Chapter 31 A Divided Economy, A Divided People.docx

Ch. 31: A Divided Economy, A Divided People, 1980-2000 1980s Rise of “Yuppies” (young urban professionals) Japan emerges as major economic power Women enter work force in increasing numbers Lee Iacocca revives Chrysler Corp. Bill Gates builds Microsoft, computer use spreads Immigration of Latinos and Asians expands Affirmative Action programs challenged 1981 Reagan crushes air controllers’ strike AIDS epidemic identified 1985 US becomes debtor nation 1989 Savings and Loan scandals 1990s Stocks rebound after 1987 crash Outsourcing of jobs reflects globalization of economy Wal-Mart emerges as major economic force Revolution in personal computer and small electronics World Wide Web expands Human Genome Project unravels DNA structure Deregulation of TV industry Oppositions grows to immigration and multiculturalism 1991 EU formed 1992 Race riots in Los Angeles 1993 NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement) 1995 WTO (World Trade Organization) created 1998 Battles over gay rights, abortion intensify Defense of Marriage Act 1999 Protests against WTO begin 2001 Bush admin. Rejects Kyoto Treaty concerning the environment