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At Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, things have changed significantly since the 1970s, with several notable declines that shaped the events and atmosphere seen later in the Harry Potter series. These changes reflect both external threats to the wizarding world and internal shifts in the school's culture. Some of the most significant declines include:

1. Increase in Dark Magic and Death Eater Activity

• The Rise of Voldemort and the First Wizarding War: In the 1970s, Voldemort’s rise to power led to a significant decline in the safety and stability of the wizarding world. Many students at Hogwarts in that era were affected by the influence of Dark Arts practitioners, including some students who became Death Eaters, like Lucius Malfoy and Severus Snape. This atmosphere of fear and suspicion permeated the school, especially during the height of Voldemort's first reign.
• The Return of Voldemort and the Second Wizarding War: By the time Harry Potter enters Hogwarts in the 1990s, Voldemort’s return and the beginning of the Second Wizarding War have made the school even less secure. There are instances of Death Eaters infiltrating the school, most notably with the appointment of Dolores Umbridge and the eventual takeover by the Death Eaters during Harry's fifth year, culminating in the Battle of Hogwarts.

2. Deterioration of Safety Standards

• Increased Threats to Students: The safety of students at Hogwarts significantly declined as the 1990s progressed. The Triwizard Tournament in "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" marked a turning point when the competition became the site of Voldemort's return to power, leading to the death of Cedric Diggory and the growing threats against Harry. Throughout the later books, students faced greater dangers, including attacks by Death Eaters, and the fatal consequences of these threats became more real.
• Security Measures and Lack of Protection: The magical protections around the school were increasingly tested, and while the school had previously been a safe haven, the later years were filled with infiltration attempts, such as when Death Eaters entered through the Room of Requirement in "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince." The magical wards and protections around Hogwarts seem to weaken as dark forces become more prevalent.

3. Changes in Faculty and Leadership

• Professors of Questionable Loyalty: Throughout the 1980s and beyond, the integrity of the teaching staff became a concern. While some professors, like Minerva McGonagall, remained steadfast, others became a source of internal conflict. Severus Snape's role as a double agent during the First and Second Wizarding Wars created an atmosphere of mistrust, and the appointment of Umbridge as a professor in Harry's fifth year led to a highly authoritarian and oppressive atmosphere.
• Umbridge's Influence: Dolores Umbridge, as the Ministry-appointed Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher and later Headmistress, caused significant harm to Hogwarts' reputation and educational standards. Her regime, characterized by oppressive rules, favoritism, and an attempt to suppress any opposition, marked a clear decline in the school’s moral and educational standards. The presence of her oppressive regime caused many students to rebel and undermined the trust between students and teachers.

4. Declining Academic and Moral Integrity

• Increased Political Interference: The Ministry of Magic’s increasing control over Hogwarts throughout the 1990s reflected a decline in academic freedom and autonomy. Under Umbridge, for example, the curriculum was restricted, critical thinking was discouraged, and certain subjects (such as Defense Against the Dark Arts) were either taught ineffectively or suppressed. The school's independent and progressive spirit waned under such pressures.
• Corruption and Suppression of Knowledge: During this time, the school experienced suppression of free speech and intellectual inquiry, as seen in the establishment of "Dumbledore's Army," a secret student organization formed to teach students practical Defense Against the Dark Arts in the face of the Ministry's refusal to properly educate them.

5. Fewer Strong Mentors

• The Loss of Key Figures: The deaths of prominent figures like Albus Dumbledore, and the departure of other influential staff, left Hogwarts with fewer mentors capable of guiding students through difficult times. Dumbledore’s death at the end of the sixth book left a huge vacuum of leadership, with Professor McGonagall and other faculty trying to pick up the pieces but struggling to maintain control as the Dark Lord regained power.
• Decline in Staff Morale: The staff at Hogwarts began to be less cohesive in the years following the 1970s. The stresses of a war, the rise of dark magic, and the Ministry’s interference with the school led to more frequent staff changes and divisions within the faculty, weakening the sense of unity that had been a hallmark of the school.

6. Increasing Prejudice and Discrimination

• Blood Purity Ideology: While blood purity has always been a controversial issue in the wizarding world, the rise of Voldemort and his Death Eaters in the 1970s and beyond exacerbated the divisions at Hogwarts. Discrimination against Muggle-borns and half-bloods became more overt, especially during Voldemort’s second rise to power, as many students adopted his ideology. The Hogwarts students who supported Voldemort, such as Draco Malfoy and others, perpetuated prejudice against students of Muggle heritage.
• Prejudice Against Non-Human Creatures: While there was always a degree of prejudice against creatures like house-elves, werewolves, and other magical beings, the decline of moral integrity at Hogwarts led to more overt discrimination. Characters like Remus Lupin faced prejudice for being a werewolf, and house-elves continued to suffer from poor treatment, though some like Hermione Granger tried to raise awareness through campaigns like S.P.E.W.

7. Loss of the School's Sense of Purpose

• Shifting Priorities: By the time Harry Potter arrives at Hogwarts, the school’s focus on developing well-rounded, curious students had been undermined by external forces. The Ministry's increasing influence, the rise of dark forces, and the focus on preparing students for a world at war altered the school’s role from one of intellectual growth to one of survival. The sense of safety and learning that once pervaded the halls of Hogwarts was replaced by a more grim atmosphere, where students faced real-life threats and emotional tolls from the conflict surrounding them.

In sum, Hogwarts saw a significant decline after the 1970s due to the rising power of Voldemort, increasing political interference, declining moral standards, and a breakdown in the safety and unity that had previously defined the school. The idyllic Hogwarts of earlier years was replaced by a place of conflict, fear, and change, which played a crucial role in shaping the events of the Harry Potter series.