Post-Watergate 1970s Essential Question: To what extent were the 1970s a logical backlash against the policies of the 1960s?

Gerald Ford Becomes President after the resignation of Richard Nixon, August, 1974

Ford Presidency In the speech, what part of the Constitution is referred to by Ford? Why does he the Constitution in the speech? What type of Pardon is given— partial or full? In the speech, what part of the Constitution is referred to by Ford? Why does he the Constitution in the speech? What type of Pardon is given— partial or full?

Should President Ford Have Pardoned Nixon? President Ford’s pardon of Nixon stirred great controversy. Ford argued that the best way to end the “years of bitter controversy and divisive national debate” around Watergate was to pardon Nixon. He said that many more years would pass before “Nixon could obtain a fair trial,” and Nixon “would be cruelly and excessively penalized either in preserving the presumption of his innocence or in obtaining a speedy determination of his guilt....” Ford said that during the delay, “ugly passions would again be aroused. And our people would again be polarized in their opinions. And the credibility of our free institutions of government would again be challenged at home and abroad.”

Critics claimed the pardon violated the principle that all people stand equal before the law. They argued that Nixon, like other people, should have his day in court. The pardon, they pointed out, cast aside months of investigations. The chairman of the Senate Watergate committee was disappointed that Nixon had not made a confession prior to the pardon: “The pardon power vested in the president exceeds that of the Almighty, who apparently cannot pardon a sinner unless the sinner first repents.” Divide into small groups. Each group should do the following: 1. Think of reasons why President Ford should have pardoned Nixon. 2. Think of reasons why he should not have pardoned Nixon. 3. Discuss and decide this question: Should Ford have pardoned Nixon? 4. Prepare to report your decision and the reasons for it the rest of the class.

More Ford …….. Draft Evaders were given clemency if they Take oath of allegiance Serve 2 years of public service CIA director appointed George Bush. Who later became President

Jimmy Carter Governor of Georgia Former Peanut Farmer from Georgia

Carter Faces Domestic Challenges Washington Outsider— Carter unwilling to compromise alienated congressional representatives of both parties, Energy Crisis 1973 Arab countries cut off oil shipments (EMBARGO) to Western Nations over their support of Israel in Middle East Conflicts Oil Prices rocketed Carter suggests less driving, and less use of heat Washington Outsider— Carter unwilling to compromise alienated congressional representatives of both parties, Energy Crisis 1973 Arab countries cut off oil shipments (EMBARGO) to Western Nations over their support of Israel in Middle East Conflicts Oil Prices rocketed Carter suggests less driving, and less use of heat

Problems in Nation Carter unwillingness to compromise alienated congressional representatives of both parties, Energy Crisis 1973 Arab countries cut off oil shipments (EMBARGO) to Western Nations over their support of Israel in Middle East Conflicts Oil Prices rocketed Carter suggests less driving, and less use of heat

A Crisis of Confidence Malaise Speech CBS News archives: Carter's famous "malaise speech"

Carter’s Foreign Policy 1970s

Human Rights Basic ideas outlined in the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights Carter expected friends and enemies alike to uphold the highest standards in the treatment of their citizens. Soviet Relations Carter wrote to Brezhnev about his concerns with Soviet human rights issues. Brezhnev politely said that each country should mind their own business. Concluded SALT II talks in 1979 that limited nuclear weapons Carter’s Foreign Policy Recognizing China Formally recognized the government of the Communist People’s Republic of China Ended recognition of the Republic of China on Taiwan

Carter’s Foreign Policy Came to office with little foreign-policy experience. Promised that the concept of human rights would be at the forefront of his foreign policy. Worked to strengthen ties between the United States and the Soviet Union and China. Gave control of the Panama Canal back to Panama. Helped Egypt and Israel deal with some of the divisions that caused conflicts between their countries. Came to office with little foreign-policy experience. Promised that the concept of human rights would be at the forefront of his foreign policy. Worked to strengthen ties between the United States and the Soviet Union and China. Gave control of the Panama Canal back to Panama. Helped Egypt and Israel deal with some of the divisions that caused conflicts between their countries.

Carter’s Foreign Policy Panama Canal American control of the Panama Canal had been a source of conflict between the two countries. In 1977 Carter and Panama’s leader agreed that Panama would take control of the canal by the end of The Senate narrowly approved the treaties. For some Americans, loss of control of the canal represented a decline in American power.

Carter’s Foreign Policy Carter's Greatest Legacy: The Camp David Negotiations

International crises In 1979 the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan Carter blocked shipment of grain to the Soviet Union and said the United States would boycott the 1980 Olympics

Iranian Hostage Crisis

Hostage Crisis in Iran 1979 Iran Revolution in Iran overthrew the Shah and replaced him with the Ayatollah Khomeini. The American government allowed the shah to enter the United States for medical treatment— this action enraged many Iranians. A mob attacked the U.S. embassy in Tehran and took Americans hostage. Carter’s attempts to negotiate the release of the hostages went nowhere. A military attempt to rescue the hostages failed.

Hostage Crisis in Iran 1979 November 4, 1979, Iranian student militants stormed the US Embassy "a den of spies" in Tehran & took approximately 70 Americans captive. Terrorists demanded the extradition of the deposed Shah of Iran from the US, where he was receiving cancer treatment. Lasted 444 days. Hostages were released the day Ronald Reagan took office November 4, 1979, Iranian student militants stormed the US Embassy "a den of spies" in Tehran & took approximately 70 Americans captive. Terrorists demanded the extradition of the deposed Shah of Iran from the US, where he was receiving cancer treatment. Lasted 444 days. Hostages were released the day Ronald Reagan took office AMERICAN EXPERIENCE LINK

Ted Koppel ABC News Every evening after the late night news a hostage update would be given.

Hostage Crisis in Iran 1979 The Iranian Hostage situation dragged on throughout the presidential election year of The situation in Iran also drove up gasoline prices so that prices of goods in the United States went up and inflation soared. Many voters held Carter responsible for the problems and the downcast mood of the country.

Carter’s Foreign Policy Complete Chart SuccessesFailures

Law and Order

Court Cases 1970s

Regents U. C. vs. Bakke Landmark decision of the Supreme Court of the United States on affirmative action. It bars quota systems in college admissions but affirms the constitutionality of affirmative action programs Two separate admission methods to medical school.

Roe vs. Wade

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