Bad News in America: 1973 - 1983Bad News in America: 1973 - 1983

Watergate ScandalWatergate Scandal

Arab Oil EmbargoArab Oil Embargo

““Stagflation”Stagflation”

““Fall of Saigon”Fall of Saigon”

Love CanalLove Canal

Three Mile IslandThree Mile Island

Iranian Hostage CrisisIranian Hostage Crisis

Reagan Nearly AssassinatedReagan Nearly Assassinated

Richard Nixon & the Watergate ScandalRichard Nixon & the Watergate ScandalThe Watergate Hotel / OfficeThe Watergate Hotel / OfficeComplexComplex

What happened in the Watergate?What happened in the Watergate?What was Nixon’s role in theWhat was Nixon’s role in theWatergate Scandal?Watergate Scandal?What was Woodward & Bernstein’s role in the WatergateScandal?

CarlCarlBernsteinBernstein

BobBobWoodwardWoodward

Publisher Publisher Katherine GrahamKatherine Graham

More Watergate Scandal ImagesMore Watergate Scandal Images

Does anyone recognizeDoes anyone recognizeRobert RedfordRobert Redford(Woodward) & Dustin(Woodward) & DustinHoffman (Bernstein)?Hoffman (Bernstein)?

NixonNixonresigns,resigns,August,August,19741974

Upper Left:Upper Left: Aliens from Venus reading about Nixon’s resign- ationUpper Right:Upper Right: A photo of the famous Nixon farewell after he resigned from officeLower Left:Lower Left: Gerald Ford being sworn in as the 38th President of the United States of America

Boy, it sure is hot inBoy, it sure is hot inhere! I need to changehere! I need to changemy shampoo, ‘cause my shampoo, ‘cause my head feels like it’smy head feels like it’son FIRE!!!!on FIRE!!!!

The Fall of Saigon, 1975The Fall of Saigon, 1975

Desperation @ theDesperation @ theU.S. U.S. EmbassyEmbassy

There is NOT room for all VietnameseThere is NOT room for all Vietnamese

U.S. Helicopter pushed off the deck of an aircraft carrier . . . WHY?U.S. Helicopter pushed off the deck of an aircraft carrier . . . WHY?

In just a few months, gas pricesIn just a few months, gas prices quadrupled from .25 a gallon to wellquadrupled from .25 a gallon to well over $1.00 a gallon in 1973 (Thatover $1.00 a gallon in 1973 (Thatwould equal $4.42 a gallon today!)would equal $4.42 a gallon today!)In one famous response to the ArabOil Embargo, the U.S. Gov’t reducedthe speed limit on the highways andinterstates to 55 mph!

The Arab Oil Embargo: 1973The Arab Oil Embargo: 1973

The Arab Oil Embargo, 1973The Arab Oil Embargo, 1973

FYI: The U.S. Gov’t was within a day of invading key O.P.E.C. nations in the Middle East to get the flow of oil going again

Adjusted for inflation, $1.37 is . . .Adjusted for inflation, $1.37 is . . .

about $7 a gallon today!!!!about $7 a gallon today!!!!

““STAGFLATION”STAGFLATION”

What is “Stagflation”What is “Stagflation”

How did it hurt Americans?How did it hurt Americans?

Why was PresidentWhy was President Carter blamed?Carter blamed?

A 2nd Arab Oil Embargo in 1979 madeA 2nd Arab Oil Embargo in 1979 made““Stagflation” worse in AmericaStagflation” worse in America

““It is clear that the true problems of our Nation are much It is clear that the true problems of our Nation are much deeper — deeper than gasoline lines or energy shortages, deeper — deeper than gasoline lines or energy shortages, deeper even than inflation or recession. And I realize more deeper even than inflation or recession. And I realize more than ever that as President I need your help.…”than ever that as President I need your help.…”“The erosion of our confidence in the future is threatening to destroy the social and political fabric in America . .”

What can we do? First of all, we must face the truth and What can we do? First of all, we must face the truth and then we can change our course. We simply must have faith then we can change our course. We simply must have faith in each other. Faith in our ability to govern ourselves and in each other. Faith in our ability to govern ourselves and faith in the future of this nation. Restoring that faith and faith in the future of this nation. Restoring that faith and that confidence to America is now the most important task that confidence to America is now the most important task we face....we face....

