Introduction- George Bush
- Persian Gulf War
- Practice
- Task
|
Following successful completion of this lesson, students will be able to:
|
The above objectives correspond with the following Alabama Course of Study Objectives:
| President Ronald Reagan endorses then-Vice President George H.W. Bush |
|||
|
|||
| President Ronald Reagan endorses then-Vice President George H.W. Bush The George Bush Presidential Library This image is in the public domain. |
|||
| President Ronald Reagan publically endorses his successor, George H.W. Bush for President of the United States. First Ladies, Nancy Reagan and Barbara Bush, are pictured here as well. |
Overview
President Reagan’s popularity during his two terms in office set up the Republicans for a relatively easy victory in the 1988 presidential election. George H.W. Bush, who served as Vice President under Ronald Reagan, won the Republican nomination and defeated Michael Dukakis, the Democratic candidate, in the November election.
Pro-democracy movements gained momentum in communist countries around the globe. Communist rule in eastern European countries began to crumble in 1989, ultimately leading to the destruction of the Berlin Wall and the reunification of Germany in 1990. In 1991, the Cold War came to an end as Soviet states declared independence, and established democratic reforms and free market economies.
Peace would not dominate the globe, however. Saddam Hussein, the dictator or Iraq, invaded neighboring Kuwait in efforts to take control of its oil reserves. President Bush sought international support through the United Nations Security Council and issued an ultimatum for the removal of Iraqi troops from Kuwait or face military action. The deadline passed and Operation Desert Storm was launched. Military success in the Persian Gulf War led to extremely high approval ratings for President Bush.
The remaining years of President Bush’s term proved difficult on the home front. The federal budget deficit soared and unemployment rose as the nation battled an economic recession. President Bush also had to renege on his campaign promise of “No New Taxes,” which would create problems for him in the 1992 presidential election.
 |