chapter 25 – section 1 the nixon years. nixon election - 1968 supporters – middle class “...
TRANSCRIPT
Chapter 25 –Section 1
The Nixon Years
Nixon Election - 1968
Supporters – Middle Class “Silent Majority”
Kennedy & Johnson’s Policies
Nixon’s Policies
Pg. 740 & 741
Kennedy & Johnson’s Policies
•“Great Society” programs expanded welfare and provided services to poor Americans
•Proposed & supported civil rights policies
•Increased government spending on social programs
Nixon’s Policies
•Wanted to reform welfare by replacing services with Family
Assistance Plan (FAP)
•No new civil rights policies
•Promised to cut back democratic programs.
Believed that government
needed to help out to combat
poverty.
Difference between Kennedy / Johnson & Nixon
Nixon & Economy Inflation: rising prices over time
– Check this out…Calculating Prices
Stagflation – High unemployment + high inflation
Nixon froze prices, rents & wages… Energy crisis – caused inflation
By 1973 – we used 2x as much oil as we produced
Nixon’s High Points Realpolitik – Practical Politics Disarmament talks with Soviet Union
– SALT – Strategic Arms Limitations Talks• Limits were set on long-range nuclear missiles &
defensive missiles• Détente – a lessening of tensions between US & SU
Normalization of relations with China– 1972 Visit – Established diplomatic relations with
Communist Chinese– Nixon Doctrine – Asian nations would have to
defend themselves and couldn’t rely on US for aid. Middle East Conflict – US was behind Israel
Chapter 25Section 2
From Watergate to Ford
Issues surrounding the Watergate Scandal Nixon ordered an “enemies list” of who opposed his
ideas White House created a secret unit to stop information
leaks and to spy on the Democrats June 1972, at the Watergate Hotel, five men were
arrested for breaking into the Democratic National Committee offices
– Wiretap equipment and other spying equipment found– Nixon denied involvement
Reporters and a secret source know as “Deep Throat” found that Nixon was paying these men
The White House is REALLY in trouble…
ALSO…Nixon’s vice president Spiro Agnew resigned over a tax evasion charge
Republican Gerald Ford is appointed
President:Nixon
Vice President:Agnew
Vice President:Ford
Back to Nixon being in trouble… White House tapes
– Nixon secretly recorded all his White House conversations.
– Asked to turn the tapes in – DOESN’T SATURDAY NIGHT MASSACRE-
– Nixon was court ordered to turn over the tapes. He responded by ordering that man to be fired. This led to firings and resignations of many top officials.
So “What happens?” Tapes were released, the truth came
out, a Nixon directed cover up. He resigned August 8, 1974
President:Nixon
Vice President:Agnew
Vice President:Ford
Gerald Ford takes Over
He pardoned Nixon – meaning he wouldn’t go to trial
Ford-Republican Congress-Democratic
Result: Ford never got any of his policies passed
U.S. was in a recession during this time– Ford recommended tax cuts and budget cuts– Shot down by Congress
Ford’s Foreign Policy Ford continued
Nixon’s policies Maintained U.S.
influence in Southeast Asia Cold War expands to Africa
– Gave $300 million in aid– Soviets and U.S. gave aid to
opposite fronts in Angola
Chapter 25 Section 3
Carter: as President
Who is Jimmy Carter…?
Won against Ford– Pledged to return MORALITY to government
Domestic Policy– Pardoned draft evaders – Popularity – Economy – Goal to inflation & unemployment
• Tax cuts• Voluntary wage & price controls• Unsuccessful – By 1980 = recession
What did he have to deal with?… Energy Crisis
– National Energy Act & Dept. of Energy created– World events threatened supply
• Iran revolution stopped shipments• OPEC raised oil prices 50%• Three Mile Island accident• Gas supplies ran out – long lines
– Asked Americans to…• Go 55 mph• Set thermostats no higher than 65• Limit driving to only necessary
Carter’s Foreign Policy Rejected Realpolitik wanted morals in
US foreign policy Supported right to freedom from torture and
unlawful detention Around the World
– Panama Canal – give operations to Panama by 2000
– Soviet Union – All time low• Invasion of Afghanistan• Boycott of 1980 Olympics in Moscow
– Middle East• Agreed on a framework for achieving peace in Mid. East• Peace treaty that ended 30 state of war between Egypt &
Israel
Carter’s Legacy Americans were frustrated that Carter could not find
solutions to the energy crisis, inflation and unemployment
Iran Hostage Crisis– Remember when Eisenhower put Pahlavi in charge?
• He wasn’t a nice guy• Ayatollah Khomeini created Islamic Republic• Carter allowed Pahlavi into US for treatment• Outraged Iran & they took 50+ US hostages
Became more famous AFTER presidency
Chapter 25Section 4
Life in the 1970s
Life in the 1970’s
Increase in Asian and Latin American immigrants
Voting Rights Act of 1975- required states to print voting materials in other languages
People started moving to the south “The Sunbelt” reason: warmer weather, more land available
Family Life: people lived alone longer, divorce rates started to rise, Family sizes were smaller, birthrates dropped
American Attitude & Entertainment People focused on
bettering themselves Running and eating right
became the thing to do Movie boom
– Steven Spielberg – Jaws, E.T. Close Encounters of a 3rd Kind
Music – Disco’s became popular – Fog, bubble machines, and strobe lights
Technology
MOON LANDING!!– July 20,1969
– Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin 1973 Skylab space station put in orbit Apple
– Stephen Jobs and Stephen Wozniak founded in their parents garage
Other inventions: Atari video game system, the VCR, answering machines