George HW Bush and the End of the Cold War: Crash Course US History #44

CrashCourse
16 Jan 201413:53
EducationalLearning
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TLDRIn this CrashCourse episode, John Green explores the presidency of George H.W. Bush, highlighting his impressive resume and the significant events of his tenure, including the end of the Cold War, the Gulf War, and the domestic challenges of the 1990s. Green discusses the political strategies of the 1988 election, Bush's 'No New Taxes' promise, and the economic recession that impacted his re-election. The video also touches on the social issues of the time, such as the Rodney King riots, and the rise of the Internet as a transformative force.

Takeaways
  • 🇺🇸 George HW Bush became president in 1988, marking the start of the 1990s.
  • ✈️ Bush had an impressive resume, including being a war hero, oil industry millionaire, Congressman, UN ambassador, CIA director, and Vice President.
  • 🗳️ Bush's opponent in the 1988 election was Massachusetts Governor Michael Dukakis, with a campaign marked by intense negative ads.
  • 📉 Bush's famous pledge of 'No New Taxes' during the campaign would later impact his presidency.
  • 🧱 The Cold War ended during Bush's presidency, with significant events like the fall of the Berlin Wall and Poland's military rule ending.
  • 💣 Bush negotiated the START I and START II treaties with the USSR, reducing nuclear weapons.
  • 🌍 Bush's foreign policy included military action in Kuwait, known as the Gulf War, which was a significant military success.
  • 🪖 The Gulf War lifted Bush's approval rating to 89%, but domestic issues and a recession later affected his popularity.
  • 🏛️ The Americans With Disabilities Act was enacted in 1991 during Bush's presidency.
  • 🔄 The Rodney King incident in 1992 revealed racial tensions and questioned the progress of the rights revolution.
Q & A

  • Who is the main presenter of the CrashCourse U.S. history series in this script?

    -John Green is the main presenter of the CrashCourse U.S. history series in this script.

  • What significant event in the life of George H.W. Bush is mentioned at the beginning of the script?

    -The script mentions George H.W. Bush's service as the youngest pilot in Navy history during WWII and his receipt of the Distinguished Flying Cross.

  • What was George H.W. Bush's political background before becoming President?

    -Before becoming President, George H.W. Bush was a Congressman, ambassador to the UN, director of the CIA, and Vice President.

  • What was the significance of the phrase 'Read my lips, No New Taxes!' in the 1988 presidential campaign?

    -The phrase 'Read my lips, No New Taxes!' was a famous pledge made by George Bush at the Republican convention, which later became a significant political issue when he authorized a tax increase.

  • How did the end of the Cold War impact U.S. foreign policy during George H.W. Bush's presidency?

    -The end of the Cold War left the U.S. in a policy limbo, making foreign policy issues more confusing and messy, and leading to the declaration of a 'New World Order'.

  • What were the START I and START II treaties mentioned in the script?

    -The START I and START II treaties were agreements negotiated and implemented under President Bush that limited the number of nuclear warheads each country, the U.S. and USSR, could possess to between 3,000 and 3,500.

  • What foreign policy crisis did George H.W. Bush handle decisively during his presidency?

    -George H.W. Bush handled the crisis of Saddam Hussein's invasion of Kuwait decisively, leading to the formation of a 34-nation coalition and the successful liberation of Kuwait.

  • What was the impact of the Rodney King verdict on American society as described in the script?

    -The Rodney King verdict led to the deadliest riots in Los Angeles since the New York City Draft Riots, revealing deep fissures in American society and raising questions about the achievements of the civil rights movement.

  • What economic challenges did George H.W. Bush face during his presidency?

    -George H.W. Bush faced a recession that began in 1990 and lasted until 1992, resulting in high unemployment rates and significant job losses across various sectors.

  • What factors contributed to George H.W. Bush's loss in the 1992 presidential election?

    -Factors contributing to George H.W. Bush's loss in the 1992 election included a recession, a broken 'No New Taxes' pledge, lukewarm support from the evangelical wing of the Republican party, a primary challenge from Pat Buchanan, and the presence of a third-party candidate, Ross Perot.

  • What was the significance of the 'Mystery Document' segment in the script?

    -The 'Mystery Document' segment highlighted public opinion about the first Gulf War, showing that although people agreed with the necessity of the war, they were opposed to fighting in it and were against a draft, reflecting a complex attitude towards military service.

Outlines
00:00
👋 Introduction and George HW Bush

John Green introduces the episode on George HW Bush, noting his significance and the complexity of reaching the present in historical discussions. He highlights Bush’s extensive resume, including his roles as a war hero, oil industry success, Congressman, UN ambassador, CIA director, and Vice President. Green humorously contrasts Bush's privileged upbringing with his predecessors.

05:05
📊 The 1988 Presidential Election

Bush’s campaign against Michael Dukakis is detailed, emphasizing the effectiveness of negative ads and Bush’s strategic choice of Dan Quayle as VP. Dukakis’ perceived weaknesses and the influence of negative campaigning, including the Willie Horton ad, are discussed. Bush’s use of ‘liberal’ as an insult marks a shift in political discourse.

10:05
🌐 Foreign Policy and the End of the Cold War

Bush’s presidency is characterized by a focus on foreign policy, particularly the end of the Cold War. Key events include the fall of the Berlin Wall, the Velvet Revolution, and nuclear arms reduction treaties (START I and II). Bush’s vision of a ‘New World Order’ emerges from the Cold War’s end, with varying success in international conflicts like Yugoslavia and Somalia.

