Welcome to Period 9:
The Nation Transformed (1980–Present)
Welcome to Period 9:
The Nation Transformed (1980–Present)
Get ready for a nation confronting rapid change at home and new challenges abroad. In the decades after 1980, the United States experienced major political, economic, technological, and demographic shifts that reshaped both public policy and everyday life.
In this period, you’ll examine how the rise of a new conservative movement influenced government policy, how globalization and technological innovation transformed the economy, and how demographic change altered American society and politics. You will also explore how the end of the Cold War and new international conflicts reshaped the United States’ role in the world. As Americans debated the size and role of government, they also confronted questions about economic opportunity, national security, and the nation’s place in an increasingly interconnected global system.
KC-9.1: A new conservative movement grew in response to perceived failures of liberal policies, reshaping American politics and public policy beginning in the late twentieth century.
KC-9.2: Economic globalization, technological innovation, and demographic shifts transformed American society, the economy, and political debates about the role of government.
KC-9.3: The end of the Cold War and new international challenges required the United States to redefine its foreign policy and role in the world.
Why did conservative ideas gain influence in American politics after 1980?
In this lesson, we examine the rise of a conservative political movement that emphasized tax cuts, deregulation, traditional social values, and a reduced role for the federal government. We also explore ongoing debates over government programs, economic policy, and social issues that shaped national politics in the late twentieth century.
How did the Cold War rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union come to an end?
In this lesson, we explore how changing political and economic conditions in the Soviet Union, combined with American diplomatic and military strategies, contributed to the collapse of the Cold War order. We also examine how the end of this global conflict reshaped the nation’s role in world affairs.
How did technological innovation and globalization transform the American economy?
In this lesson, we examine how digital technologies, global trade, and shifts from manufacturing to service industries reshaped economic life after 1980. We also explore how these changes affected wages, labor unions, economic inequality, and everyday work in the United States.
How did migration reshape American society in the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries?
In this lesson, we examine population shifts within the United States and rising immigration from Latin America and Asia. We also explore how these demographic changes influenced the nation’s economy, culture, and political debates over immigration policy.
How did new global challenges shape American foreign policy in the twenty-first century?
In this lesson, we explore how the United States responded to new international threats after the Cold War, particularly the rise of global terrorism. We examine how the attacks of September 11, 2001 reshaped national security policy and influenced the nation’s role in global conflicts.
Students complete three all three parts to prepare for the Period 9 assessment. Each option reinforces key AP UAS History concepts by applying historical thinking skills, historical developments, and analytical thinking aligned to the CED.