The American Yawp Chapter 28: The Unraveling

Date: Late December 1969
Overview: Massive free concert at Altamont Motor Speedway, Northern California, headlined by the Rolling Stones. Intended to replicate the Woodstock festival's peace and love vibe, but ended in chaos.
Security Issues:
- Hired Hells Angels as security for $500 worth of beer, leading to significant violence.
- Concertgoers faced rising anger and aggression; the Hells Angels became violent, using pool cues against them.
Key Incident:
- Meredith Hunter, an 18-year-old, brandished a pistol after being pushed away from the stage and was killed by a Hells Angel, highlighting the dark side of the 60s youth culture.
Conclusion: Altamont became emblematic of a shift from the idealistic 60s to a more violent and disillusioned 70s.

Cultural Shift: While many Americans celebrated the previous decade's achievements, a conservative backlash grew, emphasizing fears of social decay.
Wars and Scandals: The 1970s were marked by the remnants of the Vietnam War, significant political scandals, and economic crises.

Chief Justice Earl Warren's Court (1953-1969) faced backlash for progressive rulings, perceived to favor marginalized groups:
- Engel v. Vitale (1962): Ruled that school prayers were unconstitutional.
- Roth v. United States: Limited government power over pornography.
- Gideon v. Wainwright (1963): Established right to counsel for felony defendants.
By the late 1960s, perceived as too radical, helping to fuel the rise of conservatism.

Roe v. Wade (1973): Landmark decision that legalized abortion, asserting a constitutional right to privacy.
Emergence of two-career families as a social norm, with more women pursuing careers independently from men.

Revitalization in the 1970s due to visible ecological concerns:
- Aldo Leopold's principles on ecology: food chains and biodiversity.
- Increased awareness of pollution incidents (Cuyahoga River fires, heavy smog).
Silent Spring by Rachel Carson criticized pesticide use, promoting a holistic view of environmental health.
1970 marked the first Earth Day; Nixon signed the Clean Air and Water Acts and established the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Cambodia and the Anti-War Movement: U.S. invasion escalated protests; tragic killings at Kent State.
Pentagon Papers leak revealed government deceit in Vietnam, leading to growing anti-war sentiment.
Paris Peace Accords (1973): A temporary ceasefire that ultimately failed to stabilize Vietnam, leading to further tragedy and disillusionment.

Emergence of the OPEC Oil Crisis amid geopolitical conflicts, leading to the first oil shortages since WWII.
Global economic changes and competition from Western Europe and Japan strained the American economy.
Nixon Shock (1971): Abandonment of the gold standard led to "stagflation" – high inflation coupled with unemployment.

Nixon's illegal activities, including the break-in at the Democratic National Committee, led to eroded trust in government authority.
Resigned in 1974 as an impeachment threat loomed due to a scandal. Former House Speaker Gerald Ford assumed presidency, issuing a controversial pardon to Nixon.

The election of Carter in 1976 marked a Democratic return, but he faced persistent challenges:
- Economic issues: inflation peaked, unemployment rose, perceived energy crises.
- Attempts at liberal reforms were undermined by post-Watergate disillusionment.
- Religious right gained political power, opposing liberal agendas, highlighting cultural divide.
Carter's focus on human rights abroad contrasted with national struggles, particularly impacted by the hostage crisis in Iran.

Surge in born-again Christians, alarmed by cultural changes,
- Mobilized against abortion, feminism, and secular policies.
- Leaders like Billy Graham and Pat Robertson advocated for a political movement rooted in traditional Christian values, cementing a significant rightward shift in American politics by the late 1970s.