19.1 Notes: The Nixon Presidency

Nixon Timeline 1913-Born in Yorba Linda, CA 1913-Born in Yorba Linda, CA 1937-Graduates from Duke Law School 1937-Graduates from Duke Law School 1942-Joins the U.S. Navy 1942-Joins the U.S. Navy 1946-U.S. House of Representatives 1946-U.S. House of Representatives 1950-U.S. Senate 1950-U.S. Senate 1952-Vice President 1952-Vice President 1960-Loses Presidential election to JFK 1960-Loses Presidential election to JFK 1962-Loses CA Governor’s race 1962-Loses CA Governor’s race 1968-Defeats Hubert Humphrey in Presidential election 1968-Defeats Hubert Humphrey in Presidential election

1. Richard Nixon was a conservative… Traditional American values Traditional American values Opposed to rapid change Opposed to rapid change Less government regulations Less government regulations More power to state and local government More power to state and local government “Promote law and order” “Promote law and order”

The “Silent Majority” Speaks

2. Nixon’s Southern Strategy Nixon seeks to attract Southern conservative Democrats who opposed the Great Society and the civil rights movement. Nixon seeks to attract Southern conservative Democrats who opposed the Great Society and the civil rights movement. How? How? 1.VP – Spiro Agnew from Maryland 2.Delayed desegregation in South Carolina and Mississippi. 3.Opposed the continuation of the Voting Rights Act. 4.Opposed integration through mandatory busing. 5.Appointed conservative Supreme Court Justices.

3. New Federalism Distribute power to state and local governments and let them spend it as they see fit (revenue sharing) Distribute power to state and local governments and let them spend it as they see fit (revenue sharing) Family Assistance Plan (FAP)-attempted to reform welfare with a smaller role for the federal government and more responsibility placed on people. Family Assistance Plan (FAP)-attempted to reform welfare with a smaller role for the federal government and more responsibility placed on people. Nixon also increased money for programs like Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid to appease the Democratic Congress. Nixon also increased money for programs like Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid to appease the Democratic Congress.

“One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” May 25, 1961-JFK challenges the nation for put a man on the moon before the end of the decade. July 20, Commander Neil Armstrong became the first man on the moon.

4. Nixon and Detente Nixon (with Kissinger) believe immediate withdrawal from Vietnam would be a sign of weakness Nixon (with Kissinger) believe immediate withdrawal from Vietnam would be a sign of weakness War continues for 5 more years, including the bombing of Cambodia. War continues for 5 more years, including the bombing of Cambodia. Believed talking with communist nations was better than isolation in achieving U.S. goals. Believed talking with communist nations was better than isolation in achieving U.S. goals. Favored détente, a relaxation of tensions with USSR and China. Favored détente, a relaxation of tensions with USSR and China.

5. Nixon Visits China Since 1949, USA refused to recognize the Communists as the official government of China. Since 1949, USA refused to recognize the Communists as the official government of China. Nixon decides to reverse this. Nixon decides to reverse this. Nixon makes a historic visit to Communist China in February, Nixon makes a historic visit to Communist China in February, In May, 1972, Nixon goes to USSR and signs the Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty (SALT) In May, 1972, Nixon goes to USSR and signs the Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty (SALT)

Nixon Easily Wins Re-election

Then Watergate Happens…

Century Video: Approaching the Apocalypse 1. Nixon’s Inauguration 2. Silent Majority 3. Division in the Country (Easy Rider, Hard hats, Attica) 4. Nixon in China and USSR 5. End of Vietnam War 6. Nixon Scandal - Watergate