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1010thth American History American HistoryUnit VI – Looking Toward the FutureUnit VI – Looking Toward the Future

Chapter 22 – A Conservative EraChapter 22 – A Conservative EraSection 4 – Life in the 1980’sSection 4 – Life in the 1980’s

Life in the 1980sThe Main Idea

The 1980s and early 1990s saw major technological, economic, and social changes that produced both

progress and intense conflicts.

Reading Focus

• How did new technologies such as the space shuttle affect society?

• How did changes in the economy of the 1980s affect various groups of Americans?

• What other changes and challenges did U.S. society face in the 1980s?

Corporate Raiders Corporate raiders bought

vulnerable companies in order to reorganize and sell them or break them up and sell off their valuable parts.

Other tactics that produced great wealth on Wall Street included investments in junk bonds as well as greenmail- a tactic of tricking other investors into buying stock at a high price.

The 1985 cartoon on the right comments on these tactics. It is titled “Invasion of the Corporate Body Snatchers”, a spoof on a popular movie about aliens who take over the world.

New technologies

Bill Gates started Microsoft, a company that invented a new type of computer-operating software.

SteveJobs

Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak started Apple Computer.

Apple computers were small enough to be used at home, and they transformed the way Americans lived and worked.

BillGates

Unlike previous spacecraft, the space shuttle could be used over and over again.

The technologies developed or discovered by scientists working on the space shuttle led to the development of infrared cameras and a treatment for brain tumors.

TheSpace

Shuttle

Challenger Tragedy January 28, 1986- Just 73 seconds after liftoff, the January 28, 1986- Just 73 seconds after liftoff, the

shuttle exploded. Debris rained into the Atlantic shuttle exploded. Debris rained into the Atlantic Ocean for more than an hour afterward.Ocean for more than an hour afterward.

All seven members of the crew were killed in the All seven members of the crew were killed in the accident.accident.

Teacher Christa McAuliffe was chosen from more Teacher Christa McAuliffe was chosen from more than 11,000 applicants to train for the mission. She than 11,000 applicants to train for the mission. She was to teach classroom lessons from space by was to teach classroom lessons from space by satellite TV. satellite TV.

Reagan created the "The Presidential Commission Reagan created the "The Presidential Commission on the Space Shuttle" on February 3, 1986 to on the Space Shuttle" on February 3, 1986 to investigate the accident independently from NASA.investigate the accident independently from NASA.

How did changes in the economy of the 1980s affect various groups of Americans? Uneven economic growth—strong

growth, but unevenly distributed Rising deficits—expenditures far greater

than tax revenue Financial deregulation—led to corporate

raiders, downsizing, and hostile takeovers

Savings and loan crisis—deregulated S&Ls loaned out too much of their wealth and went bankrupt on a massive scale

Uneven Economic GrowthThe Economy

GDP and the stock market rose to unprecedented highs.

Alan Greenspan and the Federal Reserve Board actively lowered and raised interest rates to avoid a recession and inflation.

Unemployment slowly dropped.

Some credit Reaganomics for the positive economic trends of the 1980s.

Others credit the Federal Reserve Board.

The Distribution The economic growth was

unevenly distributed. Farmers did poorly due to

droughts and floods. A recession in 1982-1983 hurt

older U.S. industries such as steel and automobile production.

Factories closed, throwing tens of thousands out of work.

Bankruptcies rose 50 percent in one year.

Homelessness increased sharply.

Reagan tax cuts mainly benefited the wealthy.

Average Family Income in the 1980’s The economic boom of the

1980’s saw an increase in incomes for many families with high inflation that had wiped out most income increases in the 1970’s.

Some of the biggest beneficiaries of the 1980’s boom were richer families, who saw their incomes increase, largely from successful investments.

The chart on the right shows the changes in wealth for families in the lowest, middle and highest income brackets.

Rising Deficits

• Tax cuts coupled with high military spending tripled the budget deficit from 1980 to 1986.

• Huge government borrowing was needed to fund the deficit.

• The U.S. trade deficit grew as well.

Deregulation

• Regan deregulated financial services.

• Corporate raiders bought declining businesses and merged them, cut them into pieces, or sold them.

• Resulted in layoffs

• Supporters claimed this weeded out weak companies and helped productivity.

