US History – 1945 to Present Unit 12 ReviewBush Sr. and the New World Order

Key Players and Background

• George H. W. Bush, 41st President of the United States (1989-1993), previously served as Vice President under Ronald Reagan
• Bush had extensive foreign policy experience, including serving as Director of the CIA and as a diplomat in China
• The Cold War, a period of geopolitical tension between the United States and the Soviet Union, was a defining aspect of the post-World War II era
  • Characterized by an arms race, proxy wars, and ideological rivalries
• Mikhail Gorbachev, the last General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, introduced reforms (glasnost and perestroika) that contributed to the end of the Cold War
• The fall of the Berlin Wall in November 1989 symbolized the collapse of communist regimes in Eastern Europe and the impending end of the Cold War
• Bush faced the challenge of navigating the United States through a rapidly changing global landscape as the Cold War came to an end

The Fall of the Soviet Union

• The Soviet Union, a federation of 15 republics, faced economic stagnation, political instability, and ethnic tensions in the late 1980s
• Gorbachev's reforms, intended to revitalize the Soviet system, inadvertently led to the unraveling of the Soviet Union
  • Glasnost (openness) allowed for increased freedom of speech and political dissent
  • Perestroika (restructuring) introduced market-oriented economic reforms
• The failed August 1991 coup attempt by hardline communists against Gorbachev accelerated the dissolution of the Soviet Union
• On December 26, 1991, the Soviet Union officially ceased to exist, with its constituent republics gaining independence
  • Russia emerged as the largest and most influential of the former Soviet republics
• The end of the Soviet Union marked a significant shift in the global balance of power, with the United States emerging as the world's sole superpower

Bush's Vision of a New World Order

• In the wake of the Soviet Union's collapse, Bush articulated a vision for a "New World Order" characterized by international cooperation, collective security, and the rule of law
• Bush sought to capitalize on the end of the Cold War to promote a more stable and peaceful international system
  • Emphasized the importance of multilateralism and the role of the United Nations in resolving global conflicts
• The New World Order envisioned a world in which nations would work together to address common challenges, such as regional conflicts, nuclear proliferation, and environmental issues
• Bush's vision included the promotion of democracy, human rights, and free-market economics as universal values
• The New World Order concept represented a shift from the bipolar world of the Cold War to a more multipolar and interdependent global system

Foreign Policy Initiatives

• Bush pursued a foreign policy that sought to maintain stability and promote American interests in the post-Cold War world
• Supported the reunification of Germany in 1990, which symbolized the end of the division of Europe
• Worked to improve relations with Russia and other former Soviet republics, providing economic assistance and encouraging democratic reforms
• Continued arms control efforts, signing the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START I) with the Soviet Union in 1991 to reduce nuclear stockpiles
• Responded to the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in August 1990 by assembling a broad international coalition to liberate Kuwait (Gulf War)
• Provided humanitarian assistance to the Kurdish people in northern Iraq following the Gulf War
• Supported the transition to democracy in Latin America, including the removal of Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega in 1989

Domestic Challenges and Responses

• Bush faced a weakening economy, with rising unemployment and a growing budget deficit
  • Implemented a budget agreement in 1990 that raised taxes, despite his earlier pledge of "no new taxes"
• Signed the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990, prohibiting discrimination against individuals with disabilities
• Appointed David Souter and Clarence Thomas to the Supreme Court, shaping the court's conservative majority
• Faced criticism for his response to the Savings and Loan (S&L) crisis, which required a government bailout of the banking industry
• Struggled to address the growing crack cocaine epidemic and its impact on urban communities
  • Signed the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988, which established the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) and increased penalties for drug offenses

The Gulf War and Its Aftermath

• In August 1990, Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein invaded and annexed Kuwait, a small, oil-rich country in the Persian Gulf
• Bush assembled a broad international coalition, including Arab states, to oppose the Iraqi invasion and liberate Kuwait
  • Obtained a United Nations Security Council resolution authorizing the use of force against Iraq
• In January 1991, the U.S.-led coalition launched Operation Desert Storm, a massive air campaign followed by a ground offensive that quickly defeated Iraqi forces
• The Gulf War demonstrated the United States' military superiority and its ability to lead multilateral efforts to address regional conflicts
• However, Bush's decision to end the war without removing Saddam Hussein from power drew criticism and led to a protracted conflict with Iraq throughout the 1990s
  • Imposed economic sanctions and no-fly zones over Iraq to contain Saddam Hussein's regime

Legacy and Impact

• Bush's presidency marked a significant transition period in American history, as the United States adapted to its new role as the world's sole superpower
• The successful prosecution of the Gulf War and the management of the Soviet Union's collapse enhanced Bush's foreign policy credentials
• However, Bush's domestic agenda was overshadowed by economic challenges, and he was criticized for appearing out of touch with the concerns of average Americans
• Bush's vision of a New World Order, while not fully realized, influenced American foreign policy in the post-Cold War era
  • Emphasized the importance of multilateralism, collective security, and the promotion of democratic values
• Bush's presidency laid the groundwork for future U.S. involvement in international crises and nation-building efforts, such as in Somalia and the Balkans

Criticisms and Controversies

• Bush faced criticism for his handling of the economy, particularly his response to the recession of 1990-1991
  • His decision to raise taxes, despite his "no new taxes" pledge, eroded his support among conservatives
• Some argued that Bush missed an opportunity to remove Saddam Hussein from power during the Gulf War, leading to continued instability in the region
• Bush's pardons of several individuals involved in the Iran-Contra scandal, including former Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger, were controversial
• Critics accused Bush of neglecting domestic issues, such as education, healthcare, and urban poverty, in favor of foreign policy concerns
• Bush's handling of the HIV/AIDS crisis was criticized as inadequate, with activists arguing that he failed to prioritize funding for research and treatment
• The Bush administration's involvement in the Savings and Loan (S&L) crisis, which required a costly government bailout, drew scrutiny and criticism