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1980s AmericaThe Conservative Revolution
Reagan (R) v. Carter (D)
1980 Election
1980s America
The 1980s was defined by technological advancement, disasters, extreme fashion trends and a return to conservative values. Follow along with the next several slides to examine ten trends in 1980s America.
Themes1) Reagan
2) Automobile recovery
3) Factory relocations
4) Pop and Rock
5) A.I.D.S. Epidemic
6) Natural Disasters
7) Other Disasters
8) Consumerism
9) Technology
10) End of Cold War
1980s America
Roots of the New Conservatism• Voters wanted a big change in government so in
the election of 1980 Ronald Reagan and the Republicans offered that change.
• New Right = Conservatives that wanted to limit the government and bring back Christian roots.
• The conservative views had gained momentum from 1930s – 1970s.
• 1980 Reagan and Republicans win big.
1980s America
Reagan’s landslide victories indicated a shift back to conservative values during the 1980s…
Themes1980s America1) Reagan
Assassination Attempt• 69 days into presidency Reagan gets shot by John
Hinckley Jr.• John Hinckley Jr. wanted to impress actress Jodie Foster
and hope to get a date.• Reagan suffers punctured lung; bullet stops an inch
from his heart.• Hinckley found to be legally insane and sent to
psychiatric hospital.• Ronald Reagan’s first words “Honey, I forgot to duck.”• Reagan spends two weeks in hospital, then recovers the
rest of the way in the White House.
1980s America
• WEIRD• Every president elected in a year ending in a zero from 1840 on
has died in office - except Reagan (and George Bush Jr.). In fact, Zachary Taylor is the only president not elected in a year ending in zero who did die in office.
• 1840 - William Harrison (pneumonia)• 1860 - Abraham Lincoln (assassinated)• 1880 - James Garfield (assassinated)• 1900 - William McKinley (assassinated)• 1920 - Warren Harding (heart attack)• 1940 - Franklin Roosevelt (cerebral hemorrhage)• 1960 - John F. Kennedy (assassinated) • 1980 – Ronald Reagan (attempted assassination)
Themes1980s AmericaOther conservative concerns revolved around the
drug and sex filled rock culture, affirmative action leading to reverse discrimination, and the legalization of abortion.
1) Reagan
Reagan’s Domestic Policy• Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986
– Made legal all illegal aliens who could prove that they had been in the United States since January 1, 1982
• Reaganomics– A dramatic reduction in personal income taxes– Deregulation of business and industry– Tough stand against federal labor unions, such as PATCO– The theory of supply-side economics– Reduced taxed would increase investments and in turn stimulate production,
jobs, ad prosperity– Reagan aimed to reduce government regulations because they stifled competition.
• Highest priorities as president– Cutting federal spending
• Legacy– Startling escalation of annual federal deficits and of the nation debt
• In response to an August, 1981 strike, President Reagan basically destroyed the union representing Air traffic controller
• Cut funding for government run mental hospitals.
1980s America
Reagan’s Domestic Policy
• Economic Recovery and Tax Act of 1981 – Reduce the amount money taken in by the federal
government– Attempt to stimulate business activity– Put more money in the hand of consumers
• Economic Plan– Providing less government regulation in big
businesses– Reducing taxed on the wealthiest Americans– Encouraging wider participation in the stock market
1980s America
Reagan’s Foreign Policy• Major Aim
– Stop the spread of communism• The Soviet Union
– Reagan called it “The Evil Empire”• Strategic Defense Initiative, or Star Wars
– A computer-controlled system to destroy enemy missiles in out space– Created an expensive defense plan based on super lasers and satellites
• Deterioration of Soviet-American relations – South Korean airline incident– Institution of martial law in Poland– Invasion of Afghanistan
• Policy toward Latin America– overthrow the Marxist government– Helped El Salvador and Grenada not become communist
1980s America
Themes1) Reagan
1980s America
President Ronald Reagan served as U.S. president for 8 years during this decade. His views on economics were called ‘supply-side economics’, trickle-down economics, and more popularly, ‘Reaganomics’.
Themes1980s America
His idea was to give tax cuts to everyone, especially business owners. Business owners would then have more money to hire employees, create jobs, expand and produce products at higher quality and quantity, thus boosting the economy.
