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This article provides extensive lists of events and significant personalities of the 1970s. For an in-depth article on the cultural and social trends of the decade, please see The Seventies
Events and trends
Although in the United States and in many other Western societies the 1970s are often seen as a period of transition between the turbulent 1960s and the more conservative 1980s and 1990s, many of the trends that are associated widely with the Sixties, from the "Sexual Revolution" to radical left-wing activism, reached fruition during this decade. Outside of the West, the continuing process of decolonization continued to define the relationship between developing and developed nations, as well as mark the course of the Cold War.
Technology
While personal computers did not become widespread in the developed world until the 1980s, rapid advances in consumer electronics began to impact the marketplace by the middle of the decade.
Science
Space exploration, both manned and unmanned, continued into the 1970s, with the realization of lunar and interplanetary missions and the launching of interstellar Pioneer spacecraft.
War, peace and politics
Relations between the rival Cold War power blocs improved substantially during the early and mid-1970s, with high profile exchanges between The United States and the Soviet Union (see détente), and increased cooperation between West Germany and East Germany. The United States and most other Western bloc nations also extended diplomatic recognition to The Peoples Republic of China. However, the rapprochement between superpowers did little to quell guerrilla warfare and terrorism in many parts of the world, often directed by proxies of one of the two superpowers. In 1979, the Soviet Union's invasion of Afghanistan, and the Islamic Revolution in Iran ended the spirit of détente and involved both powers in a complex struggle with an increasingly assertive Muslim world.
- fear of nuclear war despite détente, SALT treaties.
- Watergate break-in, cover-up, and scandal, leading to U.S. president Richard Nixon's resignation
- Yom Kippur War of 1973; Egypt and Israel establish diplomatic relations through Camp David Accords of 1978
- Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. East Pakistan wins independence as Bangladesh. Martial law declared in Pakistan. Indira Gandhi suspends constitution in India
- U.S. expansion of, then withdrawal from Vietnam War. Saigon falls to North Vietnamese forces in 1975.
- Genocide in Cambodia under Khmer Rouge. Pol Pot deposed by Vietnamese troops
- widespread strikes and industrial unrest in the United Kingdom throughout decade; Conservative Party's Margaret Thatcher elected first female prime minister
- Coup in Chile topples government of Salvador Allende, who is replaced by Augusto Pinochet. Coups and revolutions topple governments of Afghanistan, Argentina, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Ghana, and Nicaragua among others. Iranian Revolution and hostage crisis. Assassination of South Korea's Park Chunghee.
- USSR begins disastrous military campaign in Afghanistan
- Spain establishes democracy after death of dictator Francisco Franco; withdraws from Western Sahara to see it occupied by Morocco
- Portugal's decolonization from Mozambique, Angola, Portuguese Guinea, and East Timor; Indonesia invades the last. Carnation Revolution
- Torrijos-Carter Treaties promise U.S. withdrawal from Panama Canal
- Rise of environmental awareness and green movements, peace movement and women's liberation in Europe and the USA. First Earth Day (1970). Whole Earth Catalog becomes widely popular and wins National Book Award.
- Decline of the Black Panther Party. Peak of activity of the Japanese Red Army, Red Army Faction, Red Brigades, Symbionese Liberation Army, and Weathermen.
- United Kingdom suffers from the Winter of Discontent in 1979.
Economics
In many developed nations, the long post-World War II period of economic growth came to an end. Established industrial regions such as Northern England and the United States Midwest were particularly hard hit by falling demand, rising energy costs, labor conflict, and increased competition from emerging Asian producers of steel, ships, and automobiles. By contrast Japan emerged as an economic power through the use of new technologies, and a highly skilled and productive workforce.
Culture
In American cinema, the Seventies was the decade of the blockbuster; high-budget films which are promoted through extensive merchandising, and when successful, prompt sequels. Star Wars, and Superman spawned successful film franchises that continued into the 1980s, and broke new ground in the use of special effects. Jaws, and Rocky were also successful films that led to numerous sequels and had a tremendous impact on popular culture. The relaxation of censorship in the late 1960s continued, leading to a brief "golden age" of pornographic film (Deep Throat), as well as frank depictions of sexuality in "mainstream" cinema (Last Tango in Paris, Waiting for Mr. Goodbar). Many noted 1970s films also seriously examine the impact of crime and violence on society (The Godfather, Taxi Driver).
The very early 1970s saw the death of several notable rock musicians - Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, and Jim Morrison - as well as the break-up of the Beatles, who had dominated rock in the 1960s. Rock music increasingly fragmented into genres (heavy metal, soft rock), and became increasingly commercialized. Punk rock and disco emerge in the mid-1970s partly as reactions against the mainstream rock music promoted on FM Radio and in arena concerts. Rock and pop music in its various forms also inspired several popular musicals on the stage and in film, such as Jesus Christ Superstar, Grease, Saturday Night Fever, and Tommy.
In the late 1970s, Elvis Presley and Keith Moon of The Who died.
- Funk, glam rock, disco, punk rock, gothic rock music
- The science fiction movie Star Wars achieves massive world-wide success
- An age of superstars and idols in sports, music, literature and film
- Jamaican reggae music begins to gain an international audience, while dub music influences African Americans in New York City, leading to the development of hip hop
- In design, 1970s forms tended to be squared off and voluminous
- Commercial body piercing (other than ear piercing) originated at The Gauntlet, a small shop in Southern California
- Beginnings of a widespread, strong interest in bringing the considerations of ecology together with the disciplines of planning and design in environmental design
- U.S. popular culture refers to this time period as the "Me Decade"
- The hippie culture of the late 1960s leads to widespread use (and near legalization) of marijuana and the introduction of harder drugs like cocaine.
Others
People
World leaders
Actors and Entertainers
Film Actors
TV Actors
Entertainers
Models
Sports figures
Writers
Music
See also: List of rock and roll albums in the 1970s
Television
External links
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