One reason was the end to America's military involvement in Vietnam after years of war. Another was the progress of civil rights activists and the women's movement toward many of their goals.

A third reason was the economy. During the nineteen seventies, the United States suffered a recession. Interest rates and inflation were high. A shortage of imported oil as a result of tensions in the Middle East only added to the problems.

As the nineteen seventies went on, many Americans became tired of economic struggle. They also became tired of social struggle. They had been working together for common interests. Now, many wanted to spend more time on their own interests.

This change appeared in many parts of society. It affected popular culture, education and politics.

[Dialog from “All in the Family” TV series]

ARCHIE (Carroll O’Connor): “Lemme (Let me) hear your idea again.”

MICHAEL (Rob Reiner): “OK, I want us to watch Jack Lemmon and a group of famous scientists discuss pollution and ecology on channel thirteen.”

ARCHIE: “Good. And I wanna (want to) watch football highlights on channel two. Now guess what’s gonna (going to) happen.”

(MUSIC)

Carroll O'Connor and Jean Stapleton starred as Archie and Edith Bunker in the CBS television show "All in the Family"

​​One of the most popular television programs of that time was a comedy series that often dealt with politics and serious social issues. The show was called "All in the Family." The family was led by a factory worker named Archie Bunker. Carroll O'Connor played Archie, and Jean Stapleton played his wife, Edith. The Bunkers lived in a working-class neighborhood in the Queens borough of New York City.