Era of Edwin Edwards

1969: Maurice "Moon" Landrieu elected mayor of New Orleans with significant African American support.
1971: Dorothy Mae deLavallade Taylor becomes the first African American woman elected to state office in Louisiana history.
1972: Edwin Edwards is elected governor; Republican David Treen captures 43% of the vote.
1972: David Treen becomes the first Republican elected to Congress from Louisiana in the 20th century.
December 31, 1972 - January 8, 1973: Mark James Robert Essex conducts a murder spree in New Orleans.
1973: Corrine Claiborne "Lindy" Boggs is elected the first woman to Congress from Louisiana.
1973: The Open Elections Law is adopted.
1973-74: Louisiana's first billion-dollar budget is enacted.
1974: A new constitution is written and approved by voters.
1975: The New Orleans Superdome opens.
1976: Edwards is reelected in the first campaign held under the Open Elections Law.
1977: Edwards signs the "right-to-work" Act into law.
1978: Ernest "Dutch" Morial becomes the first African American mayor of New Orleans.
1978: Dr. Andrew Schally wins the Nobel Prize in Medicine.
1979: David Treen is elected the first Republican governor since Reconstruction.

1972-1980: Edwin Edwards serves as governor after winning a competitive primary against J. Bennett Johnston, focusing on reform and garnering significant African American support.
- Edwin Edwards strategically appealed to black voters, recognizing their growing political power.
- A new state constitution was established in 1974, replacing the outdated constitution of 1921.

Advocacy for improved state welfare, healthcare, and education through the new revenues from oil and natural gas.
1980s: Louisiana enters economic depression lasting until the 1990s due to falling oil prices; unemployment rises dramatically.
Edward's administrations witnessed immense state budget increases, ballooning to $4 billion by 1980.

Edwards faced corruption allegations, but was acquitted in 1986.
Despite economic issues, he remained in a position of power, yet his administration's reputation suffered due to corruption charges and extremely high unemployment rates.

The emergence of African Americans as a key political force; notable politicians like Dorothy Mae de Lavallade Taylor and Ernest "Dutch" Morial gained prominence.
Women's rights progressed; notable figures included Corrine Claiborne "Lindy" Boggs.

The Republican Party starts gaining strength by the late 1970s as dissatisfaction with the Democratic party rises.
1979: David Treen's election marks significant Republican influence, challenging long-term Democratic domination.

1983: Edwin Edwards defeats David Treen, marking his return to the governorship after a history of economic and scandal issues.
1984: The highly anticipated New Orleans World's Fair ends in financial failure, underscoring economic instability.
Edwards' tenure ends amid allegations of corruption and economic strife, leading to a challenging reelection in 1987.

The tenure of Edwin Edwards from 1972 to 1987 was marked by significant political shifts, economic challenges, and the rise of African Americans in the political sphere. Despite initial successes, his administration succumbed to corruption controversies and an economic downturn.