Politics and Economics 1971 - 1980 Chapter 19

Learning Targets Students will be able to explain the policies and achievements of the Nixon administration and the Watergate scandal that resulted in Nixon’s resignation Students will be able to explain the administrations of Presidents Ford and Carter Students will be able to explain the economic and social problems impacting the US during the 1970’s

The Nixon Administration The Election of 1968 Democratic nominee: Hubert Humphrey Republican nominee: Richard Nixon Third-Party nominee: George Wallace Nixon’s Southern Strategy - captured several Southern states by promising to slow desegregation and overturn some Civil Rights policies President Richard Nixon

The Nixon Administration Nixon Policies Law & order – against expanding the rights of accused criminals New Federalism – dismantled federal programs giving more control to state and local governments Revenue Sharing – federal funds given to states (allowing the imposition of conditions) Impounded funds – Nixon refused to release money appropriated by Congress for programs if he opposed those programs

The Nixon Administration Nixon’s Foreign Policy Chose Henry Kissinger as his National Security Advisor Détente – relaxation of tensions Nixon sought better relations with the USSR and Communist China Nixon visited China in 1972 and opened up trade/travel Summit – high-level meeting Nixon traveled to USSR and met with Russian leaders and signed a Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty (SALT I) Chinese Communist leader Zhou Enlai and President Nixon in China 1972

The Watergate Scandal Nixon secretive and suspicious of opponents Had “Enemies List” Election of 1972 loomed – Nixon wanted to ensure victory Five Nixon supporters broke into Democratic Party offices at Watergate Hotel – arrested by police Authorities found that some of the “burglars” were ex-CIA and worked for the Committee to Re-elect the President (CRP) The Watergate Hotel

The Watergate Scandal President initiated a cover-up of the incident Nixon denied involvement and won election of 1972 1973 Trial of burglars – John Dean ratted out Nixon Testimony revealed tape recordings made in Oval Office Investigators sought tapes but Nixon refused – cited Executive Privilege – policy where conversations should remain confidential for national security

Nixon and advisors in the Oval Office The Watergate Scandal Special Prosecutor appointed by the court – Archibald Cox Cox demanded the recordings Nixon ordered his Attorney General to fire Cox – he and his assistant refused Cox fired by Nixon’s Solicitor General This was called “Saturday Night Massacre” by the press Nixon and advisors in the Oval Office

The Watergate Scandal Vice President Spiro Agnew resigned due to conviction for bribes Gerald Ford appointed VP New Special Prosecutor named – Leon Jaworski Jaworski also demanded recordings Nixon forced by court to turn over all tapes House Judiciary Committee voted to impeach Nixon Nixon resigned - Ford now President President Gerald Ford

Gas station closes – No gasoline due to OPEC embargo Ford & Carter Economic Crisis of the 1970s Johnson’s high spending on Vietnam War and the Great Society caused inflation – rise in the cost of goods US support for Israel in 1973 Yom Kippur War caused OPEC to embargo (stop shipment) oil to US – caused gas shortage Odd/Even days, national speed limit of 55 mph Decline of manufacturing jobs in US “Stagflation” – combination of rising prices and economic stagnation Gas station closes – No gasoline due to OPEC embargo

US Marines board the Mayaguez Ford & Carter Ford Takes Over Pardoned Nixon – aroused immense criticism Worst recession since Great Depression Ford advocated using less oil/gas and higher interest rates as part of WIN policy (Whip Inflation Now) Made Kissinger Secretary of State Recognized borders of Eastern Europe under Helsinki Accords Sent US Marines to rescue cargo ship Mayaguez from Cambodia US Marines board the Mayaguez

President Jimmy Carter Ford & Carter Election of 1976 – Governor of Georgia, Jimmy Carter, won presidency Created Department of Energy – asked Americans to cut consumption of oil Carter proved to be poor leader Signed treaty giving the Panama Canal back to Panama (1999) Boycotted 1980 Moscow Olympics President Jimmy Carter

Ford & Carter Carter brokered peace treaty between Egypt and Israel in Camp David Accords 1978 Backed Shah of Iran Iran revolted against the Shah – US embassy in Tehran stormed and 52 Americans held hostage Authorized rescue attempt (Desert One) that ended in accident killing 8 US servicemen Iran kept hostages until Reagan elected in 1980 The remains of US servicemen and equipment at Desert One disaster in Iran

Life in the 1970s – The “Me” Decade Americans becoming more self-obsessed New Age Movement – the seeking of fulfillment Transcendental Meditation – daily meditation and repetition of mantras helped achieve harmony and good health Guru – mystical leader More women worked outside the home, had fewer children, and divorce rates doubled The Beatles with their Guru

Life in the 1970s – The “Me” Decade Cultural Trends Television – new perspectives on blacks and women (The Jeffersons, Good Times, Maude, Mary Tyler Moore) Music – less “message” music, rise of Disco Fads – skateboards, mood rings, CB radios, aerobics, running The Jeffersons

Assignment Presidential Assessment Students will research the following presidents: Nixon, Ford, and Carter Students will create a PowerPoint that meets the following criteria Name of president and picture with beginning and end dates of administration Short biography (not longer than one slide) A minimum of five positive actions/events (explain them – why are they important?) A minimum of five negative actions/events (explain them – why are they important?) Use appropriate pictures/charts/graphs/etc. in explanation Overall conclusion – your opinion of his presidency supported by facts Students may work individually or in pairs Students will turn in the work by the end of the period Friday, 27 March