The USA by 1975

Question 1

The impact of Watergate

• The position of the president

Answer 1

The Watergate affair left the position of the presidency much weakened by 1975. Many Americans were disillusioned with their system of government and felt that the president had too much power

Question 2

The impact of Watergate

• Disillusionment

Answer 2

Many Americans were disillusioned with their system of government and felt that the president had too much power

Question 3

The impact of Watergate

• Lost confidence

Answer 3

Many Americans no longer had confidence in or respect for their own politicians and government

Question 4

The economy after the Second World War

Answer 4

After the Second World War, the USA had experienced a prolonged economic boom and in the 1970s was still the most advanced economy in the world. The boom was over by the 1970s

Question 5

The economy in the 1974

Answer 5

When Gerald Ford succeeded Nixon as president in 1974, he inherited high inflation, which had reached 9% in 1976, and a high rate of unemployment of 5.4%.

Question 6

The energy crisis in 1973

Answer 6

In 1973, the Arab oil-producing countries had imposed an oil embargo in retaliation to US support for their great enemy, Israel.

Question 7

The impact of the energy crisis in 1973

Answer 7

As oil prices rocketed, the New York stock exchange prices plummeted.

Question 8

The economy

• OPEC and the price of oil

Answer 8

The USA, like other countries, suffered further when the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries quadrupled the price of oil in December 1973

Question 9

World Affairs

• Middle East

Answer 9

The USA was increasingly involved in events in the Middle East, especially the conflict between Israel and her Arab neighbours, providing material and diplomatic support for the Israelis.

Question 10

Impact for supporting Israel

Answer 10

US support for Israel had serious economic repercussions. In 1973, the Arab nations imposed an oil embargo in retaliation for the Americans supplying arms to Israel

Question 11

African Americans

• Politically

Answer 11

There was progress by the mid 1970s with increased representation for African Americans

Question 12

Example of AA political progression

• Mayors

Answer 12

While there were no black mayors in 1960, in the 1970s there were 6 black mayors.

Question 13

Example of AA political progression

• Congress

Answer 13

The number of AA in Congress had increased from 11 in 1970 to 18 by the end of the decade

Question 14

Example of AA political progression

• Earnings

Answer 14

The proportion of black families earning over $10,000 a year was 3% in 1960 but had increased to 31% by the beginning of the 1970s

Question 15

Unemployment among AA

Answer 15

Black male teenage unemployment was 50% and half of black teenagers dropped out of high school before graduation.

Question 16

Unemployment among Native Americans

Answer 16

Unemployment amongNA was 10 times higher than other Americas, and were still by far the worst off

Question 17

Changes in women’s position

Answer 17

Women’s rights had changed dramatically since the early 1960s. These changes had been stimulated by new attitudes to work, sex, family and personal freedom

Question 18

Example of changing attitude for women

Answer 18

Over two-thirds of female college students rejected the ida that a woman’s place was in the home

Question 19

Attitudes of women and work

Answer 19

Most women now expected to work for most of their lives, even if they had young families.

Question 20

Change in occupations for women

Answer 20

More women were entering what had been seen as traditionally masculine occupations, such as medicine and law

Question 21

Pay gap for women

Answer 21

Women only received 73% of the salaries paid to professional men and still dominated low-paid jobs