1. The 1970s
Nixon and Carter

2. Domestic Confrontations & Issues

3. 2nd-Wave Feminism 1st one: 1848-1919 2nd one: 1950s-70s
Focused on suffrage
Based in abolitionists
(very middle class)
2nd one: 1950s-70s
Focused on ending social discrimination and increasing economic opportunities
Base in civil rights movement
Eliz. Cady Stanton
Betty Friedan: Credited with starting the 2nd Wave. Wrote “The Feminine Mystique,” which focused on housewives unhappiness with their lives.

4. Environmentalism Movement
1962 – Rachel Carson, Silent Spring, describes the harmful effects of Pesticides. Led to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
1969 – Santa Barbara Oil Spill; Largest Oil Spill in U.S. History at the time.
1970 – Nixon proclaims Earth Day on March 20th., ‘
1973 – Endangered Species Act created “to protect critically imperiled species from extinction.”
Some animals saved include the American Bald Eagle, Gray Wolf and Grizzly Bear.

5. Major Court Cases 1973 – Roe v. Wade
Legalized a woman’s right to have an abortion during the 1st three months of pregnancy.
1978 – Regents of the Univ. of California v. Alan Bakke
5-4 ruling: Race can be a “plus” factor in admissions, but cannot be the only factor.

6. Stagflation & the Energy Crisis
Stagflation: Inflation rate (rate of increase in a price index) and unemployment rate is high, while economic growth slows down.
U.S. shifts from goods producer to service provider.
Gas Crisis:
Iranian revolution leads to a gas shortage and odd/even rationing in the U.S. in 1979.

7. Watergate Scandal EVENTS Nixon resigns
Centered on Nixon Admin. covering up the burglary of the Democratic HQ at the Watergate office
Source within the FBI “Deepthroat” leaked info about Nixon and the President’s Men’s involvement
Nixon will resign

8. Carter Administration
1978 – Camp David Accords
President Sadat (Egypt) and Prime Minister Begin (Israel)
President Carter led 2 weeks of negotiations
Results:
1st signed peace agreement between an Arab country and Israel
Israel withdraws from Sinai Peninsula (gives back to Egypt)
Egypt formally recognizes Israel’s existence

9. Carter Administration
1979 – Iran
Shah of Iran (supported by U.S.) is overthrown by the Ayatollah (Muslim Religious Leader)
Nov. 4, 1979 – Iran Hostage Crisis
Shah is allowed safe haven in U.S.
52 Americans were taken captive from the U.S. Embassy in Tehran
Held hostage for 444 days
Released shortly after Ronald Reagan was sworn in as President!

10. End Results of the 1970’s 1970s = decade of great American decline
Communist fear is replaced by a fear of radical Islam
Watergate, Vietnam, Gas Crisis, Inflation and trouble in Iran = America has a Crisis of Confidence