George Walker Bush served as the 43rd President of the United States from 2001 to 2009. Shortly after his election, the United States was the victim of a terrorist attack on September 11, 2001 and a war in the Middle East ensued.
Early Life
George W. Bush was born on July 6, 1946, in New Haven, Connecticut to George H.W. Bush who served as 41st President from 1989 to 1993. His mother, Barbara Bush was First Lady. George W. graduated from Phillips Academy, a boarding school in Andover, Massachusetts where his father was also a graduate.
He then attended Yale University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in history Bush received an M.B.A. from Harvard in 1975.
Early Career
Bush had an unsuccessful run for Congress in 1978. He then focused on growing his family’s oil business until Harken Energy Corporation purchased it. He was co-owner of the Texas Rangers baseball team. He was actively involved in his father’s campaigns for President.
Bush served as Governor of Texas from 1995 to 2000. He was the first Texas governor to win consecutive four-year terms. He focused on state spending for education. At the same time, he received attention for his controversial use of capital punishment.
In his 2000 campaign for President, Bush called himself a “compassionate conservative” in order to appeal to voters in the middle of the political spectrum. He lost the nationwide popular vote, but narrowly won the Electoral College. The U.S. Supreme Court stopped the recounts in Florida, which led to Bush’s victory.
Presidency
Significant domestic and foreign policy issues marked his presidency. Domestically, Bush implemented major tax cuts aimed at stimulating the economy, although these contributed to large budget deficits. He signed the No Child Left Behind Act to increase accountability in education and added prescription drug coverage to Medicare through the 2003 Medicare Prescription Drug Improvement and Modernization Act.
After the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Bush announced the “War on Terror,” which led to the invasion of Afghanistan to dismantle al-Qaeda and remove the Taliban from power. In 2003, Bush initiated the Iraq War, citing Saddam Hussein’s alleged possession of weapons of mass destruction, though none were found. This led to prolonged conflict in the Middle East and criticism of the President both at home and abroad. In addition, Bush created the Department of Homeland Security and signed the USA PATRIOT Act to enhance counterterrorism efforts.
Environmentally, Bush withdrew the U.S. from the Kyoto Protocol, citing economic concerns and fairness issues regarding developing countries. After his presidency, Bush returned to Midland, Texas and refrained from any involvement in politics.
