Was the '70s the worst decade ever? (2024)

FAQs

Were the 70s a bad decade? ›

The 1970s were perhaps the worst decade of most industrialized countries' economic performance since the Great Depression. Although there was no severe economic depression as witnessed in the 1930s, economic growth rates were considerably lower than previous decades.

The '70s shaped our culture, politics, and personal lives in countless ways, and its influence can still be felt today. From the music and fashion to the social movements and technological advances, the 1970s left an indelible mark on our generation – and that's why we'll always consider it the best decade ever.

The United States faced political turmoil as President Richard Nixon resigned amid the Watergate scandal, and in Chile Augusto Pinochet overthrew the democratically elected government. Also making news were the massacre at the Munich Olympics and the Iran hostage crisis.

One reason for the haze is the period's elusive placement between the highly overdetermined 1960s—often considered by historians to last well into the subsequent decade—and the more garish icons that come to the fore later in the 70s, like disco and punk, Pong and Star Wars, Jonestown and the Bicentennial.

Many remember the 1970s as a decade of soaring inflation, political upheaval, and the erosion of United States' prestige worldwide. But the significance of the seventies goes beyond high gas prices, Watergate, and Vietnam - profound changes to American politics, societal norms, and the nation's economy took root.

The height of the streaking craze came in 1974 when a naked man zoomed across the stage during the Academy Awards ceremony in Los Angeles. Tom Wolfe called the 1970s the "Me Decade." Across the land, Americans seemed determined to escape from the wars and social movements of the previous decade.

It's true that, back then, we didn't wear helmets or seat belts, and we had less adult supervision. But the reality is that the mortality rate for children was much higher in the 1970s than it is today. In fact, between 1960 and 1990, the child mortality rate dropped by 48 percent!

The 1980s have been called “the decade of decadence,” and one of the era's most notable movie characters, Wall Street's Gordon Gekko, famously declared that “greed is… good.” But the decade was about more than just excess. It was a period marked by defining events that continue to resonate.

Bell bottom pants, flowing maxi dresses, ponchos, leisure suits, frayed jeans and earth tones dominated 1970s fashion.

Michael Jackson, Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, John Travolta, Sylvester Stallone, Loni Anderson, Farrah Fawcett, the late Jeanne Cooper, among others.

What was the leading cause of death in the 1970s? ›

The leading causes of death for the world as whole for both 1970 and 1985 were infectious and parasitic diseases and circulatory system diseases. Parasitic and infectious diseases were more important in developing countries, and circulatory system diseases were more important in developed countries.

Chemistry sets were an incredibly popular gift in the '70s. With chemicals like potassium nitrate, copper sulfate, and iodine, we could blow things up and make stink bombs. Now, these dangerous chemicals are banned, and today's chemistry sets are a lot more tame.

This fall, it's trendy to be retro. The '70s style is back, with all of its nostalgic notes, including bright colors and patterns, fringe and that groovy flower power.

The 70's was a time where you could be a hippie, into disco, neither, or both. It all depended on your unique personality. For a 70's themed party, blend a little of everything. You can use that same creativity to make your decorations stand out.

Roller Disco: Skating to the Beat

Roller disco, a unique fusion of roller skating and dance, epitomized the disco era of the 70s. Skaters would glide around a rink adorned with disco balls and neon lights, moving to the latest beats.

The 1970s was the decade of lava lamps and shag carpets. At the same time, it was also a study in contradictions: austerity, campy colors, nature-loving hippies, and high-tech futurism. War and social change continued to shape society.

The counterculture movement of the 1960s and '70s was arguably one of the most influential time periods in modern American history. A more individualized identity was sought after by coming-of-age outsiders that took over the nation due to the baby boom.

U.S. news outlets such as The New York Times and The Washington Post describe Generation X as people born between 1965 and 1980. Gallup, Bloomberg, Business Insider, and Forbes use 1965–1980. Time magazine states that Generation X is "roughly defined as anyone born between 1965 and 1980".

From the “Roaring '20s” to the “Me Decade” in the 1970s, decades in American history are often known by nicknames.

Dance with the Disco Glam of the 60s and 70s

Evolving from the brightness of Mod couture, disco fashion was a staple of the 70s. Back then, a fun night may have entailed dancing at the disco-tech or rollerblading at the rink. Disco was funky, carefree fun. In the 70s, people were clad in colorful, dazzling clothing.

Why was the 1970s considered the me decade? ›

The term "'Me' Decade" describes a general new attitude of Americans in the 1970s, in the direction of atomized individualism and away from communitarianism, in clear contrast with social values prevalent in the United States during the 1960s.

The Great Depression was a social and economic disaster that brought misery to millions worldwide, making the 1930s one of the worst decades in history. Even in the 1920s, many countries around the world, particularly Britain, were still recovering from the recession caused by World War I.

The 1970s were, in some ways, a continuation of the 1960s. Women, gays and lesbians, African Americans, Native Americans and other marginalized people continued their fight for equality, and many Americans joined the protest against the ongoing war in Vietnam.

The Vietnam War came to a close, the Watergate scandal led to the resignation of President Richard Nixon, the United States ended direct involvement in the Vietnam War and President Jimmy Carter grappled with an energy crisis, inflation and the Iran Hostage Crisis.