National Geographic
National Geographic: Geostory: The 80s: The Decade That Made Us
Use this interactive Geostory module to relive the political, environmental, and pop cultural moments that made the 1980s an important time in U.S. history.
A&E Television
History.com: A Timeline of Us Cuba Relations
The United States and Cuba share a long, complex history -- first as allies and trade partners, and later as bitter ideological enemies. This timeline shows how closely entwined America and Cuba have been over the last two centuries.
Country Studies US
Country Studies: Us Soviet Relations
The 1980s was a dynamic period in U.S.-Soviet relations. At the beginning of the decade, tensions between the two superpowers rose until 1985, when arms negotiations ensued between President Ronald Reagan and Soviet Premier Mikhail...
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Emergence of the Aids Crisis
How did Americans and the government respond to the emergence of AIDS in the 1980's? Understand our reaction by reading the following summary, answering questions for analysis, checking the reference list for further reading, and...
OpenStax
Open Stax: Cold War to Culture Wars, 1980 2000: Political and Cultural Fusions
This section outlines political and cultural events of the 1980s, including the ERA movement, government failure to act on HIV/AIDS, the war on drugs and the conservative Christian reach. Questions for discussion and critical thinking,...
OpenStax
Open Stax: From Cold War to Culture Wars, 1980 2000: A New World Order
Page featuring information on a changing order both at home and abroad during the 1980s. Several links to primary source material, glossary and questions for student discussion.
Country Studies US
Country Studies: Lebanon
This is one-stop shopping for everything you want to know about Lebanon from the Library of Congress. Read out the geography, history until the 1980's, ethnography, and more. Click on the topics to pull up the information.
Country Studies US
Country Studies: Bolivia and the United States
Explores the relationship of the United States and Bolivia during the 1980s concentrating mostly on the narcotics industry and their joint fight in the drug wars.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: "Morning in America"
Read about the mood of the United States people in 1980, and see how Ronald Reagan's agenda reflected that mood.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: The Reagan Years
A brief overview of the decade of the 1980s dominated by the presidency of Ronald Reagan.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: The Presidency of Ronald Reagan, Pt. 2: Foreign Policy
Under President Reagan, the Cold War began to thaw and trouble brewed in the Middle East. Learn about Reagan's foreign policy initiatives by perusing this summary, reading an excerpt from his "Evil Empire" speech, answering thought...
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: The Iran Contra Affair
Ronald Reagan earned the nickname the "Teflon President" since scandals never reduced his popularity. The Iran-Contra Affair was one such scandal that plagued his second term. This source offers an explanation of the scandal, references...
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: The Presidency of Ronald Reagan
President Reagan was known as the "Great Communicator". Examine why he was elected President by a landslide and his policies during his two terms. This source contains an overview of information, references for further study, questions...