The Economy of the 1980sS&L Crisis

• Deregulation allowed S&Ls to offer services besides mortgages.

• They loaned out too much of their wealth.

• Went bankrupt during the savings and loan crisis.

• Government was forced to bail S&Ls out.

Bush and the Economy

The S&L crisis cost taxpayers an estimated $152 billion.

This and a recession that began in late 1990 forced Bush to raise taxes.

Unemployment and poverty rose significantly during his term.

Despite his foreign-policy successes, economic troubles at home proved to be Bush’s political downfall.

Changes and challenges of the U.S. society in the 1980s?

Milestones for women—politicians began to pay more attention to female voters and to appoint women to high public offices

Changes in immigration law—laws increased the legal immigration limits and toughened penalties on hiring undocumented workers

Court battles over social issues—the Supreme Court ruled on several sensitive landmark cases

Battles over Supreme Court nominations—Reagan and Bush tried to pack the Supreme Court and federal courts with conservative judges

A deadly disease—scientists identified AIDS, one of the world’s worst outbreaks of infectious disease

Changes and Challenges in American Society

Milestones for Women Politicians began to pay

attention to women voters and interests.

Reagan elevated women to high public office.

Sandra Day O’Connor—first women appointed to the Supreme Court

Walter Mondale asked Geraldine Ferraro to be his presidential running mate.

Immigration Laws

Laws passed in 1980 and 1986 increased legal immigration limits and granted legal status to millions of undocumented immigrants living in the United States.

They also toughened penalties on employers who hired undocumented workers.

Illegal immigration continued to grow.

Court BattlesSocial Issues

New Jersey v. T.L.O.—schools have the right to search students’ belongings

Westside Community School District v. Mergens—school had to allow students to form an after-school Christian group that could meet on school grounds.

Planned Parenthood of Southwestern PA v. Casey—state could require informed consent, a 24-hour wait, and parental consent for minors before women could have an abortion

Cruzan v. Director, Missouri Dept. of Health—recognized an adult’s right to refuse medical service

Nominations Reagan filled three Supreme

Court seats and appointed half of the judges in the federal system.

Reagan and Bush appointed conservative judges, which set off furious confirmation hearings.

The Senate rejected Robert Bork, who advocated a strict interpretation of the Constitution.

Bush’s nominee Clarence Thomas was accused of sexual harassment.

A Deadly Disease

Scientist identified one of the worst outbreaks of infectious disease in human history in 1981: AIDS.

AIDS is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

AIDS has spread to millions of men and women around the world.

Wealthy of the 1980’s Americans were fascinated by the

wealthy in the 1980’s. Young people throughout the country copied the preppy look, imitating fashions associated with wealthy families on the East Coast.

The most popular television shows were nighttime soap operas like Dallas and Dynasty that portrayed glamorous, if troubled, lives of rich families. In Dynasty, the large, oil rich, Carrington family lived an opulent lifestyle, yet they personified the saying that wealth doesn’t bring happiness. Millions of viewers tuned in each week to watch the Carrington spouses, parents and children viciously fight and plot against one another.

1980’s The 1980s became the Me! Me! Me! The 1980s became the Me! Me! Me!

generation of status seekers.generation of status seekers.

During the 1980s, hostile takeovers, leveraged During the 1980s, hostile takeovers, leveraged buyouts, and mega-mergers spawned a new buyouts, and mega-mergers spawned a new breed of billionaire. Donald Trump, Leona breed of billionaire. Donald Trump, Leona Helmsley, and Ivan Boesky iconed the Helmsley, and Ivan Boesky iconed the meteoric rise and fall of the rich and famous. meteoric rise and fall of the rich and famous.

If you've got it, flaunt itIf you've got it, flaunt it ; ; You can have it all!You can have it all! Binge buying and credit became a way of life Binge buying and credit became a way of life and 'Shop Til you Drop'and 'Shop Til you Drop' were all watchwords.were all watchwords.

