70s80s

US - 1970’s: foreign affairs, p.2

Jimmy Carter & human rights policy: despite Cold War, nations to be judged on human rights records

9/1978 - Camp David accords: sig. achievement of Carter presidency

continuing problems in mid-east: revolt against Shah of Iran causes oil crises, taking of US hostages (444 days)

1979 - Soviet invasion of Afghanistan - olympic boycott of 1980

US - 1970’s - society

modern immigration: Latin Americans, Asians migrate in great numbers

affirmative action becomes significant issue (Bakke case, 1978)

bell bottoms & disco?

1976 - Carter elected on wave of "outsider" enthusiasm: folksy, populist (anti-establishment)

Iran, economic problems, "malaise" bring down Carter - Ronald Reagan elected, 1980

1980-1988

1980: "Reagan Revolution:" conservative resurgence in politics, society (ex. Falwell, "moral majority" revises feminist doctrines, culture of 60’s-70’s liberalism)

early 1980’s: Cold War resurgence: "evil empire," SDI, tension over Afghanistan, support to Latin American anti-communists

early 1980’s: "supply side" economics: reduced taxes & cuts in social programs along with higher defense spending result in recession, long economic expansion and tremendous increase in govt. deficit

1980-1988, (ct.)

Reagan: 2nd term: Cold War break down, Gorbachev, glasnost & perestroika

1985-1986: Iran-Contra scandal significant: laws broken, arms-for-terrorists

"yuppie" culture - emerges w/financial expansion - high stock market, high employment combined w/low inflation (1987 stock market crash is exceptional)

savings & loan problems: $500 billion bail-out (we’re still paying for that)

wealth polarization: top fifth of nation grows wealthier while the rest either stagnates or declines in "real income"