An Independent Country

  • World Affairs in the 1990s

    Since World War II, the United States’ main foreign policy concern had been stopping Communism’s growth. When the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, that threat was gone. The focus turned to environmental concerns, terrorism, and humanitarian service. Fun Facts Yugoslavia, formerly a Communist country, began to break into small states…


  • Americans Harming Americans

    The 1990s were a time of rapid change in America. New laws allowed more immigrants to enter the country. Between 1950 and 2000, more than 13 million people came from Asia and Central America and Hispanic-Americans became the fastest growing minority group. At the same time, family dynamics were changing…


  • The Changing Economy of the 1990s

    In 1969, the Department of Defense linked four computers together, creating the first internet. In the 1990s, new software and hardware made the internet available to the public. Americans quickly began using the internet at home and at work. Soon, this technology had dramatically changed the way we do business.…


  • The Clinton Era

    Bill Clinton defeated former President George H.W. Bush in the 1992 election. Although Bush was well-liked during the beginning of his presidency, economic problems reduced his popularity. People were ready for a change and appreciated Clinton’s youth, charm, and energy. His candidacy and presidency were marred by scandal, but he…


  • The Civil Rights Movement

    The Civil Rights Movement

    John F. Kennedy took office 100 years after the beginning of the Civil War. Slavery had been illegal for many years, but racism and discrimination persisted. In the South, black and white people couldn’t share the same restaurants, buses, or schools. Throughout the country, black people didn’t have the same…


  • John F. Kennedy’s Legacy

    John F. Kennedy’s Legacy

    John F. Kennedy won the 1960 presidential election against Republican candidate, Richard M. Nixon. Kennedy was young, energetic, and handsome. He spoke of the 1960s as a “New Frontier,” and encouraged Americans to be pioneers. He said, “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can…


  • The 1950s: Peace and Prosperity

    The 1950s: Peace and Prosperity

    The end of World War II brought new financial opportunities to many American families. During the war, men and women had been paid high wages working in factories and other industries. They saved most of the money they earned during the war and were now ready to spend. Television advertisements…


  • The Early 1990s

    The Early 1990s

    George H.W. Bush was elected president in 1989 after serving for two terms as Ronald Reagan’s vice president. Bush’s presidency was troubled by economic struggles at home and conflict abroad. Fun Facts Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein sent 120,000 troops to Kuwait, a tiny, neighboring country. Western leaders feared another oil…


  • Foreign Affairs in the 1980s

    Foreign Affairs in the 1980s

    Internationally, the early 1980s were a tough time for the U.S. Arab nations became increasingly opposed to Western interference and terrorists hijacked planes and bombed buildings to make their point. The late 1980s ushered in the end of Communism in several countries and the collapse of the Soviet Union, an…


  • 1980s Culture

    1980s Culture

    The 1960s were about peace, love, and rebellion against authority. The 1970s were a period of rapid social change as minority groups, women, and others asked for equal treatment. During the 1980s, the culture shifted again. Life became more fast-paced as people built careers and focused on technology. Fun Facts:…