The 1970s

AIM American Indian Movement (AIM) American Indian Movement, (AIM), militant American Indian civil rights organization, founded in Minneapolis, Minn., in 1968 . AIM was involved in many highly publicized protests. It was one of the Indian groups involved in the occupation (1969–71) of Alcatraz Island, and the takeover (1973) of a site at Wounded Knee to protest the government’s Indian policy.

Women’s Rights Movement Feminism of the 1960s and early 1970s To challenge the cult of domesticity. National Organization for Women (NOW Goals: to end job discrimination, legalize abortion Support for the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) (1972) Equal Rights Amendment was to provide for the legal equality of the sexes and prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex.(was never ratified) Roe v. Wade (1973) Legalized abortion

Gray Panthers Gray Panthers. Founded in 1970 by Margaret E. "Maggie" Kuhn. The Gray Panthers is a national organization dedicated to social justice for old and young people alike. However, the Gray Panthers is best known for work on behalf of older persons. It has lobbied and litigated against Age Discrimination in the areas of retirement, housing, and health care.

UFW United Farm Workers (UFW): The United Farm Workers of America (UFW) began in 1962 as a coalition of poorly paid migrant farm workers and grew into a powerful Labor Union that has consistently fought to increase wages and improve working conditions for farmers. Cesar Chavez was an American farm worker, labor leader and civil rights activist, who, with Dolores Huerta, United Farm Workers union.

Gideon v. Wainwright (1963) the Supreme Court ruled that the Constitution requires the states to provide defense attorneys to criminal defendants charged with serious offenses who cannot afford lawyers themselves.

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Nixon The Nixon Doctrine The US could not undertake all the defense of the free nations of the world America’s allies would have to take responsibility for maintaining peace and stability in their own areas of the world.

Détente in China Détente is a cooling off period between US and Commies Began with an effort to improve American-Chinese relations. After secret negotiations, Nixon announced that he would visit China in 1972. Both agreed to establish “more normal” relations, or rapprochement.

Détente with USSR The same year after China, Nixon visits USSR The results of the historic meeting produced a strategic freeze on the production of nuclear missiles, known as SALT I

Nixon & Watergate Watergate was a major political scandal that occurred in the United States in the 1970s, following a break-in at the Democratic headquarters at the Watergate office complex in Washington, D.C. and President Richard Nixon's administration's attempted cover-up of its involvement. Facing near-certain impeachment in the House of Representatives and equally certain conviction by the Senate, Nixon resigned the presidency on August 9, 1974

Presidential Pardon Ford Pardons Nixon

1976 Election Jimmy Carter (Democrat) Peanut farmer &1 term governor of Georgia Washington outsider Gerald Ford (Republican) Nixon pardon Recession Carter narrowly with 50.1% of popular vote Carried 90% of black voters Looked to bring a new simplicity and directness to the White House.

Carter and the Economy Inherited a bad economy and left it much worse. Unemployment soared to 14 %. The main issue was structural unemployment Stagflation – double digit inflation and increased unemployment. Problems with the Oil Supply

Problems with Oil Supply Yom Kippur War (1973) Syria and Egypt launched a surprise attack against Israel Soviet Union supplied the Arabs and the U.S. supplied the Israeli allies The seven Arab members of the (OPEC) imposed a boycott of oil sales to countries seen as friendly to Israel. (October 1973 to March 1974)

Fighting Inflation OPEC continued to raise prices. Energy costs rose Inflation rose Interest rates shot to 20%. Carter called only for voluntary restraints on prices and wages and conservation of energy.

Problems with Oil Supply Motorists were forced to wait in long lines for limited supplies of gasoline that they regarded as excessively expensive. Carter’s approval rating dropped to 26%. Lower than Nixon’s during Watergate

Carter’s Energy Policy Voluntary restraint Speed limit. a national speed limit was imposed National Energy Act. The act placed a tax on gas-guzzling cars Carter’s scattershot approach convinced many people that he had no economic policy at all

Carter and Human Rights New Approach. President Carter cut off military aid to Argentina and Brazil. He also yielded Panama Canal Opposition. Supporters of the containment policy felt that the president’s policy undercut allies such as Nicaragua. Others felt he acted inconsistent with South Korea and Philippines

Camp David Accords The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) is an organization founded in 1964 with the purpose of the "liberation of Palestine" through armed struggle. In 1978, Carter invited Egypt’s President Anwar el-Sadat and Israel’s Prime Minister Menachem Begin to Camp David. Peace Agreement Israel would return the Sinai to Egypt in exchange for recognition. Israel had to negotiate a resolution of the Palestinian refugee dilemma. (Never happened) Made an all-out war between Israel and the Arab world less likely.

Mounting Troubles SALT II signed in 1979. The Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan in 1979. Iran Hostage Crisis (1979-80) Ayatollah Khomeini ousts Shah of Iran in 1979.(Iranian Revolution) Carter allowed the ousted Shah to come to U.S. Radicals captured U.S. embassy to trade for Shaw and wealth. U.S. rescue mission ended with fatal helicopter crash. 53 Americans were held hostage until the day Reagan took office. (444 days) Carter finally released several billion dollars of Iranian assets to ransom the kidnapped hostages.

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Growth Conservatism Entitlement programs were out of control: 300 billion annually By 1980 rising prices, energy shortages, and similar economic uncertainties fed a growing resistance to a liberal agenda. De facto corrections to civil rights issues (affirmative action) Weakness of Carter’s Government