1) Reagan
Themes1980s AmericaThis approach to taxes was
(and remains) highly controversial. Proponents say that it boosted the American economy, stopped inflation in its tracks, and even contributed to winning the Cold War.
Critics say that the tax cuts don’t trickle down unless the rich choose to spend, and that these policies have only widened the wealth gap in America.
1) Reagan
Themes1980s AmericaAt the time, Reagan’s supporters were much more
numerous, indicating a shift back to conservatism, including a tendency toward Laissez Faire economics, limited government, cuts to social programs and anti-communist rhetoric.
1) Reagan
Reagan’s Second Term• In 1984 Reagan beats Mondale in second
worst election beating.• “are you better off now than 4 years ago”• 1984 Olympics in L.A., Soviets boycott.• Statue of Liberty refurbished.• 200th anniversary of Constitution.• Reagan appoints 1st woman to Supreme
Court…Sandra Day O’Connor.
1980s America
1984
Themes2) Automobile Recovery
1980s AmericaThe early 1980s was a difficult time for American car
companies. The economic decline put Chrysler and American Motors on the verge of bankruptcy. Ford was also struggling.
Themes2) Automobile Recovery
1980s AmericaBut by 1985, the American auto industry was
breaking sales records. Reasons for the rapid automobile recovery are attributed to the necessity to reinvent and compete with popular, affordable and reliable imports.
Themes2) Automobile Recovery
1980s AmericaJapanese companies like
Honda, Toyota and Datsun (Nissan) began producing cars in the U.S. in order to avoid import tariffs in the early ’80s. Korean car companies like Hyundai began competing in the American market in 1986. Even the Soviet Union was producing cars like the Yugo, built in Yugoslavia. But the Yugo was so cheap and unreliable that it became the butt of jokes for decades to come.
Themes2) Automobile Recovery
1980s AmericaChrysler bought
Lamborghini, Maserati, Jeep and Eagle to better compete with the larger U.S. companies Ford and General Motors. They also developed compact front-wheel drive K-cars in the early 1980s to compete with Japanese imports.
Themes2) Automobile Recovery
1980s AmericaGM invented a new
brand called Saturn to compete with the reputation and affordability of many popular Japanese makes and models like the Honda Civic, Toyota Camry, and Nissan Sentra.
Themes2) Automobile Recovery
1980s AmericaA vehicle trend in the
1980s was toward smaller and more fuel efficient cars. Ford championed the idea of aerodynamically rounded edges to decrease drag and increase fuel efficiency. In fact, the 1985 Ford Taurus is cited as the first mass-produced aerodynamic design, causing a chain reaction of design changes in virtually every other car company.
Themes3) Factory Relocations
1980s America
Many developing nations grew wealthy during the 1980s. During this decade, many American companies began to see the profitability of exporting the production process (including factories and jobs) to developing countries. Overseas, they could pay workers a fraction of what American workers were paid.
Themes3) Factory Relocations
1980s America
Countries like Thailand, Mexico, South Korea, Taiwan, Japan and China were popular destinations for American companies to relocate. China in particular has since grown into the world’s second-largest economy as a result of American and other international companies producing and demanding cheaper products from there.
Themes3) Factory Relocations
1980s America
Many U.S. companies have come under fire not only for exporting American jobs, but for tolerating poor or dangerous working conditions in foreign factories. In recent history, companies like Nike (child labor) and Apple (cancer-causing side effects) have come under public scrutiny related to factory working conditions overseas.
Themes1980s AmericaIf the 1960s and 1970s are respectively associated
with rock and disco, then the 1980s are associated with both pop and Rock.
Rock1980s
Pop
Hard RockHeavy MetalHardcore
Hip HopTechno
Punk Rock House Music
Rap
Glam MetalSynthpop
New WaveGrunge
4) Pop and Rock
Themes1980s AmericaThe pop scene of the
decade was dominated by the ‘queen of pop’ (Madonna) and the ‘king of pop’ (Michael Jackson), as well as artists like: Whitney Houston, Duran Duran, Prince, Queen, and Tina Turner. Additionally, the MTV phenomenon introduced music videos as another mediums to both entertain fans and to reach a greater number of potential consumers.