FACTS about this decadeFACTS about this decade

Population: 226,546,000Population: 226,546,000 Unemployed in 1980: Unemployed in 1980: National Debt: 1980 - $914,000,000,000 National Debt: 1980 - $914,000,000,000 National Debt: 1986 - $2,000,000,000,000 National Debt: 1986 - $2,000,000,000,000 Average salary: $15,757 Average salary: $15,757 Life Expectancy: Male 69.9 Female 77.6 Life Expectancy: Male 69.9 Female 77.6 Minimum Wage: $3.10 Minimum Wage: $3.10 BMW was $12,000; Mercedes 280 E was BMW was $12,000; Mercedes 280 E was $14,800 $14,800 Attendance: Movies 20 million/week Attendance: Movies 20 million/week

ChernobylChernobyl In the early morning hours of 26 April 1986, a testing error

caused an explosion at the Chernobyl nuclear power station in northern Ukraine. During a radioactive fire that burned for 10 days, 190 tons of toxic materials were expelled into the atmosphere. The wind blew 70% of the radioactive material into the neighboring country of Belarus.

Almost 20 years later, the people of Belarus continue to suffer medically, economically, environmentally and socially from the effects of the disaster. These are the facts:

The Accident* The Chernobyl power plant is located on the border area between Ukraine and Belarus.

* The explosion of the reactor at Chernobyl released 100 times more radiation than the atom bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. (1)

* At the time of the accident, about 7 million people lived in contaminated territories, including 3 million children.

* About 5.5 million people - including more than a million children - continue to live in contaminated zones. (2)Thyroid cancer, Leukemia, Childhood diseases, Cancers, Birth Defects, Genetic mutations and Heart disease.

Interesting events Toxic Shock Toxic Shock Toxic shock syndrome is a rare, life-threatening bacterial Toxic shock syndrome is a rare, life-threatening bacterial

infection that has been most often associated with the use of superabsorbent tampons and infection that has been most often associated with the use of superabsorbent tampons and occasionally with the use of contraceptive sponges.occasionally with the use of contraceptive sponges.

In 1980, an outbreak of toxic shock syndrome occurred that mostly involved young women In 1980, an outbreak of toxic shock syndrome occurred that mostly involved young women who had been using a particular brand of superabsorbent tampons. The cause of the outbreak who had been using a particular brand of superabsorbent tampons. The cause of the outbreak seemed to be toxins produced by Staphylococcus aureus (staph) bacteriaseemed to be toxins produced by Staphylococcus aureus (staph) bacteria

Medicare-Medicare-our country’s health insurance program for people age 65 our country’s health insurance program for people age 65

or older. Certain people younger than age 65 can qualify for Medicare, too, or older. Certain people younger than age 65 can qualify for Medicare, too, including those who have disabilities and those who have permanent kidney including those who have disabilities and those who have permanent kidney failure. The program helps with the cost of health care, but it does not cover failure. The program helps with the cost of health care, but it does not cover all medical expenses or the cost of most long-term care. Medicare is financed all medical expenses or the cost of most long-term care. Medicare is financed by a portion of the payroll taxes paid by workers and their employers. It also by a portion of the payroll taxes paid by workers and their employers. It also is financed in part by monthly premiums deducted from Social Security is financed in part by monthly premiums deducted from Social Security checks.checks.

““Just Say No!” Just Say No!” Nancy Reagan’s active campaign against drug Nancy Reagan’s active campaign against drug

and alcohol abuse.and alcohol abuse. Vietnam Veterans Memorial-Vietnam Veterans Memorial-The official name The official name

of the Memorial is the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. It is sometimes referred to of the Memorial is the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. It is sometimes referred to as VVM or "the Wall". The figures are called "The Three Servicemen". This as VVM or "the Wall". The figures are called "The Three Servicemen". This is not a war Memorial but a Memorial to those who served in the war, both is not a war Memorial but a Memorial to those who served in the war, both living and dead.living and dead.

Interesting people Wayne WilliamsWayne Williams- - From October 1979 to May 1981, Wayne Williams From October 1979 to May 1981, Wayne Williams

killed twenty-seven young black boys in Atlanta. At trial Williams was found killed twenty-seven young black boys in Atlanta. At trial Williams was found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment.guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment.

Sandra Day O’ConnerSandra Day O’Conner- - first woman supreme court justice.first woman supreme court justice.

Geraldine FerraroGeraldine Ferraro--first woman vice-presidential candidate.first woman vice-presidential candidate.

Jesse JacksonJesse Jackson- - first black presidential candidate.first black presidential candidate.

