and Vancouver both fostered alternative views, acting as centers for environmentalism, unions, feminism, and gay rights. The general economic revival of North America in the late 1990s brought growth in Northern California due to the high-tech industry. The region was hurt, however, by the decade-long economic slump of Japan beginning at the same time. This was made up for by the rapid growth of Southeast Asia, South Korea, and especially China. The entire region shifted quite dramatically politically, however. Westerners diverged from conservatism over social issues such as gay rights, abortion, and the legalization of soft drugs. In 1991, British Columbia threw out Social Credit electing the social democratic British Columbia New Democratic Party. California, Washington, and Oregon were pivotal in Bill Clinton's two presidential victories as well as Al Gore and John Kerry's near wins in 2000 and 2004 respectively; however, Alaska voted against all three candidates. This change was mainly in the urban coastal areas. Inland, rural regions of California remained staunchly Republican, and although once full of labour strongholds, the Interior of British Columbia has voted solidly for the Reform Party and its successors. See also 1934 West Coast Longshore Strike American frontier Classification of indigenous peoples of the Americas Colonial police action against the people of Haida Gwaii First Nations Fort Stikine History of Alaska History of British Columbia History of California History of Costa Rica History of El Salvador History of Guatemala History of Mexico History of Oregon History of Panama History of Washington (U.S. state) Indigenous peoples of California Indigenous peoples of the Americas Native Americans in the United States Origin of the name California Paleo-Indians Settlement of the Americas Spanish expeditions to the Pacific Northwest West Coast of the United States Western United States Yukon References History of North America History of the Pacific Ocean History of Central America . History of Western Canada History of indigenous peoples of North America Native American history . Northwestern United States History of British Columbia History of Baja California History of Baja California Sur History of Mexico History of Guatemala History of El Salvador History of Costa Rica History of Panama Pre-statehood history of Alaska Pre-statehood history of California Pre-statehood history of Oregon Pre-statehood history of Washington (state)