deficit, business failures, Gulf War

• 1989 – Savings and Loan Crisis and bailout -$300 B, fought with Republicans over tax hikes, Thousand Points of light (encouraged volunteerism)

• 1990 – Announced he would raise a broad spectrum of taxes, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), named Time Mag. “Man of the Year.”

• 1992 – 14% Poverty Rate, 34% approval rating, loses election to Bill Clinton

• George Bush - "Read my lips....."

Foreign Policy and Events• Cornerstones – Berlin Wall, Unification

of Germany, Breakup of USSR, Persian Gulf War

• 1989 – Humanitarian aid to Nicaragua, ban on import of semi-automatic weapons, Invasion of Panama, Berlin Wall falls

• 1990 – Sanctions against Nicaragua lifted, Immigration Act of 1990 (eased immigration procedures and quotas)

• 1991 – START treaty with USSR, Soviet Union Dissolves, Gulf War

• George Bush on Iraq