Lecture Notes: The Unraveling - The American Yawp

I. Introduction

• Altamont Concert: December 1969, 300,000 attendees, compared to Woodstock.
  • Disorganized, violence, Meredith Hunter killed by Hells Angels.
  • Symbolized the dark side of 60s youth culture.
• Societal Mood: Shift towards conservatism, dissatisfaction with social equality efforts.

II. The Strain of Vietnam

• Public Disillusionment: Escalation of US involvement, antiwar movement.
  • Protests: Draft card burning, tax refusal, government building occupations.
• Media Influence: First 'living room war', graphic coverage affecting public perception.
  • Credibility Gap: Tet Offensive exposed government's misleading portrayal of war progress.
• Nixon's Response: Promised 'Vietnamization' and peace with honor, yet escalated conflict secretly.

III. Racial, Social, and Cultural Anxieties

• Civil Rights Movement: Fractured ideologies, rise of Black Power, disillusionment post MLK/Malcolm X.
• Cultural Shifts: Fragmentation into subcultures, rise of cultural forms like disco and rap.
• Backlash: Whites opposing integration, violence in urban riots (Watts, Newark, Detroit).
  • Kerner Commission: Urban unrest linked to Black frustration with poverty.

IV. The Crisis of 1968

• Key Events: MLK and RFK assassinations caused national unrest.
• Democratic National Convention: Violent protests, media highlight American social chaos.
• Conservative Reaction: Law and order platform by Nixon.

V. The Rise and Fall of Richard Nixon

• 1968 Election: Nixon wins with silent majority's support, promising order.
• Foreign Policy: Nixon Doctrine and détente, visits to China and Soviet Union.
• Watergate Scandal: Illegal activities, cover-up, led to Nixon's resignation.

VI. Deindustrialization and the Rise of the Sunbelt

• Economic Decline: Job losses in Rust Belt, rise of anti-union Sunbelt.
• Urban Decay: White flight, crime, and poverty in cities like Detroit.

VII. The Politics of Love, Sex, and Gender

• Sexual Revolution: Challenged traditional roles, rise in cohabitation, later marriages.
• Legal Milestones: Roe v. Wade (abortion rights), Title VII (employment equality).
• LGBT Rights: Stonewall Riots sparked gay liberation movement.
• Opposition: Rise of conservative groups against ERA and sexual freedoms.

VIII. The Misery Index

• Economic Turmoil: Stagflation, oil crisis, global trade imbalances.
• Carter's Presidency: Struggles with economic issues, foreign policy setbacks.

IX. Conclusion

• 1970s Context: Political moderation but underlying tensions.
• Cultural and Economic Shifts: Liberated sexuality vs. conservative backlash, deindustrialization.

X. Primary Sources

• Kerner Commission: 1968 report on riots.
• John Kerry: Vietnam Veterans Against the War statement.
• Nixon and China: 1971 announcement.
• Barbara Jordan: 1976 DNC address.
• Carter's Crisis of Confidence: 1979 address.
• Gloria Steinem: 1970 ERA advocacy.
• Native American Activism: 1969 Alcatraz occupation.
• Urban Decay Image: 1973 NYC subway.

XI. Reference Material

• Edited and contributed by multiple authors, recommended readings listed.

Key Themes

• Social unrest and disillusionment.
• Economic transformation and its impact on American cities.
• Cultural shifts and political reactions.
• Rise of conservatism and challenges to liberal policies.