4) Pop and Rock
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOnqjkJTMaA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GuJQSAiODqI
Themes1980s America
The rock scene of the decade was personified in the collective works of bands like Motley Crue, Guns n’ Roses, Metallica, Iron Maiden, Bon Jovi, Def Leppard, Megadeth and Slayer. 1970s rock bands also experienced success into the 1980s, like: AC/DC, Van Halen, KISS, and Ozzy Osbourne.
4) Pop and Rock
Themes4) Pop and Rock
1980s AmericaThe Rock scene also made a significant mark on
the world of fashion. 1980s fashion is altogether unique, some might even call it strange.
Perms
Jheri curls
FlattopsHi-top fades
Big hair
Shoulder pads
Jean jackets Leather pants
Jumpsuits acid-washed jeans
Themes4) Pop and Rock
1980s America
In the final analysis, Rock culture of the 1980s had memorable music, especially for members of the Generation X cohort. But the fashion that coincided with the rock scene is often only remembered in Halloween costumes.
Themes5) A.I.D.S. Epidemic
1980s AmericaHIV: Human Immunodeficiency Virus
AIDS: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
HIV and AIDS attack the immune system, making the body incapable of fighting off other diseases or infections at full strength. As a result, life expectancy is very low for victims. AIDS is a sexually transmitted disease, but can also be given from parents to children during pregnancy, delivery or breastfeeding.
Themes5) A.I.D.S. Epidemic
1980s AmericaThe Center for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC) first recognized HIV (the virus which causes the AIDS syndrome) and AIDS (the syndrome caused by the HIV virus) in 1981. Since then, nearly 30 million people have died from the disease, three-fourths of whom were on the continent of Africa.
Country Life Expectancy Literacy Rate Daily Calories
• USA 77 97% 3600• Congo 49 77% 1879• Egypt 64 51% 3327• Ethiopia 45 36% 2000
• Kenya 47 78% 1991• Libya 76 76% 3126• Morocco 69 44% 3157• Nigeria 51 57% 2508• Rwanda 39 48% 1700• South Africa 48 82% 2890• Zimbabwe 37 85% 1965
Themes5) A.I.D.S. Epidemic
1980s America
Themes5) A.I.D.S. Epidemic
1980s AmericaThroughout the 1980s, AIDS spread rapidly in the
United States, causing panic and exposing a general level of ignorance about the disease.
Themes5) A.I.D.S. Epidemic
1980s AmericaNumerous protests occurred, demanding that the
U.S. government respond to the epidemic. When well-known public figures contracted HIV or died, public opinion demanded even more of the government to address HIV and AIDS.
Freddie Mercury, the lead singer of
Queen, died of AIDS in 1991
NBA legend Magic Johnson announced that he contracted the HIV virus in 1991
Themes6) Natural Disasters
1980s AmericaNatural disasters are not exclusive to the 1980s.
However, the ‘80s featured at least five devastating hurricanes as well as major earthquakes, droughts and volcanic eruptions.
Mt. Saint Helens (1980)
U.S. Drought (1988)
San Francisco Earthquake (1989)
Hurricane Allen (1980) - $1.2 Billion
Hurricane Alicia (1983) - $2.0 Billion
Hurricane Elena (1985) - $1.5 Billion
Hurricane Gilbert (1988) - $10.2 Billion
Hurricane Joan (1988) - $2.0 Billion
Hurricane Hugo (1989) - $8.5 Billion
Themes6) Natural Disasters
1980s America
Following two months of earthquakes, Mt. Saint Helens in the state of Washington erupted on May 18th of 1980, killing 57 people and causing over $1 billion in damage. It was the largest volcanic eruption in the United States in almost a century.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xP2dreOI8gI
Themes6) Natural Disasters
1980s AmericaThe drought of 1988 hit North
America extremely hard. It is considered one of the worst droughts in U.S. history, causing an estimated $60 billion dollars in damages. It caused dust storms in the Midwest reminiscent of the 1930s Dust Bowl.
Temperature records were shattered across the country. Anywhere between 5,000 and 17,000 deaths were connected to the heat waves. Until Hurricane Katrina, it was the costliest natural disaster in the country’s history.
