Post Author: Mary Challman
The 1970s was a fascinating and unique time in American history. There was a radical switch from the optimistic liberalism of the 1960s to the practical conservatism of the 1970s. The American South gained power in the country as many industries moved to the “Sunbelt,” along with a vast amount of people. The political sentiment of the decade was characterized by a national shift towards Republicanism and, after the Watergate, a distrust of the federal government. A new subculture known as the “redneck” subculture emerged, and brought with it the popularity of country and bluegrass music which subsequently empowered the middle and working class of America. The political, economic, and cultural focus of the nation seemed to move southwards during this decade; Bruce Schulman coined this concept as the “reddening” or “Southernization” of America (Schulman, 102). Change was also seen on the campus of Madison College/James Madison University. The institution changed their name, the campus expanded, and more people of different races and genders (the campus formally became co-ed) were accepted to the college. During a time of both great turmoil and great change, the question of whether the national trend of Southernization was visible amongst the change that was already occurring on campus. By examining whether or not Southernization occurred at James Madison University could offer a more complete picture of the development of the university to what it is today.
Works Cited
Schulman, Bruce J. The Seventies: The Great Shift in American Culture, Society, and Politics. Cambridge, MA, Da Capo Press: 2001.