9.1 Contextualizing Period 9

Learning Objective Unit 9.A: Explain the context in which the United States faced international and domestic challenges after 1980.

• KC-9.1 A newly ascendant conservative movement achieved several political and policy goals during the 1980s and continued to strongly influence public discourse in the following decades.
  • KC-9.1.I Conservative beliefs regarding the need for traditional social values and a reduced role for government advanced in U.S. politics after 1980.
• KC-9.2 Moving into the 21st century, the nation experienced significant technological, economic, and demographic changes.
  • KC-9.2.I New developments in science and technology enhanced the economy and transformed society, while manufacturing decreased.
  • KC-9.2.II The U.S. population continued to undergo demographic shifts that had significant cultural and political consequences.
• KC-9.3 The end of the Cold War and new challenges to U.S. leadership forced the nation to redefine its foreign policy and role in the world.
  • KC-9.3.I The Reagan administration promoted an interventionist foreign policy that continued in later administrations, even after the end of the Cold War.
  • KC-9.3.II Following the attacks of September 11, 2001, U.S. foreign policy efforts focused on fighting terrorism around the world.

9.2 Reagan and Conservatism

Thematic Focus (PCE): Politics and Power — Debates fostered by social and political groups about the role of government in American social, political, and economic life shape government policy, institutions, political parties, and the rights of citizens.

Learning Objective Unit 9.B: Explain the causes and effects of continuing policy debates about the role of the federal government over time.

• KC-9.1.I.A Ronald Reagan’s victory in the presidential election of 1980 represented an important milestone, allowing conservatives to enact significant tax cuts and continue the deregulation of many industries.
• KC-9.1.I.B Conservatives argued that liberal programs were counterproductive in fighting poverty and stimulating economic growth. Some of their efforts to reduce the size and scope of government met with inertia and liberal opposition, as many programs remained popular with voters.
• KC-9.1.I.C Policy debates continued over free-trade agreements, the scope of the government social safety net, and calls to reform the U.S. financial system.
• KC-9.1.I Conservative beliefs regarding the need for traditional social values and a reduced role for government advanced in U.S. politics after 1980.
• KC-9.2.II.C Intense political and cultural debates continued over issues such as immigration policy, diversity, gender roles, and family structures.

9.3 The End of the Cold War

Thematic Focus (WOR): America in the World — Diplomatic, economic, cultural, and military interactions between empires, nations, and peoples shape the development of America and America’s increasingly important role in the world.

Learning Objective Unit 9.C: Explain the causes and effects of the end of the Cold War and its legacy.

• KC-9.3.I.A Reagan asserted U.S. opposition to communism through speeches, diplomatic efforts, limited military interventions, and a buildup of nuclear and conventional weapons.
• KC-9.3.I.B Increased U.S. military spending, Reagan’s diplomatic initiatives, and political changes and economic problems in Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union were all important in ending the Cold War.
• KC-9.3.I.C The end of the Cold War led to new diplomatic relationships but also new U.S. military and peacekeeping interventions, as well as continued debates over the appropriate use of American power in the world.

9.4 A Changing Economy

Thematic Focus (WXT): Work, Exchange, and Technology — The interplay between markets, private enterprise, labor, technology, and government policy shape the American economy. In turn, economic activity shapes society and government policy and drives technological innovation.

Learning Objective Unit 9.D: Explain the causes and effects of economic and technological change over time.

• KC-9.2.I.A Economic productivity increased as improvements in digital communications enabled increased American participation in worldwide economic opportunities.
• KC-9.2.I.B Technological innovations in computing, digital mobile technology, and the internet transformed daily life, increased access to information, and led to new social behaviors and networks.
• KC-9.2.I.C Employment increased in service sectors and decreased in manufacturing, and union membership declined.
• KC-9.2.I.D Real wages stagnated for the working and middle class amid growing economic inequality.

9.5 Migration and Immigration in the 1990s and 2000s

Thematic Focus (MIG): Migration and Settlement — Push and pull factors shape immigration to and migration within America, and the demographic change as a result of these moves shapes the migrants, society, and the environment.

Learning Objective Unit 9.E: Explain the causes and effects of domestic and international migration over time.

• KC-9.2.II.A After 1980, the political, economic, and cultural influence of the American South and West continued to increase as population shifted to those areas.
• KC-9.2.II.B International migration from Latin America and Asia increased dramatically. The new immigrants affected U.S. culture in many ways and supplied the economy with an important labor force.

9.6 Challenges of the 21st Century

Thematic Focus (WOR): America in the World — Diplomatic, economic, cultural, and military interactions between empires, nations, and peoples shape the development of America and America’s increasingly important role in the world.

Learning Objective Unit 9.F: Explain the causes and effects of the domestic and international challenges the United States has faced in the 21st century.

• KC-9.3.II.A In the wake of attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon in 2001, the United States launched military efforts against terrorism and lengthy, controversial conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq.
• KC-9.3.II.B The war on terrorism sought to improve security within the United States but also raised questions about the protection of civil liberties and human rights.
• KC-9.3.II.C Conflicts in the Middle East and concerns about climate change led to debates over U.S. dependence on fossil fuels and the impact of economic consumption on the environment.
• KC-9.3.II.D Despite economic and foreign policy challenges, the United States continued as the world’s leading superpower in the 21st century.

9.7 Causation in Period 9

Learning Objective Unit 9.G: Explain the relative significance of the effects of change in the period after 1980 on American national identity.

• KC-9.1 A newly ascendant conservative movement achieved several political and policy goals during the 1980s and continued to strongly influence public discourse in the following decades.
  • KC-9.1.I Conservative beliefs regarding the need for traditional social values and a reduced role for government advanced in U.S. politics after 1980.
• KC-9.2 Moving into the 21st century, the nation experienced significant technological, economic, and demographic changes.
  • KC-9.2.I New developments in science and technology enhanced the economy and transformed society, while manufacturing decreased.
  • KC-9.2.II The U.S. population continued to undergo demographic shifts that had significant cultural and political consequences.
• KC-9.3 The end of the Cold War and new challenges to U.S. leadership forced the nation to redefine its foreign policy and role in the world.
  • KC-9.3.I The Reagan administration promoted an interventionist foreign policy that continued in later administrations, even after the end of the Cold War.
  • KC-9.3.II Following the attacks of September 11, 2001, U.S. foreign policy efforts focused on fighting terrorism around the world.