Themes6) Natural Disasters
1980s America
The San Francisco earthquake of 1989, also called the Loma Prieta earthquake, was the first major earthquake to be caught on live television. The 6.9 magnitude quake occurred in the Bay Area of California and killed 63, injured almost 4,000 and left 10,000 people homeless.
Themes7) Other Disasters
1980s America
Several other disasters highlighted the 1980s, including several plane crashes. But by far, the most infamous disasters of the 1980s were the space shuttle tragedy of 1986 and the Exxon oil spill of 1989.
Themes7) Other Disasters
1980s AmericaThe NASA space program had
avoided major catastrophes until the Space Shuttle Challenger launch in 1986. The Challenger had flown nine previous missions in space, establishing satellites and conducting research. But on its tenth launch in 1986, the shuttle exploded about a minute after launch, killing all seven astronauts on board. Click on the link to observe raw footage of the launch and subsequent explosion.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vd7dxmBLg48
Themes7) Other Disasters
1980s America
The Exxon Valdez oil spill is easily the most well-known oil spill in history. The ship struck a reef near Prince William Sound in Alaska, spilling anywhere between 260,000 to 750,000 barrels of crude oil.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkzB1ZYcTwM
Themes7) Other Disasters
1980s America
The only spill to surpass this volume was the 2010 Deep-water Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Since the location was so remote, clean-up and response was limited, causing catastrophic destruction of habitat for birds, fish and aquatic mammals.
Themes8) Consumerism
1980s America
A new age of consumerism emerged in the decade. Nowhere was this trend more visible than in the toy industry. 1980s parents were generally from the Baby boom generation, and had a reputation of spoiling their millennial generation children.
1980s AmericaPopular toys of the 1980s include:
Rubik’s Cube
Transformers
G.I. Joe
My Little Pony
Star Wars
Cabbage Patch Kids
He-man
Rainbow Brite
Micro Machines
Care Bears
Themes9) Technology
1980s AmericaThe technological
advancements of the 1980s were light-years ahead of the previous decades, but nothing compared to what would come in the 1990s and 2000s. Significant consumer technologies of the ‘80s revolved around computers, music and video games.
Cassettes (a higher quality sound than vinyl records, and cheaper to produce)
Walkman (portable tape player allowed your favorite music anywhere, anytime)
Boom boxes (portable music on could be carried on shoulders or to any party)
Themes9) Technology1980s America
Internet (originally created as a local file-sharing medium, it would transform worldwide communication forever)
Personal Computers (first with IBM, then Apple with a mouse, then…???)
Arcades (spawned an entire industry of Arcade systems in pizza parlors and beyond)
Home video games (Nintendo controlled 90% if the market by 1989)
Themes9) Technology1980s America
IBM Apple
Themes10) End of Cold War
1980s America
The 1970s featured many positive steps in the Cold War tension thanks to the work of Nixon, triangular diplomacy and ping pong diplomacy. But when the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan in 1979, Cold War tensions rose again, despite positive steps toward reconciliation throughout the 1970s.
Tension in the 1980s
Themes1980s America
The United States even boycotted the 1980 Olympic games held in Moscow, Russia in protest of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. In response, the Soviet Union boycotted the Olympic games in Los Angeles, California in 1984. The numbers on the right show the lopsided medal count as each host country faced much less competition.
Tension in the 1980s
Rank 1980 Gold Silver Bronze Total
1 Soviet Union 80 69 46 195
2 East Germany 47 37 42 126
3 Bulgaria 8 16 17 41
4 Cuba 8 7 5 20
5 Italy 8 3 4 15
6 Hungary 7 10 15 32
7 Romania 6 6 13 25
8 France 6 5 3 14
9 Great Britain 5 7 9 21
10 Poland 3 14 15 32
Rank 1984 Gold Silver Bronze Total
1 United States 83 61 30 174
2 Romania 20 16 17 53
3 West Germany 17 19 23 59
4 China 15 8 9 32
5 Italy 14 6 12 32
6 Canada 10 18 16 44
7 Japan 10 8 14 32
8 New Zealand 8 1 2 11
9 Yugoslavia 7 4 7 18
10 South Korea 6 6 7 19
10) End of Cold War
In truth, the Soviet Union struggled economically through the 1980s. Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev introduced two bold concepts called glasnost and perestroika. Glasnost, Russian for publicity, was a call for greater transparency in the Soviet government, allowing more freedom of speech and freedom of the press.
