The Nixon Years

Who would be the major players in the Election of 1968? Who would be the major players in the Election of 1968?

The Election of 1968 The Election of 1968 Johnson in late March 1968 made the announcement that he would not seek reelection. Johnson in late March 1968 made the announcement that he would not seek reelection. Vice-President Hubert Humphrey would receive the nomination for the Democratic Party after the favored candidate Robert Kennedy was killed in California after the California primary which he had won. Vice-President Hubert Humphrey would receive the nomination for the Democratic Party after the favored candidate Robert Kennedy was killed in California after the California primary which he had won.

Richard Nixon would receive the nomination for the Republican Party. Richard Nixon would receive the nomination for the Republican Party. Governor George Wallace of Alabama would represent the American Independent Party. Governor George Wallace of Alabama would represent the American Independent Party. Nixon would win the Election of 1968 with 43% of the popular vote and 301 electoral votes. Nixon would win the Election of 1968 with 43% of the popular vote and 301 electoral votes.

What was Nixon's Vietnamization policy? What was Nixon's Vietnamization policy?

The Vietnam War The Vietnam War In June 1969, Nixon proposed that both the U.S. and North Vietnam gradually withdraw their forces from South Vietnam. In June 1969, Nixon proposed that both the U.S. and North Vietnam gradually withdraw their forces from South Vietnam. The Communist North Vietnamese rejected Nixon’s peace plan and called for an American withdrawal from South Vietnam before there would be any peace talks. The Communist North Vietnamese rejected Nixon’s peace plan and called for an American withdrawal from South Vietnam before there would be any peace talks. N. Vietnam believed that American public opinion would a cause the Americans to withdraw. N. Vietnam believed that American public opinion would a cause the Americans to withdraw.

Nixon would initiate his policy of Vietnamization in order to turn responsibility for the war over to the South Vietnamese. Nixon would initiate his policy of Vietnamization in order to turn responsibility for the war over to the South Vietnamese. Nixon would call on the support of the “Silent Majority” of Americans since many Americans wanted immediate withdrawal. Nixon would call on the support of the “Silent Majority” of Americans since many Americans wanted immediate withdrawal. Nixon would gradually bring American troops home. Nixon would gradually bring American troops home. Nixon would strengthen S. Vietnamese armed forces so they could fight without direct U.S. involvement. Nixon would strengthen S. Vietnamese armed forces so they could fight without direct U.S. involvement.

Increased bombing of Laos and Cambodia where Communist troops were being supported. Increased bombing of Laos and Cambodia where Communist troops were being supported. Bombing of Laos and Cambodia would lead to massive demonstrations at Kent State University in Ohio and in Mississippi and elsewhere. Bombing of Laos and Cambodia would lead to massive demonstrations at Kent State University in Ohio and in Mississippi and elsewhere. Congress would end up repealing the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution which had given Johnson military authority in Vietnam. Congress would end up repealing the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution which had given Johnson military authority in Vietnam.

In November 1972, Nixon would be reelected for a second term of office. In November 1972, Nixon would be reelected for a second term of office. In January 1973, the Paris Peace Accords were accepted by North Vietnam and the U.S.. They called for complete withdrawal of U.S. troops (left on March 28, 1973). In January 1973, the Paris Peace Accords were accepted by North Vietnam and the U.S.. They called for complete withdrawal of U.S. troops (left on March 28, 1973). The settlement also promised that American prisoners of war would be returned. The settlement also promised that American prisoners of war would be returned.

What was Watergate? What was Watergate? What role did President Nixon play in Watergate? What role did President Nixon play in Watergate? What was the outcome of Watergate? What was the outcome of Watergate?

The Pentagon Papers The Pentagon Papers Published by the New York Times in 1971 Published by the New York Times in 1971 Classified Defense Department history of U.S. involvement in Vietnam. Classified Defense Department history of U.S. involvement in Vietnam. Leaked by former Pentagon official Daniel Ellsburg Leaked by former Pentagon official Daniel Ellsburg Documents showed that Kennedy and Johnson misled the American public about their intentions in Vietnam. Documents showed that Kennedy and Johnson misled the American public about their intentions in Vietnam.

Attorney General Mitchell asked the courts to stop further publication of the Pentagon Papers stating that it was a matter of national security. Attorney General Mitchell asked the courts to stop further publication of the Pentagon Papers stating that it was a matter of national security. On June 30, 1971, in New York Times v. U.S., and U.S. v. Washington Post, the Supreme Court upheld the right of freedom of the Press allowing the papers to be published. On June 30, 1971, in New York Times v. U.S., and U.S. v. Washington Post, the Supreme Court upheld the right of freedom of the Press allowing the papers to be published.

The Plumbers The Plumbers Secret group created by Nixon to stop leaks from his administration. Secret group created by Nixon to stop leaks from his administration. Put wiretaps on phones of administration officials and reporters Put wiretaps on phones of administration officials and reporters Bugged Daniel Ellsburg’s psychiatrist and the headquarters of the National Democratic Party at the Watergate building in Washington. Bugged Daniel Ellsburg’s psychiatrist and the headquarters of the National Democratic Party at the Watergate building in Washington.

At 2:30 am on June 17, 1972, five men were caught breaking into the head quarters of the Democratic National Committee at the Watergate apartment complex in Washington D.C. The men were intending to wiretap and bug the offices. At 2:30 am on June 17, 1972, five men were caught breaking into the head quarters of the Democratic National Committee at the Watergate apartment complex in Washington D.C. The men were intending to wiretap and bug the offices.

