The 1970s in America

12 Questions

What term did Tom Wolfe coin to describe the shift towards individualism in American society in the 1970s?

The Me Decade

What was the primary concern of the Silent Majority political movement?

Government coddling of the poor at taxpayers' expense

What event led to President Nixon's resignation in 1974?

Watergate scandal

What was a significant milestone in the fight for social and political rights in the 1970s?

The ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment

What was a consequence of the 1973 OPEC-inspired oil crisis?

Fuel shortages, gas rationing programs, and long lines at gas stations

What was a significant event in the fight for racial equality in the 1970s?

The Supreme Court ruling limiting the use of numerical quotas in college admissions

Match the following events with their corresponding years:

Watergate scandal led to President Nixon's resignation = 1974 OPEC-inspired oil crisis = 1973 Fall of Saigon = 1975 Ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment = 1972

Match the following social movements with their descriptions:

Counterculture movement = Protesting the war and social norms Silent Majority = Responding to perceived coddling of the poor by the federal government Anti-war protests = Protesting the Vietnam War Me Decade = Shift towards individualism and away from communal brotherhood

Match the following environmental issues with their corresponding events:

Toxic waste spill = Love Canal Nuclear power plant near-meltdown = Three Mile Island Fuel shortages = OPEC-inspired oil crisis Gas rationing programs = OPEC-inspired oil crisis

Match the following political events with their outcomes:

Watergate scandal = President Nixon's resignation Ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment = Advancements in social and political rights Supreme Court ruling = Limited use of numerical quotas in college admissions Fall of Saigon = End of the Vietnam War

Match the following authors with their notable works:

Tom Wolfe = The Me Decade and the Third Great Awakening New York Magazine = Published Tom Wolfe's essay Love Canal = Toxic waste spill Three Mile Island = Nuclear power plant near-meltdown

Match the following social changes with their causes:

Shift towards individualism = Disillusionment with the turbulence of the late 1960s Growing focus on environmental issues = Love Canal toxic waste spill and Three Mile Island nuclear power plant near-meltdown Rise in conservative populism = Disillusionment with the counterculture movement Debate over affirmative action = Limited use of numerical quotas in college admissions

Study Notes

Tom Wolfe coined the term "Me Decade" in his 1976 essay "The Me Decade and the Third Great Awakening" published in New York Magazine, describing Americans' shift towards individualism and away from 1960s communal brotherhood.
The 1970s saw a rise in conservative populism among working-class and middle-class whites who were disillusioned with the turbulence of the late 1960s, including race riots, anti-war protests, and the counterculture movement.
The "Silent Majority" political movement emerged as a response to the perceived coddling of the poor by the federal government at taxpayers' expense.
Despite the shift towards conservatism, 1960s liberalism continued to influence American society, with a growing focus on environmental issues following the Love Canal toxic waste spill and the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant near-meltdown.
The 1972 ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment to the Constitution marked a significant milestone in the fight for social and political rights, with ongoing debates over affirmative action and racial equality.
The 1978 Supreme Court ruling limited the use of numerical quotas in college admissions but recognized race as a factor in admission policies.
The 1973 OPEC-inspired oil crisis led to fuel shortages, gas rationing programs, and long lines at gas stations.
The Watergate scandal led to President Nixon's resignation to avoid impeachment in 1974.
The Vietnam War ended with the fall of Saigon in 1975.
The 1970s were marked by the rise of popular culture, including the birth of eight-track tapes, disco, and soft rock, with iconic artists like ABBA, Olivia Newton-John, Donna Summer, and the Bee Gees dominating the airwaves.

Discover the significant events and cultural shifts that defined the 1970s in the United States, from social movements to political scandals and economic crises. Explore the era's notable milestones, cultural icons, and lasting impacts on American society. Test your knowledge of this pivotal decade!

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