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1980s's Influence On American Culture

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The 1980s was and interesting decade in the history of the United States. Many thinks of the events of the 60s and 70s when asked about fascinating times in the US, the 1980s, however, was no exception. It the time of Ronald Reagan, a president who’s ideals and presence in many ways became the backbone of the Republican Party going forward. Along with this, the social elements of the 1980s took a turn from their 60s and 70s roots. The two former decades laid the groundwork for the 1980s with massive social changes, scandals, and war. The national geographic writer Samantha Zuhlke defines the 1980s as a a decadent, disastrous, and innovative time in United States history (Samantha Zuhlke). Queen, while certainly shaping American culture in the …show more content…

Queen, while certainly a rock band, had huge disco undertones with “Another One Bites the Dust” being one of their more popular songs of the sort. It is not so much what is said in this song that influenced America, but how this song re-popularized disco. The National Public Radio (NPR) explains a catastrophic disco event that occured in 1979. In short, this event was a protest of disco that involved an explosion of disco records at a baseball game. NPR’s Derek John explains how this protest connected to culture at the time, saying that “Over the years, Disco Demolition came to be seen as a not-so-subtle attack against disco's early adopters: blacks, Latinos and gay people” (John). Queen’s 1980 album, The Game, featured many disco rock tracks with “Another One Bites the Dust” reaching number one in America and winning multiple awards. The popularity of this song shows a shift in American attitudes regarding disco. Songs like this by Queen and other bands assisted in altering American culture and almost rebranding disco. Without this song and others of the sort, many may have continued to avoid the genre simply because of the ‘bad’ things they thought it represented: the queer and racially diverse communities. By getting people back into disco, Queen also helped normalize these things that should not have been abnormal to begin with. They, in turn, helped the gay and black

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Another one is about a murderer and why he got sentenced to death.. The last one is about a presidential election and how it helped america. The year 1980 was known for many different events, music, and fashion The year 1980 is known for many different events, music, and fashion. One event that happened in 1980 was the killer clown outbreak.

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1436 Words | 6 Pages

The 1960s was a tumultuous decade for the United States. Along with the escalation of the Vietnam War, this decade was rocked by the Civil Rights movement and the second wave of the Feminist movements, creating an immense amount of social tension. As a result, people turned to politically-charged music, predominantly Rock n’ Roll, to release their frustrations. However, an equally important musical genre, Soul, was left in the background. Despite the fact that Soul music was not as popular in the United States, artists such as Aretha Franklin released many politically-charged songs that advocated for social justice.

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1177 Words | 5 Pages

The 1980s are filled with many positive memories for americans. Great strides were made toward social freedom and equality in the 1960s and 70s and much of the progress rolled into the 1980s. However, not all was perfect in the 1980s as there was multiple controversial decisions made by politicians, most dealing with foreign affairs. Some of these affairs include Reagan’s strategic defense plan, US intervention in Nicaragua and the Iran-Contra affair. All three of these scenarios were somewhat controversial and many argue damage the reputation of President Reagan.

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751 Words | 4 Pages

In America, the 1980s was a time of political change, social tension, and music by Madonna. It was a decade full of new technologies and big changes. Journalism and other forms of media also saw many changes in the 1980s that helped it advance into the industry it has become today. Perhaps the most influential changes in journalism in the 1980s were a newfound competitiveness in the market caused by money, the advancement of cable television, and the deregulation of media during the Ronald Reagan administration.

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897 Words | 4 Pages

Overall, the 1980s left an enduring legacy on America, shaping its political ideologies, societal values, and economic policies for years to

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744 Words | 3 Pages

The Age of Reagan via Sean Wilentz contends that Ronald Reagan's two terms in the White House were the characterizing years of period 1974-2008. He contends that everything before Reagan's race was a lead up and everything after was either a result or response. Curiously enough, Wilentz does not acknowledge Reagan for really fulfilling much. His parts on the Reagan organization serve more to expose the myth that Reagan was by one means or another a fiercely fruitful president. It was really Reagan's disappointments, arrangements, and dismissal for the law that affected coming eras of government officials.

