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The 1990s Decade refers to the years from 1990 to 1999 , inclusive. Some believe that in an abstract sense the 1990s end in the year 2001 which was the time of the September 11 Attacks and others believe we are still in the 1990s in some ways because of similar music genres (even definitive '90s genres such as Grunge and Gangsta Rap exist in some form or another during the current 2000s decade), similar video game franchises ( Sonic The Hedgehog , Star Fox ), fashions (straight Hair , Body Art , Hipster scene), and social concerns ( Globalization , media violence/sex/profanity). The popular culture Zeitgeist generally associated with the 1990s can be said to begin between 1989 and 1992 and end anywhere from 1997 to the present day. This other decade is rightly designed by ''the 200th decade''. They are primarily in the last decade of the 20th Century (except for 1990 ), but some historians consider them to be the same social era as the 21st Century (see Short 20th Century ).

The 1990s were marked with rapid progression of Democracy , 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 Gulf War ; popularization of Personal Computer s and the Internet , leading to the .com boom.


OVERVIEW

While optimism and hopes were high following the collapse of Communism, the backlash of the Cold War's effect was only beginning, precipitating the continuation of terrorism in Third World regions that were once the frontlines for American and Soviet foreign politics, particularly in Asia. However, during the 1990s many First World economies such as the United States , Canada , Ireland , Australia , and South Korea experienced steady economic growth for nearly the entire decade. The United Kingdom , after the recession of 1991-92 and Black Wednesday , experienced a run of 51 consecutive quarters of economic growth that stretched into the new millennium. Even less affluent nations such as Malaysia saw tremendous improvements in economic prosperity and quality of life during the 1990s. It should be noted though, that at least in the United States the economy was in a rut during the first half of the decade.

Many countries, institutions, companies, and organizations experienced the 1990s as "a prosperous time." In many Western countries, political stability and decreased militarization due to the winding down of the Cold War lead to economic growth and higher standards of living for many upper class citizens. These trends were also fuelled by inexpensive fossil energy, with low Petroleum prices being due to a glut of oil on the market. Oil and gas were discovered in many countries in the former Soviet bloc, leading to economic growth and wider adoption of Western-style Free Market economies and Free Trade between nations.

The widespread adoption of Personal Computers and the Internet increased economic Productivity , while unprecedented levels of private investment in equity markets created a perception of growing personal wealth among many Americans and Europeans. However, critics of western-style Capitalism contend that the economic gains of the 1990s were unevenly distributed throughout society, widening the gap between the wealthiest and poorest citizens.

Politically, the 1990s was an era of spreading democracy. The former countries of the Warsaw Pact rapidly evolved from totalitarian regimes to elected governments. The same was true in many nations of the developing world, such as Taiwan , Chile , South Africa , and Indonesia .

The thaw in relations between the countries of NATO and the formers members of the Warsaw Pact ended the Cold War both in Europe and in its peripheral conflicts in the developing world. Perhaps the most dramatic result were the Oslo Accords , which resulted in an agreement by Israel to allow Palestinian self-government.

Despite the perception of prosperity and democracy, there was a significant dark side of the 1990s that only 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 halved as massive Capital Flight occurred. Financial Crises in the developing world after 1994 began to undermine support for Globalization . And tragic 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 . Nevertheless, many of these problems remained below the surface of popular consciousness in the West until the 2000s .

Youth Culture in the 1990s was characterized by Environmentalism , Anti-globalization , Entrepreneurship , and artistic Vulgarity . Fashions were often Individualistic , most notably involving unique personal tattoos and excessive piercing of body parts to accommodate jewelry, and also embracing a "retro" style inspired by Hippy fashions on the 1970s . Young people became increasingly involved in outdoor activities that combined athletics with the appreciation of nature (such as Kayaking , Rock Climbing and Snowboarding ). This was the genesis of Extreme Sports .

In 1991 , Violent Crime reached its peak in the United States . The mid and late 1990s saw a precipitous drop in crime rates all across the country.


Technology

The 1990s were a time of great change - mainstreaming and improving technologies invented and used first during the 1980s .

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War, peace, and politics

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Other significant events

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PEOPLE


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Entertainers

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]]
as Ace Ventura ]]
'' #1's '' (1998)]]
'' Millennium '' (1999)]]
'' ...Baby One More Time '' (1999)]]
'' Ropin' The Wind ''(1991)]]
'' Blood Sugar Sex Magik '' (1991)]]
'' Come On Over ''(1997)]]