The USA by 1975 Flashcards
The impact of Watergate
• The position of the president
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
The impact of Watergate
• Disillusionment
Many Americans were disillusioned with their system of government and felt that the president had too much power
The impact of Watergate
• Lost confidence
Many Americans no longer had confidence in or respect for their own politicians and government
The economy after the Second World War
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
The economy in the 1974
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%.
The energy crisis in 1973
In 1973, the Arab oil-producing countries had imposed an oil embargo in retaliation to US support for their great enemy, Israel.
The impact of the energy crisis in 1973
As oil prices rocketed, the New York stock exchange prices plummeted.
The economy
• OPEC and the price of oil
The USA, like other countries, suffered further when the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries quadrupled the price of oil in December 1973
World Affairs
• Middle East
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.
Impact for supporting Israel
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
African Americans
• Politically
There was progress by the mid 1970s with increased representation for African Americans
Example of AA political progression
• Mayors
While there were no black mayors in 1960, in the 1970s there were 6 black mayors.
Example of AA political progression
• Congress
The number of AA in Congress had increased from 11 in 1970 to 18 by the end of the decade
Example of AA political progression
• Earnings
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
Unemployment among AA
Black male teenage unemployment was 50% and half of black teenagers dropped out of high school before graduation.
Unemployment among Native Americans
Unemployment amongNA was 10 times higher than other Americas, and were still by far the worst off
Changes in women’s position
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
Example of changing attitude for women
Over two-thirds of female college students rejected the ida that a woman’s place was in the home
Attitudes of women and work
Most women now expected to work for most of their lives, even if they had young families.
Change in occupations for women
More women were entering what had been seen as traditionally masculine occupations, such as medicine and law
Pay gap for women
Women only received 73% of the salaries paid to professional men and still dominated low-paid jobs