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341 Words | 2 Pages

During the 1970’s there was this sort of depression going on in the world. America was at the dawn of an industrial age, coming out of a depression and into war, the music was young and so many things were being done with music. (Author, 173) During this time, artists, writers, performers, and intellectuals joined together in the laboring of american culture. (Author, 168) Middle and working class white men began gravitating toward cultural symbols like country music, politics, and redneck behavior and attire.

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Political officials hold a high ranking position in society, but they must adhere to the insight that the public provides, also known as high standards. This essay will look into the life of Ronald Reagan and how certain qualities made him a leader and the thoughts that the public, high standards, had on him as a result of his leadership. Ronald Reagan can be considered a leader and liked by the people because he appointed the first woman to the Supreme Court, he was re-elected as the president by a large margin, and the lasting impacts that he leaves on the United States of America. When Ronald Reagan became the President of the United States in 1981, he had many goals that the people wanted to have changed, specifically the appointment of

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At that point in history, the US was facing various challenges, from a difficult economy to the Iran Hostage Crisis, and an overall sense of uncertainty in the world. In 1980, “interest rates spiked, fell briefly, and then spiked again. Lending activity fell, unemployment rose, and the economy entered a brief recession between January and July.” Families found it difficult to find housing with high interest rates and the threat of unemployment. More importantly, was the Iran Hostage Crisis where sixty-six Americans were taken by militants while at the U.S. Embassy in Tehran.

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708 Words | 3 Pages

Rock and Roll was a very popular cultural aspect of the 50s. It originated from African American culture then the whites interpreted it. One of the first singers to do this was the very king of rock and roll himself, Elvis Presley. Many adults hated this new music and wanted to ban it. A huge part of it was censored, for example on the Ed Sullivan show, Elvis had to wear a tuxedo and wasn’t allowed to dance because his moves were “sexually inappropriate”.

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This sensibility not only combats the accusations that disco is not a legitimate form of music, but also provides minorities and oppressed groups a safe space that differs from those that rock and punk may provide. These differences in how disco allows people to be fabulous come through in the aspects

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890 Words | 4 Pages

When people look at the 1980’s, the question often times asked is, “what was even going on”. Known for its characteristically bright neons, crazy hair dos, and high school coming of age films, this decade definitely made a mark on history. Oftentimes stereotyped with these aspects, the reality of the decade was revolt against the social, financial, and political turmoil of the 1960’s and 70’s. Predating this decade, the United States of America had seen many conflicts in all aspects of life and culture. Beginning in the 1960’s, a new age of counterculture was on the rise.

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630 Words | 3 Pages

In the 1980s, many things where taking place. There was an AIDS breakout, the president was shot and injured, and a hole in the ozone was discovered. People didn’t know what to do there was a threat of AIDS, poor air quality from a hole in the ozone, and the president being shot at. All of these things would help us in the future to become a stronger country. Ronald Reagan was, the 40th president of the United States, elected on January 20, 1981 (Back in Time: President of the United States).

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1132 Words | 5 Pages

Cultural Impact of Rock and Roll Amidst the 1960’s Jimi Hendrix formerly stated, “Music doesn’t lie. If there is something to be changed in this world, then it can only happen through music.” A generation which was earnestly devoted to peace, protest, and revolution, the counterculture amongst the 1960’s yearned for change. Rock and roll was far beyond just a genre of music; it influenced lifestyles, protests, and attitudes, thus, kindling an awakening in the youth of American culture. The distinction between parental and youth culture was a persistent root of concern, considering that teens throughout the world found a sense of belonging in this style of music.

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1435 Words | 6 Pages

However, when people differentiate between now, 2018, and 1980s, they think of

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