1970 s Politics and Society the Me Decade

1970 s Politics and Society the “Me Decade” Ch 55 History Alive (to go with questions)

1. Bicentennial • In 1976, the US celebrated the 200 th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence (17761976).

2. Tom Wolfe “Me Decade” • Wolfe wrote about changes from the 1960 s • Idealistic Americans had worked hard to end racism, poverty, and create a more just society • 1970 s=self-improvement and fulfillment

3. Problems for President Ford -1974 • Vietnam continued to divide the nation • Ford pardoned Nixon for the Watergate = further divide! • Continued stagflation

4. Welfare = Inflationary • Welfare and military spending are inflationary because they put more money in people’s pockets without increasing the amount of goods supplied (this causes a rise in cost)

5. OPEC • Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (association of countries that depend on oil for national income) • Began to increase prices during the 1970 s when they realized our dependence on foreign oil.

6. Jimmy Carter’s appeal • Carter appealed to voters as an outsider to Washington. Untouched by scandal.

7. National Energy Act • Offers tax credits as incentives to people who conserved energy by insulating homes or investing in alternative energy sources (solar panels)

8 -10 (Gasoline Prices 1970 s) • 8. Cheapest in 1973 • 9. Highest in 1980! • 10. The price of gas went up drastically because the supply of oil dropped, causing the price to go up.

11. Carter Foreign Policy • Carter focused on promoting justice, equality and human rights

12. Carter’s greatest foreign policy success • Camp David Accordsestablished peace between Egypt and Israel by inviting the leaders to Camp David, a presidential retreat in MD.

ADD-Iran Hostage Crisis • 1970 s the US increased military aid to Iran, but the leader was overthrown in a civil war • The leader (Shah) was admitted to the US for medical treatment • ENRAGED militants and they took 66 Americans hostage • Hostages were not released until Carter left office in 1980

14. Comparable Worth • Feminists of the 1970 s began to campaign for equal pay for comparable education and training

15. National Women’s Political Caucus • Raised money to get more women elected to office and male candidates who took a strong stand on women’s issues

17. Microprocessor • Microprocessors made it possible for the size of computers to shrink, and allowed for the first PCs.

18. Microprocessor and Medicine • The microprocessor allowed for doctors to look inside a persons body for problems. • CT scanner allowed for doctors to use X-rays to create a 3 -D image of problems

19. Microwave • Microwaves work by bombarding the food with radio waves. • Food cooked faster, changed the world forever!

20. 1970 s Life Expectancy • During the 1970 s, more people were retired, and people were living longer than ever. • Many retirees redefined retirement by traveling, having fun, and relocating

21. Population Shift • 1970 s people moved from the Rustbelt to the Sunbelt

22. Result of the Population Shift • As a result of the population shift, the House of Representatives had to be reapportioned to reflect the population change.

23. Religious Change • The 1970 s saw an increase in Eastern religious following – Buddhism, Hinduism and Hare Krishna.

24. Movies 1970 s • Star Wars • Saturday Night Fever • The Godfather

26. “Funky Fashions” • Disco • Disc Jockeys (“DJs”) • Platform shoes, polyester leisure suits, mood rings…