The Triumph of Conservatism

Richard Nixon’s Foreign Policy Promises to bring Americans together – Begins to isolate himself First interest is realistic foreign policy, not domestic Reduces cold war tensions with help of Henry Kissinger

Vietnamization Finding a way to reduce U.S. involvement while avoiding defeat Looking for “Peace with Honor”

Opposition to Nixon’s War Policies Withdrawal of troops = less war protest Move to Cambodia? Protest at Kent State – Leaves 4 dead – 2 dead at Jackson State Senate will repeal Gulf of Tonkin Resolution My Lai Massacre

Rolling Thunder

Vietnamization (hidden) & Peace Talk Nixon is escalating the war by sending b-52 bombers to Vietnam. There is an armistice, but the war does not end. US leaves war.

Détente with China and the Soviet Union détente = reduction in Cold War tensions Visit to China – Nixon astonished the world with visit to China – Initiated diplomatic exchanges Arms control with the USSR – Treaty limiting antiballistic missiles (ABMs) – Strategic Arms Limitations Talks (SALT I)

Détente with China

The New Federalism

Nixon’s Domestic/Economic Policy New Federalism – $30 Billion in block grants to states – Nixon attempts to bypass congress Stagflation – Rise in unemployment / economic slowdown – High inflation Increases balance of trade Adopts Keynesian economics and deficit spending

Nixon’s Southern Strategy Only has 43% of vote in 1968 Wants to create a Republican majority by appealing to those disaffected by: – Antiwar protest – Black militants – School busing to achieve racial balance – Youth counterculture Many of these people were Democrats: – Southern whites – Catholic ethnics – Blue-collar workers – Recent suburbanites To win over the South: – Delay integration plans – Nominated two southern conservatives to Supreme Courts

1972 Election Success on many levels Nixon indicated a major political realignment

Watergate

Gerald Ford and White House Pardoning of Nixon – “Corrupt Bargain” with Nixon – Appointed George H. Bush to CIA Failure of US Policy in Southeast Asia – Fall of Saigon (Video) – Genocide in Cambodia – Future of Southeast Asia Economy – Bicentennial celebration

Jimmy Carter Foreign Policy – Human Rights Diplomacy – Panama Canal – Camp David Accords – Iran Hostage Crisis – Cold War Domestic Policy – Dealing with inflation – Adjustment after WWII