Cold War Closure
Glasnost
Themes1980s America10) End of Cold War
Perestroika, Russian for restructuring, was a movement to reform the Soviet Union and allow for private ownership of some businesses. Pressure for complete change was overwhelmingWithin a few years, many of the countries under Soviet control broke away or underwent revolutions.
Cold War Closure
Glasnost
Themes1980s America10) End of Cold War
We want change NOW!• The Soviet Union was completely dissolved by 1991. • The Cold War was now over.• 2/1992 Pres. Bush and Boris Yeltsin (Russian President)
announce a formal end to the Cold War (1945-1992).• Ushered in a new era of “friendship and partnership”• START II Pact-cut nuclear arsenals by 2/3
1980s America
Consider the 10 themes from 1980s America to responds to one of the following writing prompts:
1) What were two most significant advancements of technology from the 1980s? Explain…
2) For someone living in the decade, what would have been more impactful, the natural disasters or manmade disasters? Why?
3) What were the biggest differences between the 1970s and 1980s?
Themes1) Glasnost & Perestroika
2) Automobile recovery
3) Factory relocations
4) Pop and Rock
5) A.I.D.S. Epidemic
6) Natural Disasters
7) Other Disasters
8) Consumerism
9) Reaganomics
10) Technology
1980s America
The George H.W. Bush Presidency• Was Vice-President for Reagan• 1988 election is one of the nastiest.• Bush beats Dukakis.• During Bush’s Presidency the Soviet Union falls apart,
communism falls almost everywhere, and Germany reunited.– A large amount of American aid was pumped into Russia and the other
Eastern European states. American academics rushed to Moscow and other major centers in the region, explaining to leaders how capitalism could be introduced in the shortest amount of time.
– American aid was also sent to help several of the former Soviet republics dismantle the nuclear missiles that had been placed there in the Cold War era.
• Panama led by General Manuel Noriega declares war on U.S., in January 1990 the U.S. beat Panama in a couple weeks, arrests Noriega and puts him in prison.
George H.W. Bush
-11/1989 the wall came down after 28 years!
-Early 1990-East Germany had their first free election
• The central crisis of the Bush presidency began on August 2, 1990, when the army of Iraq (led by Saddam Hussein) invaded Kuwait. This gave Iraq 20% of worlds oil supply. Fears that Saddam Hussein’s next target would be Saudi Arabia, the largest importer of oil to the United States, pushed the United States into action. Almost immediately, in Operation “Desert Shield” large numbers of American troops were sent to protect Saudi Arabia.
• Encouraged by the United States, member states of the United Nations condemned the Iraqi aggression and authorized the creation of a multinational military force to Remove Saddam Hussein from Kuwait. The high point of the Bush presidency was the personal undertaken by the presidency to get almost all of the states of the Middle East to support military action against Iraq… very hard to do.
• On February 24, 1991, a ground offensive termed Operation “Desert Storm,” was instituted against Iraq. Iraqi soldiers surrendered by the hundreds as they retreated form Kuwait. Iraq fires missiles in to Saudi Arabia and Israel.
• In a decision that would later be questioned, American forces did not move into Iraq, capture Baghdad, or force Saddam Hussein from power. It should be noted that was not part of the United Nations mandate, and such an action would have definitely created division in the Middle Eastern coalition so carefully crafted by Bush.
The George H.W. Bush Presidency
• Bush’s popularity was at an all time high after Desert Strom (one of highest for a president ever).
• However, problems soon arose that his administration seemed incapable of solving. A recession and continued economic difficulties hit the United States in early 1992.
• In addition, the end of the Cold War brought new difficulties in several states formerly controlled by the Soviet Union. In the former Yugoslavia, Serbs began to practice “ethnic cleansing” against Bosnian Muslims. Critics of Bush claimed that he lacked any “vision” of what the role of the United States should be in a post-Cold War world.
• George Bush and Bill Clinton ran against each other in 1992. The buzzword of politics in 1992 was “change,” and both candidates claimed they were prepared to offer it. At the 1992 Republican National Convention speakers of the New Right spoke about the need for “family values” and that a “religious war” against the Democrats was needed.
