US Faces Era of Profound Social Upheaval with 87.5% White Population in Early 1970s

The United States experienced a period of intense social and political turmoil in the late 1960s and early 1970s, characterized by widespread unrest, significant cultural shifts, and a series of national crises. This turbulent era unfolded against a backdrop where the white population constituted a substantial majority, recorded at 87.5% in the 1970 U.S. Census. The period saw the nation grappling with a deeply divisive war, domestic violence, and profound societal transformations.

As noted in a recent social media post by user "i/o," this era, despite its high white demographic, was "possibly the worst period in modern American history." The tweet highlighted a "bloodbath in Vietnam, hundreds of domestic political bombings, a gaping generational divide, radical cultural transformations affecting nearly every family, racial unrest, dozens of airline hijackings, crime and drug abuse soaring, assassinations of prominent figures, millions of people protesting or rioting, whole blocks in cities being burned down, Watergate..."

The Vietnam War escalated significantly, leading to widespread anti-war protests and a deep generational divide. Major assassinations of figures like Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy in 1968 further fueled national grief and anger. Urban centers experienced severe racial unrest and riots, with events such as the 1968 riots following King's assassination leading to widespread destruction in many cities.

The early 1970s also witnessed a surge in domestic terrorism, including numerous bombings by radical groups. Airline hijackings became a disturbingly common occurrence, with dozens of incidents recorded during this period, often for political motives or ransom. Crime rates, particularly violent crime, saw a significant increase, and drug abuse became a growing public health concern, contributing to a sense of societal breakdown. The Watergate scandal, unfolding from 1972, ultimately led to President Richard Nixon's resignation in 1974, eroding public trust in government and marking a low point in American political history.