ABSTRACT
As the 1970s began, the Cold War had been an entrenched political reality more than twenty years old with no signs of abating. The Vietnam War still raged, further escalated under President Richard M. Nixon. The Communist nations of Eastern Europe were all ruled by controlling, dictatorial regimes in which the Communist Party had a monopoly of power. In general, Western Europe had experienced prosperity in the 1960s, with West Germany enjoying the highest level of affluence. But Western Europe faced increasing economic difficulties in the 1970s, beginning with the oil crisis of 1973. The 1960s had begun with a great deal of promise for continued economic prosperity, technological advancement, and the spread of democracy. The United States continued to support any regime that opposed communism, no matter how authoritative. World War II and the problems that had caused it had receded into the background; France had even developed a close alliance with West Germany.