Rock Hudson- Rock Hudson- famous actor who died of AIDsfamous actor who died of AIDs

Jim BakkerJim Bakker--televangelist who was sentenced to 45 years for selling bogus televangelist who was sentenced to 45 years for selling bogus

lifetime vacations.lifetime vacations.

Nancy Reagan- Nancy Reagan- President Reagan’s wife and first lady who started the President Reagan’s wife and first lady who started the “Just Say No” to drugs program“Just Say No” to drugs program

Wayne WilliamsWayne Williams

Jim BakkerJim Bakker

Nancy ReaganNancy Reagan

Geraldine FerraroGeraldine Ferraro

Sandra Day O’ConnerSandra Day O’Conner

Jesse JacksonJesse Jackson

Education 1980 study by UCLA and American Council on Education indicated that 1980 study by UCLA and American Council on Education indicated that

college freshmen were more interested in status, power, and money than at college freshmen were more interested in status, power, and money than at any time during the past 15 years. Business Management was the most any time during the past 15 years. Business Management was the most popular major. popular major.

American education came under fire during the 1980s. Liberals cried out American education came under fire during the 1980s. Liberals cried out against budget cuts and rising student costs. School districts offered against budget cuts and rising student costs. School districts offered teachers exams and exit exams became a part of graduating for Education teachers exams and exit exams became a part of graduating for Education majors. majors.

Conservatives like E.D.Hirsch, Jr. and William Bennett advocated a return Conservatives like E.D.Hirsch, Jr. and William Bennett advocated a return to the classics for college students and back to the basic skills for public to the classics for college students and back to the basic skills for public school students. An attempt was made to improve the teacher quality by school students. An attempt was made to improve the teacher quality by raising salaries slightly. Efforts to censor books tripled in the eighties. raising salaries slightly. Efforts to censor books tripled in the eighties. The The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn , The Grapes of Wrath, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn , The Grapes of Wrath, and and Catcher in the Catcher in the Rye Rye were among books banned in New York State. were among books banned in New York State. Roget's Thesaurus Roget's Thesaurus banned sexist categories: mankind becamehumankind; countryman became banned sexist categories: mankind becamehumankind; countryman became country dweller. Columbia University, the last all male Ivy League school, country dweller. Columbia University, the last all male Ivy League school, began accepting women in 1983. President Reagan endorsed a began accepting women in 1983. President Reagan endorsed a constitutional amendment to permit school prayer. It was defeated.constitutional amendment to permit school prayer. It was defeated.

Medical Advances Research money allowed for studies and new Research money allowed for studies and new

treatments for heart, cancer, and other treatments for heart, cancer, and other diseases. diseases.

Major advances in genetics research led to Major advances in genetics research led to the 1988 funding of the Human Genome the 1988 funding of the Human Genome Project. This project will locate the estimated Project. This project will locate the estimated 80,000 genes contained in human DNA.80,000 genes contained in human DNA.

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Fashions80's Flops80's Flops

Ra ra and bubble skirts ; Fluorescent socks and t-Ra ra and bubble skirts ; Fluorescent socks and t-shirts: Drop waisted dresses : Lace gloves : Fergie shirts: Drop waisted dresses : Lace gloves : Fergie bows - in the hair bows - in the hair White leather fringed cowboy boots - Not unless White leather fringed cowboy boots - Not unless you're Dolly Parton and you're boot scooting!you're Dolly Parton and you're boot scooting!

80's Fabulous80's Fabulous

Tie sleeve and Batwing tops - Drop earrings - Micro Tie sleeve and Batwing tops - Drop earrings - Micro minis - Big gold earrings - Multiple belts - Coloured minis - Big gold earrings - Multiple belts - Coloured tights - and This time round, pair coloured or camel tights - and This time round, pair coloured or camel toned fishnet tights with a knee length skirt, knee high toned fishnet tights with a knee length skirt, knee high leather boots and a turtleneck for a subtly funky leather boots and a turtleneck for a subtly funky effect. Leg warmers.effect. Leg warmers.

