1980s Britain

The 1980s encompassed ten years that would come to change the world into a modern place. There have been several turning points in the cultural shifting of mankind. The first of these was the close of World War I, the “war to end all wars.” After which came the Roaring Twenties, which was shared with Britain was well as the United States. World War II turned the planet into a virtual battlefield which left many keeping their frivolities in closer check, swearing off any more wars as destructive as the fight against Nazi Germany, Imperial Japan, and the other Axis powers.

As time wore on, however, the newer generations, unscarred by warfare, took on a new perspective. The 1960s and 70s were primarily a period of “hippie revolution,” where people across the world preached peace. By the time the 1980s rolled around, Vietnam, Korea and the Cold War had already affected the world. Reality was mixed with both peace and warfare, creating a unique sound, style and aura that made the 1980s.

The 1980s, for Britain, was a time of focus on the Royal Family. Although Princess Diana was primarily popular during the 90s, her influence on the Prince and his family was undeniable. Her eclectic personality and smile charmed not only the UK, but the rest of the world.

Leaders emerged that would soon come to play major parts in decades events, changes and wars. In 1979 Margaret Thatcher became Britain's first woman Prime Minister. Her brand of Conservatism gave rise to a new word in politics, Thatcherism. She gave the order to send a task force to the Falkland Islands and Britain's armed forces recaptured the territory from the Argentine invaders.

Her counterpart across the Atlantic ocean was President Ronald Reagan of the United States. Meanwhile, Saddam Hussein of Iraq expanded his reach and went to war with Iran. Mikhail Gorbachev became a well-known figure during this time in the Soviet Union and took major steps towards openness in the USSR that eventually lead to the collapse of the Soviet Union and the destruction of the Berlin Wall in 1989.

Music experienced a unique rebirth during this period. The uplifting, happy-go-lucky tunes of the Beatles and the Rolling Stones were somewhat upstaged by a new type of music created, almost single-handedly, by American music sensation Michael Jackson. Pop music exploded onto the world platform with the release of his smash-hit, ‘Thriller,’ in the early 80s. Madonna would later go on to define new heights for female performers. The styles of British pop were deeply imbedded into culture, influencing societal feelings with their songs. Pop artists like Sonia provided peppy music as well as an emotional outlet for their audiences.

Style and fashion were taken to new levels during the 1980s. Pop stars were gaining a new degree of fame that projected them onto the world stage, as well as were world leaders and celebrity figures. Much of the fashion that was popular during the end of the twentieth century stemmed from the influence of these public figures. Big hair, big shoulder pads, and leather are one way to sum up the style. Pastels, prints and breezy blouses graced women’s figures as basic jeans defined those of men.

The 1980s was as big of a phenomenon as the century it resided within.