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Election of George H.W. Bush
Republican George H.W. Bush defeats Democrat Michael Dukakis by huge margin in the Electoral College in the Election of 1988 -
Bush Appointment of Drug Czar
Bush starts a war on crime and drugs with the appointment of a drug czar who's job would be to coordinate with various agencies to stop crime. This also came with increased federal funding to local police and almost $3 million dollar federal spending on stopping the flow of illegal drugs. -
The Panama Excursion
Bush sent troops to Panama to overthrow General Manuel Noriega when he refused to yield power when his figurehead candidate lost the election. Noriega was under indictment by the U.S for drug trafficking and was captured and imprisoned. -
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George H. W. Bush
He was the 41st President of the United States of America, serving a single term from January 20th 1989 to January 20th 1993. -
Bush Signs the Americans With Disabilities Act
This was signed on July 26th 1990 is a law (nicknamed "ADA") that prohibits discrimination of people with disabilities. This offers similar protections like the Civil Rights Act in 1964, and unlike the Civil Rights Act in 1964, the ADA requires employers to provide "reasonable accommodations" to the workers who had disabilities. -
Bush Vetoes the Civil Rights Act of 1990
President Bush vetoed the civil rights bill, saying it would, "introduce the destructive force of quotas into our nation's employment system.” -
Bush signs the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990
The Clean Air Act of 1990 set stricter standards for air pollution by aiming to reduce urban smog, reduce acid rain, and eliminate industrial toxic chemical emissions by the end of the 20th century. -
The Immigration Act of 1990
Bush signs the Immigration Act of 1990, allowing the admission of 700,000 aliens per year. -
The Persian Gulf War
The Persian Gulf war, codenamed "Operation Desert Shield" began on August 2nd 1990, and ended on February 28th 1991. It began due to Saddam Hussein ordering an invasion and an occupation of Kuwait - the neighboring countries of Iraq were alarmed and called on America and other allies for aid. -
Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty
Nicknamed "START", this was an agreement between the United States and the USSR on the reduction and limitation of strategic offense arms. This was drafted in June 29th 1982, but officially signed on July 31st 1991, signed by Bush and Gorbachev in Moscow. -
Civil Rights Act of 1991
By signing the Civil Rights Act of 1991, Bush made it easier for employees to sue their employers because of discrimination. -
Soviet Union Collapses/Cold War Ends
The Soviet Union officially collapsed on December 26th 1991, ending the Cold War while George H.W. Bush was president of the United States. By December 31st, the communist puppets have dissolved as well. Yeltsin, the president of Russia, meets with Bush on the 1st of February in 1992 in Maryland to officially declare the end of the Cold War. -
Federal Deficit Reaches $290 Billion
The Persian Gulf War and other defense expenditures exhausted the federal budget. Congress did not want to cut many nonmilitary expenditures so Bush and Congress agreed to raise the income tax rates and increase taxes on certain luxuries like liquor and gasoline. Since Bush had run his election campaign on the saying "Read my lips, no new taxes," this increase in taxes hurt his credibility and his chances for re-election -
U.S. - Russia Nuclear Agreement
Bush and President Yeltsin, of Russia, announce an agreement stating that both countries will reduce their nuclear arsenal to between 3,000 and 3,500 nuclear warheads by 2003. -
Bush Loses Next Election
Bush was nominated by the Republicans for a second term of presidency, also nominating the Vice (Dan Quayle) for a second term. In the election during November, Bush loses to Bill Clinton. Clinton won 43% of the vote, and 370 electoral college votes against Bush's 38% and 168 electoral college votes (Perot had 19% and 0).
