History of the United States

Contemporary United States History (1980-present)

For details, see the main History of the United States (1980-1988) and History of the United States (1988-present) articles.

Related Topics:
History of the United States (1980-1988) - History of the United States (1988-present)

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In the 1980s, President Ronald Reagan was elected, and instituted a domestic program of tax cuts and an international policy of aggressive anti-Soviet actions. Although the United States deficit rapidly expanded, the Eastern Bloc began to unravel under increasing economic strain, finally and dramatically collapsing during the administration of President George H.W. Bush. Despite the fall of the Soviet Union, the United States still found itself involved in military action overseas, including the 1990 Gulf War. In 1992, President Bill Clinton oversaw the longest economic expansion in American history, a side effect of the digital revolution and new business opportunities created by the Internet (see Internet bubble). At the beginning of the new millennium, the United States found itself attacked by Islamist terrorism, with the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center and The Pentagon orchestrated by Osama bin Ladin. In response, under the administration of President George W. Bush, the United States (with the military support of NATO and the political support of most of the international community) invaded Afghanistan and overthrew the Taliban regime, which had supported and harbored bin Ladin. More controversially, President Bush continued what he dubbed the "war on terror" by invading Iraq and overthrowing and capturing Saddam Hussein. This second invasion proved very unpopular amongst the international community, even amongst long-time American allies such as France and Germany, and resulted in a global wave of anti-American sentiment.

Related Topics:
Ronald Reagan - George H.W. Bush - Gulf War - Bill Clinton - Digital revolution - Internet - Internet bubble - Islamist terrorism - World Trade Center - The Pentagon - Osama bin Ladin - George W. Bush - NATO - Afghanistan - Taliban - Saddam Hussein - France - Germany - Anti-American sentiment

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As of 2005, the political climate remains polarized as debates continue over partial birth abortion, federal funding of stem cell research, separation of the church and the state issues, same-sex marriage, as well as the ongoing war in Iraq.

Related Topics:
Partial birth abortion - Stem cell - Separation of the church and the state - Same-sex marriage - War in Iraq

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