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The 1990sdecade refers to the years from the start of 1990 to the end of 1999. The 1990s were marked with rapid progression of globalization and global capitalism following the collapse of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War. Key forces shaping the decade were the recession of the late-1980s and early-1990s, the increasing popularity of personal computers beginning especially in the early-1990s, and the rise of the Internet and the subsequent dot-com boom from approximately 1995 onwards. The Internet would go on to revolutionize modern culture, and has served as a major medium for globalization and the spread and revolution of popular culture.
In the United States, much of the decade was characterized by the presidency of Bill Clinton, under whom the United States was involved in few foreign wars and saw somewhat of a resurgence of the 1970s liberal movements, as well as seeing a nearly uninterrupted period of rapid economic growth following the recession of the late-1980s. However, the ending of the Cold War dramatically changed the political landscape of the world as the long-standing communism vs. capitalism conflict essentially came to an end and the political allegiances of many third-world countries were dramatically altered as a result. Great strides were made towards Israeli-Palestinian peace in the early part of the decade, due to official PLO recognition of Israel in 1993. However, as the decade wore on, the peace process derailed and eventually led to an escalation in conflict once again, especially into the 2000s. Al Qaeda rose as a terrorist threat against the U.S. with the bombing of the American embassies in Kenya and Tanzania in 1998.
Culturally, the 1990s is remembered for somewhat of a re-liberalization of pop culture and an increased awareness of social issues. TV sitcoms reached a peak in popularity, such as Seinfeld (1989-1998), Friends (1994-2004), Frasier (1993-2004), Full House (1987-1995) and the animated sitcom The Simpsons (1989-present). Animation also saw a revival in popularity, with more blockbuster Disney hits and the popularity of The Simpsons. Animation turned racier and more politically incorrect as the decade wore on, with shows such as South Park (1997-present) and Family Guy (1999-2002; 2005-present) emerging near the end of the decade. Grunge music, strongly attributed to Nirvana, Pearl Jam and Soundgarden was seen to inspire an entire generation and the revolution of mainstream rock music. It continues to be a major influence on rock music today. The re-emergence of punk music is seen as another important revolution in the rock music genre. Rap and hip-hop rapidly rose in popularity throughout the decade. Teen pop, including boy bands, became a cultural phenomenon towards the end of the decade.
HIV/AIDS emerged as one of the most critical medical and social issues of the modern generation, especially after the death of Freddie Mercury in 1991 and NBA superstar Magic Johnson's announcement of his HIV positivity the same year. These high-profile HIV declarations helped raise awareness of the virus and also helped to gradually overcome the 1980s stereotype that HIV/AIDS was primarily a homosexual problem. Some of the social issues that were brought to light in the 1970s and somewhat shunned during the 1980s, including abortion, gay rights, political correctness and media censorship, all came to light again in the 1990s.
The United Kingdom, after a recession in 1991-92 and its withdrawal from the European Exchange Rate Mechanism on Black Wednesday, experienced sustained economic growth that stretched into the new millennium. Germany reunified on 3 October1990, focused on modernization of the former communist East after they integrated the economic infrastructure and provincial governments, and people with a different culture brought up on communism integrated with western Germany.
But the situation worsened for Japan after three previous decades of economic growth to put them third place in the world's economies, struggled after 1993 and their recession went on to the early-2000s put an end to the period of unlimited prosperity it enjoyed. However, the rise of free market economics in China under more socialist regulation hadn't slowed the country's economic prosperity in the 1990s, which grows stronger to this day.
Less affluent nations such as India, Malaysia and Vietnam also saw tremendous improvements in economic prosperity and quality of life during the 1990s. While optimism and hopes were high following the collapse of Communism, restructuring following the end of the Cold War was beginning. There was also the continuation of terrorism in Third World regions that were once the frontlines for American and Soviet foreign politics, particularly in Asia.
In many countries, political stability and decreased militarization due to the winding down of the Cold War led to economic development and higher standards of living for many citizens. These trends were also fuelled by inexpensive fossil energy, with low petroleum prices caused by a glut of oil. Oil and gas were discovered in many countries in the former Soviet bloc, leading to economic growth and wider adoption of trade between nations, but the 15 new nations of the old USSR, plus Russia struggles to adjust their living standards in the 1990s, the decade ends in a painful recession.
The widespread adoption of personal computers and the Internet increased economic productivity, while high levels of private investment in equity markets increased personal wealth among many Americans and Europeans. The economic gains of the 1990s were unevenly distributed throughout society, widening the gap between the wealthiest and poorest citizens in some countries; critics of capitalism contend that this should not have been allowed to happen to the extent that it did.
Politically, the 1990s was an era of spreading democracy. The former countries of the Warsaw Pact moved from totalitarian regimes to democratically-elected governments. The same happened in other non-communist countries, such as Taiwan, Chile, South Africa, and Indonesia. Capitalism made great moves in changing the economics of communist countries like China and Vietnam, even in Cuba where old-line leader Fidel Castro continued to blast American democracy.
Despite the economic prosperity and democracy, there were problems in the 1990s that became more visible after the decade ended. In Africa a rapid increase in incidence of AIDS contributed to falling life expectancy and zero or negative growth rates. In the states of the former Soviet Union GDP decreased as their economies restructured to produce goods they needed and some capital flight occurred. Financial crises in the developing world after 1994 (i.e. the Asian economic crises of 1997) began to undermine some support for globalization.
