The transformational 2000s

The 1950s, '60s, '70s, '80s, and '90s are all marked and easily identified as distinct time periods in the recent history of America. However, the current time period, years 2000-2009, leaves a lingering question in one's mind.

What will we label this period? While the previous decades have been easily distinguished with titles such as the '80s and '90s, the current era has no such nickname. Upcoming decades, such as the 2020s and 2030s, will be easily titled. But for this current decade there must come forth a created title. It is most likely this current era will be remembered as the 2000s (the two-thousands).

But was it the roaring two-thousands?

While the '90s were characterized by the occurrence of the Internet, this online age flowed right into the 2000s. By now we are accustomed to the online world.

One aspect that will forever be attached to the 2000s is the dramatic rise of the price of oil.

The rise of oil prices during the 2000s in America is especially dramatic, because the price more than doubled. The beginning of the decade saw no major concerns about oil prices. However, as we close up the decade, we begin to see the problem as the overriding economic concern.

The 2000s will also be remembered as the "War on Terror Era." They will be marked by the 9/11 attacks that ultimately led to our nation's mass consciousness of anger, which fueled our invasion of Iraq.

And then of course, the Iraq War is obviously the centerpiece of the 2000s. Whether or not history remembers this war as beneficial to America, the 2000s will forever be linked to it.

Socially, the 2000s will be remembered as an age of communication expansion, with cell phones as the major device. Now, cell phones are engrained into everyday life. The social fluidity of communicating by cell phone, mixed with the communication brought on by the Internet, also forever marks the 2000s as the dawning of new communication abilities.

Global warming also marks the 2000s. Although science itself has become a political debate, society at least has an awareness of the issue now.

The 2000s: an age of crossroads. The decisions made and wars fought in this era will have a dramatic influence on the upcoming generations. Our entire way of life is being transformed through communication ability, the war on terror, and by the rising cost of oil.

The 2000s will be remembered as the Transformation Age.