Download presentation
Presentation is loading. Please wait.
Published byMeryl Bennett Modified over 9 years ago
2
The Nixon Presidency 1969 to 1974
3
Nixon promises to bring Americans together but... n Vice President Spiro Agnew- attacks the media and the left –The Press: – “Nattering naybobs of negativism –The Democrats: –“Sniveling hand-wringers” n Nixon thought both were out to get him n Media is off balance afraid to be critical of Nixon
4
Democrats control Congress. n Hard for Nixon to pass legislation n Nixon’s long term goal - make Republicans the majority party.
5
Nixon’s “Southern Strategy” n Turns back on black vote & courts Southern Whites –against extending Voting Rights Act, sought to slow desegregation, filed suits to end busing to deseg. schools n Attacks liberal Warren Supreme Court n Appoints conservative Federal judges. –Senate twice rejected nominees they considered too conservative
6
Nixon appoints n Warren Burger (conserv. to replace retiring Earl Warren) n Harry Blackmun (Roe v Wade) n Lewis Powell n William Rehnquist (current CJ) n Shifts court to center-right
7
Nixon’s Vietnam Policy n Vietnamization- gradual withdrawal of U.S forces n Replaced by So. Vietnamese troops. n The Nixon Doctrine- We will assist, but not send troops.
8
Campus Deaths and Leaking Files n Protests at Kent State and Jackson State results in student deaths. n June 1971 “The Pentagon Papers” published in NY Times – Leaked by Daniel Ellsberg - fmr Dept. of Defense analyst –Documentary history of U.S. involvement in Vietnam –Not damaging to Nixon but reveals string of U.S. govt. lies that could undermine public trust
9
Nixon goes to China - July 1971 n Ping Pong Diplomacy of 4/71 n Henry Kissinger arranges trip n Nixon 1st sitting President to visit PRC n Nixon plays China off against Soviet Union n Historic opening of relations w/ China
10
Left - Nixon tours Great Wall Right - Nixon and Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai toast to improved Sino-American relations
11
Nixon in the USSR n Nixon visits Moscow in 1972 n Concludes agreements on trade (ag.), technological cooperation, and nuclear weapons n SALT I (ratified 10/72) limits defensive missiles & freezes new offensive missile production for 5 years n Less defense = MAD
12
Nixonomics n Inherits cost of Vietnam War & Great Society n Stagflation (inflation combined w/ high unemployment) n Fed raises rate to reduce $ in circulation n Inflation hits 5.6% - Nixon imposes wage/price freeze n Devalues the dollar internationally to encourage purchase of U.S. goods n Problems persist throughout 70s
13
1972 Election nNnNnNnNixon expected to win on Diplomatic Success, Law & Order policies & Southern strategy nRnRnRnRan against George McGovern (D-SD) nNnNnNnNixon painted him as New Left radical nCnCnCnCREEP formed to raise $ & spy on Dems. nWnWnWnWatergate break-in (June 17, 1972) nFnFnFnFoiled but temp. covered up by POTUS
14
n Nixon n Nixon wins with 61% of pop vote n 520 n 520 to 17 n Low n Low voter turnout (55%) n Dems n Dems hold Congress
15
Yom Kippur War 1973 n Arabs attack Israel n Nixon sends aid n OPEC imposes oil embargo 1974 n Gas lines & high inflation
16
The Watergate Scandal Grows nCnCnCnConspirators began talking - word of WH coercion spreading nWnWnWnWoodward & Bernstein - Washington Post nNnNnNnNixon aide John Dean implicated Nixon in Cover-up nSnSnSnSenate investigation lead by Sam Irvin (D- NC) nWnWnWnWhite House tapes subpoenaed - Nixon refuses
17
Watergate n7n7n7n7/30/74 - House voted for 3 Articles of Impeachment –O–O–O–Obstruction, abuse of pwr, subverting const. n8n8n8n8/5/74 - Nixon releases tapes by order of S.Court - reveals his participation n8n8n8n8/9/74 - Nixon resigns rather than face impeachment nFnFnFnFord takes his place - pardons him a month later
Similar presentations
© 2025 SlidePlayer.com. Inc.
All rights reserved.