The 1970’s
The 1970s—a wild, transformative, and contradictory decade that blended disco balls and oil crises, punk rebellion and polyester suits, political…
The 1970s—a wild, transformative, and contradictory decade that blended disco balls and oil crises, punk rebellion and polyester suits, political scandal and cultural revolution. It was a time when the world reeled from the turbulence of the 1960s and tried to redefine itself in an era of uncertainty, innovation, and bold self-expression.
Global Context: The Big Themes
Oil Crises & Economic Shocks:
1973 & 1979 Oil Shocks: Triggered by OPEC’s embargoes (especially after the Yom Kippur War and Iranian Revolution).
Caused skyrocketing fuel prices, long gas lines, inflation, and “stagflation” (stagnant growth + inflation)
Western economies struggled—recession, rising unemployment, and shifting industrial centers
Cold War Phase 2: Détente:
U.S. & USSR eased tensions with arms control treaties like SALT I (1972) and Helsinki Accords (1975)
But proxy conflicts still raged: Vietnam, Angola, Afghanistan (invasion began in 1979).
The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan basically ended détente
Post-Vietnam World:
U.S. withdrew from Vietnam in 1973; Saigon fell in 1975
America faced a crisis of confidence and national introspection
U.S. in the ’70s
Watergate Scandal:
Richard Nixon resigned in 1974—first U.S. president to do so
The scandal eroded trust in government and led to new political reforms
Cultural Shifts:
Rise of second-wave feminism (Title IX, Roe v. Wade in 1973)
Native American rights (AIM), environmentalism (Earth Day begins in 1970), and LGBTQ+ activism (post-Stonewall momentum)
Economic Malaise:
1970s = inflation, job loss, industrial decline (especially in manufacturing-heavy cities)
Term “Rust Belt” enters the lexicon
UK in the ’70s
Political Instability:
Three general elections (1970, 1974 x2), with frequent hung parliaments
Rise of Labour vs Conservative tension, with Margaret Thatcher taking Conservative leadership in 1975
Winter of Discontent (1978–79):
Widespread strikes by public sector workers over pay and inflation
Massive public dissatisfaction paved the way for Thatcher’s 1979 victory
Economic Troubles:
Inflation, devaluation of the pound, IMF bailout (1976)—Britain was seen as “the sick man of Europe”
Culture & Pop Life
Music:
Early ’70s: Classic rock (Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd), glam rock (David Bowie, T. Rex)
Mid-late ’70s: Disco explosion (Bee Gees, Donna Summer), punk rock revolution (Sex Pistols, Ramones), beginnings of hip-hop (DJ Kool Herc, 1973)
Also saw reggae’s rise with Bob Marley
TV & Film:
Hollywood’s “New Wave”: Taxi Driver, The Godfather, Jaws, Star Wars (1977) launched blockbuster culture
Iconic shows: All in the Family, MASH*, Saturday Night Live (debuted 1975)
Fashion:
Bell-bottoms, platform shoes, paisley prints
Polyester everything. Also: afros, leisure suits, wide collars, and earthy tones
Late ’70s punk style: leather, spikes, mohawks
Social Movements & Shifts
Feminism: NOW, Gloria Steinem, Equal Rights Amendment (failed ratification)
Environmentalism: Clean Air Act (USA), EPA founded (USA)(1970), “Ecology” goes mainstream
LGBTQ+ Rights: More organized, more visible, but still facing huge opposition
Post-colonial world: Continued decolonization in Africa, rise of “Third World” solidarity
Science & Tech
Space: Apollo missions wind down; last moon landing in 1972. Skylab launched. Voyager 1 & 2 launched in 1977.
Computers: Birth of personal computing: Altair 8800 (1975), Apple I (1976). Geek culture emerging.
Medicine: Advances in organ transplants, IVF development, and fighting diseases like smallpox (officially eradicated in 1979!)
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