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APUSH Period 9 Study Guide
Periodization (1980-Present)
● Period 9 is characterized by the wave of conservatism that swept through federal policies,
as well as the official end to the Cold War. However, foreign policy continues as a large
part of politics with the issues that rise up in the Middle East, as well as alliances with
nearby nations. America also deals with internal issues, and hence, the key ideas (located
below)
Key Ideas
● The Middle-East: how America promotes peace in the region and protects its interests as
a nation
● Conservatism: how this movement affects American domestic policy
● Immigration: the rising rates of immigrants, the cultural and economic effects on
American society
President Ronald Reagan (1981-1988)
● Conservatism: by the 1980 election, Americans were tired of the constant conflict both
inside and outside of America. Conservatives voted for Reagan, while others split their
votes between Carter and a third-party candidate. Reagan won.
● Supply-Side Economics: if taxes on big businesses were reduced (and thus government
regulation of businesses decreases), these businesses would have greater profit in which
they would then be able to hire more workers and pay them larger salaries.
○ Reagan’s policy did not work, seen by how the unemployment rate rose. This was
attributed to the idea that business leaders were using the extra money on their
personal life.
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● New Federalism: Reagan’s failed policy that attempted to shift power from the federal
government to state governments, giving the responsibility of social welfare programs to
state governments.
● Military Spending: Reagan increased federal funds to the military while also funding
research for a space missile shield. This in turn escalated the arms race with the Soviets.
● Federal Budget Deficit: rose during Reagan’s presidency; the government was spending
more money as its revenue decreased due to tax cuts and the above mentioned policies.
● Foreign Policy:
○ Anti-Communist: Reagan was set out to oppose Communism anywhere, often
disregarding the evils that were done by the groups he supported overseas.
○ Iran-Contra Affair: Reagan sold guns to Iran, using the profit to buy guns for
the Nationalist, violent, murderous Contras in Nicaragua
○ Arms race: escalated the arms race with the Soviet Union and often spoke badly
about them in his speeches. This further worsened the relations between the two
nations.
■ Relations were improved when Gorbachev, leader in the Soviet Union,
loosened his control over Eastern Europe and permitted more free-market
commerce and personal liberties in the Soviet Union. Reagan was able to
negotiate a nuclear-warhead withdrawal from Europe.
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President George H.W. Bush (1989-1992)
● Conservatism: Bush’s Republican presidency marks a period of extreme conservatism
with many Americans following the traditional lifestyle involving abstinence and family
values
● End of the Cold War: Soviet Union crumbles and the Berlin Wall is taken down
● Operation Desert Storm: Bush deals with Saddam Hussein, who takes control over one
of the biggest oil sources: Kuwait. In this operation, America used air strikes to regain
control of the small nation as well as inspect the region for any facilities that built
weapons of mass destruction.
○ Set the American goal of promoting political stability and human rights in the
Middle East
● Immigration: significantly high rates of immigration were observed during the years
before the start of the 21st Century. The increase in diversity also meant the increase of
cultures in American society that could reshape American culture.
○ Result of the Immigration Act of 1965 that relaxed immigration laws.
○ As minority groups grow, they have a more significant impact on society and
politics, especially in terms of how they are included in American policies and
programs.
President William Jefferson Clinton (Bill Clinton) (1993-2000)
● First Democratic president since the election of Carter
● NAFTA: North American Free Trade Agreement
○ Removed any trade barriers (including protective import tariffs) between
America, Mexico, and Canada.
○ Supported by corporate businesses
○ Opposed by workers and their unions who worried that their employers would
move elsewhere to places with lower labor costs
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● 1994 Congressional Election
○ The Republican-controlled Congress created an outline of reforms that would help
decrease taxes, consolidate federal programs, and improve welfare program
eligibility. The power of the Congress was limited by the democratic executive
branch.
● Protecting Human rights Overseas
○ Serbia: the leader of Serbia inititated the murder of Balkan Muslims for the
purpose of “ethnic cleansing”, leading Reagan to support bombing in the region to
protect human rights.
○ “Don’t ask, don’t tell”: Reagan’s policy for homosexual individuals in the
American military
President George W. Bush (2001-2008)
● Neoconservatism: different from previous Republican conservatism
○ Advocated for the spread of democracy worldwide
○ Promoted American businesses and their interests through abroad military action
○ Increase of global trade and immigration
○ Problems: increased power could be put in the hands of greedy corporate owners,
military spending would increase, open trade could result in less domestic
American businesses, high immigration rates could cause unemployment surges
and overcrowding
■ These problems brought light to how the government was failing in
finding ways solve economic and social problems
● African Americans in Politics
○ The amount of blacks in federal positions had been increasing towards the end of
the 20th Century.
○ Colin Powell and Condoleezza Rice: secretaries of state that served during
Bush’s presidency. At the time of their service, they held the highest political
office of any African American in the history of the US.
● Urban and Racial Problems (1960s and forward)
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○ Due to the unemployment rates during the second half of the 20th century, people
flocked to the cities to find better jobs (a well known pattern throughout history).
In addition to unemployed whites, African Americans and immigrants moved to
the cities. This in turn caused overcrowding, sanitation problems, rising crime
rates and inadequate housing.
○ Overtime, middle-class white Americans moved to the suburbs, and with them,
industry, businesses, and funds moved to the suburbs too. This left urban areas
populated with mostly blacks and immigrants with decreased funding to help the
poor environment.
■ This divide caused racial tension, especially after the assasination of
Martin Luther King Jr. The Supreme Court continued to enforce
desegregation in the nation, but conservative whites vandalized buses of
black children headed for predominantly white schools. Some whites even
sent their children to private schools with higher tuition. Blacks, angered
by the forced transport of blacks to white schools (to promote racial
integration), advocated for increased funding to black cities and
neighborhoods.
○ Since the early 2000s, crime rates in American cities have decreased. The notion
that American cities are violent and high in crime rates is no longer supported by
current statistics.
● Conservatism: apparent throughout Period 9 and is often paired with the New Right
movement in which Evangelical Christians support the Republican party. However, it is
often seen to lose prominence with the election of Democratic President Barack
Obama in the year 2008.
● Technology: increased technological innovations helped connect nations globally,
resulting in stronger connections and communication overseas. The convenience of
readily-available information also helped improve businesses, as well as helped spread
news faster and more efficiently.
***Note: Understand how America deals with many domestic issues during this period,
especially in regards to urban problems, immigration debates, and racial tensions. America is
still heavily involved in foreign policy despite the end of the Cold War. While this guide does not
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include absolutely everything regarding the period, it is only a guide to better help form
connections between the major events/ideas. Good luck!
