About this episode

This episode explores significant events of the 1970s, including Charles Manson, assassination attempts on President Ford, and the kidnapping of Patty Hearst, while examining the political climate following Nixon's resignation.

A happenstance introduction to Charles Manson. Assassination attempts against President Ford, a man who was never elected to the vice presidency or presidency. And the kidnapping of a college student and newspaper heiress, 19-year-old Patty Hearst, that rocked the nation. Following Nixon’s resignation and the end of the Vietnam war, the country was in freefall. When, and how, did the U.S. begin to mend its wounds from political scandal and years of a grueling war? And what role did an unconventional campaign and powerful grassroots efforts have, regarding a certain peanut farmer who would later become president?

People in this episode

Host: Sharon McMahon

Topics covered

• 1970s history
• political scandal
• assassination attempts
• kidnapping
• Vietnam War
• grassroots campaigns

Keywords

• Charles Manson
• President Ford
• Patty Hearst
• Vietnam War
• political scandal
• 1970s

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