1. Politics and Economics 1971 - 1980
Chapter 19

2. Learning Targets
Students will be able to explain the policies and achievements of the Nixon administration and the Watergate scandal that resulted in Nixon’s resignation
Students will be able to explain the administrations of Presidents Ford and Carter
Students will be able to explain the economic and social problems impacting the US during the 1970’s

3. The Nixon Administration
The Election of 1968
Democratic nominee: Hubert Humphrey
Republican nominee: Richard Nixon
Third-Party nominee: George Wallace
Nixon’s Southern Strategy - captured several Southern states by promising to slow desegregation and overturn some Civil Rights policies
President Richard Nixon

4. The Nixon Administration
Nixon Policies
Law & order – against expanding the rights of accused criminals
New Federalism – dismantled federal programs giving more control to state and local governments
Revenue Sharing – federal funds given to states (allowing the imposition of conditions)
Impounded funds – Nixon refused to release money appropriated by Congress for programs if he opposed those programs

5. The Nixon Administration
Nixon’s Foreign Policy
Chose Henry Kissinger as his National Security Advisor
Détente – relaxation of tensions
Nixon sought better relations with the USSR and Communist China
Nixon visited China in 1972 and opened up trade/travel
Summit – high-level meeting
Nixon traveled to USSR and met with Russian leaders and signed a Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty (SALT I)
Chinese Communist leader Zhou Enlai and President Nixon in China 1972

6. The Watergate Scandal Nixon secretive and suspicious of opponents
Had “Enemies List”
Election of 1972 loomed – Nixon wanted to ensure victory
Five Nixon supporters broke into Democratic Party offices at Watergate Hotel – arrested by police
Authorities found that some of the “burglars” were ex-CIA and worked for the Committee to Re-elect the President (CRP)
The Watergate Hotel

7. The Watergate Scandal President initiated a cover-up of the incident
Nixon denied involvement and won election of 1972
1973 Trial of burglars – John Dean ratted out Nixon
Testimony revealed tape recordings made in Oval Office
Investigators sought tapes but Nixon refused – cited Executive Privilege – policy where conversations should remain confidential for national security

8. Nixon and advisors in the Oval Office
The Watergate Scandal
Special Prosecutor appointed by the court – Archibald Cox
Cox demanded the recordings
Nixon ordered his Attorney General to fire Cox – he and his assistant refused
Cox fired by Nixon’s Solicitor General
This was called “Saturday Night Massacre” by the press
Nixon and advisors in the Oval Office

9. The Watergate Scandal
Vice President Spiro Agnew resigned due to conviction for bribes
Gerald Ford appointed VP
New Special Prosecutor named – Leon Jaworski
Jaworski also demanded recordings
Nixon forced by court to turn over all tapes
House Judiciary Committee voted to impeach Nixon
Nixon resigned - Ford now President
President Gerald Ford

10. Gas station closes – No gasoline due to OPEC embargo
Ford & Carter
Economic Crisis of the 1970s
Johnson’s high spending on Vietnam War and the Great Society caused inflation – rise in the cost of goods
US support for Israel in 1973 Yom Kippur War caused OPEC to embargo (stop shipment) oil to US – caused gas shortage
Odd/Even days, national speed limit of 55 mph
Decline of manufacturing jobs in US
“Stagflation” – combination of rising prices and economic stagnation
Gas station closes – No gasoline due to OPEC embargo

11. US Marines board the Mayaguez
Ford & Carter
Ford Takes Over
Pardoned Nixon – aroused immense criticism
Worst recession since Great Depression
Ford advocated using less oil/gas and higher interest rates as part of WIN policy (Whip Inflation Now)
Made Kissinger Secretary of State
Recognized borders of Eastern Europe under Helsinki Accords
Sent US Marines to rescue cargo ship Mayaguez from Cambodia
US Marines board the Mayaguez

12. President Jimmy Carter
Ford & Carter
Election of 1976 – Governor of Georgia, Jimmy Carter, won presidency
Created Department of Energy – asked Americans to cut consumption of oil
Carter proved to be poor leader
Signed treaty giving the Panama Canal back to Panama (1999)
Boycotted 1980 Moscow Olympics
President Jimmy Carter

13. Ford & Carter
Carter brokered peace treaty between Egypt and Israel in Camp David Accords 1978
Backed Shah of Iran
Iran revolted against the Shah – US embassy in Tehran stormed and 52 Americans held hostage
Authorized rescue attempt (Desert One) that ended in accident killing 8 US servicemen
Iran kept hostages until Reagan elected in 1980
The remains of US servicemen and equipment at Desert One disaster in Iran

14. Life in the 1970s – The “Me” Decade
Americans becoming more self-obsessed
New Age Movement – the seeking of fulfillment
Transcendental Meditation – daily meditation and repetition of mantras helped achieve harmony and good health
Guru – mystical leader
More women worked outside the home, had fewer children, and divorce rates doubled
The Beatles with their Guru

15. Life in the 1970s – The “Me” Decade
Cultural Trends
Television – new perspectives on blacks and women (The Jeffersons, Good Times, Maude, Mary Tyler Moore)
Music – less “message” music, rise of Disco
Fads – skateboards, mood rings, CB radios, aerobics, running
The Jeffersons

16. Assignment Presidential Assessment
Students will research the following presidents: Nixon, Ford, and Carter
Students will create a PowerPoint that meets the following criteria
Name of president and picture with beginning and end dates of administration
Short biography (not longer than one slide)
A minimum of five positive actions/events (explain them – why are they important?)
A minimum of five negative actions/events (explain them – why are they important?)
Use appropriate pictures/charts/graphs/etc. in explanation
Overall conclusion – your opinion of his presidency supported by facts
Students may work individually or in pairs
Students will turn in the work by the end of the period Friday, 27 March