Why did the u. s. economy struggle in the 1970s? how was the period after 1973 different from 1945-1972? in what ways (plural! ) was the period between 1973 and 1980 a transitional one in american politics? how was the american family of the 1970s different from that of the 1950s? without romanticizing either period, how would you account for the differences? thematic understanding examine the category "work, exchange, and technology" on the thematic timeline on page 803. how did economic developments in the 1970s reverse the course the national economy has been on since world war ii? more broadly, can you identify events in each of the timeline categories that made the 1970s a decade of important historical transition? pick at least 3 and defend your choices. visual evidence study the photograph on pages 943 and 959 and the map on page 944. how did the economic downturn of the 1970s affect the lives of ordinary americans and american culture broadly? what connections can you draw between the two photographs and developments in the global economy and the rise of the sunbelt?