1. The 1970s

2. 1.Nixon Imperial Presidency
Executive branch strongest – extended control with little thought to checks and balances
New Federalism
-wanted to decrease size of government
Federal gov. has too much responsibility
-New Federalism would give power back to local governments
Republican idea
-introduced revenue sharing of unrestricted money
State and local governments can spend federal dollars however they want within limits
-Must appease Democratic Congress, increased Social Security

3. 2.Nixon’s Southern Strategy
Looking to reelection
-gain southern votes by supporting southern policies such as getting the federal gov’t out of desegregation issues, and placing conservative justices to balance a liberal Supreme Ct.
Nixon courts the Dixiecrats to gain more votes; begins reversing Civil Rights legislation
-Swann v. Charlotte, 1971
forced busing
May bus students to force integration of schools
Nixon publicly disagreed & Nixon did not enforce it
-Nixon appoints several more conservative justices
In 1971, to force the integration of schools throughout the United States, the Supreme Court decreed that busing students across towns to integrate schools was legal. President Nixon, by way of trying to court the Southern Democratic vote, spoke out against this decision, and he actively encouraged state leaders not to follow the ruling.

4. 3.Economy -stagflation rising inflation and unemployment
From the beginning of the oil embargo in the fall of 1973 to March 1974, motorists faced long lines at gas stations. Factories and schools across the nation closed. When OPEC resumed selling its oil to the US, the price tripled.
-stagflation
rising inflation and unemployment
Prices rose throughout the 1960s to pay for war and Great Society; jobs become scarce
-deficit spending
Government spending more than they make in revenue; hurt the economy by the 1970s
-oil cartel embargo, 1973
OPEC (Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries) countries fighting the Yom Kippur War in Middle East
U.S. supports Israel
OPEC cuts off oil to U.S.; gas prices skyrocket

5. 4.Nixon’s Foreign Policy
-Henry Kissinger
Sec. Of State
Wants U.S. to compete based on power and not ideals; confront all powerful nations, even communists
-détente
easing of tensions with others
Even Communist nations; ease Cold War tensions
-Nixon visits China, 1972
Recognizes Chinese government; wants China on U.S. side when dealing with U.S.S.R.
-SALT Treaties with USSR, 1972
Limited the number of ICBMs and sub-missiles that could be produced

6. 5.Watergate -1972 election Nixon afraid of losing elections
-Nixon’s men break into Watergate hotel to steal campaign secrets
-CRP (CREEP)
Committee to Reelect the President – after caught, they tried to buy the burglars’ silence and cover it up
-Washington Post
Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein
Wrote a series of articles linking the President to the burglary
-Nixon wins re-election

7. 5.Watergate -Jan 1973 burglars were sentenced but one offered to talk
Burglar said the White House was involved
-top aids resign and special prosecutor assigned
Nixon responds by having CRP members resign and saying he will investigate himself – too late
-Senate begins investigation
accusations and the tapes
Nixon taped all conversations
-Saturday Night Massacre
-Nixon fires prosecutors investigating case
In an effort to convince America of his honesty, Nixon released some edited tapes of White House conversations. They actually only increased the people’s dismay. His vulgar language and lack of concern about Watergate shocked Americans. The Chicago Tribune stated “We have seen the private man and we are appalled.”

8. 5.Watergate -US v. Nixon, 1974 President surrenders tapes
“I am not a crook.”
-US v. Nixon, 1974
President surrenders tapes
“I am not a crook.”
-tapes released but edited
18 ½ minute gap of silence
-House begins process of impeachment
Obstruction of justice, abuse of power, contempt of Congress
-Nixon resigns Presidency
Still admits no guilt
-Gerald Ford becomes an un-elected leader
America very distrustful of the Presidency

9. 6.Gerald Ford Only President never elected
-appointed as Vice-President after Spiro Agnew resigned
-set out to heal the country’s wounds
-restore honesty to the Presidency
Especially after LBJ and the Watergate scandal
-pardoned Nixon soon after taking office, but this brought great criticism from a cynical public
President Gerald R. Ford, with his wife, Betty, is sworn-in as the 38th President of the United States by U.S. Supreme Court Justice Warren Burger, Aug. 9, 1974, at the White House.
“Our long national
nightmare is over.”

10. 6.Gerald Ford -inflationary problems
-called for voluntary reduction of energy resources
WIN – Whip Inflation Now
Did not work, no incentives
-reduced money supply through high interest rates
caused recession (worst in 40 years)
-vetoed many spending bills b/c of inflation
50 bills vetoed to save money
-Helsinki Accords were foreign policy accomplishment
35 nations – cooperation between East and West Europe
Easing tensions

11. 7.Jimmy Carter “The Outsider” Not a typical President
The first family brought a down-to-earth style to Washington. He refused the traditional limousine ride after his inauguration and walked with his wife and daughter down Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House. Once he was in office, Carter held chats on the radio and television and had ‘phone-ins’ where people could contact the White House directly.
“The Outsider”
Not a typical President
-former governor of Georgia
-Democrat from the South
Relaxed the Presidency
Deeply religious
-promised to bring integrity to the office
“I will never tell a lie”
-Carter’s personality and honesty won the election
Did not have the backing of Congress

12. 7.Jimmy Carter Energy/Economic Crisis -Department of Energy created
-tries to lessen energy crisis
Changing Economy
-manufacturing decreasing, technology & service increasing
-Foreign competition - many unskilled workers lose jobs
Environmentalism
-Nuclear Energy debate-dangerous but convenient
Three Mile Island
Partial meltdown showed dangers of nuclear power
-Struggle to balance environmental concerns with jobs and progress
“On Friday, a very frightening thing occurred in our area. A state policeman went door-to-door telling residents to stay indoors, close all windows, and turn all air conditioners off. I was alone, as were many other homemakers, and my thoughts were focused on how long I would remain a prisoner in my own home…Suddenly, I was scared. I decided to get out of there, while I could. I ran to the car not knowing if I should breathe the air or not, and I threw the suitcases in the trunk and was on my way within one hour… Although it was very hot in the car, I didn’t trust myself to turn the air conditioner on.”

13. 8.Humanitarian Policies Chuck Smead - American record holder
-promoted human rights throughout the world
Freedoms granted to Americans should be given to the rest of the world
-giving up the Panama Canal
Panama gains control of canal on December 31, 1999
-breakdown of détente
-renewal of the Cold War
Insistent on human rights; would not deal with U.S.S.R.
U.S.S.R. invades Afghanistan
U.S. boycotts 1980 Olympics
-later wins the Nobel Prize for his continued efforts to promote world peace since 1976
“Look at all the people who are getting killed in Afghanistan! What’s more important? Getting killed or going to the Olympics? I kinda feel the U.S. has got to do something.”
Chuck Smead - American record holder

14. 9.Middle East Crisis -Camp David Accords
-peace agreement between the leaders of Egypt and Israel---gave hopes of peace in the Middle East
Carter’s greatest achievement
Iranian Hostage Crisis
-52 hostages taken from U.S. embassy; kept until Jan. of 1981
Carter’s greatest defeat

15. The Conservative Revolution:
1968 – 1992