1. Politics and Economics: 1971-1980 The Nixon, Ford, and Carter Administrations
Explain how Presidents Nixon, Ford, and Carter attempted to lead the United States through domestic and foreign crises.

3. The Nixon Administration
New Federalism: Nixon’s policy of dismantling a number of federal programs and giving more control to state and local governments.
Policy should have given more power to local governments, but actually made them dependent on the federal government for funding
When Congress appropriated money for programs he opposed, Nixon impounded the funds

4. Nixon’s Foreign Policy
Henry Kissinger – Nixon’s national security advisor
Détente: relaxation of tensions between the Soviet Union and China
February 1972 – Nixon visited China, agreed to “more normal” relations
May 1972 – Nixon visited Soviet Union
Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty (SALT I): limit nuclear arms

8. Economic Crisis of the 1970s
Funding both the Vietnam War and Great Society without raising taxes = deficit spending
inflation
Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries embargoed countries that supported Israel
U.S. created price controls for oil
OPEC’s increased prices and U.S. controls = oil shortage and rising prices

10. A Stagnant Economy
Decline in manufacturing sector caused by increased international competition
Increase in unemployed and underemployed workers
Stagflation: a combination of rising prices and economic stagnation

11. Ford Takes Over
September 8, 1974 – Ford granted a “full, free, and absolute pardon” to Richard Nixon
Ford stated he was acting in the public’s best interest, wanted to avoid a public division during a criminal trial
By 1975, the economy was in its worst recession since the Great Depression

12. Ford’s Foreign Policy Ford followed Nixon’s general strategy
August 1975 – signed the Helsinki Accords
Leaders of NATO and Warsaw Pact
Agreed to recognize the borders of Eastern Europe
Soviets agreed to uphold basic human rights, including the right to move across national borders
Soviets failed to uphold their end of the deal

14. Carter Battles the Economic Crisis
Carter believed the nation’s most serious problem was its dependence on foreign oil
Encouraged use of renewable resources and created the Department of Energy
Carter’s inability to work with Congress caused many of his programs to fail
Inflation continued to grow

15. Carter’s Foreign Policy
Carter argued that the U.S. must try to be “right and honest and truthful and decent” in dealing with other nations.
Treaty created to give the Panama Canal back to Panama on December 31, 1999
Put a grain embargo on Soviet Union and boycotted the 1980 Olympic games in Moscow after Soviets invaded Afghanistan

16. Triumph and Failure in the Middle East
Camp David Accords (1978): helped to broker a peace treaty signed between Israel and Egypt
Iran Hostage Crisis (1979)
American supported Iranian Shah overthrown
November: American embassy in Tehran stormed and 52 hostages taken
1980: failed rescue attempt
Hostages released the day after Carter left office – 444 days in captivity