1. Richard Nixon and Watergate

2. New Federalism Nixon said he was the spokesperson for the silent majority, the Middle Americans Nixon said he was the spokesperson for the silent majority, the Middle Americans He wants to make federal government smaller – fed government gave states money to fund social programs (revenue sharing). The states then controlled them He wants to make federal government smaller – fed government gave states money to fund social programs (revenue sharing). The states then controlled them

3. New Federalism cont. Nixon contradicts himself. He actually supported programs that increased the size of government: Nixon contradicts himself. He actually supported programs that increased the size of government: –OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) –DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration) –EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) –Nixon’s welfare policies also increased gov’t

4. Southern Strategy Wants to expand his base of support Wants to expand his base of support Tries to appeal to the blue-collar worker and Southern Whites Tries to appeal to the blue-collar worker and Southern Whites Trying to make the Republican Party a powerful force in the South Trying to make the Republican Party a powerful force in the South

5. Southern Strategy cont. Court-ordered busing – trying to achieve greater racial balance Court-ordered busing – trying to achieve greater racial balance Nixon didn’t support it, called for a freeze Nixon didn’t support it, called for a freeze YET……he supported Affirmative Action – policy that gives special consideration to women and minorities in employment and in education YET……he supported Affirmative Action – policy that gives special consideration to women and minorities in employment and in education

6. Southern Strategy cont Philadelphia Plan Philadelphia Plan –Required labor unions and federal contractors to submit goals and timetables for the hiring of minorities –Next election Nixon won huge!!!!

7. Watergate – the scandal

8. Break-in Burglars break in to the DNC (Democratic National Committee) headquarters in the Watergate complex Burglars break in to the DNC (Democratic National Committee) headquarters in the Watergate complex

9. Cover-up Advisors use money from the Committee to Reelect the President to pay for the burglary. Advisors use money from the Committee to Reelect the President to pay for the burglary.

10. Tapes Nixon had tapes detailing his involvement Nixon had tapes detailing his involvement Executive Privilege – should he have to give the tapes up? Executive Privilege – should he have to give the tapes up? U.S. v. Nixon – SC says Nixon must give up tapes. U.S. v. Nixon – SC says Nixon must give up tapes.

11. Resignation He would have been impeached He would have been impeached Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein from the Washington Post are credited with cracking the story Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein from the Washington Post are credited with cracking the story

12. Lasting Impact – So What? Richard Nixon damaged the reputation of the presidency and shook the public’s confidence in government Richard Nixon damaged the reputation of the presidency and shook the public’s confidence in government Late 1950s to the mid 70s, the percentage of Americans who believed in the truth of government statements dropped from 80% to 33% Late 1950s to the mid 70s, the percentage of Americans who believed in the truth of government statements dropped from 80% to 33%

13. On the positive – it showed that the nation could survive On the positive – it showed that the nation could survive Both Congress and the SC checked the power of the President Both Congress and the SC checked the power of the President No one is above the law – RULE OF LAW No one is above the law – RULE OF LAW

14. Ford/Carter reading What critical event affected both the Ford and Carter presidencies What critical event affected both the Ford and Carter presidencies What was the economy like when Gerald Ford was president? What was the economy like when Gerald Ford was president? Why did our relationship with the Soviets cool in the late 70s? Why did our relationship with the Soviets cool in the late 70s? Mariel boatlift? Mariel boatlift? Christian fundamentalists Christian fundamentalists Changing values Changing values

15. Ford/Carter reading Carter and foreign policy Carter and foreign policy What was happening in the Middle East What was happening in the Middle East