CrashCourse U.S. History: Presidency of George H.W. Bush

Introduction

• Presenter: John Green
• Focus on George H.W. Bush, the 2nd most important George Bush to be US President.
• Contextual beginning in 1988 with Bush's election.

Bush's Background and Political Rise

• War hero in the Navy during WWII.
  • Youngest pilot in Navy history.
  • Flew 58 missions, received the Distinguished Flying Cross.
• Businessman in the oil industry after the war.
• Political career:
  • Congressman
  • Ambassador to the UN
  • Director of the CIA
  • Vice President
• Came from a wealthy background, son of Senator Prescott Bush.

Election of 1988

• Opponent: Massachusetts Governor Michael Dukakis.
  • Perceived as competent but weak.
  • Famous tank photo incident.
• Democratic primary contender: Jesse Jackson.
• Bush's running mate: Dan Quayle.
• Increase in negative campaign ads.
  • Notable Willie Horton ad impacting Dukakis.
• Bush's campaign rhetoric: "Read my lips, No New Taxes."

Presidency and Cold War

• Focus on foreign policy.
• End of the Cold War:
  • Berlin Wall fell, Eastern Europe transitioned.
  • USSR collapse viewed as USSR's failure rather than U.S. policy success.
• Reduction in nuclear weapons with START treaties.

Foreign Policy Challenges

• Yugoslavia disintegration.
• Somalia intervention.
• Gulf War (First Iraq War):
  • Saddam Hussein’s Kuwait invasion.
  • UN-backed coalition led by the U.S.
  • Quick military victory.

Domestic Challenges

• Economic recession (1990-1992):
  • Unemployment rose to 7.5%.
  • Tax increase despite "No New Taxes" pledge.
• Race relations issues highlighted by Rodney King incident.

End of Bush's Presidency

• Approval rates soared post-Gulf War but fell due to economic issues.
• Competition from Bill Clinton and Ross Perot in 1992 election.
• Bush's legacy and impact on future U.S. policies.

Conclusion

• George H.W. Bush's presidency seen as an interruption in rising conservatism.
• Lack of significant domestic change post-Cold War.
• Prelude to the Internet era.

References

• Patterson, "Restless Giant"
• "It's Their War, Too" by David Maraniss, Washington Post, 2/11/91.