The Hope Index is presented as a measure sensitive to significant cult
ural changes. In this set of case studies, hope was measured in 1988,
the weekend of the Gulf ground invasion in 1991, and in the recession
of 1992. Hope for peace increased the weekend of the invasion of Iraq
during the Gulf War in comparison to hope measured in 1988. Hope for p
eace increased in college students, in their mothers, and in their fat
hers. Hope for increased national productivity increased during the 19
92 recession, as well as during the Gulf invasion, but only for mother
s and fathers. The increased hope and expectation of peace and increas
ed hope and expectations for productivity are discussed in terms of a
need theory of hope, the availability heuristic, and in terms of copin
g strategies.