1. Chapter 31 Section 1 US Global Studies 10 Riddlebarger
The Nixon Years
Chapter 31
Section 1
US Global Studies 10
Riddlebarger

2. Nixon’s Politics Reputation as anti-communist (Alger Hiss hearing)
Conservative
Felt Federal government had grown too large
Retirement & comeback
1968 election
“It’s time to have power go back from Washington to the states and to the cities of this country all over America.”
Southern Strategy

3. Nixon’s Policies Drugs & Crime Environment
Miranda case
Police are required to inform you of constitutional rights before questioning
Environment
Creation of EPA
Clean Air Act
Occupational Safety and Health Act (OHSA)
Reduced workplace injuries

5. Realpolitik Kissinger and realpolitik
Kissinger is National Security Advisor
Realpolitik guided foreign policy (and Vietnam)
Means basing foreign policies on realistic views of national interest (what is best for America)
Government should not be bound by promises to fight communism or promote freedom
Significant change from policies like Containment

6. Detente Nixon took steps to ease tensions with Cold War enemies
These efforts are called détente
Goal was a stable world where U.S. & its adversaries accepted each other’s place in it.
Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT) brought limits to building of missile systems between U.S. & U.S.S.R.

7. China China and Soviet Union were bitter rivals
Nixon sought a better relationship with China to pressure Soviets into more cooperation
Table tennis invite
Nixon visits China
Leads to Soviets agreeing to SALT treaty

8. Middle East Troubles Yom Kippur War between Israel and Egypt & Syria
U.S. backed Israel
U.S.S.R. backed Syria & Egypt
This conflict threatened to grow into a bigger fight between the 2 superpowers

9. OPEC embargo Impact of the war is Arab nations impose an oil embargo
Embargo is the refusal of a country to ship a product from its ports
OPEC is the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, composed of mainly Arab countries
US was heavily dependent on foreign oil
This caused an energy crisis in US
High gas prices, long lines at the pump
Impacts price of other products
Contributes to economic problems in US economy

10. Gas lines

11. Shuttle Diplomacy
Countries involved in Middle East crisis refuse to meet
As a result, Henry Kissinger turns to Shuttle Diplomacy to solve the problem
He literally travels from group to group trying to work out separate agreements to end the conflict
Eventually, the military conflict ended as well as the oil embargo

12. Economic Troubles
As the 1972 election approach, Nixon worried about high inflation and rising unemployment
Inflation was at 5% and rising
Despite his conservative beliefs in limited government, he now believes it is time for government action
Announces 90-day freeze on wages & prices
Attempt to curb inflation
His actions had the desired effect for the short term
Long-term economic issues remain