1. America in a Changing World
Part 1: The 1970s

2. Richard M. Nixon
During presidential campaign, promised an end to social unrest and rioting of late 1960s
Wanted to appoint more conservative justices to the Supreme Court
Ran for President in 1968 and was elected
Used powers of federal government to crack down on crime
Directed CIA and FBI to investigate political enemies
Excused any illegal acts by claiming it was needed for national security

3. Richard M. Nixon
When he became president, government was spending more than it collected in taxes – called deficit spending
Nixon promised to shrink federal government, end Johnson’s Great Society Programs, and turn many government activities to the states
Both houses of Congress controlled by Democrats, so he took a more moderate approach.
By 1970, economy had gone into a recession
Fewer goods were produced and there was an increase in the money supply – caused inflation
Unemployment on the rise

4. Nixon & The Cold War
Nixon’s main foreign policy goal was world stability
Pledged to end Vietnam War quickly
Took four years to negotiate a cease-fire with North Vietnamese
His most important success came in dealing with China
He opposed communists but wanted to improve relations with China
February 1972: Visits China, led to opening of diplomacy and trade with Chinese
Soviets were having conflicts with China, feared closer relations between U.S. and China
Invited Nixon to Moscow in May 1972 – Soviet/American relations improved
Signed the Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty (SALT) of 1972: limited the number of each country’s nuclear weapons, easing fears of nuclear weapons

5. The Watergate Scandal
Wanted to ensure a landslide victory in presidential election of 1972 so that Republicans could control Congress
June 17, 1972: five men caught breaking into Democratic Party headquarters
Burglars had cameras and listening devices for the telephones
All five were linked to Nixon’s committee for reelection
Nixon ordered a cover-up of any White House connection to the burglary

6. The Watergate Scandal
Cover-up involved lies told by Nixon and his aides, payments to the burglars and others to lie, and the use of the CIA to halt an FBI investigation into Watergate
Stayed in newspapers throughout 1972; in 1973, Senate began an investigation

7. The Watergate Scandal
Investigation began with questioning the members of the reelection committee and White House staff
Within weeks, investigation was closing in on some of Nixon’s closest advisers
Under oath, John Dean (one of the president’s attorneys) testified that the president had been involved in the cover-up
Nixon told the country: “I am not a crook”
Then a White House aide revealed that Nixon had been taping conversations in his office
Battle to find the tapes began

8. Nixon Resigns
Spring 1974: House Judiciary Committee began impeachment inquiry
Nixon would not release tapes, but released edited transcripts
August 5: federal judge ordered Nixon to release full transcripts
Tapes proved with certainty that Nixon had abused his presidential power to stop the FBI from investigating the break-in
August 9, 1974: Nixon became the first U.S. President to resign from office
Eventually over 40 members of the administration were indicted or served prison terms for crimes connected to Watergate

9. The Meaning of Watergate
Reflection Question: How do you think Watergate affected the average American’s view of government?
“I used to think that the Civil War was our country’s greatest tragedy, but…there were some redeeming features in the Civil War…some spirit of sacrifice and heroism…I see no redeeming features in Watergate.” –Sam Ervin, Chair of Senate Watergate Committee
Many believe Watergate permanently damaged the peoples’ trust in democracy
Others believe that the outcome proved the American legal system works

10. Ford Takes Over
At same time as Watergate, it was discovered that VP Spiro Agnew had accepted bribes as governor of Maryland and VP
Resigned in Oct 1973 to avoid impeachment
Nixon nominated House Speaker Gerald Ford as new VP
When Nixon resigned, Ford became the country’s first unelected president

11. Ford Takes Over
Came into presidency which had suffered Watergate, Vietnam, a poor economy, and a divided public
Ford tried to reassure the people that turmoil was behind – wanted to build confidence in the presidency
Within a month, Ford lost support of many Americans by pardoning Nixon
Wanted to spare Americans the pain of an impeachment trial, but people felt that Nixon should be tried in court
1976: Ford challenged for presidency by Democrat Jimmy Carter, who campaigned as an outsider, promising honesty and support for human rights

12. Carter as President
Being an outsider made him appealing to the people, but made politics difficult for him
1977: Shortages of oil & natural gas forced many schools and businesses to close
Carter proposed a national energy program to cut dependence on oil program
Promoted alternative energy sources, such as coal, and nuclear/solar energy
Congress passed some of the measures
Americans didn’t like the sacrifices
Oil prices were raised again, and unemployment and inflation continued to rise

13. Carter as President Had more success with foreign policy
Wanted to end the conflict with Panama over the Panama Canal
Under treaties signed in 1977, US agreed to transfer the canal to Panama on Dec. 31, 1999
Also attempted to reduce tensions in the Middle East
1978: helped negotiate the Camp David Accords
Under these agreements, Egypt and Israel signed the first peace treaty between Israel and an Arab nation, ending 30 years of conflict