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George HW Bush Takes Office
A strong military was the key to America’s victory over the Soviet Union in the Cold War. Both internal and external pressures caused the collapse of the Soviet Union. With the end of the Cold War, the United States changed its goals and policies. Involvement in conflicts in other areas of the world has been an integral part of United States foreign policy in the modern era. George H.W. Bush was the first President to face the post-Cold War challenges, as communism lost its grip in Europe. -
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George H.W. Administration
A strong military was the key to America’s victory over the Soviet Union in the Cold War. Both internal and external pressures caused the collapse of the Soviet Union. With the end of the Cold War, the United States changed its goals and policies. Involvement in conflicts in other areas of the world has been an integral part of United States foreign policy in the modern era. George H.W. Bush was the first President to face the post-Cold War challenges, as communism lost its grip in Europe. -
Savings and Loan Crisis (VUS.15e)
Bush announced his plan to help bail out banks which were “in trouble”. The plan called for $50 billion to help finance the FDIC to back the losses and oversee new regulations regarding Savings and Loan banks. MORE -
Exxon Valdez Oil Spill
The worst oil spill on American soil to that time, the ship struck ground and dumped 240,000 barrels of oil into the sound. Later, Exxon was ordered to pay $2 billion for the clean-up. MORE -
Free elections in the Soviet Union (VUS.13e)
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Free elections in Poland (VUS.13d)
Representing the fall of communism in Eastern Europe, Poland was among the first of the Soviet Bloc Nations to hold truly free elections since the end of World War 2. The Soviet Union had lost its grip on Eastern Europe. MORE -
Tiananmen Square Protest is crushed (VUS.13b)
The Pro-democracy protest that had been spreading in Beijing, China, was violently put down when the military entered the square, using live ammunition and tear gas to remove the demonstrators. The hopes of a “free China” were spoiled. MORE -
Communist Party of Hungary disbanded (VUS.13e)
Representing the fall of communism in Eastern Europe, the Soviet Union had lost its grip on Eastern Europe. MORE on the collapse of communism -
Collapse of Berlin Wall (VUS.13e)
Symbolizes the weakening of Soviet domination in Eastern Europe, this is the first step toward German reunification which would happen on October 3, 1990! Representing the fall of communism in Eastern Europe, the Soviet Union had lost its grip on Eastern Europe. MORE -
Invasion of Panama and capture of Noriega (VUS.15e)
American forces invaded Panama to arrest the corrupt military dictator, Manuel Noriega, and bring drug trafficking charges against him. He was captured, tried and convicted. The action was condemned by many other nations. -
Americans with Disabilities Act
In the most sweeping civil rights legislation since the 1960’s, Bush signed into law protection of equal treatment for Americans with disabilities, forbidding discrimination in employment, public accommodations and transportations. MORE -
Iraq Invades Kuwait (VUS.13f)
President Bush strongly condemns Iraq's actions, setting the stage for an American response.
Immediately, the US begins to build a coalition of nations in support of evicting the Iraqi forces from Kuwait. Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait claiming it was logically an area that traditionally belonged to Iraq, but the reality was the invasion was a result of Hussein’s massive debt to the smaller nation.
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President Bush signs the Immigration Act of 1990 (VUS.15b)
A revision to immigration law in more than a half century, the law allows for the admission of 700,000 aliens each year. New and increasing immigration to the United States has been taking place from many diverse countries, especially Asian and Latin American countries. Like previous immigrants, seeking political freedom and economic opportunity, modern immigrants continue to provide diversity in music, the arts, and literature, role in labor force, expanded source of scientifists and engineers -
Breakup of Yugoslavia Begins (VUS.13f)
Even though Yugoslavia was not considered a “satellite nation” of the Soviet Union, it was held together by a communist dictatorship. As Soviet communism failed, so did Yugoslavia – which split apart into many different nations which would yield internal civil unrest, racial and ethnic violence, and intervention by NATO forces to end a genocide. -
The Persian Gulf War - Operation Desert Storm (VUS.13f)
The Persian Gulf War, code-named Operation Desert Storm, begins with a massive, American-led air attack on Iraq. On Feb. 24, ground troops would move in – and liberation would be complete by Feb. 27, and ground troops rapidly marched across Iraq. Bush halts the attack because the military objective had been met. This was the first time women were used in combat for the American forces. -
World Wide Web is introduced (VUS.15c)
A means of linking computers and documents around the world, this tool would become essential for the next great age of technological advancement. Improving communication and access to information, the WWW will change the way people work, learn and live. MORE on the history of "the web" -
Baltic Republics break from Soviet Union (VUS. 13e)
Rising nationalism in Soviet republics caused Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania to split from the Soviet Union. Without the capital or conviction to forcibly hold them in the union, this begins the break-up process. -
Clarence Thomas Appointment (VUS.15a)
Representing the “changing face” of the Supreme Court, Thomas – the second African-American to the Supreme Court - was appointed. The Court would continue to better represent a cross-section of America. MORE -
Soviet Union is GONE (VUS.13d)
Both internal and external pressures caused the collapse of the Soviet Union. Replaced by the Commonwealth of Independent States, a temporary confederation to oversee the separation of the 15 former republics, Mikhail Gorbachev resigned as President. The Cold War struggle was officially over. With the end of the Cold War, the United States changed its goals and policies. MORE -
27th Amendment is Ratified
The amendment deals with pay raises to members of Congress, basically stating that any increase would not go into effect until an election of Representatives had happened. This bill was originally proposed to be in with the Bill of Rights. MORE -
Apology and Compensation for internment (VUS.12c)
Even though Reagan had issued a formal apology, Bush signed a bill to apologize again – this time offering $20,000 to survivors of the incident. -
Bush loses re-election bid (VUS.15d)
The election of a centrist Democrat, William Clinton, continued what we call the “Reagan Revolution”. In a three-way election, independent candidate Ross Perot garnered 18.9% of the popular vote, Clinton received 43%. MORE
