An essential resource for those interested in learning about this era, ''The 1980s'' chronicles a decade of global transition. From the collapse of Jimmy Carter's idealistic view of the United States as the world's peacekeeper in 1980 to the fall of the Berlin Wall, this volume explores a period filled with political intrigue and power shifts, including President Reagan's view of American peacekeeping that emphasized military strength, superior weaponry, and defense systems. In addition, this volume covers landmark advancements in civil rights, law, space exploration, science, technology, medicine, literature, and art. This comprehensive reference also documents the United States' up-and-down economy and the rise of a new and deadly disease called AIDS. In a compelling format, ''The 1980s'' provides a unique look at this decade. ''The 1980s'', a new volume in Facts On File's acclaimed ''Eyewitness History'' series, provides a unique look at this decade, illustrating how events appeared to those who lived through them. In addition to the firsthand accounts, each chapter provides an introductory essay and a chronology of events. The book also includes critical documents, as well as capsule biographies of key figures, a bibliography, an index, 92 black-and-white photographs and illustrations, and 13 maps and graphs.