⚔️ Gulf War and Military Success

Bush’s decisive handling of Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait is highlighted. The U.S. leads a coalition to a swift military victory, showcasing technological prowess. This victory temporarily restores American confidence in military interventions, though it leaves unresolved issues in Iraq. The Mystery Document reflects on the public’s mixed feelings about the war and the absence of a draft.

🏛️ Domestic Issues and Economic Recession

Bush’s presidency faces significant domestic challenges, including the 1992 Los Angeles riots and a recession. Despite high initial approval ratings post-Gulf War, economic downturn and tax increases erode support. Bush’s conservative credentials are questioned, leading to a primary challenge and the emergence of Bill Clinton as a viable contender.

📉 The 1992 Presidential Election and Bush's Legacy

The 1992 election sees Bush struggling with a divided Republican base and the entry of third-party candidate Ross Perot. Clinton’s victory signals a shift in American politics. The episode concludes by reflecting on Bush’s presidency as a bridge between eras, his foreign policy achievements, and the relative stability in America despite global changes.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡George HW Bush
George Herbert Walker Bush, the 41st President of the United States, served from 1989 to 1993. He had an extensive political career, including roles as a war hero, congressman, UN ambassador, CIA director, and Vice President. His presidency is notable for significant foreign policy events, including the end of the Cold War and the Gulf War.
💡1988 Election
The 1988 United States presidential election saw George HW Bush, the Republican candidate, win against Democratic candidate Michael Dukakis. The campaign was marked by negative ads and a focus on crime and defense, with Bush's team effectively portraying Dukakis as weak in these areas.
💡Cold War
The Cold War was a period of geopolitical tension between the Soviet Union and the United States and their respective allies from the end of World War II until the early 1990s. During Bush's presidency, the Cold War ended, marked by the fall of the Berlin Wall and the collapse of the Soviet Union, leading to a shift in global politics.
💡Gulf War
The Gulf War, also known as the First Iraq War, was a conflict between Iraq and a coalition of 34 nations led by the United States to liberate Kuwait from Iraqi occupation. The war was a major military success for the US and significantly boosted Bush's approval ratings.
💡No New Taxes
George HW Bush's famous pledge 'Read my lips: no new taxes' during his campaign was meant to solidify his conservative credentials. However, he later raised taxes, which was seen as a betrayal by many conservatives and contributed to his loss in the 1992 election.
💡Americans With Disabilities Act
The Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination based on disability. It was a significant legislative achievement during Bush's presidency, ensuring equal opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
💡Recession of 1990-1992
The recession from 1990 to 1992 was an economic downturn in the United States that led to rising unemployment and economic instability. It negatively impacted Bush's popularity and was a significant factor in his loss in the 1992 presidential election.
💡Rodney King
Rodney King was an African American man whose beating by Los Angeles police officers was videotaped and widely broadcast, leading to public outrage. The officers' acquittal in 1992 sparked the Los Angeles riots, highlighting racial tensions and issues of police brutality in the US.
💡Yugoslavia
During Bush's presidency, Yugoslavia disintegrated into a series of ethnic conflicts and wars in 1991. The US largely stayed out of the conflict, reflecting the complexity and messiness of post-Cold War foreign policy without a clear enemy like the Soviet Union.
💡START Treaties
The Strategic Arms Reduction Treaties (START I and START II) were agreements between the United States and the Soviet Union (later Russia) to reduce and limit strategic offensive arms. These treaties were significant achievements during Bush's presidency, contributing to nuclear disarmament and the end of the Cold War.
Highlights

The presidency of George HW Bush marked the beginning of the 1990s in 1988 with his election.

Bush had an impressive resume, being a WWII war hero, Yale graduate, successful businessman, Congressman, UN ambassador, CIA director, and Vice President.

Bush was known for his foreign policy experience and focus, significantly influencing the end of the Cold War.

Under Bush's presidency, the Berlin Wall fell, Poland's military rule ended, and the Velvet Revolution occurred in Czechoslovakia.

The START I and START II treaties, which limited nuclear warheads, were negotiated and implemented during Bush's presidency.

Bush's foreign policy included decisive action in the Gulf War, assembling a coalition to push Iraq out of Kuwait.

The Gulf War was a significant military success with minimal American casualties and demonstrated US technological prowess.

Bush's approval rating soared to 89% after the Gulf War, but domestic issues soon became his downfall.

Bush's famous 'Read my lips, No New Taxes!' pledge during his campaign came back to haunt him when he authorized a tax increase.

The recession of 1990-1992, with rising unemployment and economic hardship, significantly impacted Bush's re-election chances.

The Rodney King incident in 1992 exposed deep racial tensions in the US, leading to deadly riots in Los Angeles.

Bush's presidency saw the enactment of the Americans With Disabilities Act in 1991, a significant piece of legislation for disability rights.

Bush's perceived detachment from domestic issues and the economic recession contributed to his defeat in the 1992 election.

Ross Perot's third-party candidacy in 1992 took 19% of the vote, the best performance for a third-party candidate since 1912.

Bush's presidency is seen as a period of cooperation in government, a contrast to the increasing partisanship before and after his term.

Transcripts

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George HW BushPresidencyCold WarGulf WarEconomic RecessionPolitical CampaignsForeign PolicyDomestic IssuesHistorical Context1990s Politics