Presidency of George H. W. Bush

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The presidency of George H. W. Bush began on January 20, 1989, when George H. W. Bush was inaugurated as the 41st president of the United States, and ended on January 20, 1993. Bush, a Republican, took office after serving as the 43rd vice president under Ronald Reagan. His presidency is best known for its foreign policy achievements, including the end of the Cold War, the Gulf War, and the invasion of Panama.

Domestic Policy

Bush's domestic policy was marked by a focus on economic issues, including the passage of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990, which aimed to reduce the federal budget deficit. This act included both spending cuts and tax increases, which were controversial and led to a decline in Bush's popularity.

Bush also signed the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, a landmark civil rights law that prohibits discrimination based on disability. Additionally, he signed the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990, which aimed to address acid rain, urban air pollution, and toxic air emissions.

Foreign Policy

Bush's foreign policy was characterized by significant events that reshaped the global landscape. The most notable of these was the end of the Cold War, marked by the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and the subsequent dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991. Bush worked closely with Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev to manage the transition and ensure a peaceful end to the decades-long conflict.

In 1989, Bush ordered the invasion of Panama to depose its leader, Manuel Noriega, who was involved in drug trafficking. The operation was successful, and Noriega was captured and brought to the United States for trial.

The Gulf War was another significant event during Bush's presidency. In 1990, Iraq, led by Saddam Hussein, invaded Kuwait. Bush built a coalition of nations and led a successful military campaign, known as Operation Desert Storm, to liberate Kuwait in early 1991.

Economy

The U.S. economy during Bush's presidency experienced a recession that began in 1990 and ended in 1991. The economic downturn, coupled with the budget deficit and tax increases, contributed to Bush's declining approval ratings. Despite efforts to stimulate the economy, including the signing of the Unemployment Compensation Amendments of 1992, the economic recovery was slow.

Supreme Court Appointments

Bush appointed two justices to the Supreme Court of the United States:

• David Souter in 1990
• Clarence Thomas in 1991

1992 Presidential Election

Bush ran for re-election in the 1992 United States presidential election but was defeated by Bill Clinton, the Democratic governor of Arkansas. The election was influenced by the economic recession and the third-party candidacy of Ross Perot, which split the conservative vote.

Legacy

Bush's presidency is often viewed through the lens of his foreign policy successes, particularly the peaceful end of the Cold War and the successful execution of the Gulf War. However, his domestic policies and the economic recession of the early 1990s have also shaped his legacy.

Related Pages

• George H. W. Bush
• Ronald Reagan
• Bill Clinton
• Cold War
• Gulf War
• Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
• Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990
• Supreme Court of the United States