Final answer:
The two significant countermovements in the 1980s and 1990s were the emergence of hip-hop culture and the rise of social conservatism. Hip-hop became a voice of social awareness and protest, while social conservatism aimed to limit government power and emphasize traditional values, impacting policies and social issues.
Step-by-step explanation:
In understanding the cultural and political landscapes of the 1980s and 1990s, two notable countermovements can be identified. The first, hip-hop culture, arose as a significant cultural movement during the 1980s. Originating from inner-city self-taught musicians, hip-hop combined elements of 1970s funk with beats and lyrics that often addressed the experience of inner-city life, confronted racism, and captured the attention of a wide audience with its honesty and intensity. Artists like the Last Poets, Gil Scott Heron, and Public Enemy played vital roles in broadcasting messages of social consciousness and protest through their music.
The second countermovement was social conservatism, which gained momentum in the political sphere during the same period. Conservative politicians worked to limit federal government size and influence, with think tanks and groups such as the Christian Right shaping policy and social discourse. This conservative wave also saw bipartisan efforts to add warning labels to music with explicit lyrics and a hard-line approach to law enforcement with the 'war on drugs,' which led to mass incarceration disproportionately affecting Black and Hispanic communities.