(Carter’s “Crisis of Confidence” Speech, 1979)(Carter’s “Crisis of Confidence” Speech, 1979)

Love Canal: 1977 - 1979Love Canal: 1977 - 1979

Upper Left:Upper Left: Some homes are still abandoned from this episode in Western NYUpper Right:Upper Right: The location of Love Canal within New YorkLower Left:Lower Left: Lois Gibbs, the most famous activist from Love Canal; she was a 27 year old housewifeLower Middle:Lower Middle: One of the Hooker Chemical toxic waste drums; over 20,000 drums were dumped in the Love Canal neighborhood

Love Canal: 1977 - 1979Love Canal: 1977 - 1979

Love Canal had yet to become a household name in 1978, the year that Lois Gibbs, a Love Canal had yet to become a household name in 1978, the year that Lois Gibbs, a twenty-seven-year-old homemaker, discovered that her son's elementary school had twenty-seven-year-old homemaker, discovered that her son's elementary school had been built atop a 20,000-ton toxic-chemical dump in Niagara Falls, New York. been built atop a 20,000-ton toxic-chemical dump in Niagara Falls, New York. Gathering her courage, she knocked on doors throughout her neighborhood, sharing Gathering her courage, she knocked on doors throughout her neighborhood, sharing information and concerns with other residents. After a two-year struggle, the Love information and concerns with other residents. After a two-year struggle, the Love Canal Homeowners Association Gibbs founded succeeded in persuading the federal Canal Homeowners Association Gibbs founded succeeded in persuading the federal government to relocate 833 families from the area, signaling the first major victory in government to relocate 833 families from the area, signaling the first major victory in a grassroots environmental movement that would launch the federal Superfund a grassroots environmental movement that would launch the federal Superfund program for the cleanup of hazardous waste sites.program for the cleanup of hazardous waste sites.

A nice (toxic) residential neighborhoodA nice (toxic) residential neighborhood

Jane Fonda speaking:Jane Fonda speaking:““Celebrity Pressure”Celebrity Pressure”

Lois Gibbs & Pres. Carter: The Gov’t finally “stepped in to the mess”; under whatLois Gibbs & Pres. Carter: The Gov’t finally “stepped in to the mess”; under what circumstances did President Carter agree to clean up Love Canal?circumstances did President Carter agree to clean up Love Canal?

Three Mile Island, PA: 1979Three Mile Island, PA: 1979 How did this disaster begin?How did this disaster begin?

Did the Gov’t knowDid the Gov’t knowwhat it was doing?what it was doing?

How did this disaster end?How did this disaster end?

What was the disaster’s impact on the community?What was the disaster’s impact on the community?

Upper Left: Upper Left: this is how close the facility was (and is) to civiliansRight: Right: This is a photograph taken when the radioactivity went down to a level in the core where people could enter (in protective gear) and take pictures. The broken rods contained the uranium; this is proof that there was a partial melt-down. This uranium spilled from the rods, and went to the “floor of the core”. This uranium ate through 50% of the core

““The Age of Malaise” The Age of Malaise”

In 1976, Carter ran versus Ford and Carter wins, he gives a message of hope and traditional values; most Americans are apathetic

Studio 54 is the beginning of the “disco age.” Movie “Saturday Night” reflects the disco period.  Youth is a heavy drug user, most to escape the problems of the society.

Women give up roles of housewives because they start taking over job positions; this becomes an issue because this was the main cause of the perc-entage of marriages ending up in divorce. (1/2 of Amer-ican marriages.)

The Winter of 1977 is the coldest winter in forty years; this leads to a massive energy shortage, which meant a need to sacrifice and conservation.

Japan and Germany challenges USA economically since America’s car companies had difficulty competing with the foreign car industry, Foreign car production was based on saving gas. To Americans, large cars were “gas guzzlers.” Foreign cars made up to 25% in the market.

