The 1990-1991 recession followed a particularly long period of recovery and expansion,
from 1983 through 1988. According to some analysts, Iraq's invasion of Kuwait in August 1990
tipped the scales--the resulting jump in oil prices combined with the drop in consumer confidence
forced the U.S. into a recession. Statistics show, however, that the economy had lacked vigor since
the first quarter of 1989, when output measured 3.6 percent. From April 1989, GNP growth in any