The USA by 1975 Flashcards
What was the place of the USA as a superpower?
It was a superpower with huge influence in the world, as exemplified by its continued involvement in struggles against communist expansion, for example in Africa.
How did the US continue its influence?
It maintained its NATO commitments with thousands of troops stationed in Europe, it became involved to try to bring about peace in the Middle East and continued to build nuclear weapons.
What happened to Detente?
It continued, including closer co-operation with the USSR such as 1975 Apollo-Soyuz link-up in space
How had the 1973 oil crisis hurt America?
In 1973 oil ost $2-3 a barrel; by 1976 this had risen to $12. As in other developed countries this marked the end of post-war prosperity
What had happened to the economy by 1974?
The USA was hit by recession; unemployment grew and inflation reached 9%.
How did President Ford try to improve the economy?
He agreed to tax cuts to try to stimulate spending but opposed kick-starting economic growth by public works schemes. This in a sense marked the end of the public spending solutions to economic problems that had been in place since the New Deal
What was the impact of Watergate?
Ford angered many people by pardoning Nixon in 1974. He may have felt it important to close the Watergate scandal but many felt Nixon should have been brought to account
Who did Ford also offer pardons to other than Nixon? What was the public reaction to it?
To dodgers and deserters if they would agree to two years’ public service, for example in community programmes. This was resented by much of the public, especially those who had lost loved ones.
What divisions were there still in American society?
- The Vietnam War divided people
- Generations
- Ethnic
- The West and South still felt grievances towards the North
What evidence is there that many Americans continued to enjoy prosperity?
48% of households owned at least one car and almost 80% owned a TV.
How did TV help the nation?
It helped standardise views and people were generally more tolerant, less racist and sexist - although there were still inequalities and real concerns
How did divorce change?
- The 1970s saw the divorce rate increase 66%; from 1975 a million marriages ended in divorce each year
- Most divorces were initiated by discontented wives
What was an increase in religious belief aided by?
The development of television evangelism - charismatic religious leaders such as Billy Graham and Jerry Falwell saw their audience grow in millions
What did the surge in religion become allied to?
A growth in conservative politics both at federal, state and local level. For example, some local education authorities banned books which were felt to be anti-Christian or insisted creationism be taught alongside evolution.
What had become a significant force in politics by the late 1970s?
The “Moral Majority”
