Describe the stark contrast between the "affluent society" of the 1950s and the optimism of the 1960's "great society" to the decade of the 1970s. what factor(s) changed the outlook towards america's economic future?

1950s and 1960s were about growth and optimism where the 1970s became about recession, distrust of government, and a conservative wave of politics.

With Nixon more conservative views about world involvement resumed with waning interest in containment and Cold War fighting. Nixon would also contribute to distrust of the government with the Watergate scandal. Lastly, the US will experience job-loss and recession in the 1970s with 'stagflation' and a end to post-war growth.