Nixon’s Silent Majority & Domestic Agenda How does Nixon’s Domestic policies affect America?
The Conservative Response Conservatives thought country was headed in the wrong direction (crime, drugs, war) & found a voice in Richard Nixon http://www.livingroomcandidate.org/commercials/1968 Both Nixon & FBI chief J. Edgar Hoover warned mainstream America of “revolutionary terrorism” that threatened America’s campuses Nixon appealed to the “Silent Majority”, saying they wanted to see an end to 60s counter-culture & Nixon wins in 1968 The “Silent Majority” is made up of middle class suburbanites and southerners Clip questions: 1)What message is Nixon giving the silent majority? 2)What message is Nixon sending to the protest movement? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3K2N7FZSXc
Nixon’s New Federalism Wanted to decrease size of the Federal Govt (due to Great Society) Wants to distribute portion of Fed’s power to the States Begins revenue sharing program – local govts could spend federal aid dollars however they saw fit
Nixon’s Southern Strategy Trying to gain support of Southern Democrats, Nixon begins slowing the integration process Nixon says we need a middle ground between those who want instant integration and those who want segregation forever Swan v. Mecklenburg- Supreme Court orders bussing of minority students into white areas (w/ deliberate speed) Angry White parent urge Nixon a halt to bussing, he doesn’t
Social Changes Nixon pushes Family Assistance Plan (FAP), family of 4 w/ no other income gets up to $5600 a year (replaces welfare) FAP passes House but dies in Senate (Reps say too much guaranteed money, Dems say not enough money) To get FAP passed Nixon gives more money to Social Security, Medicare & Food Stamps (Dems happy) But Nixon tries to dismantle social programs like HUD, and Office of Econ. Opportunity (Reps happy) FAP still fails
Law & Order Politics Nixon wants to restore order after turbulent 60s FBI begins wire tapping protest organizers, liberals, and the Democratic party Used IRS to harass anti-war leaders and VP Spiro Agnew to harass the media, which Nixon saw as anti-war cheerleaders Creates an “enemies list”
Other Major Changes Significant domestic events during Nixon’s presidency incl: First men walk on the moon (1969) 26th Amendment – lowers voting age to 18 Title IX law – creates gender equality in sports & PE Creation of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) – influenced by Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring (pesticides)
A Stagnant Economy Nixon takes US off “Gold Standard” can’t convert $ to gold Wants reduce debt by 1) Raising taxes 2) Cut spending (incl no tax money for USPS) – Congress skeptical Stagflation hits US (high inflation & unemployment, slow growth) Reasons for stagflation: open book to 798 and list four main reasons for stagflation