Period 9 (1980-Present)
As the United States transitioned to a new century filled with challenges and possibilities, it
experienced renewed ideological and cultural debates, sought to redefine its foreign policy, and
adapted to economic globalization and revolutionary changes in science and technology.
Key Concepts
9.1: A new conservatism grew to prominence in U.S. culture and politics, defending traditional social
values and rejecting liberal views about the role of government.
9.2: The end of the Cold War and new challenges to U.S. leadership in the world forced the nation to
redefine its foreign policy and global role.
9.3: Moving into the 21st century, the nation continued to experience challenges stemming from social,
economic, and demographic changes.
The American Pageant Chapters:
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1980s Stuff - Reagan
Reagan's economic policy
Tax Cuts under Reagan
Reaganonimcs
Supply-side Economics
Trickle-Down Economics
Growth of deficit
Expansion of Medicare/Medicaid
Migration from Rust Belt to Sun Belt
Reagan’s defense spending
Mikhail Gorbachev
Glasnost/Perestroika
START I
SDI/Star Wars
Marines in Lebanon
Reagan and Latin America
Peace Through Strength
Iran-Contra Affair/Scandal
Oliver North
Contras
Boland Amendment
Supreme Court in the 1980s
Sandra Day O’Connor
Moral Majority
Phyllis Schlafly
Focus on the Family
Billy Graham
Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986
Sam Walton
Support for Israel
Things to Know – Modern Era
1990s Stuff – H.W. Bush/Clinton
Cold War - the end - 1991
Tax Cuts under GHW Bush
Persian Gulf War
Saddam Hussein
Bill Clinton
Hillary Clinton
NAFTA
GATT
Balkans Crisis
Contract with America
Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell
Newt Gengrich
Health Care Reform
Clinton’s Impeachment
Monica Lewinsky
Oprah Winfrey
Bill Gates
Robert Johnson
Estee Lauder
Lionel Sosa
The Heritage Foundation
National Rifle Association
Support for Israel
2000’s Stuff
Election of 2000
September 11, 2001 (causes/effects)
Terrorist attacks on WTC/Pentagon
Global War on Terror
War in Iraq
War in Afghanistan
Spread of technology/computers
Internet
Immigration
USA PATRIOT Act 2001
*Levee failure New Orleans post- Hurricane Katrina
Barack Obama
*American Recovery and Reinvestment Act 2009
Sonia Sotomayor
2008 – election of 1st black POTUS
Support for Israel