The Normalization of Relations with China President Nixon was instrumental in bridging the gap in relations between the United States and the People’s Republic of China. President Nixon’s visit in 1972 was the first by a U.S. President and led to the thawing of relations and opening of communications between the two countries.

Triangular Diplomacy Secretary of State Henry Kissinger applied “triangular diplomacy” encouraging competition between China and the Soviet Union to improve U.S. relations with both counties. Triangulation was successful in that the normalization of relations between the United States and China was instrumental in the promoting of détente between the United States and the Soviet Union, including the signing of arms reduction treaties.

Watergate Scandal The Watergate scandal was a major political scandal that occurred in the United States in the 1970s as a result of the June 17, 1972, break-in at the Democratic National Committee (DNC) headquarters at the Watergate office complex in Washington, D.C., and the Nixon administration's attempted cover-up of its involvement.

Reagan’s Domestic Policies Ronald Reagan argued that tax cuts and financial deregulation were needed to grow the domestic economy. This policy is referred to as Reaganomics.

Reaganomics Reaganomics centered on these principles: Reduce government spending Reduce income and capital gains marginal tax rates Reduce government regulation Control the money supply to reduce inflation

Reagan’s International Policies Reagan supported a policy of “Peace Through Strength” which advocated for a strong military which would deter aggression against the United States and its allies. Reagan took a strong stance against communism, famously demanding that the Berlin Wall be torn down.

The Conservative Movement The 1980s saw the rise of a new conservative movement known as the “New Right” New Right promoted school prayer & tough punishment for crimes; Attacked abortion, the ERA, & homosexuality The Moral Majority – a political organization founded in 1979 that supported conservative candidates and lobbied for prayer in public schools.

Health Issues Health issues – one of the largest concerns was the growing epidemic of AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome). This epidemic spread rapidly around the world and concern over prevention and cure intensified.

The 1 st documented cases of AIDS were reported, but the Reagan administration did not move swiftly because the disease was among gay men

Family Values & Social Concerns Reagan’s commitment to conservative values & cuts to social programs contributed to growing problems in the 1980s: Crack cocaine was 1 st introduced in the 1980s The “crack epidemic” led Reagan to begin a “War on Drugs” & the “Just Say No” campaign

Closing Task ■ Complete the Introduction to the 1970’s- 1990’s worksheet.

1973 Yom Kippur War between Egypt and Syria against Israel Since its creation in 1947, Israel was attacked by its Muslim neighbors in the 1940s, 1960s, & 1970s By the 1970s, Egypt appeared ready to recognize Israel in exchange for the return of land in the Sinai Peninsula

Carter & Foreign Policy Carter brought Egyptian leader Anwar el-Sadat & Israeli leader Menachem Begin to the U.S. for the Camp David Accords in 1977 ? ? Israel agreed to leave the Sinai Peninsula Egypt recognized Israel’s right to Egypt recognized Israel’s right to exist Carter did the impossible

Carter & Foreign Policy But, the situation in the Middle East got worse in 1979 when fundamentalist Islamic cleric Ayatollah Khomeini led the Iranian Revolution

Iranian Hostage Crisis Iranians seized the U.S. embassy & captured 52 American hostages (Iranian Hostage Crisis) rescue mission Carter tried negotiation, economic threats, & a rescue mission to return the hostages but all efforts failed The 52 hostages were held for 444 days

Reagan & Foreign Policy ■ Reagan wanted to restore U.S. foreign policy – Blamed Carter for allowing America’s international prestige & influence to fall – Increased military spending – Confronted challenges in the Middle East & in Latin America – And win the Cold War with the Soviet Union

Reagan intervened in Lebanon when violence broke out between Israelis & Arabs in 1982 But, anti-American hostility led a terrorist group to seize 6 U.S hostages in Iran in 1983 Reagan’s response was to “not negotiate with terrorists” Meanwhile…

…Reagan committed to fighting communism & maintaining order in Latin America In 1979, a communist group called the Sandinistas came to power in Nicaragua Congress denied Reagan’s plea to help Nicaraguan counter-revolutionaries (Contras) take back power

The Reagan administration developed a plan to solve both the problem in Iran & in Nicaragua The gov’t then gave money from the profits of the arms sales to Iran to anti-communist Contras in Nicaragua The gov’t illegally sold Iran weapons in exchange for the release of the 6 hostages (arms for hostages deal)

The Iran-Contra Affair Iran-Contra Affair In 1987, these illegal activities were discovered & the Iran-Contra Affair rocked the Reagan administration Reagan said he had no knowledge of the scandal & Oliver North admitted to running the operation behind the president’s back

As Reagan was coming to power, communist nations (including the USSR) were beginning to face economic failure In 1985 Mikhail Gorbachev took charge of the USSR and began creating moderate reforms to save Russia Perestroika: Introducing moderate capitalism & allowing some business & property ownership Glasnost: Freedom of speech & competitive elections Reagan was able to work with Gorbachev to reduce Cold War tensions

Closing Task ■ Finish the Introduction to the 1970’s- 1990’s worksheet.