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By the early 1970s, Hollywood's options for producing Civil War films were limited. Forthree decades the Civil War had been used to address race, civil rights and nationalidentity. America had sought to resolve these in its legislation of the mid-1960s. However,the war in Vietnam had destroyed the social programmes essential to that process andcreated further disunity in the country. The influence of the Civil Rights Movement fadedas its coalition fractured and Vietnam became the centre of opposition. Hollywood,entering another major financial crisis in 1969, sought different solutions with youngerdirectors to woo younger audiences. Nixon's Cold War strategy paid off with detente andmilitary disengagement abroad and his appeal to the conservative 'silent majority' at home.Watergate, however, with its abuse of presidential power, made America look to defendthe Constitution and the democratic process. As Nixon's role was exposed, televisiondocumentaries on Lincoln, the man who had saved the Union and brought about the rebirthof America were being shown.93 America had to come together to defend its foundingprinciples and its political process. Civil War films were about conflict, what was neededwas unity.139