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In the year 1988 Vice-president George H.W. Bush broke the 152 year old tradition,he won the election and became president unlike many other vice-presidents that have tried to do this.President Bush ran against the democrat Massachusetts Governor Michal Dukakis.Reverend Jesse Jackson also tried to run for the democratic election but lost. As a result he became the first African American to run for the president election. -On the election day most American's responded to the fact that Bush was going to pledge to continue the peace and prosperity of the Reagan Era.Bush brought a lot of experience to the white house because he was the vice-president for eight years. So he was able to jump right into his presidency.President Bush had won a medal for his bravery in World War II during which he was a pilot. Bush changed some of Reagan's policies but for the most part he kept the same stuff. He planned to work more closely and harder with the democratic-controlled congress. -During Bush's campaign he spoke out and strongly wanted to control the spread of illegal drugs.He appointed William Bennett to be a special "drug czar". He oversaw the nation's war on drugs. Bush also promised to make a new course for the education and the environment. On both of these programs the bush administration cut back spending.He the appointed William Reilly as the head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Nuclear waste was also a big problem and a threat to the environment. -The S&L's also known as savings and loans had many loans or long financed mortgages. These were for Americans buying homes. S&L's offered higher interest rates to the American people which would mean freedom from the government. A federal agency was set up to take over the failed banks by the Bush administration. With a higher interest rate in tow many people then took out loans because the thought they could live off the interest. S&L's also allowed you to choose where to invest your money. -To reduce the deficit we needed to either cut spending or raise taxes. During Bush's campaign he pledged to not raise taxes. Finally Bush said he was willing to raise tax cut. He insisted on a tax cut for the investors who sold their stocks and bonds for a profit.These were called "Capital gains" and Bush thought they would stimulate the economy.Also though many people thought they would only benefit the rich. Finally an agreement was made the plan increased tax's on cigarettes, alcohol, and gasoline. -Although the new budget agreement reduced the deficit then many more legislation during the Reagan years many people were not happy with it. Many Americans saw congress unwilling to make difficult choices. During the campaign of 1990 congress found the voters angry. The economy was going into a recession and the public was angry. It would take billions of dollars to bail them out. -In 1989 the court took down the Texas law that burning the American flag was a crime. A lot of people argued that you could burn it and you were protected by the first amendment. Also that it was with the freedom of speech in the first amendment. This issue was argued greatly and many people thought that burning the flag was not freedom of speech but an insult to the nation. The flag is a symbol of our freedom why would we want to destroy it? Though the flag burning was only one of the many issues argued in supreme court. Other topics would be involving race, abortion, the death penalty, and sex discrimination.
 * The Election of 1988**
 * The New President**
 * Drugs, Education, and the Environment**
 * The Savings and Loan Crisis**
 * Reducing the Deficit**
 * The Elections of 1990**
 * Flags and the Supreme Court**


 * //Section 4: A World in Transition//

The End of the Cold War?** - Since the cold war ended the nations of Eastern Europe were under the control of the Soviet Union. Many of the tried to make up a revolt such as the "freedom fighters" were just toke down. Many of the leaders would not stand for these so called groups. Shortly after one after another communist government's were going down and collapsed. There was the Solidarity movement and then Walesa was elected as the president of Poland. The Berlin wall was build in 1961 to seperate east and west Germany. The communist East half had built the wall and put guards there to stop anyone from coming in and anyone from going out.Then in November of 1989 the East government shocked every one by giving into the protests by East Germans and opening the wall. This stunned the whole world then hundreds of East Berliners went through the gates to visit the west. Many communist governments were forced to resign. In 1989 the Czechoslovakia communist government was forced to resign. Then they chose Vaclav Havel as there new president.The Rumania dictator was mad and had the protesters shoot. Soon after he and his wife fled only to be found and executed. American was enthusiastic about the nations collapsing there communist governments. We agreed to help them and support some nations with there economy. Now money that had funded the arms face went to social programs.
 * -A wall comes down**
 * -Moving toward democracy**
 * -The American response**

-Bush continued to support the contras with food, clothing and medical supplies. In 1990 Nicaragua held elections and Violeta Chamorro won. Although Ortega's brother was in control of the military. After this relationships between the U.S. and Nicaragua were uncertain. Although the dictator of Panamanian Manuel Noriega was a friend to the U.S. he soon became involved in drug smuggling. Panama was the banking center and shipping point for many major drugs and their dealers. When he was indicted on drug smuggling charges he declared a state of emergency. In December 1989 Bush sent the American military forces into Panama. Soon the dictator surrendered and was taken to the United States to stand for his trail.
 * New Directions in Latin America**
 * -Invasion of Panama**

-In the spring of the year 1989 Chinese students began a campaign for democratic reforms. Soon army tanks came when they were protesting and shoot and arrested thousands of people. Bush didn't approve of this but he didn't want to take a strong action against the Chinese government.
 * Unrest in China**

-In the early 1980's the South African government continued with apartheid or a separation of the races. American didn't approve of this and wanted to stop it. In 1989 a new African president was elected. He was F. W. de Klerk he soon wanted to ease the racial tensions. He soon released Mandela who helped De Klerk stop apartheid.
 * A Policy Toward South Africa**

-**After the Iran-Iraq war ended Hussein rebuilt his military to invade Kuwait. Kuwait is one of the richest oil-producing nations in the middle east. -As a result of the 80's industrial nations became more dependent on oil from the Persian gulf. If Saddam were to conquer Saudi Arabia and Kuwait he would have 80% of the middle east's oil. He might be able to cripple the economys of the world. -As a result Bush immediately sent troops into Saudi Arabia.He wanted nations all over the world to join in and help fight off Saddam.
 * War Clouds in the Middle East
 * A complex threat**
 * The world responds**

-**A deadline for Iraw to get out of Kuwait was set for January 15,1991. As to prepare for war bush sent 200,000 troops into the middle east.
 * War in the Persian Gulf