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George Bush

George Bush. Coming into Office. Ambassador to the U.N. Headed the CIA from 1976-1977 Vice President under Reagan in 1981 Americans were most concerned with maintaining Reagan’s domestic policies: low taxes, less government action. “Read my lips. No new taxes.”.

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George Bush

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  1. George Bush

  2. Coming into Office • Ambassador to the U.N. • Headed the CIA from 1976-1977 • Vice President under Reagan in 1981 • Americans were most concerned with maintaining Reagan’s domestic policies: low taxes, less government action. “Read my lips. No new taxes.”

  3. Most Serious Crisis in the Middle East • Persian Gulf War • Saddam Hussein, Iraq’s dictator sent his army to invade Kuwait (for oil) • America was afraid that Hussein would continue to take over other oil reserves (Saudi Arabia) • The UN, with the backing of the US began economic sanctions against Iraq and demanded the withdrawal of the Iraqis • Promised troop attack if they did not withdraw by January 16, 1991

  4. Operation Desert Storm • Dozens of cruise missiles and thousands of bombs fell on Iraq destroying air defenses, bridges, artillery, and other military targets • After 6 weeks the coalition began a massive ground attack • Just 100 hours after the ground war began, President Bush declared victory for Kuwait. • Celebrated the first large-scale victory for the U.S. since Vietnam.

  5. As the Persian Gulf crisis began, the economy plunged into a recession and unemployment rose rapidly.

  6. Economy Slows • Recession, partly because of the Cold War • Reducing armed forces • Cancelling orders for military equipment • Americans had borrowed heavily during the 1980’s and now faced paying off large debts • Bush ends up agreeing to a tax increase in exchange for cuts in spending.

  7. Election of 1992 • Unhappy with both the Republican nominee, George Bush and the Democratic nominee, Bill Clinton • Rise of the independent, Ross Perot • no-nonsense style appealed to many Americans • Grassroots movement put him on the ballot in all 50 states • Ended up with 19% of the popular vote, the best showing for a third-party candidate since 1912.

  8. Election of 1912 Election of 1992 Republican: 23% popular Democrats: 42% popular Progressive: 27.4% Republican: 37% popular Democrats: 43% popular Independent: 19%

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