Period 9: 1980-Present

Period 9 (1980-present) starts with the Reagan Revolution: tax cuts, deregulation, skepticism of big government, and a military buildup that pressured the Soviet Union until the Cold War ended. After 1991 the U.S. acted as the lone superpower, then the September 11 attacks led to the War on Terror and debates over security and civil liberties. The economy shifted toward services and technology, globalization grew, and income inequality widened. Immigration, especially from Latin America and Asia, reshaped demographics and politics. Expect questions comparing these debates to earlier periods.