The Love Canal was a Hooker Chemical plant where waste products were dumped out near neighborhoods, which became a cancer/disease cluster.  People in campaigns start striking to clean up toxic waste; this leads to funding “Super Fund” clean-ups.

School busing was on a time where discrimination was a big issue. Because whites didn’t want their children to be educated with Black students; this caused public school enrollment to drop down a 25%. There was racial tension across the country.  The most “attacked” cities were Boston and LA, officers would help schools because there was a lot of violence.

In San Francisco, Dan White murdered Mayor Moscone and Councilman Harvey Milk because these men were on behalf of the gay population.  White defended himself saying that he ate a lot of“Twinkies” and sugar altered his mind. He got a 7-year sentence; this forever becameknown as the “Twinkie Defense”

Carter gathers common people and asks them “what is wrong Carter gathers common people and asks them “what is wrong with America?” He gives the “Malaise Speech” and tries to with America?” He gives the “Malaise Speech” and tries to recover America’s trust.   The OPEC raises energy prices by a 50%. recover America’s trust.   The OPEC raises energy prices by a 50%. It was clear to see that America was near major crisesIt was clear to see that America was near major crises

The Iranian Hostage Crisis: 1979 - 1981The Iranian Hostage Crisis: 1979 - 1981

AyatollahAyatollahKhomeniKhomeni

Pure Evil,Pure Evil,Volume 1Volume 1

Pure Evil, Volume IIPure Evil, Volume II

What most Americans wanted to do to “Pure Evil, Vol. III”What most Americans wanted to do to “Pure Evil, Vol. III”

Images: Iranian Hostage Crisis:Images: Iranian Hostage Crisis:Upper Left:Upper Left: Carter & the Shah of Iran

Upper Central:Upper Central: One of the 52 U.S. hostages held for 444 days

Upper Right:Upper Right: President Carter telling the nation about the botched rescue

attemptLeftLeft: : The wreckage of the botched

rescue attempt (it was in Iran)

In February, 1980, theIn February, 1980, the““Miracle on Ice” occurredMiracle on Ice” occurred

20 U.S. college hockey players20 U.S. college hockey players won the Olympic Ice Hockeywon the Olympic Ice Hockey Gold MedalGold Medal

By winning the OlympicBy winning the OlympicIce Hockey Gold Medal Ice Hockey Gold Medal (the U.S. defeated the USSR(the U.S. defeated the USSR4-3 in the semi-final round,4-3 in the semi-final round,and Finland 4-2 in the Goldand Finland 4-2 in the GoldMedal game), America Medal game), America finally had some “good news”finally had some “good news”

It was the first and onlyIt was the first and onlytime in our history that ourtime in our history that ourentire nation “went crazy” entire nation “went crazy” over the success of a sportsover the success of a sportsteam!team!

The “Miracle on Ice”The “Miracle on Ice” realized; this photo wasrealized; this photo wastaken moments after thetaken moments after theU.S. defeated FinlandU.S. defeated Finland4-2 for the Gold Medal!4-2 for the Gold Medal!

The Shah of Iran is given freedom in America. Iranians held The Shah of Iran is given freedom in America. Iranians held Americans hostage until the Shah was turned over to Americans hostage until the Shah was turned over to Iranian courts; media covered all events that happened. Iranian courts; media covered all events that happened. Anti-Americanism in the Middle East increased Anti-Americanism in the Middle East increased dramatically.dramatically.

Election of 1980: Hostage crisis Election of 1980: Hostage crisis ongoing.Reagan ran versus Carter. ongoing.Reagan ran versus Carter. “Are you better off than you were four “Are you better off than you were four years ago.”years ago.”

America defeated Soviet America defeated Soviet Union on ice, playing Union on ice, playing hockey, this was symbolic hockey, this was symbolic of America’s courage, of America’s courage, which restored pride and which restored pride and patriotism.patriotism.

A diagram of the attempted assassination of Ronald Reagan,A diagram of the attempted assassination of Ronald Reagan,March, 1981March, 1981

Upper Right:Upper Right: Photograph taken just seconds after Hinckley fired his handgunUpper Left:Upper Left: John Hinckley under arrestLower Left:Lower Left: Who Hinckley wanted to impress by assassinating President Reagan