Unit 9 Heimler

Reagan Era

The election of Ronald Reagan in 1980 shifted politics from liberalism to conservatism.

  • Promises: Reduced taxes, government spending, increased military, conservative judges.

  • Reaganomics: Supply-side economics, lower taxes, fewer business regulations.

  • Government Spending: Cut welfare, increased military.

  • Deregulation: Reduced industry regulations (e.g., auto industry).

  • Judicial Appointments: Conservative judges (O'Connor, Scalia, Kennedy).

End of the Cold War

Reagan played a role in ending the Cold War.

  • Military Interventions: Iran-Contra affair.

  • Military Buildup: Increased military spending, Strategic Defense Initiative.

  • Speeches put pressure on the Soviet Union

  • Diplomatic Agreements: START one reduced nuclear warheads.

US Economy in the 1990s

The US economy changed significantly in the 1990s.

  • Economic Boom: Longest peacetime boom due to digital communications and productivity.

  • Technological Innovations: Digital mobile tech and social media.

  • Shift to Service Economy: Outsourcing led to a service-based economy.

Migration and Immigration After 1980

Migration and immigration affected US culture and economics.

  • Sunbelt Migration: Population growth in the Sunbelt.

  • Immigration: Significant population growth from immigrants.

  • Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986: Immigration process, criticism for amnesty.

  • Demographic Changes: Hispanic immigrants became the largest minority, Asian American population grew.

9/11 and Environmental Concerns

9/11 attacks in 2001 began the war on terror.

  • 9/11 Attacks: Attacks in New York and Washington, DC, by Al Qaeda.

  • War on Terror: Bush led the war on terror, military action in Afghanistan.

  • Patriot Act: Increased surveillance, privacy concerns.

  • Military Conflicts: Afghanistan

  • Environmental Concerns: Debate over fossil fuels and climate change.

  • Climate Change Awareness: Al Gore highlighted greenhouse gases and fossil fuel effects.