The Seventies

CRyan WHistory

FACTS about this decade.  Population: 204,879,000 Unemployed in 1970: 4,088,000  National Debt: $382 billion  Average salary: $7,564  Food prices: milk, 33 cents a qt.;  bread, 24 cents a loaf; round steak, $1.30 a pound  Life Expectancy: Male, 67.1; Female, 74.8 

Major Trends

Growing disillusionment of gov’t Advances in civil rights Increased influence of women’s

movement Heightened concern for

environment Increased space exploration Technological advancements

Apollo 11 landed on the moon . . .

The US & USSR signed the Non-Proliferation Treaty.

Prohibits acquiring or helping others acquire nuclear weapons.

The International Atomic Energy Agency A safeguard system Verifies compliance through

inspections conducted by the IAEA

Promotes international cooperation and equal access in the field of peaceful nuclear technology

SALT I 1972

Limited the production of nuclear weapons.

Signed by Nixon and Brezhnev.

Chilean Coup of 1973

"I don't see why we need to stand by and watch a country go communist due to the irresponsibility of its own people. The issues are much too important for the Chilean voters to be left to decide for themselves." — Henry Kissinger

Yom Kippur War(1973 Arab-Israeli War)

October 6 – 26, 1973between Israel and a coalition of Arab states led by Egypt and Syria

• The Syrians invadedthe Golan Heights and theEgyptians invaded theSinai Peninsula

Camp David Peace Accords – normalized relations between Egypt and Israel – the first time ANY Arab country had recognized the state of Israel.

Watergate Scandal

August 8, 1974

Gerald Ford becomes president.

1974

the first president not elected by the people to become president

Revolution in Iran

When the Shah relaxed censorship laws in 1977, Iran erupted into a series of demonstrations and dissents.

Ayatollah Khumayni

Soviets invade Afghanistan

Why?

To expand Soviet influence in Asia

To preserve the Communist government

Protect Soviet interests from Iran and western nations

Soviet tanks inAfghanistan

mujahidin

Effects of the war on Afghanistan Several million Afghan refugees Millions more died from starvation

and Soviet bombing raids A generation that knows only war,

hatred, and fear Country in barren and in ruin Thousands of miniature land mines

were dropped by Soviet planes

Effects on U.S.S.R.

Lost 15,000 troops Degradation of Soviet image – no

longer invincible Billions spent on the ten year war

weakened an already unsteady Soviet economy

Long Term Consequence The establishment of a

weak state full of religious fanaticism and a hatred of richer nations; in short, a breeding ground for terrorism.