Politics and Economics

1971 - 1980

Chapter 27

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

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

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

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)

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 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

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 his Solicitor General• This was called “Saturday Night

Massacre” by the press

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Assignment

• Presidential Assessment Students will research the following presidents: Nixon, Ford, and Carter Students will create a PowerPoint that meets the following criteria

o Name of president and picture with beginning and end dates of administrationo Short biography (not longer than one slide)o A minimum of five positive actions/events (explain them – why are they important?)o A minimum of five negative actions/events (explain them – why are they important?)o Use appropriate pictures/charts/graphs/etc. in explanationo 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