In the early years of the 70s we experienced our first oil crisis.
It didn't last long, but it surprised us and as a result caused more inconvenience than any to date. It was caused by Saddam Hussein when he Nationalized Iraq's oil Industry.
Industry in the US was still strong but the gas crisis caused a change to begin.
Americans began to buy foreign cars for the fuel economy. Not for their quality. Still through out the 70s cars on American roads were 90% American made. To save manufacturing costs companies began to recruit the gov to attack labor unions and decrease tariffs at the docks on foreign goods.
They continued this through the 80s. It became increasingly harder for American Industry to compete in the largest market in the world.
America!
Also during the 70s, President Nixon visited China. Showing official recognition to the main land gov (communist)and signing new trade deals with them. Despite their human rights record.As a direct result of Nixon's visit to China and the new trade agreements, the SEZs were born, China began a manufacturing build up, and American Industry again took a big hit. The outsourcing of American Jobs was inevitable now.

Oh, Video games?
Is that what Atari was? LMAO
They weren't that popular and were but a spurt of a fad whose technology still had a long way to go.

I would recomend to read Howard Zinns " A Peoples History of the United States" It covers our History from the perspective of the Indians who greated the first europeans to the present day. He takes great pains to observe history from the eyes of all parties involved. From the Slaves to Slavehoders to the Church and its view on the treatment of the South Americans by the Spanish. Many sourcers are first hand accounts from diaries and logs kept letters and newspapers. I have found this book to be the most informative source about american history.