Chapter 28: The Search for Order in an Era of Limits 1973 - 1980

Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC, 1960)

alliance of oil-rich countries to set prices and regulate the oil market

Energy Crisis

the shortage of fuel (oil) after the Arab states in OPEC declare an oil embargo in Oct. 1973

Silent Spring (1962)

book by biologist Rachel Carson

• analysis of the pesticide DDT’s toxic impact on the human and natural food chains

Earth Day (April 22, 1970)

20 mill. people gathered together to express their support for a cleaner, healthier planet

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA, 1970)

Federal agency to enforce laws, conduct research, and reduce human health and risks from pollutants

Three Mile Island (March 1979)

a reactor core almost had a meltdown in Pennylvania

• triggered a major slowdown in nuclear plant construction

Stagflation

slow economic growth and low employment w/ high inflation

Deindustrialization

dismantling of manufacturing (rebuilding of factories)

Rust Blt

once industrialized regions of Northeast and Midwest

now…

filled w/ abandoned plants and distressed communities

Proposition 13

California measure that reduced property taxes + stopped increase for present owners + required tax measures to have a 2/3 majority in the legislature

Watergate (1972)

break-in at Democractice Party headquarters by men working for Pres. Nixon’s reelection campaign

• Nixon tried to cover it up

• Led to his resignation

War Powers Act (1973)

limited the president’s ability to deploy military forces w/o congressional approval

Freedom of Information Act (1974)

gave citizens access to federal records

Ethics in Government Act (1978)

requires gov. officials to disclose their financial and employment history and limits the lobbying activities if former elected officials

Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (1978)

prohibited the wiretapping of foreign nationals on US soil w/o warrant

Deregulation

limiting of regulation by federal agencies

• lifting of price controls and other gov. mandates stimulated competition and cut prices

• drove firms out of business and hurt unionized workers

Affirmative Action

policies to address past discrimination against specific groups such as people of color and white women

Regents of the University of California v. Bakke (1978)

limited affirmative action by rejecting a quota system

Equal Rights Amendment (ERA, 1972)

Constitutional amendment that requires equal treatment of men and women under federal and state law

• This was defeated for state ratification in 1982)

STOP ERA (1972)

Founded by Phyllis Schlafly to fight the ERA

• women that were against the ERA

Roe v. Wade (1973)

Constitution protects the right to abortion, which states cannot prohibit in the early stages of pregnancy

Important People

• Rachel Carson

• Gerald Ford

• Howard Jarvis

• Jimmy Carter

• Phyllis Schlafly

• Harvey Milk

• Billy Graham