The American Yawp Chapter 28: The Unraveling

The Altamont Concert

• Date: Late December 1969
• Location: Altamont Motor Speedway, Northern California
• Attendance: Estimated 300,000 people
• Comparative Context: Intended to be "Woodstock West" following the successful Woodstock festival, which epitomized the peace and love movement of the 1960s.
• Turn of Events:
  • To cut costs, the Hells Angels were hired as security, compensated with $500 worth of beer.
  • The atmosphere deteriorated as the crowd became increasingly hostile.
  • Hells Angels, under the influence of drugs, used pool cues to violently control the crowd.
  • The Grateful Dead withdrew from performing due to the chaos at the venue.
• Tragic Incident:
  • Meredith Hunter, an 18-year-old, was killed after brandishing a firearm in an attempt to reach the stage.
  • He was violently stabbed by a Hells Angel; his body was tragically treated disrespectfully by others in the crowd.
  • The Rolling Stones continued their performance, unaware of Hunter's death.
• Cultural Reflection:
  • Altamont showcased not only the hopeful aspects of the 1960s youth movement but also its darker side, showcasing themes of violence and disillusionment.

The Political Context of the 1970s

• Cultural Backlash:
  • The late 1960s and early 1970s presented a shift from the idealism of the 60s to a more anxious, conservative America.
  • Key Factors: Dissatisfaction with social equality, failures of the Vietnam War, economic crises, and political scandals.

The Warren Court

• Chief Justice: Earl Warren led the Supreme Court through a period of significant rulings.
• Key Rulings:
  • Engel v. Vitale (1962): Declared school prayers unconstitutional.
  • Roth v. United States: Limited local authority regarding pornography.
  • Gideon v. Wainwright (1963): Established the right to legal counsel for felony defendants.
  • Generally, the Court's rulings favored rights for marginalized groups, causing a backlash from conservatives concerned about middle-class interests.

Feminism and Reproductive Rights

• Focus of Feminist Movement: Advocacy for control over sexual and reproductive rights.
• Landmark Decision:
  • Roe v. Wade: Overturned comprehensive bans on first-trimester abortions, grounding the decision in the right to privacy.
• Social Shifts:
  • Emergence of dual-income households from a previously lower-class necessity to a societal norm, leading to increased independence for women.

Environmental Movement

• Rebirth in the 1970s: Resulting from visible pollution and environmental issues.
• Key Figures:
  • Aldo Leopold: Developed concepts such as the food chain and biodiversity.
  • Rachel Carson: Author of Silent Spring, raising awareness of pesticides and broader environmental health.
• First Earth Day: Celebrated in 1970, leading to significant legislation like the Clean Air Act and establishment of the Environmental Protection Agency.

Nixon's Presidency

• Opposition to the Vietnam War: Anti-war sentiments proliferated; protests intensified, notably after Nixon's invasion of Cambodia.
  • Kent State: Six students were killed during protests, marking a significant flashpoint for the anti-war movement.
  • Evidence of government dishonesty brought to light through the Pentagon Papers, leading to a loss of public trust.
• Economic Troubles: The economy faced a downturn, exacerbated by the energy crisis initiated by the OPEC oil embargo.
• Stagflation: Economic stagnation coupled with rising inflation. Nixon’s economic policies, including the abandonment of the gold standard, contributed to this phenomenon.

Watergate Scandal

• Event Catalyst: Nixon's attempts to break into the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate building led to a monumental political scandal.
• Impeachment Movement: Nixon's eventual resignation was marked by the public’s growing distrust in government.
• Ford’s Ascension: Gerald Ford's presidency was underscored by the controversial pardon of Nixon.

Jimmy Carter's Presidency

• Historical Significance: First Democrat in office since 1969, entering with public disillusionment post-Watergate.
• Economic Issues: Downtrodden economy characterized by high inflation and rising unemployment plagued his administration.
• Controversies: The IRS changes affecting racially segregated schools incited backlash from the religious right, igniting political activism.
• Crisis of Confidence: Carter’s speeches emphasized moral and spiritual crises over economic solutions, revealing a shift in public expectations from government.
• Foreign Policy Challenges: The Iran hostage crisis and Soviet invasions diminished Carter's political standing, paving the way for more conservative movements to emerge.

Rise of the Religious Right

• Religious Revivalism: By late 1970s, an evangelical movement surged, responding to perceived societal moral decline.
• Key Concerns:
  • Issues surrounding abortion, feminism, and public prayers were central to the movement's ideology.
  • Notable leaders included Billy Graham and Jerry Falwell, who mobilized voters around conservative Christian values and localism.