The 1970s At A Glance
The 1970s was a time of unique time in the history of the United States. The 1970s brought economic ups and downs and and changes in politics around the world. The 1970s also posed a unique time for the presidents of the united states, Richard Nixion became the first president to ever resign the presidency due to his involvement in the notorious watergate scandle, and Gerald Ford became the first president to not be elected in to office as he was appointed by nixon and congress just prior to the resignation of Nixon. During the 1970s political tensions also caused conflicts, with events such as the Iran hostage crisis and the Middle East crisis. Economically the United States was very questionable after events such as high inflation rates and was dependent on oil from the middle east which posed problems when OPEC embargoed the sale of oil to the United States. On the contrary to all of the problems the 1970s brought to America there were many positives of this decade. The culture and traditions of America began to take a swing in the right direction for issues such as womans rights and civil rights. During the 1970s blacks had began to become more excepted in the United States and were finally equal in a legal sense,with that being said they still faces discrimination but this was a step in the right direction. Woman also gained much more equlity throughout the 70s. Another flourishing aspect of America in the 1970s was in music and entertainment. During the 70s America began using TV on a regular basis and started the way we use TV today. The 70s also brought an ease in the Cold War with the Soviet Union. With the SALT treaty being sighned the arms race took a step back and led to improved relations between the two superpowers. The door was also opened up between other countrys such as China and started the globel market in a big way. The 1970s can be viewed as a time of political failures and gains as well as a period of economic up and downs, a change in aAmerican traditions and cultures and a step into the modern world. Looking back the 1970s is view as a period of great change for the United States and the world. The 1970s had a lasting impact on the way citzens viewed the United States and had a great efffect on where the United States is today. The United States will look back on the 1970s as a period of failures and great gains, the 70s were a truly unique decade in American history.