In late 1972, the Watergate burglars went on trial and the courts found them guilty in January In late 1972, the Watergate burglars went on trial and the courts found them guilty in January Judge John Sirica, the judge in charge of the burglary case, released a letter from James McCord, watergate burglar, in which McCord told that he and the other defendants had lied under oath and had been paid by high Nixon officials to conceal the truth and plead guilty. Judge John Sirica, the judge in charge of the burglary case, released a letter from James McCord, watergate burglar, in which McCord told that he and the other defendants had lied under oath and had been paid by high Nixon officials to conceal the truth and plead guilty.

By April 1973 investigations revealed that other Nixon officials had misused campaign funds and had covered up illegal activities. By April 1973 investigations revealed that other Nixon officials had misused campaign funds and had covered up illegal activities. It had also been found that Nixon officials burned important Watergate documents. It had also been found that Nixon officials burned important Watergate documents. Archibald Cox would be appointed as a special prosecutor to investigate Watergate. Archibald Cox would be appointed as a special prosecutor to investigate Watergate.

Cox would seek an order directing Nixon to turn over tapes containing conversations between Nixon and his aides. Cox would seek an order directing Nixon to turn over tapes containing conversations between Nixon and his aides. Judge Sirica ordered release of the tapes but Judge Sirica ordered release of the tapes but Nixon appealed on the grounds of executive privilege and separation of powers. Nixon appealed on the grounds of executive privilege and separation of powers. Nixon would try to prevent the release of the tapes by having Cox fired. This became known as the “Saturday Night Massacre.” Nixon would try to prevent the release of the tapes by having Cox fired. This became known as the “Saturday Night Massacre.”

Calls for impeachment forced Nixon to release tapes with missing info. Calls for impeachment forced Nixon to release tapes with missing info. In April 1974, Nixon was ordered to release more tapes but Nixon refused claiming again executive privilege. In April 1974, Nixon was ordered to release more tapes but Nixon refused claiming again executive privilege. In U.S. vs. Nixon the Supreme Court ordered Nixon to release the tapes saying that evidence in a criminal case was more important than executive privilege. In U.S. vs. Nixon the Supreme Court ordered Nixon to release the tapes saying that evidence in a criminal case was more important than executive privilege.

The released tapes showed that Nixon was involved in the Watergate burglary and in its cover-up. The released tapes showed that Nixon was involved in the Watergate burglary and in its cover-up. On August 8, 1974 Nixon announced his resignation since it was certain that the House would vote for impeachment. On August 8, 1974 Nixon announced his resignation since it was certain that the House would vote for impeachment. On August 9, 1974 Gerald Ford became the first unelected President. On August 9, 1974 Gerald Ford became the first unelected President.

What were the highlights of Nixon's domestic and foreign policy decisions? What were the highlights of Nixon's domestic and foreign policy decisions?

Other Domestic Issues Other Domestic Issues Nixon Battles Inflation Nixon Battles Inflation Johnson had adopted a program of deficit spending. Johnson had adopted a program of deficit spending. Food prices and oil prices increased. Food prices and oil prices increased. Nixon would try to raise interest rates to discourage borrowing. Nixon would try to raise interest rates to discourage borrowing. Nixon tried to reduce government spending. Nixon tried to reduce government spending. In August 1971 he imposed wage and price controls for 90 days to try to control inflation. This became quite unpopular. In August 1971 he imposed wage and price controls for 90 days to try to control inflation. This became quite unpopular.

The Space Program The Space Program On July 20, 1969 Neil Armstrong and Edwin Aldrin would step on the surface of the moon. On July 20, 1969 Neil Armstrong and Edwin Aldrin would step on the surface of the moon. The moon landing would and a turbulent decade by being a triumph for science and a source of national pride. The moon landing would and a turbulent decade by being a triumph for science and a source of national pride.

Nixon’s Foreign Policy Nixon’s Foreign Policy U.S. Recognizes Communist China U.S. Recognizes Communist China In February 1972 Nixon would visit China. In February 1972 Nixon would visit China. They agreed to open trade and improve scientific and cultural relations. They agreed to open trade and improve scientific and cultural relations. The U.S. would recognize that Taiwan was part of China. The U.S. would recognize that Taiwan was part of China.

Tensions Ease Toward the Soviet Union Tensions Ease Toward the Soviet Union Nixon and Secretary of State Kissinger would adopt a more flexible approach to the Soviet Union to encourage “détente” or the easing of tensions between the nations. Nixon and Secretary of State Kissinger would adopt a more flexible approach to the Soviet Union to encourage “détente” or the easing of tensions between the nations. In 1971, the United States worked an agreement with the Soviets about Berlin. The Soviets would guarantee access by the U.S., Britain, and France to West Berlin and would respect the cities independence. The Western allies agreed to recognize East Germany. In 1971, the United States worked an agreement with the Soviets about Berlin. The Soviets would guarantee access by the U.S., Britain, and France to West Berlin and would respect the cities independence. The Western allies agreed to recognize East Germany.

By 1972 the U.S. and Soviet Union agreed to increase trade and cooperate on space exploration. By 1972 the U.S. and Soviet Union agreed to increase trade and cooperate on space exploration. They would also agree to limit the number of offensive missiles and defensive missile sites. They would also agree to limit the number of offensive missiles and defensive missile sites. In October 1973 the U.S. and Soviets would help mediate the Yom Kippur War between the Arabs and Israelis. In October 1973 the U.S. and Soviets would help mediate the Yom Kippur War between the Arabs and Israelis.