The Nixon Administration AIM: How should President Nixon be judged by historians?

I. Foreign Affairs Détente: easing of cold war tensions between the Super powers 1. Henry Kissenger Secretary of State who influenced foreign policy 2. “REALPOLITIK” – all decisions based on what U.S. needs

B. China Opened normal diplomatic relations Lifted travel restrictions etc.

C. U.S.S.R. 1. Nixon visits Moscow in 1973 2. S.A.L.T. : Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty

D. Vietnam War Vietnamization Bombs Cambodia

II. Domestic Affairs “Southern Strategy” 1. Wooed southern voters to the Republican Party by exploiting civil rights issues

Busing – enforced integration Swan v. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education (1971) a. Sup. Ct. rules in favor of busing

New Federalism Give states more control over state aid. Scale back New Deal and Great Society Programs.

C. Civil Liberties Challenges Women’s Rights Vetoed bill for federal funds for day care centers Pro Life 2. Reluctantly supported 26th amendment

Appoints Chief Justice Rehnquist a. Ushered in “strict constructionist” period of the court

D. Environment 1. Environmental Protection Agency- EPA

Downfall of a President A. Watergate 1972 Presidential Election b/w Nixon and George McGovern What Happened? Where? By Who? Why?

B. The Cover Up The Washington Post: Senate Investigation Resignation of VP Spiro Agnew: The Tapes

C. United States v. Richard Nixon Issue: President refuses to turn over tapes claiming EXECUTIVE PRIVELIGE Decision: No executive privilege Impact: House begins voting on articles of impeachment

D. The Pardon Gerald Ford becomes President “End our long national nightmare”

E. Significance of Watergate Checks and Balances? Loss of Respect towards Government

3. Government Reforms Ethics in Government Act-financial disclosures Freedom of Information Act FEC Federal Election Commission – regulate campaign finance