To study:

1. End of the Cold War: Understand the factors that contributed to the end of the Cold War, including the policies of Reagan and Gorbachev, the collapse of the Soviet Union, and the implications of the end of the Cold War for US foreign policy.

2. Globalization: Explore the processes of globalization and their impact on the United States, including economic globalization, the rise of multinational corporations, and the spread of technology and information.

3. Conservative Resurgence: Analyze the rise of conservatism in American politics during the 1980s and 1990s, including the Reagan Revolution, the Religious Right, and the impact of conservative policies on domestic and foreign affairs.

4. Social Movements: Examine various social movements of the late 20th and early 21st centuries, including the environmental movement, LGBTQ+ rights movement, feminist movement, and civil rights movement.

5. Technological Advancements: Consider the impact of technological advancements on American society, including the rise of the internet, social media, and the digital revolution.

6. Global Conflicts and Terrorism: Study key global conflicts and events such as the Gulf War, the War on Terror, and the September 11 attacks, and their effects on US foreign policy and domestic security measures.

7. Immigration: Explore patterns of immigration to the United States since the 1980s, including debates over immigration policy, the experiences of immigrant communities, and the impact of immigration on American society.

8. Economic Trends: Examine economic trends and challenges such as deindustrialization, the rise of the service economy, income inequality, and debates over economic policy.

9. Cultural Changes: Analyze cultural changes in American society, including shifts in popular culture, the rise of multiculturalism, and debates over issues such as affirmative action and political correctness.

10. Environmental Issues: Investigate environmental challenges and debates, including concerns about pollution, climate change, conservation, and the role of government in environmental policy.

1. Ronald Reagan (1981-1989):

   • Reaganomics: Implemented conservative economic policies emphasizing tax cuts, deregulation, and reduced government spending.

   • Increased military spending: Initiated a military buildup, including the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI), to counter Soviet influence.

   • Role in ending the Cold War: Engaged in negotiations with Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, leading to the thawing of relations and ultimately contributing to the collapse of the Soviet Union.

2. George H. W. Bush (1989-1993):

   • Gulf War: Led a multinational coalition to expel Iraqi forces from Kuwait in the Persian Gulf War.

   • Domestic policies: Oversaw the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and signed the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990.

   • Foreign policy challenges: Faced issues such as the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the emergence of new geopolitical dynamics.

3. Bill Clinton (1993-2001):

   • Economic prosperity: Presided over a period of sustained economic growth, with low unemployment and budget surpluses.

   • NAFTA: Signed the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), aimed at reducing trade barriers between the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

   • Welfare reform: Signed the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act, which implemented significant changes to the welfare system.

   • Impeachment: Faced impeachment proceedings related to a scandal involving a White House intern, though he was acquitted by the Senate.

4. George W. Bush (2001-2009):

   • 9/11 and War on Terror: Responded to the September 11 terrorist attacks by launching the War on Terror, including the invasion of Afghanistan and later Iraq.

   • Patriot Act: Signed into law the “Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism” Act (USA PATRIOT Act), expanding the government's surveillance and law enforcement powers in response to terrorism.

   • Economic policies: Implemented tax cuts and pursued other economic stimulus measures, but also presided over the 2008 financial crisis.

5. Barack Obama (2009-2017):

   • Affordable Care Act (ACA): Signed into law the ACA, also known as Obamacare, aimed to expand healthcare coverage and regulate the insurance industry.

   • Economic recovery: Implemented stimulus measures to address the Great Recession, including the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

   • Foreign policy: Ordered the operation that resulted in the death of Osama bin Laden, pursued diplomatic efforts such as the Iran nuclear deal, and sought to normalize relations with Cuba.

Reaganomics refers to the economic policies implemented during the presidency of Ronald Reagan in the 1980s. It was characterized by a combination of tax cuts, deregulation, and a focus on reducing government spending. The key components of Reaganomics include:

1. Supply-side economics: Reaganomics was based on the theory of supply-side economics, which posits that reducing taxes, especially for businesses and the wealthy, would stimulate investment, economic growth, and job creation. The idea was that by reducing tax rates, individuals and businesses would have more incentive to work, save, and invest, leading to overall economic expansion.

2. Tax cuts: One of the central pillars of Reaganomics was the implementation of significant tax cuts. Reagan signed into law the Economic Recovery Tax Act of 1981, which reduced income tax rates across the board, with the largest cuts going to the highest income brackets. Subsequent tax legislation further lowered tax rates for individuals and corporations.

3. Deregulation: Reagan sought to reduce government intervention in the economy by rolling back regulations, especially in industries such as banking, telecommunications, and transportation. Deregulation was intended to promote competition, efficiency, and innovation by removing barriers to entry and reducing bureaucratic red tape.

4. Monetary policy: The Reagan administration also pursued a policy of monetary restraint, aimed at controlling inflation. Under Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volcker, the Fed raised interest rates to combat high inflation rates that had plagued the economy in the late 1970s and early 1980s. While this initially led to a recession, it ultimately helped to bring down inflation and lay the groundwork for sustained economic growth.

5. Defense spending: Reagan significantly increased military spending as part of his national security and foreign policy objectives, including the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI), also known as "Star Wars." This surge in defense spending had both economic and geopolitical implications, contributing to job creation and technological innovation while also exerting pressure on the Soviet Union during the Cold War.

Critics of Reaganomics argue that it exacerbated income inequality, increased budget deficits, and led to a ballooning national debt. Proponents, however, point to the economic expansion and job growth that occurred during Reagan's presidency, as well as the role of Reaganomics in helping to bring down inflation and lay the foundation for the prosperity of the 1990s.

Here are some key court cases from this period:

1. Bush v. Gore (2000):

   • This case arose from the disputed presidential election of 2000 between George W. Bush and Al Gore. The Supreme Court ruled 5-4 to halt the recount of disputed ballots in Florida, effectively ending the recount efforts and handing the presidency to George W. Bush. The decision was controversial and raised questions about the role of the judiciary in electoral disputes.

2. Obergefell v. Hodges (2015):

   • This landmark case legalized same-sex marriage nationwide. The Supreme Court ruled 5-4 that the fundamental right to marry is guaranteed to same-sex couples by the Due Process Clause and the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution.

3. Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (2010):

   • In this case, the Supreme Court ruled 5-4 that political spending by corporations, associations, and labor unions is a form of protected speech under the First Amendment, and therefore cannot be limited by federal law. This decision led to the rise of Super PACs (political action committees) and significantly impacted campaign finance regulations.

4. Roe v. Wade (1973) and Planned Parenthood v. Casey (1992):

   • While these cases technically fall outside of Period 9, they have continued to be influential during this period. Roe v. Wade established a woman's right to abortion under the Fourteenth Amendment's right to privacy. Planned Parenthood v. Casey reaffirmed Roe, but also allowed states to regulate abortion as long as they did not place an "undue burden" on the woman's right to choose.

5. United States v. Windsor (2013):

   • In this case, the Supreme Court struck down Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which defined marriage as between one man and one woman for the purposes of federal law. The decision allowed legally married same-sex couples to receive federal benefits and protections.

6. District of Columbia v. Heller (2008):

   • This case affirmed an individual's right to possess firearms for self-defense within the home, interpreting the Second Amendment as protecting an individual's right to bear arms, rather than just a collective right related to militia service.