1. Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, G. W. Bush
1970s to the Present
Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, G. W. Bush

2. Richard Nixon
1st president to visit China and Soviet Union during Cold War
Opened up political and trade relations
China and the Soviet Union stopped sending weapons and supplies to North Vietnam, which helped end the Vietnam War

3. Richard Nixon The Moon Landing July, 1969 Neil Armstrong & Buzz Aldrin
With the popularity of television, Americans watched as the astronauts planted an American flag on the moon
The space race between the U.S. and the Soviet Union was over

4. Richard Nixon The Watergate Scandal
Nixon’s campaign was accused of taking illegal campaign contributions from corporations who in exchange wanted special favors
Nixon (a Republican) authorized the burglary of the offices of the Democratic National Headquarters in the Watergate apartment complex.
The burglars were trying to find out Democratic campaign strategies and to leave listening devices in the office.

5. Richard Nixon The Watergate Scandal
The Nixon Whitehouse tried to cover-up its involvement and obstructed the investigation.
When Nixon’s involvement became apparent through investigative newspaper reporting, Congress began the process of impeaching the President.
Nixon was informed that he would be found guilty during an impeachment trial so he resigned from office on August 9, 1974 instead of being the first President removed from office.

6. Richard Nixon Impact of the Watergate Scandal
Increased distrust of the government led to fewer people voting and seeking office.
The reputation of the Republican party was damaged.
The media was praised for their investigative work
The effectiveness of the U.S. democratic system, especially checks and balances, was proven successful.

7. Gerald Ford Nixon’s Vice President
Became president when Nixon resigned
Pardoned Nixon for crimes
Vietnam war ended during his presidency
Economy in worst recession since Great Depression

8. Jimmy Carter Tried to bring peace to the Middle East
Camp David Accords
Negotiated peace treaty between Egypt and Israel at presidential retreat in Maryland
1st peace agreement between Middle Eastern nations

9. Jimmy Carter
1979- Iranian Revolution replaced the Shah (friendly to the U.S.) with a Muslim leader (not friendly to U.S.)
Carter let the former Shah of Iran enter U.S. to receive cancer treatment
Iranian revolutionaries were furious
Iranian Hostage Crisis
Angry Iranians invaded the U.S. embassy
Took 52 Americans hostage for 444 days
Led to anti-Americanism amongst Muslims around the world
Also led to Carter losing reelection in 1980

10. Ronald Reagan
Wanted to decrease the size and role of the federal government
Reaganomics
Nickname for his economic policy
Four key components:
Reduce government spending
Reduce income tax
Reduce government regulation
Control the money supply to reduce inflation

11. Ronald Reagan Iran-Contra Scandal
U.S. sold weapons to Iran (enemy of U.S.)
Some of the profits were used to fund a rebellion in Nicaragua (led by the “Contras”)
Reagan denied involvement but two of his Whitehouse aides were convicted for violating Federal laws

12. Ronald Reagan Collapse of the Soviet Union
Last leader, Mikhail Gorbechev, set up democratic policies
Freedom of speech, press, and other reforms
Set up nuclear arms agreement with U.S. that officially ended the Cold War
Reforms got out of Gorbechev’s control and Soviet Union broke up into separate countries

13. Bill Clinton North Atlantic Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)
Added Mexico to the free-trade agreement between the U.S. and Canada
This means these countries could trade freely with no tariffs
Second President to be impeached
Charged with perjury and obstruction of justice
Accused of improper use of funds
Lied about inappropriate relationship with White House intern
Senate acquitted him

14. 2000 Presidential Election
Al Gore (D) v. George W. Bush (R)
Closest election in U.S. history
Gore won popular vote, but Bush won the electoral college
Only 537 votes separated the candidates in Florida
Triggered a mandatory machine recount the next day
Supreme Court (Bush v. Gore) ordered end to recount
Bush won election

15. George W. Bush September 11th Attacks (9/11)
Al-Qaeda attacked the World Trade Center and the Pentagon
Passed the Patriot Act that allowed gov’t to hold foreign citizens suspected of being terrorists
Also allowed gov’t to search private communications
Created Department of Homeland Security
Protect U.S. from terrorist attacks and respond to natural disasters

16. George W. Bush War on Terrorism “Operation Enduring Freedom”
Invasion of Afghanistan
Afghanistan’s Taliban gov’t was harboring al-Qaeda leadership
Quickly defeated the Taliban gov’t and destroyed al-Qaeda
Osama bin Laden escaped, but was killed in 2011 by Navy SEALs

17. George W. Bush War on Terrorism “Operation Iraqi Freedom”
Invasion of Iraq
U.S. forces searched for weapons of mass destruction (WMD)
None were ever found
Iraq’s president, Saddam Hussein, went into hiding
Captured and executed in for crimes against humanity