The seventies can best be understood as a period of transition in America. Beginning in the 1950s, youth power was on the rise, through civil rights activism and anti-war protests. The ideal citizen of this decade seemed to be the person who helps others. Then the 80s were more financially focused and individualistic. The ideal citizen of this decade is one who measures success by how much money he has earned. The 1970s proved to be a time of bitterness, cynicism, and growing self-concern for most people in America. Some of the events that contributed to this were the Kent State Massacre, Roe v. Wade and the economic stagflation that occurred in the latter part of the decade. On April 30, 1970, President Richard Nixon announced that the United States would invade Cambodia as part of the ongoing war in Vietnam. This announcement sparked huge protests, especially on college campuses across the nation. The next day, a protest consisting of approximately 500 students began at Kent State University in Ohio. This was a relatively peaceful protest. Some vandalism and rioting occurred that night, and the next day some students went into town to help with the cleanup efforts. Vandals then torched the ROTC building the next day, which prompted Ohio's governor to send in the National Guard to restore peace. In the following days the protest grew to 1,500 demonstrators and around 1,500 bystanders, and tear gas was often used to break up the crowds. All of these events culminated on May 4, when National Guard troops began firing on the demonstration in the university's common area. A group of 28 National Guard members fired over 60 shots at the students, killing 4...... middle of paper...... along with Watergate, the Vietnam War and the Cold War transformed the public situation from being full of hope and fighting for each other's rights to being disillusioned and full of cynicism. In the 1960s, American citizens were concerned and cared about each other, and then began to worry more about themselves in the 1980s. This loss of trust by Americans in their government and each other is still visible in society today. How to restore this trust still remains unanswered. Works Cited Gordon, William A. “Four Dead in Ohio: Was There a Conspiracy at Kent State?” El Toro, California: North Ridge Books, 2011. Print. "Roe v. Wade: Its History and Impact." Plannedparenthood.org. American Federation of Planned Parenthood, 2013. Web. 2 December 13Amadeo, Kimberly. “Stagflation”. USeconomy.about.com. About.com, 2013. Web. 29 November. 2013.