The 1980s

by Woodger, Elin; Burg, David F.

• ISBN13: 9780816058099
• ISBN10: 0816058091
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2006-03-01
• Publisher: Facts on File

Summary

An essential resource for those interested in learning about this era, The 1980s chronicles a decade of global transition. From the collapse of Jimmy Carter's idealistic view of the United States as the world's peacekeeper in 1980 to the fall of the Berlin Wall, this volume explores a period filled with political intrigue and power shifts, including President Reagan's view of American peacekeeping that emphasized military strength, superior weaponry, and defense systems. In addition, this volume covers landmark advancements in civil rights, law, space exploration, science, technology, medicine, literature, and art. This comprehensive reference also documents the United States' up-and-down economy and the rise of a new and deadly disease called AIDS. In a compelling format, The 1980s provides a unique look at this decade. The 1980s, a new volume in Facts On File's acclaimed Eyewitness History series, provides a unique look at this decade, illustrating how events appeared to those who lived through them. In addition to the firsthand accounts, each chapter provides an introductory essay and a chronology of events. The book also includes critical documents, as well as capsule biographies of key figures, a bibliography, an index, 92 black-and-white photographs and illustrations, and 13 maps and graphs.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	vii
Introduction	ix
The Fall of Jimmy Carter: November 1979--January 1981	1	(45)
The Great Communicator Takes Over: January 1981--October 1982	46	(44)
Highs, Lows, and Frightening Times: November 1982--December 1983	90	(44)
``Morning in America'': January--December 1984	134	(40)
Terrorism and Disaster: January 1985--April 1986	174	(44)
Arms and the President: May 1986--December 1987	218	(44)
Beginning of the End: January 1988--January 1989	262	(45)
The Torch Is Passed: January 1989--January 1990	307	(44)
Appendix A: Documents	351	(31)
Appendix B: Biographies of Major Personalities	382	(37)
Appendix C: Graphs and Maps	419	(14)
Notes	433	(9)
Bibliography	442	(48)
Index	490

Excerpts

An essential resource for those interested in learning about this era, The 1980s chronicles a decade of global transition. From the collapse of Jimmy Carter's idealistic view of the United States as the world's peacekeeper in 1980 to the fall of the Berlin Wall, this volume explores a period filled with political intrigue and power shifts, including President Reagan's view of American peacekeeping that emphasized military strength, superior weaponry, and defense systems. In addition, this volume covers landmark advancements in civil rights, law, space exploration, science, technology, medicine, literature, and art. This comprehensive reference also documents the United States' up-and-down economy and the rise of a new and deadly disease called AIDS. In a compelling format, The 1980s provides a unique look at this decade.
The 1980s, a new volume in Facts On File's acclaimed Eyewitness History series, provides a unique look at this decade, illustrating how events appeared to those who lived through them. In addition to the firsthand accounts, each chapter provides an introductory essay and a chronology of events. The book also includes critical documents, as well as capsule biographies of key figures, a bibliography, an index, 92 black-and-white photographs and illustrations, and 13 maps and graphs.