America went through many political and social changes in the 1980s. The economic and administrative problems of Carter’s presidency led to the election of conservative President Ronald Reagan in 1980 and again in 1984. Under Reagan’s leadership, the Republican Party cut federal spending on social programs, lowered taxes, and reduced government interference in private enterprises. Even though these changes made Americans feel more prosperous, the country was in fact going further and further into debt under the Reagan administration causing the economic gap to widen between the wealthy and working class citizens. Yet, despite escalating unemployment and homelessness, new trends in technology, fashion, and entertainment created a buying frenzy in America. Material goods became a symbol of one’s status and were consumed at a rapid rate. For those who could afford such luxuries, everything from cell phones, records, and brand name shoes could be purchased at the local mall.
Through national media and cable TV, Americans heard about celebrity gossip, learned of global crisis, and watched their favorite music videos from their living rooms. The ideological battles of the Cold War were personified in the news by Reagan and the newly appointed leader of the Soviet Union, Mikhail Gorbachev. Reagan’s criticisms of communism led to poor relations with the Soviet Union during his first term, but by 1985 relations between the Soviets and the United States improved. Finally, the widely publicized fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 marked the symbolic end to the strife between the East and West. On a more somber note, Americans watched with their families in horror as the space shuttle Challenger exploded, killing seven astronauts and severely damaging the nation’s faith in the space program. Along with the news, the public tuned in to its favorite, thirty-minute sit-coms like The Cosby shows which was popular in the 1980s, and children’s shows like G.I. Joe.
In summary, while historians continue to debate all of the significant changes of the 1980s, people are still living with the impacts of this decade in the present. The UNCW Public History Program’s, The Making of a Decade: Interpreting Politics & Culture of the 1980s will provide the students of Mr. Martin’s history class with the research and interpretation skills necessary to learn about the 1980s through its material culture. By studying these artifacts, students will discover how recent social, political, and cultural changes in the U.S. affected life in America, and how the social and cultural values of a society may influence the political and economic decisions of its government.
An outline of the project is as follows:
Day 1 – Research
- Students will watch instructional DVD and will be introduced to the website.
- They will be divided into artifact groups and given an object.
- Students will then be given an “Understanding your Artifact” worksheet to help guide the research of their object and will then begin research in their individual groups.
- A homework packet will be handed out, and must be read for the next class.
Day 2 – Development
- Students should have a better understanding of the 1980s through their homework packet.
- Artifact groups will develop a main title as well as a sentence for the main idea statement.
- Students will also complete a rough draft of the artifact label.
Day 3 – Installation
- UNCW Graduate students will visit and assist with final preparations for exhibit installation.
- Labels and signs will be made, students will present artifact to class, and then installed into their case.
