SSUSH22 Analyze US international & domestic policies including their influences on technological advancements & social changes during the Nixon, Ford, and Carter administrations.

Analyze the international policies & actions taken as a response to the Cold War including the opening of & establishment of diplomatic relations with China, the end of US involvement in Vietnam, the War Powers Act, the Camp David Accords, & Carter’s response to the 1979 Iranian Revolution & hostage crisis.

End of US involvement in Vietnam: Nixon promised to end the war, however he sent more troops into Vietnam Caused public outrage & protests (Kent State) Oct. 1972: US & North Vietnam tried came to terms with a peace settlement Nixon reelected in 1972, North Vietnam refused to sign peace treaty Americans pull out, war still continues in Vietnam The war was very expensive & caused huge loss of American lives

Kent State:

Opening of China: China became a communist country in 1949, the US did not recognize it President Nixon, wanting to create better relations with China (because it would benefit the US) travelled to China in 1972, becoming the first President to travel to the communist country Hoped by creating better trade relations with China, he could encourage better relations with the Soviet Union

War Powers Act: Americans lost trust in their leaders Passed in 1973 Restricted the President’s war-making powers by requiring him to consult with Congress within 48 hours of committing American forces to a foreign conflict Congressional attempt to stop the growth of the President’s power

Camp David Accords: In 1978 President Carter helped to broker a peace agreement between Israel and Egypt, two Middle Eastern countries which had been bitter enemies. Israel is a Jewish country, Egypt is an Arab nation The peace treaty was known as the Camp David Accords

The Carter Administration and the crisis in Iran: Iran, had long been supported by the U.S. due to it being a major oil supplier and because it was a buffer against Russian expansion Iran was headed by the Shah, who was becoming unpopular due to the westernization of Iran

Iran In 1979, Islamic extremist, headed by the Ayatollah Khomeini, forced the Shah to flee the country and took control, the Shah, who was ill, was allowed to receive medical treatment in the U.S. In response, revolutionaries, stormed the U.S. embassy and took 52 Americans hostage

Iran: Unable to negotiate their release, Carter ordered a secret rescue attempt. The rescue attempt went terribly wrong when a U.S. helicopter and plane collided killing 8 soldiers during a dust storm The failed attempt made Carter look bad and would eventually lead to him losing the 1980 election The hostages were finally released on Carter’s last day in office after being held for 444 days

Iranian Hostage Crisis: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6Z0aG9G8M w

b. Connect major domestic issues to their social effects including the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency, the emergence of the National Organization for Women, Nixon’s resignation due to the Watergate scandal, and his pardon by Ford.

Environmental Protection Agency: Silent Spring, a 1962 book about pesticides by Rachel Carson, exposed dangers to the environment. This book led to the Water Quality Act of 1965 The first Earth Day was celebrated in 1970, this raised awareness of environmental issues. 1970, Pres. Nixon created the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to set limits on pollution

National Organization for Women: The National Organization of Women (NOW) was founded in 1966 to promote equal rights and opportunities for American women. NOW had its origins in the Civil Rights & anti war Movements of the early 1960s. NOW’s goals included equality in employment, political and social equality, and the passage of the Equal Rights Amendment.

Watergate: In 1972 President Nixon began his reelection campaign Fearing that various political issues might cause him to lose, some of Nixon’s campaign staff began spying on his opponent In June 1972, five men linked to Nixon’s campaign, were arrested breaking into the Democratic Party’s headquarters in the Watergate Hotel

Watergate: The men were attempting to steal campaign information and tap the phones Nixon began to cover up any connection between his staff and the break in, ordering the CIA to stop the FBI’s investigation The President denied any wrong doing and eventually won reelection By June of 1973 it was revealed that Nixon had installed a taping system in the Oval Office to record conversations that he had hoped to use to write a book after he left office

Watergate: Nixon refused to turn the tapes over to prosecutors investigating the break-in but was eventually ordered to turn them over by the Supreme Court in 1974 With clear evidence of a Presidential cover-up on the tapes, the House began discussions to impeach Nixon In August of 1974, Nixon resigned from the Presidency leaving Gerald Ford, his Vice-President in command

Watergate impacts: Led to complete distrust of government Fewer Americans voted in elections & fewer candidates sought office The Republican Party’s reputation was damaged The 1976 Democratic Presidential nominee (Jimmy Carter) campaigned as an honest outsider The media was praised for working to expose the problems of the President Demonstrated the success of checks and balances

Watergate Scandal: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JeWGKWp ymKE