• Bush called out for going back on his 1988 campaign pledge: “Read my lips… No new taxes!”
• The former governor of Arkansas, Bill Clinton had the political sense to realize that Americans in the early 1990s were interested in economic rather than social issue, and pledged that as president he would overhaul the healthcare system and work for the preservation of the Social Security system. Clinton campaigned as a “New Democrat,” stating that he was not another typical big-spending advocate of big government. During his presidency Clinton on occasion took Republican concepts and claimed them as his own; right-wing critics such as Rush Limbaugh maintained that he would say or do anything if it meant his position would be improved in the polls.
The George H.W. Bush Presidency
• In the 1990s politicians were under more intense scrutiny than ever. Twenty-four-hour cable networks needed a continuous input of news; political Web sites and talk radio hosts offered up mountains of political information (with no real need to prove any of it). Bill Clinton was a special target of the conservative press during the 1992 campaign and throughout his presidency; he was the first baby boomer president and had taken part in antiwar demonstrations while he was a graduate student in England. Many also resented his wife, Hillary Rodham Clinton, who maintained that if her husband was elected, she would not sit around the White House and “bake cookies.”
• A third candidate in the 1992 race was Texas multibillionaire Ross Perot. Perot spent a lot of money on campaign ads, complaining in these ads how the politicians in Washington were beholden only to special interests, and that if elected he would bring “common sense” back to the White House. However the charts depicting the American economy that he used on his advertisements were understood by few people.
• Clinton won the 1992 election fairly easily. Many from the New Deal Democratic coalition that had deserted the Democrats for Reagan came back to vote for Clinton in 1992. Bush appeared oddly out of touch at several points during the campaign; at one point he was caught looking at his watch in the middle of a presidential debate.
• Nearly 19 million Americans supported Perot; analysts maintain that the support for Perot hurt Bush more than it did Clinton.
• Clinton wins 43% of votes, Bush 38%, and Perot 19%.
The Bill Clinton Presidency
Clinton (D) v. Bush (R) v. Perot (I)
1992 Election
Bill Clinton
• From the beginning Clinton strove to create an administration different than the one that had preceded it. He appointed minorities and women to his Cabinet. During his first term there were several legislative successes, such as the Brady bill, which created a waiting period for handgun purchases and the 1994 Anti-Crime bill, which provided federal funds to hire more policemen. However, several issues Clinton attempted to tackle during his first term drew the ire of many. NAFTA which allowed the USA, Canada, and Mexico to freely trade with one another eventually hurt jobs in America. His attempt to legislate a national health insurance plan was defeated by a combination of effective lobbying by the American Medical Association and intense advertising paid for by the health care industry. In addition, the fact that Hillary Rodham Clinton was actively involved in the formulation of health care policy caused debate over the proper role of the first lady.
• 1996 election Clinton 49%, Dole 41%, Perot 8%.
• Whitewater Affair = Clinton accused of taking part in bad loans and land deals then using Presidential power to get himself and friends out of trouble… similar to Nixon. While under oath in court Clinton lies about cheating on his wife with intern Monica Lewinsky. When the lie was found out the impeachment process started. On December 19th, 1998 Clinton becomes only the second president to ever be impeached by the House of Representatives… the Senate will give him an acquittal so he can finish his term.
The Bill Clinton Presidency
Assault Weapons Banned
Clinton (D) v. Dole (R) v. Perot (I)
1996 Election
Bush (R) v. Gore (D) v. Nader (I)
2000 Election
• Bush (Governor of Texas) vs. Gore (V.P.)• Gore promises to keep economy rolling.• Bush promises to bring morality back to White House.• Bush loses popular vote, but gets most electoral votes and
becomes President.• Cuts taxes, increases accountability at schools.• Sept. 11th , 2001 terrorist attacks on NYC and D.C.
masterminded by Osama Bin Laden.• War on Terror begins, Office of Homeland Security created.• Bush reelected in 2004.
2000 Election
Bush (R) v. Kerry (D)
2004 Election
Obama (D) v. McCain (R)
2008 Election
Obama (D) v. Romney (R)
2012 Election
Congratulations! I have no more notes
to give you (Applause)
