 During Nixon’s term in office you had several Supreme Court decisions that protected the first amendment rights of individuals -Tinker V Des Moines: Supreme Court ruling that School districts could not suspend students for wearing armbands protesting the Vietnam War because it violated their first amendment rights. -Wisconsin V Yoder: US Supreme Court struck down a Wisconsin state law that required Amish students to attend school beyond 8 th grade because it violated Amish parent’s religious beliefs under the 1 st amendment and conflicted with Amish values and ways of life.

 In addition Nixon ended the draft, increased anticrime laws, and broadened environmental laws and agencies. -Environmental Protection Agency-a government agency that protects Americans’ health and the natural environment by setting and enforcing pollution standards -Endangered Species Act--requires the Fish and Wildlife Service to list plants and animals that are threatened with extinction and then take steps to protect them

 Nixon believed that the President’s most important role was directing foreign policy. He was greatly assisted by his closest advisor Henry Kissinger in deciding US foreign policy during the 1970’s.

 Since China became Communist the US had refused to have any diplomatic ties. Nixon restored US diplomatic relations with China. In 1972, Nixon became the first US president to visit the Chinese mainland, this opening of relations with China was Nixon’s greatest foreign policy achievement.

 Nixon wanted to pursue a policy of détente (relaxing tensions) with the Soviet Union. -Nixon signs SALT I, an agreement to limit the development of missile systems. -He also sold American grain to Russia to ease food shortages. -Also, when war breaks out in the Middle East the US and USSR both help to arrange a cease fire.

 I n 1973 Nixon’s Vice President Spiro Agnew resigned when it was discovered that he took bribes as governor. -Using the 25 th amendment Nixon appointed Gerald Ford as his new Vice-President

 in 1972 a group of former CIA agents working for Nixon’s reelection for President were caught breaking into Democratic Party headquarters in the Watergate Complex in Washington DC. -This incident is going to cause the greatest scandal of Nixon’s presidency.

 Nixon immediately begins to cover up the investigation of Watergate by saying that it involved National Security. -The links between the White House and the break in are reported by two reporters. -This causes both the Senate and attorney general to launch investigations.

 During the investigation aides to the President testified that Nixon had secretly recorded all of his White House Conversations. -The Senate asks for the tapes and Nixon refuses claiming executive privilege. (Congress has no right to question the executive branch without presidential approval) -It goes to court and in US v Nixon (1974) the Supreme Court said that Nixon must turn over the tapes, reaffirming the principle that no one is above the law.

 When the tapes become public, they reveal that Nixon had lied about his role and involvement in the cover-up. -The House of Reps moves to impeach, fearing removal from office Nixon becomes the first President to resign.

 Impact of Watergate -Lowered public confidence in government -too much power for president leads to abuse (congress passes laws to restore balance between executive and legislative) -shows US govt is based on laws and checks and balances -two party system works, can watch each other -reaffirms role of press in uncovering govt misconduct -Supreme Court preserves its independence

 Gerald Ford becomes President of the United States in 1974 when Nixon resigns, only President who was appointed and not elected -One of his first acts as president was to pardon Richard Nixon, this greatly angered many Americans

 Ford faces the problem of Stagflation -Partially created by the rise of oil prices -Stagflation is when inflation (rising prices) meets stagnation (sluggish economy)

 Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) was formed in In 1973 OPEC imposes an oil embargo on US and Western Europe for supporting Israel in 1973 war -Price of Oil in US skyrockets, and has a significant impact on US economy, prices on food, gasoline, electricity, and heat increase across the nation

 Ford continued Nixon’s détente policy with Soviet Union -Leads to Helsinki Accords where US, Canada, and most of Europe recognize post WWII borders and respect for human rights

 President Jimmy Carter campaigned and was elected on a promise to clean up Washington D.C. -He also wanted US to set a moral example to other nations

 Carter’s Domestic Policy -Created the Department of Energy to deal with energy crisis -US began to create a strategic oil reserve in case of national emergency, tax on large cars -Dealt with stagflation by cutting federal spending

 Community Reinvestment Act— required banks to make credit available in poor communities -Wanted to prevent the decay of low income neighborhoods

 Carter’s foreign policy -Carter signs the Panama Canal Treaty which returned the canal zone, except for the canal, over to Panama -By the end of the century Panama had total control over the canal and canal zone

 After holocaust, Israel had been the homeland of the Jews since US policy had traditionally been very supportive of Israel in the form of economic & military aid

 In 1977 Carter invited Anwar Sadat of Egypt and Menachem Begin of Israel to Camp David for peace talks -Under the Camp David Accords Israel returns the Sinai Peninsula to Egypt, and Egypt offers a peace treaty and normal diplomatic relations with Israel

 Carter initially continues Nixon’s policy of détente -After the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan, US- Soviet Relations deteriorated -US halted grain sales to USSR, boycotted 1980 Olympics, and postponed SALT II

 Iran Hostage Crisis begins with the overthrow of the Shah of Iran and his relocation to the US -Iranian students following Ayatollah Khomeini seized the US Embassy and held the staff hostage for 444 days

 US imposed sanctions and launched a failed rescue attempt, but the inability to free the hostages damages the US’s image and credibility across the world -The hostages are finally released on Jimmy Carter’s last day in office.