FadsFads Big HairBig Hair Skater hair and flat tops and PunkSkater hair and flat tops and Punk Painter hats and pierced ears.Painter hats and pierced ears. Michael Jackson Thriller coatMichael Jackson Thriller coat OP, Izod, Argyle- Hawaiian and Rugby Shirts.OP, Izod, Argyle- Hawaiian and Rugby Shirts. Parachute pants.Parachute pants. Converse HightopsConverse Hightops Pegged jeansPegged jeans Jelly shoesJelly shoes Zubaz and spandexZubaz and spandex Valley GirlValley Girl Michael Jackson glove and Miami Vice lookMichael Jackson glove and Miami Vice look Swatch watchesSwatch watches Rubiks cubeRubiks cube Pacman, Nintendo, and GameboyPacman, Nintendo, and Gameboy Smurf, ET, and Cabbage Patch DollsSmurf, ET, and Cabbage Patch Dolls SneakersSneakers

MusicMusic Cable TV and MTVCable TV and MTV Slam dancing and break dancingSlam dancing and break dancing Vogueing (posing)Vogueing (posing) Pop, rock, Pop, rock, new wavenew wave, , punkpunk, ,

country, and especially rap or hip country, and especially rap or hip hophop

Milli Vanilli, M. C. Hammer , Milli Vanilli, M. C. Hammer , Vanilla Ice, and L.L. Cool J. Vanilla Ice, and L.L. Cool J.

Movies NerdsNerds- Revenge of the Nerds, Lucas, Stand by Me, Revenge of the Nerds, Lucas, Stand by Me,

andand Peggy Sue Got Married. Peggy Sue Got Married. TV joined the nerd TV joined the nerd ranks with ABC's hit series ranks with ABC's hit series Head of the ClassHead of the Class

In 1981, VCR sales rose 72% in 12 months. In 1981, VCR sales rose 72% in 12 months. By 1989, 60 percent of American households with By 1989, 60 percent of American households with

televisions received cable service. televisions received cable service. Huge or memorable movies of the decade included Huge or memorable movies of the decade included

On Golden Pond, Tootsie, Arthur, On Golden Pond, Tootsie, Arthur, Stephen Spielberg Stephen Spielberg Movies like Movies like E.T. THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL, The E.T. THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL, The Big Chill, Flashdance, Beverly Hills Cop, Out of Big Chill, Flashdance, Beverly Hills Cop, Out of Africa, Back to the Future, Cocoon, The Breakfast Africa, Back to the Future, Cocoon, The Breakfast Club,Platoon,Star Trek, Good Morning Vietnam, Club,Platoon,Star Trek, Good Morning Vietnam, Fatal Attraction, Rain Man,Fatal Attraction, Rain Man, and and Driving Miss DaisyDriving Miss Daisy.

Television Anti-family sitcoms like Anti-family sitcoms like Roseanne Roseanne and and

Married...with ChildrenMarried...with Children; ;

Tabloid tv with Geraldo, Phil, Sally, and Tabloid tv with Geraldo, Phil, Sally, and OprahOprah

Stand up comicsStand up comics included Gary Shandling, included Gary Shandling, Jane Curtin, George Carlin, Jackie Mason, Jane Curtin, George Carlin, Jackie Mason, Bill Cosby, Jerry Seinfeld, and Tracy Bill Cosby, Jerry Seinfeld, and Tracy Ullman; Ullman;

Info-tainment includedInfo-tainment includedNightline with Ted Nightline with Ted Koppel, CNN Cable News,Koppel, CNN Cable News,and and 20/20 20/20 with with Hugh Downs and Barbara Walters. Hugh Downs and Barbara Walters. 60 60 Minutes Minutes which had first aired in 1968 was which had first aired in 1968 was bigger than ever. bigger than ever.

Foods Food of the 80s included the popular fast Food of the 80s included the popular fast

food places like Taco Bell and food places like Taco Bell and

McDonald's McDLT and McRib. Kids loved McDonald's McDLT and McRib. Kids loved Sweetarts, Skittles, Nerds, Runts, Hubba Sweetarts, Skittles, Nerds, Runts, Hubba

Bubba Chewing Gum, and Five Alive.Bubba Chewing Gum, and Five Alive.

John Lennon shot and killed John Lennon was shot and killed John Lennon was shot and killed

in New York. The gunman, Mark in New York. The gunman, Mark Chapman, apparently shouted 'I Chapman, apparently shouted 'I am the Catcher in the Rye' just am the Catcher in the Rye' just before dropping to the ground before dropping to the ground and firing the weapon.and firing the weapon.