Conflicts like the Balkan Wars, the Rwandan genocide, the Battle of Mogadishu in Somalia and the first Gulf War, as well as the continuation of terrorism, led some to hypothesize a Clash of Civilizations, but the decade is a time for peace in terror-ridden Northern Ireland when the IRA agreed to a truce in 1994 brought an end of 25 years of violence between the two sectarian groups, Protestant and Catholic, into having talks for a dual-government.
Year 2000 problem (commonly known as Y2K), the computer glitch disaster expected to happen (but hasn't, probably was prevented by computer program year-dating upgrades) on January 1, 2000.
NASA's spacecraft Pathfinder lands on Mars and deploys a small roving vehicle, Sojourner, which analyzes the planet's geology and atmosphere.
The Hale-Bopp comet swings past the sun for the first time in 4,200 years in April 1997.
Development of biodegradable products, replacing products made from Styrofoam; advanced methods for recycling of waste products (such as paper, glass, aluminum) are developed.
The bombing of the World Trade Center in U.S. (1993) by an explosive-filled van leads to awareness in U.S. of international terrorism as a rising threat.
The birth of the "Second Republic" in Italy, with the Mani Pulite investigations of 1994.
In 1994, a peace treaty is signed between Israel and Jordan.
In the UK in 1994, Tony Blair becomes leader of the British Labour Party and begins the "New Labour" project moving the party to the centre of British politics & ending 18 years of government by the Conservative party in a landslide election victory in 1997.
Quebec, Canada in a rekindled wave of separatism by French-Canadian activists, almost seceded from, but remains in the dominion on a provincial referendum on October 30, 1995.
The Tibetan Freedom Concert brings 120,000 people together in the interest of increased human rights and autonomy for Tibet from China.
The Second Congo War started in 1998 in central Africa and includes 5 different cultures and 7 different nations. It goes on until 2002.
In May 1999, Pakistan sends troops covertly to occupy strategic peaks in Kashmir. A month later the Kargil War with India results in a political fiasco for Nawaz Sharif, followed by a military withdrawal to the Line of Control. The incident leads to a military coup in October in which the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is ousted by Army Chief Pervez Musharraf.
Kosovo war begins in late-1998. Roughly 12,000 people are killed during open hostelities between Serbian military forces and ethnic Albanian forces. The UN sends in peace keeping forces after NATO military actions result in a Serbian military withdrawal by early 1999. The US deploys American police officers to serve with the United Nations to help build a Kosovo police force.
East Timor breaks away from Indonesian control in 1999, merely a year after the fall of Soeharto from power, ending a twenty four year guerilla war with better than 200,000 casualties. The UN deploys a peace keeping force, spearheaded by the Australian and New Zealand armed forces. America deploys US police officers to serve with the International Police element, to help train and equip an East Timorese police.
Skyline of Sanhattan, Santiago, Chile's Financial District -- Example of global economic growth during the 1990s.
US economy ends the decade in 4% unemployment, personal incomes doubled than in recession-hit 1990, overall productivity higher than a decade ago, reduction of poverty rates after the 1996Welfare Reform act, and the wall street stock exchange was over the 10,000 mark from 1999 to 2001.
GATT update and creation of the World Trade Organization and other global economic institutions, but opposition by anti-globalization activists showed up in nearly every GATT summit, like the violent street demonstrations in Seattle in December 1999.
With the creation of the E.U. there is free movement of labour between member states, such as the 1992 and 1995 free trade agreements. The EU agreed to have a single currency, the Euro began circulation in March 1999, in then 15 member states.
From 1990 until 1998 inclusive, the economy of Russia and some former USSR states was in a severe depression. Eastern European economies struggled after the fall of communism, but healthy economic growth rates in Poland, Hungary, Estonia and Lithuania in the late-1990s.
Except for Great Britain, much of Europe had serious economic problems, such as the 1995 massive employee strikes in France during its worst recession since World War II, but their economy mildly rebounds in the end of the decade.
Democracy, economic reform and peace arrives in Latin America, while the sluggish economies of Brazil by a new emphasis on free markets for all their citizens, and Mexico under economist president Ernesto Zedillo elected in 1994, was ultimately in their best shape in the late-1990s.
Grunge culture sparks as hair metal dies off in late-1991 and 1992, allowing heavy metal to return to prominence when the popular groove metal group Pantera hits number 1 on the Billboard Top 200 Album Chart with their third album Far Beyond Driven.
The US celebrates 500th anniversary of Christopher Columbus' discovery of America in 1992 was popularly observed, despite controversy and protests against Columbus' expeditions victimized Native Americans. The holiday was charged with racism in nature of Native Americans experienced colonialism, slavery, genocide and cultural destruction followed in the five centuries.
The Grunge trend explodes due to the success of grunge bands such as Alice in Chains, Nirvana, Pearl Jam and Soundgarden. It is characterized by wearing flannel shirts, torn jeans, Doc Martens, Converse high top sneakers and long, straight hair. The fashion hits an ironic point in 1993, when the flannel clothing these bands wore (because it was cheap and warm and most of these musicians were very poor) became high fashion accessories.
Blood and gore in television and video games rises dramatically, along with language and sexual content, especially during the latter half of the decade; a Parental Ratings system for television is introduced in 1997 because of related complaints.
The exploitation of the collectability of comic books results in a trend of "gimmick" packaging and storylines (most notably The Death of Superman). The comic book industry collapses as interest in print comics decreases among younger generations and casual readers. Comic books disappear as a familiar sight at the newsstands. As comics, including Japanese manga and other graphic novels become more available in bookstore chains, the role of the comic book store as a source for comics and social gathering wanes. The domination by industry giants Marvel Comics and DC Comics
