Why does peter jennings call the 1980s “a decade of revolution and renewal? ”?

It was a history of revolution and renewal because that was the time when the US became aware enough of all the changes that should be the solution to war and human rights problems. The 1980s was the awakening time to renew the US image to the world. The transition did not become easy, it took place after the realization of the losses and chose another path.