Primary Resources

Culture and Politics in the 1970s

Courtesy of Boston Public Library

White, Mayor Kevin H. “Letter to President Jimmy Carter, 1977.” Boston Public Library, Government Documents (cat. #: BRA4532).
Mayor White’s letter details his proposed “Boston Plan” – a way to confront some of the city’s major problems with housing, crime, education, etc.

United State Bicentennial World Exposition Boston 1976. Boston Public Library, Government Documents (cat. #: BRA Folio 219).
This booklet details the plans for an elaborate floating Bicentennial World Exposition that would be held in Boston. The theme of the exposition was a “Declaration of Interdependence” to stress the need for international cooperation. Squabbling between different cities and a lack of federal funding eventually doomed this large exposition.

24th Congress, 2d Session, House Document No. 94-550. “Watergate Reforms. Communication from the President of the United States.” Boston Public Library, Government Documents (cat. #: 94-2:H.doc.550).
President Ford proposed this set of reforms after the Watergate scandal and Nixon’s resignation. In his opening letter, Ford speaks of the need to restore public faith in the three branches of government. The proposed legislation would reorganize the Department of Justice and create a system to deal with allegations of wrongdoing on the part of elected officials.

Carter Speeches and Letters 1975-1977
The Watergate scandal looms over all of Carter’s campaign speeches. As is evidenced by the sources below, restoring the public’s trust in government was one of the major themes of his campaign and presidency.

Carter's "Letter to Friends--1974" annoucing his candidacy and looking for campaign donations.
"Our Nation's Past and Future, July 15th, 1976," Carter accepting the Democratic Party nomination at the DNC in NYC.
"Faith in Government." An address at the Town Hall Forum, Los Angeles August 23, 1976.
"We Face a Historic Choice." In an election eve "Message From the Next President" to the New York Times, Oct. 29, 1976.

Courtesy of NARA

1972 U.S. District Court Boston School Desegregation Case.
This case was brought by parents of black students brought the Boston Public Schools and the city/state, claiming that deliberate redistricting and biased admission policies discriminated against students of color and therefore encouraged racial segregation in the city schools. The long document contains some interesting data including the number of police present at the first day of school.