Nixon’s America

The 1968 Election Nixon squeaked

by Humphrey & Wallace, vowed to represent Middle America and the Silent Majority

New Federalism Believed US had tired

of LBJ’s Great Society However, also believed

the Govn’t could fix social ills if it gave more power to the states to use locally Revenue Sharing

Expanding Government Power Occupational Safety &

Health Admin (OSHA) regulated the workplace

EPA created Clean Air Act

DEA created Medicare grew

Problems From LBJ’s Economy Cost of Vietnam &

Gt. Society came due for Nixon to pay back Inflation &

recession coupled to create Stagflation

Foreign competition further hurts economy

The Oil Crisis - OPEC

1973- Yom Kippur War causes Arabs to ban together to create OPEC Embargo oil sales to

Israel’s allies Oil jumps 400%

Lines at gas pump

A Flawed Nixon Response

Aug, 1971, places 90 day price freeze on wages and prices

Price controls cause economic tailspin through mid-1970’s

iCue Energy Crisis of 1973

Why did this Happen? Govn’t Interference Uh oh, economics…

High prices signal business to produce more out of self interest

Price & Wage controls make it not worth the time for business to produce and ship more

Causes shortages for the consumer (more gas lines)

Massive Social UpheavalRoe v. Wade

1973 -Burger Court rules for abortions

Highly controversial, still hotly debated

iCue 30 Years After Roe v Wade

Nixon’s Impact on Politics and Society

Southern Strategy Target white

southerners & blue- collar workers, both traditional Dems.

Plan to control national politics for years to come for Repub Party

Southern StrategyGo for the “Dixiecrats”- Democrats against civil rights.

South Historically pro Democrat

First President since Truman to openly go against Civil Rights Tried to weaken Civil Rights Act Against forced busing.

Civil Rights Under Nixon, A Mixed Bag

1971- Supreme Court mandates busing to integrate schools Nixon speaks out, issues

moratorium VERY popular move

all over US

The Philadelphia Plan Required labor

unions & Fed. Contractors to hire minorities First form of

affirmative action Wants to ensure

equal opportunity

Nixon Triumphant Nixon’s 1972 Election

Peace in Vietnam, Men on the moon, represents the common man, strong on crime, middle way on civil rights, popular over China & USSR, Environment...

LANDSLIDE VICTORY

iCue Nixon Bio