Exploring American History Unit X – Modern America Chapter 31– America Looks to the Future Section 3 – The Road Ahead

The Road Ahead The Big Idea The United States continues to grow and change as we move ahead in the 21 st century. Main Ideas The American economy and job market are changing. Technological advances continue to solve everyday problems. The Americans are a diverse people united by shared ideals.

Main Idea 1: The American economy and job market are changing. ► ► Americans have many concerns for the future.   Terrorism and continuing violence in Iraq   Economy and availability of jobs   Health care costs, education, immigration, and the environment   Growing national debt ► ► American economy and job market have experienced important ups and downs.   1990s– stock market boomed and unemployment fell to its lowest level in 30 years.   In the late 1990s when the Internet companies and high-tech firms that helped drive the stock market up failed to turn a profit, the stock market dropped and unemployment rose.   American manufacturing industry is on decline.   U.S. is moving toward becoming a service economy in which most people have jobs providing services rather than producing goods.

Globalization ► ► Globalization– growing connections among economies and cultures all over the world– is an ongoing change in the U.S. economy.   Multinational corporations, companies that do business in more than one country, play an important role.   In 1995 more than 120 nations joined to form the World Trade Organization to promote international trade by removing political and economic barriers among nations. ► ► Americans have different opinions on how globalization will affect the United States.   Supporters believe it will lead to increased U.S. exports, new jobs, and a stronger economy.   Opponents worry that Americans will lose jobs as U.S. companies move operations to countries where wages are lower.

Main Idea 2: Technological advances continue to solve everyday problems. ► ► Technological innovation continues to have dramatic effects on life in the United States and around the world. ► ► The Internet has changed everyday life.   It is a global system of computer networks in which people anywhere in the world can communicate and share information.   Makes accessing and sharing of information fast and easy.   The Information Revolution developed as Internet use exploded in the 1990s.   Excitement helped fuel the economic boom of the 1990s.   Internet use continues to grow rapidly around the world today.

Medical Research Important advances in understanding genetics and illness In 2003, scientists completed the Human Genome Project identifying the genes in human DNA. Scientists continue the fight against AIDS, Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, as they develop new drugs and treatments. Other Technological Advances Environment In the 1980s, the United States and more than 100 other nations banned the use of chemicals that were harming the ozone layer– a thin layer of gas in the atmosphere that blocks harmful solar rays. Scientists are working to develop better understanding of global warming, climate change affecting the entire world.

Mechanical Innovation ► ► Concerns about global warming and high oil prices have encouraged development of new transportation technologies.   Development of hybrid cars that use less gas because they run partially on batteries.   Development of vehicles that run entirely on hydrogen, releasing no pollution into the air. ► ► Looking to space   In 2003 NASA landed robotic vehicles on Mars.   Human exploration continues on the International Space Station and through manned shuttle flights.

Main Idea 3: The Americans are a diverse people united by shared ideals. ► ► American population will continue to grow and change through the 21 st century.   U.S. Census Bureau reports that U.S. population is more ethnically diverse than ever before.   Immigration patterns influence change. ► ► Diversity in America grows ► ► Americans of all backgrounds share belief in many basic ideals.   Commitment to ideals of freedom, equality, and justice   Dedication to responsibilities of citizenship   Hopes and dreams of the future