History of the United States II / Unit 16 USH2 2261 short lesson, about 20 seconds
The Celebration of Wealth
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The idea
Digital History calls the nineteen eighties a decade celebrating wealth, when one hundred thousand Americans became millionaires every year.
In practice
The television hit Dynasty, introduced in nineteen eighty-one, celebrating glamour and greed.
Where people slip
The average annual earnings of the poorest fifth of Americans fell from nine thousand three hundred seventy-six dollars to eight thousand eight hundred, Digital History records.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
Builds on
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