MODERN PRESIDENTS

RICHARD NIXON Republican= 1969-1974 Vietnamization – Elected saying he would end US war in Vietnam a) Planned to withdraw US troops from Vietnam b) Train the South Vietnamese to take care of their own safety

Foreign Policy – broke ground with Russia and China a) Began steps towards normalizing relations with China b) O.P.E.C. (organization of petroleum exporting countries) endured the Arab Oil Embargo of 1973

C) USA – Soviet Relations improve i. SALT I and SALT II (Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty) ii. Détente – policy of relaxing tensions between USA and USSR D) Aided Israel in the 1973 war with Egypt and Syria

Watergate – third rate burglary of democratic headquarters a) Nixon guilty of approving robbery and obstruction justice i. Nixon aid dean testifies against him ii. Incriminating tapes found proving his guilty b) Nixon resigns Aug 9, 1974 c) Gerald Ford replaces him as Chief Executive

Nixon pardoned by Gerald Ford

GERALD FORD Republican (1974-1976) Pardoned Nixon of criminal charges Passed amnesty or pardon to men who had deserted the army or dodged the draft for Vietnam a) Not popular with Americans b) Ford claimed it was a time to heal the countries wounds

Ford helps cool inflation a) Leads to a business slump b) Can’t control rising oil costs Ford forms council on wage and price stability for economic reliability Defeated in 1976 by democrat Jimmy Carter

JIMMY CARTER Democrat (1977-1981) Champion of peace and human rights a) Cornerstone of foreign policy was basic rights and freedom b) Camp David Accords - made peace between Israel and Egypt i. Anwar Sadat – Egypt ii. Menachem Begin – Israel

Iran Hostage Affair a) The Ayatollah Khomeini captured the American Embassy in Tehran and took 52 American Hostages b) Hostages were kept for 444 days; Carter authorized failed rescue mission…hurt his popularity

RONALD REAGAN Republican (1981-1989)-Conservative Decade Elected in 1980 when the prevalent mood in the US was based upon conservatism Hostages released one day into his presidency

Détente (reduction of tensions between the US and USSR) is jeopardized Reagan builds up military Says that all communist advance must be stopped

Shot in assassination attempt by John Hinckley (lead to the Brady Bill- Gun Control)

Reaganomics (Supply Side Economics) Trickle Down 1. Huge tax cuts a) For corporations and wealthy individuals b) Hoped they would reinvest in business with this $$$ 2. Reduction in federal spending except 2 areas a) Social security b) Defense spending (Star Wars- SDI strategic defense initiative) protection from nuclear attack 3. Increased federal deficit (biggest failure of Reaganomics) $100 billion a year a) Recession results

1. Opposed ERA equal rights for women Policies 1. Opposed ERA equal rights for women 2. Sandra Day O’Connor appointed to Supreme Court a) First woman b) Appointed b/c of conservative views

Iran Contra Affair a) Gave administration black eye b) Reagan never proven to have been involved

Known as the “Teflon President” (nothing sticks! Blame free

George Bush Republican (1989-1993) Inherited the huge deficit Invaded Panama a) Captured Manuel Noriega b) Tried in Miami for drug offenses

Supported the changing communist governments in Europe a) Agrees to nuclear arms, conventional weapons, and troops reductions with Gorbachev b) Encouraged the democratization of the world in: i. Poland ii. Romania iii. Germany unification iv. Lithuania

Supported Nelson Mandela in South Africa

Leader in the Gulf War a) Operation Desert Shield b) Operation Desert Storm (Bush decided to drive Iraq forces back to its border a move very poplar with the UN and Americans)