Speakin’ as a Child of the '70s

"Until recently professional historians focused on the 60s as the pivotal period in recent U.S. history. After recounting the bad hairstyles and bizarre clothing choices of the era (although praising the very good movies that came out of Hollywood), most textbooks jump quickly into the 1980s; they seek to capture how Reagan transformed America—playing down how the decade that preceded his presidency very much made and defined that conservative patriarch. 'Even for those of us who didn't live through the 60s' revolution against white supremacy or the decade's cultural earthquake,' notes Bethany Moreton, an assistant professor of history and women's studies at the University of Georgia, in a message, 'it's a decade made to order for historical analysis: Almost month by month you can tell a story that everyone recognizes as History with a capital H.' But with the 70s, 'you have to be willing to respect historical actors whose own visions may not attract you.' That means taking seriously the careers and ideas of Reagan, Phyllis Schlafly, Richard A. Viguerie, and others in the conservative movement."

In The Chronicle Review, Bruce J. Schulman and Julian E. Zelizer survey the effect the 1970s had on the rise of conservativism.