Trends and Themes of the Era
- The Cold War varied in intensity during
this 30-year period. Nevertheless, it dominated foreign policy throughout
the era and influenced domestic policy, as well. The Cold War ended
in 1989 with the fall of the Soviet Union.
- After the fall of the Soviet Union, the world stage changed
dramatically. U.S. interests ceased to be so easily defined, because
there was no longer a huge entity to oppose. As the sole superpower,
the U.S. debated about but ultimately maintained its role as an
- Domestically, the United States underwent cycles of economic
boom and bust, and shifted between Republican and Democratic presidents.