The 1970s

1.Nixon Imperial Presidency Executive branch strongest – extended control with little thought to checks and balances New Federalism -wanted to decrease size of government Federal gov. has too much responsibility -New Federalism would give power back to local governments Republican idea -introduced revenue sharing of unrestricted money State and local governments can spend federal dollars however they want within limits -Must appease Democratic Congress, increased Social Security

2.Nixon’s Southern Strategy Looking to reelection -gain southern votes by supporting southern policies such as getting the federal gov’t out of desegregation issues, and placing conservative justices to balance a liberal Supreme Ct. Nixon courts the Dixiecrats to gain more votes; begins reversing Civil Rights legislation -Swann v. Charlotte, 1971 forced busing May bus students to force integration of schools Nixon publicly disagreed & Nixon did not enforce it -Nixon appoints several more conservative justices In 1971, to force the integration of schools throughout the United States, the Supreme Court decreed that busing students across towns to integrate schools was legal. President Nixon, by way of trying to court the Southern Democratic vote, spoke out against this decision, and he actively encouraged state leaders not to follow the ruling.

3.Economy -stagflation rising inflation and unemployment From the beginning of the oil embargo in the fall of 1973 to March 1974, motorists faced long lines at gas stations. Factories and schools across the nation closed. When OPEC resumed selling its oil to the US, the price tripled. -stagflation rising inflation and unemployment Prices rose throughout the 1960s to pay for war and Great Society; jobs become scarce -deficit spending Government spending more than they make in revenue; hurt the economy by the 1970s -oil cartel embargo, 1973 OPEC (Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries) countries fighting the Yom Kippur War in Middle East U.S. supports Israel OPEC cuts off oil to U.S.; gas prices skyrocket

4.Nixon’s Foreign Policy -Henry Kissinger Sec. Of State Wants U.S. to compete based on power and not ideals; confront all powerful nations, even communists -détente easing of tensions with others Even Communist nations; ease Cold War tensions -Nixon visits China, 1972 Recognizes Chinese government; wants China on U.S. side when dealing with U.S.S.R. -SALT Treaties with USSR, 1972 Limited the number of ICBMs and sub-missiles that could be produced

5.Watergate -1972 election Nixon afraid of losing elections -Nixon’s men break into Watergate hotel to steal campaign secrets -CRP (CREEP) Committee to Reelect the President – after caught, they tried to buy the burglars’ silence and cover it up -Washington Post Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein Wrote a series of articles linking the President to the burglary -Nixon wins re-election

5.Watergate -Jan 1973 burglars were sentenced but one offered to talk Burglar said the White House was involved -top aids resign and special prosecutor assigned Nixon responds by having CRP members resign and saying he will investigate himself – too late -Senate begins investigation accusations and the tapes Nixon taped all conversations -Saturday Night Massacre -Nixon fires prosecutors investigating case In an effort to convince America of his honesty, Nixon released some edited tapes of White House conversations. They actually only increased the people’s dismay. His vulgar language and lack of concern about Watergate shocked Americans. The Chicago Tribune stated “We have seen the private man and we are appalled.”

5.Watergate -US v. Nixon, 1974 President surrenders tapes “I am not a crook.” -US v. Nixon, 1974 President surrenders tapes “I am not a crook.” -tapes released but edited 18 ½ minute gap of silence -House begins process of impeachment Obstruction of justice, abuse of power, contempt of Congress -Nixon resigns Presidency Still admits no guilt -Gerald Ford becomes an un-elected leader America very distrustful of the Presidency

6.Gerald Ford Only President never elected -appointed as Vice-President after Spiro Agnew resigned -set out to heal the country’s wounds -restore honesty to the Presidency Especially after LBJ and the Watergate scandal -pardoned Nixon soon after taking office, but this brought great criticism from a cynical public President Gerald R. Ford, with his wife, Betty, is sworn-in as the 38th President of the United States by U.S. Supreme Court Justice Warren Burger, Aug. 9, 1974, at the White House. “Our long national nightmare is over.”

6.Gerald Ford -inflationary problems -called for voluntary reduction of energy resources WIN – Whip Inflation Now Did not work, no incentives -reduced money supply through high interest rates caused recession (worst in 40 years) -vetoed many spending bills b/c of inflation 50 bills vetoed to save money -Helsinki Accords were foreign policy accomplishment 35 nations – cooperation between East and West Europe Easing tensions

7.Jimmy Carter “The Outsider” Not a typical President The first family brought a down-to-earth style to Washington. He refused the traditional limousine ride after his inauguration and walked with his wife and daughter down Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House. Once he was in office, Carter held chats on the radio and television and had ‘phone-ins’ where people could contact the White House directly. “The Outsider” Not a typical President -former governor of Georgia -Democrat from the South Relaxed the Presidency Deeply religious -promised to bring integrity to the office “I will never tell a lie” -Carter’s personality and honesty won the election Did not have the backing of Congress

7.Jimmy Carter Energy/Economic Crisis -Department of Energy created -tries to lessen energy crisis Changing Economy -manufacturing decreasing, technology & service increasing -Foreign competition - many unskilled workers lose jobs Environmentalism -Nuclear Energy debate-dangerous but convenient Three Mile Island Partial meltdown showed dangers of nuclear power -Struggle to balance environmental concerns with jobs and progress “On Friday, a very frightening thing occurred in our area. A state policeman went door-to-door telling residents to stay indoors, close all windows, and turn all air conditioners off. I was alone, as were many other homemakers, and my thoughts were focused on how long I would remain a prisoner in my own home…Suddenly, I was scared. I decided to get out of there, while I could. I ran to the car not knowing if I should breathe the air or not, and I threw the suitcases in the trunk and was on my way within one hour… Although it was very hot in the car, I didn’t trust myself to turn the air conditioner on.”

8.Humanitarian Policies Chuck Smead - American record holder -promoted human rights throughout the world Freedoms granted to Americans should be given to the rest of the world -giving up the Panama Canal Panama gains control of canal on December 31, 1999 -breakdown of détente -renewal of the Cold War Insistent on human rights; would not deal with U.S.S.R. U.S.S.R. invades Afghanistan U.S. boycotts 1980 Olympics -later wins the Nobel Prize for his continued efforts to promote world peace since 1976 “Look at all the people who are getting killed in Afghanistan! What’s more important? Getting killed or going to the Olympics? I kinda feel the U.S. has got to do something.” Chuck Smead - American record holder

9.Middle East Crisis -Camp David Accords -peace agreement between the leaders of Egypt and Israel---gave hopes of peace in the Middle East Carter’s greatest achievement Iranian Hostage Crisis -52 hostages taken from U.S. embassy; kept until Jan. of 1981 Carter’s greatest defeat

The Conservative Revolution: 1968 – 1992