1988-1997
End of Cold War is most significant to happen in US foreign policy since 1945
6/1989 - Tiananmen Square: sets tone of China issue for a decade
George Bush & Persian Gulf War, 1991: parallel to S-A War (1898)?
"white-collar" recession grips nation, 1991-1993
Clinton & "New Democrats," - 1992, Ross Perot & independents - is party system breaking down?
1987-1997
1991: Clarence Thomas-Anita Hill spectacle: "high-tech lynching" or serious investigation of sexual harassment
1992: Rodney King & L.A. riots: meaning for Americans?
abortion debate: larger implications for understanding American culture?
AIDS epidemic: changing sexual mores from 1960’s revision?
"crack" cocaine/drug epidemic: Nancy Reagan & "Just Say No"
1990’s (ct.)
diversity/commonality: which is stronger American tradition (if either)?
PC & Internet society: implications-Are we connecting or isolating?
Media: is media culture helping to shape a more-informed or less-informed public?
Is popular apathy increasing or decreasing re: democracy?
What will be the legacy of the Clinton years?
Does welfare & social security reform signal the end of the New Deal era? Do Americans have any faith in government left?