2-3: Crisis of Confidence 1975-1980

Objectives CUL 3.0 Explain how ideas about women’s rights and gender roles have affected society and politics. CUL 4.0 Explain how different group identities, including racial, ethnic, class, and regional identities, have emerged and changed over time. GEO 1.0 Explain how geographic and environmental factors shaped the development of various communities, and analyze how competition for and debates over natural resources have affected both interactions among different groups and the development of government policies. POL 2.0 Explain how popular movements, reform efforts, and activist groups have sought to change American society and institutions. POL 3.0 Explain how different beliefs about the federal government’s role in U.S. social and economic life have affected political debates and policies.

Key Concepts The United States responded to an uncertain and unstable postwar world by asserting and working to maintain a position of global leadership, with far- reaching international and domestic consequences. New movements for civil rights and liberal efforts to expand the role of government generated a range of political and cultural responses. Post-war economic and demographic changes had far-reaching consequences for American society, politics, and culture.

Overview Continued debates over the scope of power of the federal government New movements for civil rights Liberal efforts to expand role of government attacked by resurgent conservative movement

Gerald Ford in the White House Pardoning of Nixon Failure of U.S. Policy in Southeast Asia Fall of Saigon to Communists Economic Policy Inflation—Ford called for voluntary spending cuts Caused stagnant economy—”stagflation”

Jimmy Carter’s Presidency Foreign Policy Human Rights Diplomacy Transfer of Panama Canal Camp David Accords Iran and the Hostage Crisis Revolution and the Ayatollah Shah exiled to U.S., capture of U.S. diplomats Unsuccessful rescue attempt

Jimmy Carter’s Presidency Foreign Policy Cold War Continuation of détente SALT II Treaty Soviet invasion of Afghanistan U.S. embargo and Olympics boycott

Jimmy Carter’s Presidency Domestic Policy: Dealing with Inflation Inflation Vietnam costs Rising energy costs Federal budget deficits Rising health care costs Unemployment Loss of Popularity “National malaise” blamed on “moral and spiritual crisis” Americans blamed Carter for weak and indecisive leadership

American Society in Transition Growth of Immigration Elimination of quotas Increase in illegal immigration Demands for Minority Rights Activism from Latino, American Indian, Asian, feminist, and gay and lesbian groups Cesar Chavez—United Farm Workers

American Society in Transition The Environmental Movement Problems and Accidents Silent Spring Three Mile Island and Chernobyl Exxon-Valdez oil spill New Regulations Clean Air and Water Acts Endangered Species Act Environmental Protection Agency

American Society in Transition Conservative Shift Reaction to excesses of liberalism High government spending Counterculture Civil rights movements Emphasis on traditional values Growth of evangelical Christian organizations Opposition to abortion Opposition to affirmative action Emphasizing nuclear families Ronald Reagan and 1980 Election